Upon the Clear Vault Landmass, a bright radiance blossomed. Heaven and earth seemed to melt apart. After a while, a young Daoist in an ancient-style robe, his hair gathered into a Daoist topknot, stepped out from within.
Daoist Ming Zhou was waiting there. Seeing him arrive, he made a fist-and-palm salute and said, "Venerable Cen, it has been a long time."
Seeing Daoist Ming Zhou, Daoist Cen casually nodded. "Ming Zhou." Then he sighed with feeling. "In the blink of an eye, more than three hundred years have passed."
Daoist Ming Zhou said, "Three hundred years is not long."
Daoist Cen glanced at him and said evenly, "To my Zhengqing Lineage, it is already long enough."
Daoist Ming Zhou said, "Now that Venerable Cen has returned to the Profound Court, I presume the day the Zhengqing Dao lineage returns to the Profound Court is not far off."
Daoist Cen nodded. "If that is truly so, then all the better." He looked toward the depths of the Clear Firmament Ark and spoke with his hands behind his back. "What, am I so unwelcome that not one of those former fellow cultivators is willing to come see me?"
Daoist Ming Zhou did not answer.
Daoist Cen did not press the matter further. Instead, he said, "Does the Profound Court have any instructions?"
Daoist Ming Zhou took out a jade talisman and presented it with both hands. "A decree from the Profound Court. It hopes that Venerable Cen can purge those cultivators who borrow the Zhengqing name to run wild and commit all manner of wrongdoing. Once Venerable Cen has eliminated this vile reputation, the Profound Court will consider allowing the Zhengqing Lineage to participate in the Court's affairs."
Daoist Cen took the jade talisman and slipped it into his sleeve. He said