Azurewood Peak, inside the main hall.
Venerable Mu Ji sat upright in the seat of honor. His green robe made him look aged, yet he had the appearance of a young Daoist boy, his face impossibly tender. The Withered-Prosperity Dao Rhythm coiled around him, carrying a weight that far surpassed the years.
People stood along both sides of the hall, all familiar faces.
Eldest Senior Sister Bei Qingtang wore a plain white Daoist robe, tall and slender.
Second Senior Brother Zhou Yan held a bamboo scroll, his expression calm.
Third Senior Brother Qin Ye looked as though he could barely sit still, his gaze darting back and forth.
Fourth Senior Brother Gu Qiao appeared dull and wooden, his eyes rather vacant, as if no one knew what he was thinking.
Fifth Senior Sister Mu Ning was still somewhat pale, though much better than before.
Xu Changqing stepped forward and clasped his hands in salute. "Greetings, Master, Eldest Senior Sister, Second Senior Brother, Third Senior Brother, Fourth Senior Brother, Fifth Senior Sister!"
It was Qingyao's first time entering Azurewood Peak's main hall. Her small hands tightly gripped the corner of her clothes, her cheeks faintly flushed, and even her voice trembled with nerves. "Greetings, Grandmaster, esteemed Martial Uncles!"
A faint smile curled Mu Ji's lips, and his childish face was full of gentleness. "Very good. Everyone is here."
Once those words fell, everyone aside from Second Senior Brother Zhou Yan wore varying expressions.
They had long heard that Xu Changqing had taken Qingyao as his third disciple.
Yet no one had expected their master to specifically have Sixth Junior Brother bring her along.
He had even allowed her to sit alongside elders in the Golden Core and Nascent Soul Realm.
Such importance was truly thought-provoking.
However, their master had always been