Twin Agricultural Blessing Officials Wrought by Immortal and Divine Fortune, Heavenly Spirits and Earthly Treasures Awakened to Guard the Path

Welcoming Wind City, Agricultural Residence.

The three Straw Figures were preoccupied with the results of their master's advancement and still seemed somewhat distracted.

Rong Yidao stood beneath the corridor with his hands behind his back, repeatedly glancing toward the place where his master had secluded himself. The Spirit-Wisdom Straw Figure squatted with both hands propping up his cheeks, his lovely, bright eyes unblinking. Then he started bouncing about, unable to keep still for a moment. Only the white cat atop the wall remained as lazy and content as ever.

Whoosh!

With a flicker of spiritual power, Jiang Tu appeared soundlessly before the three of them, the glow around him yet to fade, still and deep as water.

He grabbed Rong Yidao by the back of the collar with one hand and the Spirit-Wisdom Straw Figure with the other. With a single step, he vanished without a trace.

Atop the wall, the white cat froze mid-lick. Shock and hurt spread across her face, and her eyes went wide.

She looked all around. The courtyard was empty. Everyone was gone.

What happened? Did Master forget me?

Have I been left out?

Meow!

She leapt down at once. A clear falcon cry pierced the clouds as her white fur turned to feathers. Now a magnificent gyrfalcon, she spread her wings and flew after the lingering trace of her master's spiritual power.

Fifty li outside Welcoming Wind City.

Rong Estate.

The estate's buildings stood in neat order amid vast stretches of fertile fields. Paths crisscrossed the land, and the sounds of chickens and dogs carried between the homes. Blue-brick walls and fences enclosed it all in layer upon layer. New shoots of crops and vegetables swayed gracefully in every shade, stretching to the distant meeting of earth and sky.

Rivers flowed through the fields,