The torrential rain let up, the dark clouds scattered, and the blazing sun lit up Langya. A rainbow arched over the city, and once again, the day was bright and sunny.
The immortal maidens filling the He household, the jade palaces and towers, and the cool, clear moonlight all faded away, restoring the place to its quiet elegance. But then the sound of a zither rang out, melodious and ethereal, its notes tinkling like flowing water. It seemed to recount a lifetime: neither wind nor rain, neither sunshine nor storm.
Meng Qi sat in the Jade Void Palace on Kunlun Mountain, listening quietly for quite some time. Only then did light and shadow appear before him, coalescing into a round mirror that reflected He Mu, Fang Huayin, Great Green Root, and the Howling Celestial Dog.
Great Green Root had already lost so badly that he was in a sorry state. He stared at Meng Qi in bewilderment and blurted out, "Sect Master Lord, if you had something to say, you could've sent a message to the gatekeeper. Why go to all this trouble?"
Fang Huayin and He Mu also came around one after another. They looked at their master in confusion, unsure what urgent matter required him to summon them in person instead of using the convenient, speedy virtual group-hall function of the Myriad Realms Universal Talisman.
Of course, Meng Qi couldn't say that he'd simply felt like doing it on a whim. He still had to maintain a certain degree of dignity in front of his disciples, gatekeeper, and watchdog. He gave a slight nod without explaining, then said directly, "I have a task for you."
"Just give the order, Master," He Mu replied at once, without the slightest hesitation.
Fang Huayin quickly followed. "Master, what is the task?