"You're here."
The cold, gloomy voice rang out within the small building. Xu Yuan bent deeply at the waist. At some point, a hunched old man had already appeared before him.
Compared to when they had first met, this elder's appearance was now far more restrained. He wore a dark green Daoist robe and resembled one of those wealthy old men of the mortal world who worshipped celestial venerables.
"Inner Mountain disciple Xu Yuan pays respects to Elder Jade River."
Maintaining his bow, Xu Yuan performed a solemn salute. The next moment, he felt an exceedingly heavy gaze press down upon him.
"Still calling me Elder?"
The gaze vanished at the first touch. Xu Yuan felt a mysterious force help him straighten up. Understanding dawned on him, and he immediately changed his address.
"This disciple Xu Yuan pays respects to Master."
"Hmph. At least you're quick-witted." Jade River nodded with a smile and flicked his sleeve. An object flew out from within and landed before Xu Yuan.
"Take it. Consider this your gift for entering my tutelage."
"Thank you, Master." Xu Yuan did not decline and accepted the gift.
It was a jade-green pearl painted with a spider that had a human face. When Xu Yuan's gaze met that face, he could even sense that it seemed to be staring back at him.
"This is an Emerald Spider Pearl refined from the right eye of the Yin Mountain Ghost Pearl. It can gather scattered demonic aura from heaven and earth, store it, and use it for attacks."
Jade River flicked out a streak of spiritual light with his right hand. It contained the Emerald Spider Pearl's instructions and description. Xu Yuan was slightly startled. The initiation gift casually given by this master he had only just acknowledged was actually a