As the gentle light before her dispersed, Nie Xinying found herself standing upon a richly fragrant plain. Petals carpeted the ground beneath her feet, while jade mist drifted and flowed all around.
She had merely stood there for a moment when she felt a pure, ethereal aura seep into her lungs and viscera. With but a slight breath, her body felt lighter, her breathing smoother, and her spirits lifted, as if all the dust and stray thoughts within her had been washed clean.
After standing there for a while, she steadied her mind and was about to seek out her destination when a flash of light appeared not far ahead. A Daoist emerged there, cupped his hands in salute, and said, "Are you Dao cultivator Nie, the outstanding disciple of Venerable Deng?"
Nie Xinying returned the salute. "I am. May I ask how I should address you, Daoist?"
Daoist Ming Zhou smiled. "I am Ming Zhou, a welcoming Daoist of the Clear Vault Upper Layer, responsible for receiving honored guests who come and go. At the request of Executive Zhang Tingzhi of Clear Vault Dao Palace, I have come specifically to welcome Dao cultivator Nie."
Nie Xinying knew that Zhang Yu was now an Executive, holding the authority of Guardian of Rectitude. That was also why she had previously sent him a mystical transmission. She drew a light breath and said, "Then I shall trouble you, Daoist Ming Zhou."
Daoist Ming Zhou said, "Dao cultivator Nie, you are too courteous." He immediately summoned a flying carriage drawn by cranes and invited Nie Xinying aboard. Then he set the carriage in motion, and it floated into the air, proceeding at an unhurried pace.
Nie Xinying turned her gaze about from within the carriage. A clear breeze blew in from both sides,