In the void of the Outer Layer, Jin Zhixing's avatar sat upright upon a lotus dais.
After parting ways with Chaotic Void Ancestor last time, he had not returned to his true body, lest too much back-and-forth expose their secret. Instead, he had remained here waiting.
In the blink of an eye, a month passed.
On this day, he suddenly sensed something amiss. Opening his eyes, he saw Chaotic Void Ancestor standing atop a jeweled lotus opposite him. His heart settled, and he rose to bow with clasped hands. "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Chaotic Void. How did that matter go?"
Chaotic Void Ancestor returned the courtesy, then flicked his sleeve and tossed him a token talisman. In a grave voice, he said, "Please keep this well, Fellow Daoist. With this token, you may prove that you are one of Upper Firmament Heaven—or at least one of our fellow travelers."
Jin Zhixing glanced at it after receiving it, then put it away. "Jin takes the liberty of asking: when do the fellow Daoists of Upper Firmament Heaven intend to launch another attack?"
Chaotic Void Ancestor said, "You should understand that although we have accepted you, we do not truly trust you yet. When the time comes, we will naturally tell you what is to be done."
Jin Zhixing smiled. "Naturally, Jin understands. I merely fear that it may come too suddenly, leaving me no time to prepare. You know that I must, after all, find a way to evade Xian Ding's eyes and ears."
Chaotic Void Ancestor said gravely, "We will notify you in good time."
Jin Zhixing smiled again. "Very well. Then I shall wait." In truth, he could sense that the time until Upper Firmament Heaven invaded the Inner Layer once more was not far off. If they had ample