The mountains rose majestic and towering.
Several figures arrived riding purple clouds.
The leader wore a purple robe, with demon soldiers arrayed behind him.
"The Palace Lord remembers old ties and invites Immortal Master Jing Xiao into the palace, granting him a seat as an Attendant."
Jing Xiao listened to the proclamation outside the door and remained silent for a long time.
The young attendant had long since grown up.
Now, his temples were faintly white as well.
Standing behind Jing Xiao, he said in a low voice, "Master, you cannot go."
Jing Xiao asked, "And what if I do not?"
The disciple gritted his teeth. "Then we fight them to the death."
"..."
"Master!" His eyes reddened as he said bitterly, resentful of his master's refusal to fight, "There is... no room left to retreat."
As those words fell.
Jing Xiao finally turned back to look at him.
Those words.
He had waited for them for many years.
And feared them for many years.
Beyond the mountain.
The Cloud-Dream Palace envoy's voice came again.
"Immortal Master Jing Xiao, please do not keep the Palace Lord waiting."
Within the cave abode.
Jing Xiao slowly rose and took down the sword that had gathered dust on the wall for many years.
As the sword left its sheath.
Dust scattered down through the cave.
He lowered his head to gaze at the blade, then suddenly smiled.
"When my senior brothers and sisters walked forward, I retreated. When the other disciples were purged, I retreated."
"When all living beings knelt outside the gates, I retreated... I retreated for so many years, only to finally back myself into a corner and learn that the bitterest thing in this world was not having nowhere to go..."
The disciple choked out, "Master..."
Jing Xiao raised his