A streak of golden light descended. When Zhang Yu and Wei Zhu appeared again, they had already arrived upon the Clear Vault Landmass.
At that moment, clear bell chimes rang out. A flying carriage approached and descended before the two. Daoist Ming Zhou stepped down, cupped his hands in salute, and said, "Zhang Tingzhi, Exalted Wei, Ming Zhou has come by Shouzhi's order to welcome you."
Wei Zhu tilted his head and suddenly said, "We've met before."
Daoist Ming Zhou lowered his eyes. "Ming Zhou has forgotten."
Wei Zhu let out a nasal sound. "Mm..." He seemed to be trying hard to recall something.
Daoist Ming Zhou then raised his head and said to Zhang Yu, "Zhang Tingzhi, Shouzhi is waiting for you both."
Zhang Yu nodded. "We shall go over at once." He stepped aside and said, "Exalted Wei, please." Wei Zhu gave an "oh" and followed him aboard the flying carriage.
Daoist Ming Zhou gestured. Amid the ringing bells, the flying carriage rose into the air once more, scattering clusters of brocade-like clouds below. After traveling for a while, Wei Zhu said softly, "He clearly knows me, yet he insists he doesn't."
Zhang Yu replied, "The Ming Zhou Exalted Wei knew may have been the Ming Zhou of the past. But the Ming Zhou of the past may not necessarily be the Ming Zhou of today."
Wei Zhu suddenly understood. "So that's how it is."
Zhang Yu glanced at Daoist Ming Zhou. The truth was likely not so simple, but since Daoist Ming Zhou had taken the initiative to avoid the matter, there was no need to pursue it to the bitter end.
The flying carriage passed through the sea of clouds and arrived above a ritual platform, where it slowly descended.
Chen Shouzhi was standing there, with