When Chen Yu heard Zhang Yu recommend Jiao Yao, he asked, "Why did Court Administrator Zhang choose this man?"
Zhang Yu said, "After Fellow Daoist You and I drew Jiang Yi into the world, I asked him about Origin Xia. What this man knew far exceeded what Fellow Daoists Yun and Zhu knew."
He paused. "According to him, among Origin Xia's thirty-three world paths, one is particularly unusual. The ones occupying the upper level of the Dao are true dragons, with human cultivators coming only after them.
"The thirty-three world paths are not a harmonious group. There are conflicts among them as well. Since true dragon cultivators hold a dominant position in that world path, it is somewhat out of step with those world paths where human cultivators are the mainstream, and disputes frequently arise between them.
"I believe that for this world path to have endured until now, aside from its own formidable methods, there is likely also an upper-realm cultivator stationed behind it. Fellow Daoist Jiao Yao himself achieved the Dao as a true dragon. If he accompanies us, perhaps he can use this connection to communicate with that world."
Chen Yu said, "Can Court Administrator Zhang be certain Jiao Yao is suited to the task?"
Zhang Yu said, "Although Fellow Daoist Jiao Yao is greatly concerned for his own life and usually hides away from trouble, unwilling to shoulder heavy responsibilities, when matters are truly laid upon him, he can accomplish them all. For something like dealing with cultivators of his own kind and gathering intelligence, he is more than capable."
Wu Qingxu said, "Chief Administrator, if that is so, Jiao Yao is indeed suitable to accompany us."
If they could establish a connection with Origin Xia's true dragons through this internal channel, they might be able