Great Yu Imperial Palace, Sacred Hall. A towering, majestic structure of the Divine Realm, it seemed to float suspended in the void, magnificent beyond compare.
Before the Sacred Hall, ninety thousand stone steps stretched downward. Divine generals stood guard along both sides, their imposing presence astounding.
That day, Teacher, clad in a Confucian robe, arrived with Ning Chen and ascended the heavenly stairway step by step.
The ninety thousand stone steps took the two of them more than an hour to climb. The road of pilgrimage was difficult for mortals to ascend.
Within the Sacred Hall, the Great Yu Emperor, dressed in a Dragon Robe, stood quietly before the imperial throne. Purple aura swirled around him, vast and mighty as the sea.
Inside the hall, ministers of the Divine Dynasty stood in two rows, awaiting the pair's arrival.
After a long while, the two figures appeared before the Sacred Hall and entered the great hall.
Teacher performed a salute according to the customs of the Confucian Sect and said, "Your Majesty, I have brought him."
"Teacher, it has been a long time."
Before the imperial throne, the Great Yu Emperor spoke calmly.
"I am no longer Your Majesty's teacher. Your Majesty need not address me so."
Teacher replied indifferently.
"Once a teacher, always a teacher."
The Great Yu Emperor smiled. "This time, I must still thank Teacher for personally capturing this demon."
"Slaying demons and protecting the Dao is the duty of our Confucian Sect. Your Majesty is too courteous."
Teacher answered, saying not another word.
Before the imperial throne, the Great Yu Emperor smiled faintly and turned his gaze toward the demon whose cultivation had been sealed by the Confucian Sect's secret art. A glint flickered through his eyes.
"What is your name?" the Great Yu Emperor asked.
"Ning