On the steps outside the Demon-Subduing Hall of the Demon-Subduing Palace, Stoneborn and Du Xiaolin sat idly after finishing their daily practice.
A few days earlier, the weaving maidens of the Celestial Weaving Bureau had mustered their courage, come to the Demon-Subduing Palace, and invited Zhuo Qing back.
Throughout this time, Divine Beings from other parts of the Heavenly Realm had also kept coming, either to discuss matters or simply to make their presence felt, leaving Hui Mian and the Old Instructor looking perpetually busy.
Stoneborn and Du Xiaolin had already had their fill of playing together.
"It's been half a month. Why hasn't Master come back yet? Should we find somewhere to cultivate in peace?"
He gazed into the distance and voiced his concern, while Du Xiaolin smiled beside him.
"It would make more sense for the gentleman to worry about you. It's only been half a month. To him, that's probably no more than a nap. As for cultivating in peace, I don't think you've been able to settle down lately."
Stoneborn pulled a face.
"The Heavenly Realm has plenty of fun places, but there aren't many we're allowed to visit. I want to go down to the lower realm!"
Just then, Hui Mian came out of the hall and walked over to Stoneborn and Du Xiaolin.
Du Xiaolin instinctively stood up. Although Stoneborn kept saying that Great God Yunlai was Senior Gray, she had never heard him admit anything of the sort himself. Besides, Great God Yunlai had always seemed rather dignified. In her mind, she simply could not connect him with Senior Gray's usually lively, irrepressible disposition.
Stoneborn looked up at Hui Mian but remained seated, clearly lacking the energy he had shown when he first arrived in the Heavenly Realm.
Hui Mian smiled at Du