In a corner of a damaged divine hall in the Heavenly Court.
A man wearing black-and-white sable robes sat cross-legged on the floor, his eyes closed as he contemplated the Dao.
Before him stood an emerald-green divine lamp. It radiated seven-colored light, clearly no ordinary object.
Soon, Yang Chan approached and saw both him and the lamp before him. For some reason, she felt as though the lamp was calling to her. What was going on?
"Fate gathers and scatters, flowers drift and wither, yet none can escape the calamity destined to come." Sensing someone approach, the man raised two fingers and spoke mildly. Then he opened his eyes, looked at Yang Chan a short distance away, and asked, "Which Immortal Maiden might you be?"
Unable to fathom his strength, Yang Chan realized his cultivation surpassed hers. She hastily dipped into a curtsy and replied, "This humble immortal is Yang Chan, the deity charged with answering summons at the Heavenly Emperor Palace. Forgive me for disturbing you, Divine Lord."
"Yang Chan?" the man murmured. He looked at her, then at the "Lotus Lantern" he had placed on the floor. After a moment's hesitation, he told her, "Come here and see whether you can pick it up."
Yang Chan frowned at his almost commanding tone, but still answered, "Yes."
She approached and carefully examined the lamp. Though it glittered brightly, its light was gentle and gave no sense of danger. Only then did she reach for it.
Then she lifted it from the floor.
The man's pupils contracted slightly at the sight, a detail Yang Chan noticed clearly.
"Heh, so it truly is destined for you. No wonder it fell to the floor and began radiating seven-colored divine light the moment you approached. No matter what methods I used, I couldn't