Having obtained King Xi's consent, Elder Lin said no more. He gave him a formal salute and withdrew from the royal vessel.
Councilor Song accompanied him out of the royal hall and said, "When does Elder Lin intend to begin? Is there anything that needs preparing? If so, I can arrange it beforehand. If there are any scarce items, I can requisition them from elsewhere. His Highness possesses all things in abundance; rare treasures and exotic materials will not be much fewer than those in your sect."
Elder Lin said, "There is no need. This old Daoist has everything he requires on his person. Since His Highness King Xi has treated his guest with generosity, this old Daoist need not delay any longer. I shall go dismantle the formation now. However, when examining the formation, I must employ methods to calculate it, and there cannot be the slightest oversight. Those Creation Sunstars must not shine upon me, lest they disrupt my subtle calculations."
Councilor Song said, "That is easily handled. I shall give the order." He summoned an attendant and gave several instructions before turning back. "The matter has been arranged. But Daoist Lin, I must remind you that Sleeping Foothills still possesses the strength to strike back. The way ahead may be unsafe. Shall I dispatch a flying vessel to escort you?"
Elder Lin flicked his sleeve. "No need." Declining Councilor Song's offer of a flying-vessel escort, he left the royal vessel and released from his sleeve a mass of brocade cloud, ethereal as drifting willow floss. He stepped into it, and his figure naturally faded away, finally melding into it and vanishing.
Though a flying vessel possessed defensive power and was sufficiently concealed, it was also a living thing. The spiritual force within it would likewise interfere with