Over the East Sea, misty waters stretched into the boundless distance.
Purple Mansion Continent lay hidden amid the mist and waves, fading in and out of sight.
Pan Xuan descended and stood before Purple Mansion Continent.
The mountain gate brimmed with an ancient air, as though it had stood there since heaven and earth first opened.
He slowly entered the mountains and felt pure yang qi so dense it had almost taken solid form, like a Sun that never set, warm and vast.
Before an austere, ancient palace, a Daoist in a crimson-gold robe stood with his hands behind his back, quietly watching the waves of the East Sea.
Endless pure yang qi suffused the Daoist's brow, as though he were the embodiment of all the masculine power between heaven and earth. He was the King Father of the East.
"Fellow Daoist Pan Xuan, you've come a long way. What a rare guest," the King Father of the East said, his voice as deep and resonant as a great bell. "Please."
Pan Xuan cupped his hands in greeting. "King Father of the East, forgive my presumptuous intrusion."
The two sat facing each other. The King Father of the East personally poured a cup of pure yang spirit tea, pushed it toward Pan Xuan, and slowly said:
"Fellow Daoist, you are now the Primordial World's Lord of the Divine Dao, an exalted Sage.
"For you to visit my Purple Mansion Continent in person, you must have something important to discuss."
Pan Xuan accepted the spirit tea but did not hurry to drink it.
He looked up, met the King Father of the East's gaze, and slowly said, "Fellow Daoist, to be frank with you,
"I came to investigate an old matter concerning Hong Jun."
"Hong Jun?"
The King Father of the