"So that was it. Now a great many things made sense."
At the foot of the mountain, the Qi-Observing True Person looked up. Mist drifted through his eyes, faintly reflecting the images of two suns.
Beside him stood Chuiyunzi and Xi Ran, their magic power and divine abilities sealed. Rings of light encircled them like ropes, binding them fast.
Chuiyunzi watched the Qi-Observing True Person, his face full of worry. Xi Ran was still struggling, but no matter how hard she strained, she could not break free.
The Qi-Observing True Person turned to them and smiled. "Girl, if you stay put, this poor Daoist will tell you a few secrets about Great Hua Mountain. How does that sound?"
Xi Ran sneered. "You old man, you do know how to joke. We need an outsider to tell us our own sect's secrets?"
For all her words, she stopped struggling.
The Qi-Observing True Person did not point that out. Instead, he said, "You may belong to Mount Taihua, but you are only disciples. There is much about Great Hua Mountain you would not know. For instance, why it fell into decline..."
Xi Ran paused, then scoffed. "And you know? Don't think you can fool us by making things up!"
Chuiyunzi spoke up. "Senior, you are a person of great learning. I'm sure you know a great deal. Please offer us some guidance and clear the fog from our minds." His tone was sincere and respectful, as though he felt no anger at being restrained. In truth, he meant to buy time.
The Qi-Observing True Person saw through him at a glance but said nothing of it. "Since you ask, this poor Daoist will tell you. Taihua's decline began with its fortune, and the ruin of its fortune began with its Secret Realm."