"Understood, Master."
Li Yunjing nodded solemnly. He understood that his master wanted him to make a good impression, earn more points in his favor, and deepen his influence among the sect's upper ranks.
The two continued onward and soon reached the summit.
A magnificent palace, built entirely from Nine Heavens Mystic Jade, stood before them. Above its entrance hung a timeworn plaque bearing three powerful characters: "Divine Firmament Hall!"
Two Golden Core Realm elders stood silently on either side of the entrance, dressed in purple-and-gold Daoist robes. When they saw Qin Jiuxiao arrive, they inclined their heads slightly. "Peak Master Qin, the Sect Leader is waiting inside."
"Mm!"
Qin Jiuxiao returned the greeting, then led Li Yunjing into the hall.
Inside, nine jade pillars coiled with dragons supported the domed ceiling, while the immortal stones paving the floor shimmered with flecks of spiritual light.
At the center of the hall, atop a raised platform, a middle-aged man in Daoist robes sat cross-legged. His aura was as deep and boundless as the sea, yet he had returned to simplicity, seeming almost one with heaven and earth.
Clearly, after all these years, this genius of the Divine Firmament Dao Sect had made further progress. There was something unfathomable about him now.
Li Yunjing was deeply shaken!
He had thought his combat prowess had caught up with Ming Lingchuan's!
Now it seemed he was still a little behind!
But the gap was no longer great. At the very least, Li Yunjing could sense Ming Lingchuan's powerful fluctuations now, rather than merely knowing that he was powerful without having any idea just how powerful he was.
"Headmaster!"
Qin Jiuxiao bowed slightly.
Li Yunjing, however, had to bow respectfully. "This disciple, Li Yunjing, pays his respects to the Sect Leader."
Clearly, though his status was