Azure Yang Profound Residence, Crane Hall.
This was the highest point of the Profound Residence's main hall. From afar, it resembled the lofty head of a crane. Nothing obstructed the surroundings; there was only an expanse of blue sky.
Profound Chief Zhu Yisheng stood there, his Daoist robe fluttering in the wind. He gazed at the Great Azure Banyan spreading across the canopy of heaven and said, "You certainly spared yourself the effort, leaving me here to keep watch alone for over fifty years. But... it will be soon."
After standing there for a long while, he finally descended. Reaching a gleaming jade mirror, he swept it once with his whisk. A moment later, ripples spread over the mirror's surface. After several breaths, a doorway opened out of nowhere upon it.
Within the hazy mist, a figure seemed to shift. Shortly afterward, a handsome, unrestrained young Daoist emerged from within. Upon seeing Zhu Yisheng, he respectfully bowed and said, "This disciple pays respects to Teacher."
Zhu Yisheng looked him over several times, nodded slightly, and said, "Come with me."
The young Daoist followed him into a quiet chamber. Two meditation cushions were laid out there. Zhu Yisheng sat down first and gestured, whereupon the young Daoist obediently knelt upon the cushion opposite him.
Zhu Yisheng said, "Have you encountered anything you do not understand in your cultivation lately?"
The young Daoist said, "Master Yao has treated me very well and answers every question. There has been nothing particularly difficult."
Zhu Yisheng said, "Your comprehension is exceptional. Matters of cultivation are merely trifles, and I need not concern myself with them. But for true cultivators such as ourselves, aside from innate talent and endowment, the Dao heart is most important. You must guard yours well."
The young Daoist bowed from his