North of Jinzhou City, around Universal Deliverance Temple.
Tan Duan sat before the Golden Man, eyes closed in meditation. Golden Light coiled around him, and pale-gold ripples spread outward without cease. Suddenly, he sensed something, opened his eyes, and looked in one direction.
"A fine seedling indeed. If we can bring him into the Buddhist School, he may attain Arhat Attainment. Once the new chapter of the River of Time is written, he could become a pillar of Buddha Land!"
His gaze sharpened and fixed on one spot. With a flick of his finger, a speck of Golden Light flew out.
At Dingxin Abbey, Zhang Fang sensed something and went into the courtyard to gaze into the distance.
“What are you looking at, old Daoist?” Zhang Jingbei came over and asked quietly.
Zhang Fang said, “A sudden premonition tells me the seal in the Northern Lands has changed again. I fear Immortal Sect disciples will be drawn into it! Three of the Eight Sects have already sent disciples to Jinzhou, and two of them are deeply involved. I hope nothing unexpected happens.”
Worry weighed on his words.
Amid surging waves, Golden Light suddenly welled up and gathered into a human form. Standing atop a wave, the figure looked north, their gaze piercing the barriers of space to settle on Jinzhou City.
Then their eyes grew distant. Brilliant Golden Light surfaced within them, and they shook their head with a sigh.
"What a pity..."
"Why haven't they returned yet?"
In the residence, Gao Zhengxin listened to reports from outside. Fewer and fewer people were on the streets, yet clashes were growing more frequent. He could scarcely sit still.
Tian Bode reassured him from nearby. “My lord, set your mind at ease. Jinzhou's gates weren't closed because of the Red Gauze Woman,