Though there was clearly nothing there, Chen Cuo's hand seemed to reach into water, stirring rings of ripples.
Inside him, the Golden Lotus swayed.
Light appeared in the dark cavern.
A scroll slowly unfurled above the old man's head. It depicted a spear-bearing deity amid rolling green mountains, with clouds and mist winding around them and Immortal Cranes soaring overhead.
"Lord Yuan's previous life was the Armed Star Lord who guarded Shadowglow Heaven. That's why his divine portrait is so dignified and grand. It's just..."
As they spoke, several of them turned their gazes toward Yuan Tiangang.
The young man was looking up with curiosity.
Above his head floated a golden, glowing pill, wreathed in mist, while invisible petals drifted down without end.
Just then, a woman's playful laugh rang out—
"Well, now you'll have to call your grandson 'fellow Daoist'! How about treating each other as equals from now on?"
Old Yuan's face darkened at once, but he did not dare object.
Shen Gongbao smiled. "An external elixir and an illusory flower—the sign of a flawless Golden Core! Young gentleman, in your previous life, you were at least a cultivator from Beyond the Mundane!"
"How strange! How strange!" The short figure came into view: a middle-aged man with a long, thin beard. Stroking it, he sighed. "Who would have thought this unremarkable boy had such origins? We all misjudged him."
"The affairs of the world are hard to predict," said the tall one, revealing the ruddy face of an old man. His eyes were narrow and long, and Golden Light flickered within them. "We were all swayed by first impressions, letting reputation and appearances fetter our thoughts. Looking back, I'm truly ashamed."
Shen Gongbao said, "This proves that gathering everyone here today was in accord with heaven's will! Our