Zhang Yu had learned after becoming a Court Executor that the Chief Daoist would sometimes summon Court Executors for private conversations.
He might inquire about matters concerning the duties under a Court Executor's charge, or ask for their views on certain major policies and strategies.
Generally speaking, the purpose was to make better decisions in Court.
Under the premise of shared dao convictions, every Court Executor had their own ideas and demands, as well as things they insisted upon. Nor did Court Executors necessarily see the same matter in the same way.
As the presiding authority, the Chief Daoist had to listen to these differing proposals, seek to reconcile and balance them, and ensure the stability of the greater situation.
Such balance did not mean mediocre inaction. It required far-sighted vision and an exceptional grasp of how the world operated—knowing which matters could be delayed and dealt with later, and which had to be stabilized first with the Stabilizing Transformation Seal.
Vision was one thing, but cultivation and attainment were what mattered most here. Some choices required a clear understanding and judgment of the movements of heaven and earth. Perhaps nothing would be seen in the short term, yet benefits could be gained in the long run.
It had been three years since Zhang Yu became a Court Executor, and this was the first time the Chief Daoist had summoned him alone. There was nothing unusual about it. To cultivators of the Upper Layer, three or five years was simply too short a time; even if the Chief Daoist had summoned him later, it would not have been strange.
He said, "Please lead the way, Fellow Daoist Ming Zhou."
Daoist Ming Zhou gave a formal salute and said, "Please follow Ming Zhou, Court Executor Zhang."
When the two stepped out