The sun rose in the east amid crimson clouds and morning glow.
Early the next morning, Xuanming and his disciple departed.
The two were still dressed shabbily, riding a donkey.
Only after they were ten miles outside Zhaoqiu City did Xuanming set aside the Daoist Scripture and lightly sweep his sleeve, transforming the identities of the two people, the donkey, and the bird.
The donkey became an azure ox, and the swallow became a magpie.
Master and disciple remained unkempt, but one became a middle-aged Daoist, and the other a ten-year-old girl.
This would spare them discomfort wherever their travels took them. Being watched constantly and treated with such reverence was hardly pleasant.
It would also greatly diminish the benefits of their journey.
Li Zizai had protested vehemently.
Unfortunately, his protests had been futile.
Master and disciple were in no hurry to reach the city of Fuyao Commandery.
They stopped and started along the way, taking in white mountains and black waters and vast stretches of farmland. They traveled through mountain forests alongside Silly Roe Deer, fished for Giant Green Fish by lakeshores, borrowed lodging in the Yellow Immortal Cave, discussed medicine with White Immortal, and collected spirit seeds unique to the Northeast Three Commanderies.
The Five Immortals were Willow Immortal, Gray Immortal, Fox Immortal, Yellow Immortal, and White Immortal. They wielded immense influence in the Northeast Three Commanderies.
Each had their own strengths. Willow Immortal was strongest in combat, Gray Immortal was well-informed, Fox Immortal excelled in both divination and formations, Yellow Immortal was adept at managing everyday affairs, and White Immortal was versed in medicine.
Legend had it that the first-generation Five Immortals had once listened to Daoist Venerable Tongxuan expound the Dao. They were spirit beasts from Tongxuan Mountain who had sworn an oath of siblinghood. Later,