Yu Chen had not been stationed in the blessed grotto-heaven beside Shangqiu for long when Illuminated Daoist came to visit him, bringing A Lu, Horned-Head Immortal, and a young man carrying a bright lamp.
"Long time no see, Fellow Daoist Yu Chen."
Upon entering the Dao Palace, Illuminated Daoist bowed to Yu Chen, who sat above.
Yu Chen knew that Illuminated Daoist's "long time no see" referred to his true body. Smiling, he said, "This place is also your Daoist ground. Why are you placing yourself in the position of a guest?"
As he spoke, he pointed to the seat that had long been prepared beside him.
Illuminated Daoist shook his head. "Though you and I are placed side by side within the Dao Palace, everyone knows that you are its true core. How could I stand on equal footing with you?"
With that, Illuminated Daoist pointed, and one more seat appeared below Yu Chen while the other seats shifted naturally.
Illuminated Daoist stepped forward and took the foremost seat. A Lu and the others behind him also came forward to pay their respects, explaining that Jin Guangxian and Spirit Fang Immortal had needed to remain at the front lines to guard against surprise attacks from other feudal lords and could not come.
Yu Chen had anticipated this long ago and said nothing further. He had A Lu and Horned-Head Immortal take their seats, then looked toward the final young man. The young man stepped forward, saluted, and called Yu Chen "Teacher."
Horned-Head Immortal, already seated, immediately revealed a displeased expression. Yu Chen was not surprised by this.
This lamp-bearing youth could also be considered one of Yu Chen's disciples. Having often aided the Shang army, he had acquired the nickname Golden Hoop Immortal. The reason his title was Golden