Zhengqing Daoist and Wei Guang made their preparations, then took their leave from Laiyuan Way and boarded a golden vessel for Origin Upper Hall, intending to join Zhang Yu.
Over in Fuqing Way, Lin Tingzhi and the other Profound Venerables, along with the cultivators left behind there, likewise departed that way after receiving the message relayed by Origin Upper Hall.
What was interesting, however, was that other Ways continually invited them to visit along the journey. They did not refuse, but gladly accepted the invitations.
This time, those Ways made no particular demands. Instead, all of them tried to slip people into the delegation preparing to return, seemingly wishing to follow the delegation back together.
Zhang Yu had given instructions before leaving: there was no need to refuse if such a situation arose. Thus, they all agreed. This led the other Ways to follow suit, each placing more or fewer people among them. As a result, their journey progressed slowly, and they were unable to join Zhang Yu for quite some time.
Jiao Yao, who was in Northern Unfinished Way, received the news last. Yet upon learning of it, he immediately went to find Yi Wu, saying that the chief envoy had summoned them and he needed to prepare for his return.
Yi Wu asked him to wait awhile, then went before Yi Junzi and said, "The Celestial Xia envoy is quite capable. For him to make Origin Upper Hall relay a message this time, he must have passed their test. It is just..."
He said with some concern, "That Celestial Xia chief envoy must have reached some agreement with Origin Upper Hall. Can he truly still help our race? Might it prove detrimental to our race?"
Yi Junzi shook his head. "Yi Wu, you worry too much. Though Origin