Yu Ke paused in surprise.
Cai Yingzhao and Chen Jingqiu withdrew their Daoist arts at the same time and looked over intently.
The hornless dragon flashed with spiritual light and transformed straight into human form.
He was a tall young man in plain blue-and-white robes that lent him an elegant, refined air. A pale blue headband crossed his brow.
His features were well-proportioned, but his pupils were slightly vertical, giving him a distant, detached look. Just then, though, genuine delight shone in his eyes.
Neither Cai Yingzhao nor Chen Jingqiu recognized him.
As the young man appeared, the heavy storm clouds overhead dispersed on their own.
Wang Yunxi immediately soared into the air. When she saw who had come, she jolted and cried, "Senior Brother Lan Yu!"
The young man smiled faintly, but his gaze did not settle on Wang Yunxi. He looked straight at Yu Ke. "Junior Brother Yu, I hope you've been well."
Yu Ke smiled in greeting. "So it's you, Senior Brother Lan. The flood has washed right into the Dragon King's temple!"
As the two spoke, Chen Jingqiu quietly furrowed his brow.
The name "Lan Yu" alone was enough for him to guess the man's identity.
This was the renowned "Still-Water Dragon Lord" Lan Yu of the Inner Sect.
Three years earlier, Lan Yu had also become an Inner Sect True Disciple.
Anyone who established a foothold in the Inner Sect and made a resounding name for himself was among the finest of his generation. Above the Inner Sect disciples, however, stood the even more esteemed True Disciples.
The places for True Disciples in the Eight Inner Sect Branches were fixed. Only when a predecessor stepped down or advanced could a newcomer take his place.
In other words, every True Disciple had relied on real strength