Lingxiao True Person Takes a Disciple

A towering peak pierced the clouds, with countless exotic flowers and rare herbs growing upon it. At its summit stood a magnificent red palace, its stone pillars carved with vivid, lifelike depictions of demon beasts. On the gilded plaque were the three large characters: "Red Cloud Hall."

The hall was lavishly decorated. Its floor was paved with a certain kind of red spirit jade, glimmering with spiritual light and exuding extravagance.

A middle-aged elder sat atop a red jade chair. He wore a red robe embroidered with pythons, and had a square face and ruddy complexion. A faint crimson gleam flashed in his eyes. A palm-sized Red Gourd hung at his waist, upon which the two small characters "Red Cloud" could vaguely be seen.

The elder in red was Red Cloud True Person, one of the Huifeng Commerce Alliance's five great experts—or so the cultivators of the Outer Sea claimed. Red Cloud True Person himself did not agree with that assessment.

The Huifeng Commerce Alliance was full of masters. He was hardly among its very strongest.

A graceful middle-aged woman sat nearby. She wore a purple gauze dress, with a round face and lively eyes that constantly shifted. Her delicate brows tilted slightly upward, lending her an air of heroic spirit, while multiple butterfly patterns were embroidered upon her sleeves.

She was Thousand Butterfly Fairy, one of the Outer Sea Three Immortals, skilled in the arts of insect control and beast taming.

"Madam Mu, what a rare visitor! It has been more than a hundred years since we last met, hasn't it?"

Red Cloud True Person said cheerfully, his tone gentle. From his words, it was clear that he and Thousand Butterfly Fairy were old acquaintances.

"More than a hundred years have passed, yet I am still marking time where