Xian Ding's projected incarnation arrived without the slightest attempt at concealment, and Ying Chong immediately sensed it. He rose from the horizontal branch, bowed, and said, "Why has Your Excellency come?"
But just after he spoke, he saw another projected incarnation arrive before him. Li Mizhen had come as well. Ying Chong hastily bowed again. "Greetings, Excellency Li."
Xian Ding said, "Fellow Daoist Ying, I presume you have also received Huanyang's summons."
Ying Chong's heart stirred at his tone and wording. "Indeed. Excellency Guan ordered me to swiftly prepare to relocate elsewhere, but I still do not know what has happened."
Xian Ding said, "Celestial Xia cultivators have already reached the world domain where Huanyang is located. Fellow Daoist Guan is presently fighting them."
Ying Chong was somewhat surprised. "Celestial Xia has discovered where we are?"
Yet he immediately knew that this could not be a normal occurrence; there had to be another reason behind it. If the Azure Spirit Heavenly Branch had been so easy to find, they would never have been able to hide here. Celestial Xia would have found them long ago.
Xian Ding had no intention of explaining too much. "Since Celestial Xia has found us, they will not simply let us go. The situation is exceedingly perilous, so Fellow Daoist must make preparations as quickly as possible."
Ying Chong knew that if they merely wanted him to prepare for evacuation, he was already doing so. There was no need for Xian Ding and Li Mizhen to make this trip in person. He cautiously asked, "Do the two Excellencies have some instruction for me?"
Xian Ding did not say anything directly. Instead, he sent Ying Chong several transmitted words, then said meaningfully, "Fellow Daoist Ying, how you choose is up to you."
Without revealing any emotion,