The Daoist boy stepped outside, his heart still pounding wildly. A fellow disciple, also quite young, saw his expression as he emerged from the courtyard reserved for honored guests and could not help asking, "I heard the Duke of Dai came? Even Prince Lu has visited us before. Why are you still so nervous after seeing the Duke of Dai?"
"That's different," the boy said earnestly. "You haven't seen this Duke of Dai. Even with only one person accompanying him, he's more intimidating than Prince Lu."
"Ah, who knows when the abbot will return? It wouldn't do to keep an honored guest waiting." As he spoke, he could not help looking back again.
His fellow disciple shook his head at the sight. Just as he was about to say something, another knock sounded at the abbey's tightly shut gate.
"This must be the abbot returning!" The two exchanged a glance and immediately went to open the gate.
Outside, Huo Wuyong entered with heavy steps.
Though I had no choice but to hand over that great elixir formula, why was Liu Zhan so eager today?
Using human hearts as ingredients is no small sin, and it would sound even worse if word got out. Would Liu Zhan really dare disregard the Yin Temple Sect's centuries-old reputation?
No, could Liu Zhan and the others have noticed the recent changes too, and be trying to seize the initiative?
Huo Wuyong's heart tightened. He knew the emperor possessed the power to topple mountains and overturn seas. If one could win the emperor's trust, most difficulties would cease to be difficulties at all.
"Abbot, an honored guest has arrived-the Duke of Dai!" Just as he was thinking this, a Daoist boy hurriedly spoke.
The Duke of Dai?!
Huo Wuyong was startled at once and asked,