Inside the Deng Residence, in an Artifact Refining Room.
A massive smelting furnace stood in the room. Three utterly different flames surged and danced within it, embodying the conceptual images of "melting," "reshaping," and "cleansing." Sometimes they mingled and fused; sometimes they stood apart like the three legs of a tripod. They were wondrous beyond measure.
Before the furnace stood a Daoist Attendant holding a whisk, watching the flames as though using them to observe the situation among the kingdoms of the Azure Firmament Dust-Dyed Realm from afar.
"Ancestor, Yi Ci requests an audience."
Deng Yici's voice came from outside.
"Come in."
True Lord Imperial Balance Myriad Turns slowly turned around. With a talented junior of his own clan, he displayed none of a True Lord's lofty airs, merely asking, "What brings you to me?"
Deng Yici respectfully cupped her hands and bowed before saying, "Ancestor, Return to True Celestial Person Zhang Yuan just came to our residence. He is in the Main Hall now, with Father and Ancestor Shoulder the Mountain keeping an eye on him."
True Lord Imperial Balance Myriad Turns raised an eyebrow.
Restricted by the Heavenly Laws, and having suffered some injuries, he had lately drawn in his Divine Sense until it covered only this Artifact Refining Room. Until Deng Yici arrived, he genuinely had not known of Zhang Yuan and Xiao Yuanjun's visit.
"There is no need to report this to me. Handle it yourselves. The great era is approaching. Remember not to lose too many people," True Lord Imperial Balance Myriad Turns said mildly.
Previously, he had deliberately allowed Zhang Yuan to sweep away Cloud Brocade Mountain, clearing out almost all the unambitious wastrels and useless fools of the Wen River Deng Clan in one stroke. The clan's remaining disciples all possessed both talent