"Little Maoshan!" Qin Ming abruptly raised his head and studied the purple-bearded middle-aged man, a trace of doubt still flickering in his eyes.
"If you don't believe me, take a good look at this token." The purple-bearded middle-aged man turned his hand over, produced a token, and tossed it toward him. It was almost identical to the token held by the master of Spring Autumn Temple.
"This is indeed a token of Little Maoshan. I've seen it in our sect's records. Qin Guan pays his respects to you, Senior. Please forgive my earlier discourtesy!" Qin Ming took the token and examined it closely, then respectfully offered it back with both hands. All doubt had vanished from his expression, and he spoke with trepidation.
Spring Autumn Temple's records contained accounts of Little Maoshan. This identification token was unquestionably genuine, not a forgery.
"There's no need for pleasantries. Take me to see the fellow Daoist back there." Seeing Qin Guan's reaction, Chen Shiyuan nodded in satisfaction and took back the token.
"Yes. Please follow me, Senior." Qin Ming led Chen Shiyuan to the rear mountain, outside Shen Luo's cave abode.
The blue light that had shot into the sky had not lasted long and was already gone. Yet vast banks of white mist had appeared around the cave abode, layer upon layer, engulfing both it and the surrounding peaks.
Qin Ming tried to approach, but a powerful resistance filled the white mist. He could advance only ten or twenty feet before he could go no farther.
Anxiety seized him, and he opened his mouth to call out.
"The fellow Daoist ahead has just broken through to a new stage and appears to be consolidating his cultivation. That is why he activated the protective restrictions outside. Let's wait here for a while." Chen