Less than half a day later, the flying vessel stopped at Guard County. Zhang Yu traveled through the air alone and soon entered Peaceful Longevity City, descending before the Azure Yang Profound Residence at the center of the lake.
Daoist Mingshan had been waiting there early. Looking at the figure descending from the sky, he was filled with emotion. He still remembered how, not long ago, he had entered this man's name into the registers.
Yet he had never expected that only a few months later, the other party would come calling again as the Profound Rectifier of an entire continent.
Once Zhang Yu had landed, he stepped forward and bowed. "Ming Shan greets the Profound Rectifier."
Zhang Yu returned the salute. "Fellow Daoist Ming Shan, I have come today wishing to meet the Profound Chief."
Daoist Mingshan said, "The Profound Chief already knows of the Profound Rectifier's arrival and is waiting in the Crane Hall. Please follow me."
He led the way ahead, bringing Zhang Yu into the main hall of the central courtyard. Daoist Mingshan then stopped, pointed upward, and said, "The Profound Chief is in the Crane Hall above. That place is not somewhere ordinary cultivators may enter. Please forgive Ming Shan for being unable to accompany you."
Zhang Yu looked up and saw a structure shaped like a tall tower. Circular galleries lined its four walls, while a large hollow had been left in the middle, extending straight upward to the very top.
There, a ball of light could be seen.
He nodded and floated up from where he stood, ascending through that hollow. After passing through the ball of light, he found himself upon a broad platform with no support in any direction.
A man dressed in Daoist robes stood there alone. His exact age