Seeing this, Xiao Wu quietly winked at Deng Tianxin, her meaning obvious.
That token you're holding really worked.
Deng Tianxin said nothing and merely shook his head slightly, signaling for her not to speak carelessly in front of someone else's mountain gate.
Di Qiu'er remained expressionless. Only as she passed the gray-clothed man did she seem to cast a casual glance at his still slightly trembling fingers.
By the time they were halfway up the stone steps, the mountain mist had gradually thickened.
Several Clear Sky Sect disciples came down from above, all wearing solemn expressions. They stood in two rows and cupped their fists in greeting.
Deng Tianxin gave a slight nod in return.
The farther up they went, the narrower the mountain path became, though the stone steps grew increasingly neat. Resting pavilions had even been carved into the cliff walls.
The faint sound of a bell drifted through the mist, one toll after another, deep and resonant as though it came from within the mountain itself.
By the time the three of them reached the mountain gate, dozens of Clear Sky Sect disciples were already standing in formation to await them.
At their head stood a black-robed elder of around seventy. His gaze lingered on Deng Tianxin for a moment before he led the others forward to greet them.
"This old man is Tang Zhen, Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect. Greetings, Your Highness the Saint Son." Though Tang Zhen's manner was neither servile nor overbearing, he still made Deng Tianxin's identity clear. "I did not know Your Highness would be coming from so far away and failed to welcome you properly. I hope you will forgive me."
If Deng Tianxin had not possessed that token, his status would not have been enough to warrant Tang