A short while later.
Four people approached from outside the hall, one after another.
Xu Chuan was not surprised to see Master He, but the sight of Zhou Sen brought a look of astonishment to his eyes.
Zhou Sen reacted much the same way.
Delighted, he immediately walked past Master He and the others to stand before Xu Chuan, smiling as he said, "Fellow Daoist San Shu, I never imagined we would meet again after all these years apart."
"Fellow Daoist Zhou, we meet again."
Everyone looked at the two of them in surprise. Master He merely felt that Xu Chuan looked somewhat familiar.
Steward Gu's eyes shifted, then suddenly lit up. "Master Zhou, could this be the Guest Elder of your Zhou Household whom you mentioned before?"
"Indeed. Allow me to introduce him to everyone: Daoist San Shu. His mastery of pill refinement surpasses my own."
Master He's eyes brightened. He suddenly remembered that Xu Chuan was the rogue cultivator who had come to Rare Treasures Pavilion to sell pills over two months ago.
"So you were an Alchemy Grandmaster all along. You certainly kept that well hidden." Master He also stepped forward with a smile. "Have you been well since we last met?"
"Master He, I have."
"I admire Fellow Daoist Zhou's mastery of pill refinement. If he says yours surpasses his, it must be true. Wouldn't calling me a master amount to mocking me?"
"Fellow Daoist He." Xu Chuan smiled faintly and cupped his hands.
Now Zhou Sen and Steward Gu were surprised as well. Steward Gu asked, "Master He, you also know Fellow Daoist San Shu?"
Master He stroked his white beard. "Two months ago, Fellow Daoist San Shu came to Rare Treasures Pavilion to sell pills. I was the one who appraised them."
At that,