Minglan had arranged to meet Yu Ci at Shanjin Hall in the central courtyard. Within stood offerings to more than twenty of Xuan Yin Celestial's most devout divine attendants from legend, each different in appearance yet vivid in both form and spirit, lined along either side. When Yu Ci stepped through the hall doors, Minglan was seated upright amid the overlapping shadows cast by the statues. Even with Yu Ci's keen eyesight, he could not make out her features or expression at first.
Perhaps, as the True Suchness attendant had said, Minglan had fallen gravely ill. Her voice was hoarse and weak:
"Life has its own fated bonds. I never thought that before departing for Li Huan Heaven, I would meet Immortal Yu again."
Yu Ci did not understand what Minglan meant, but he knew he absolutely could not let someone else seize control of the conversation today. He stepped forward. "I have come today to ask Master Bichao about a matter. Since the master is absent, consulting Master Ming will do just as well!"
As he spoke, he finally saw Minglan clearly, and his scalp suddenly prickled.
"Master Ming?"
It had only been around three months since he had last seen Minglan. Where was that Master Ming from his memories, whose youth had faded but whose charm remained? The person before Yu Ci now had silver hair and a face carved with ravines. Her flesh seemed to sag from her bones; she was plainly an old crone whose appearance was withering, waiting for death to claim her!
The old woman inclined herself slightly. "Forgive me, my health is poor, and it is inconvenient for me to offer proper greetings. It has been several months since we parted. Immortal Yu's cultivation has advanced another step—congratulations."
Yu Ci was speechless for