Faced with the emperor's questions, Sima Xiao, Director of the Directorate of Celestial Observations, dared conceal nothing.
"Your Majesty, Daoist Priest Gao and his disciples are temporarily staying at the Azure Spirit Estate. The Directorate of Celestial Observations has made all the necessary arrangements."
The delight on the emperor's face remained as he looked again at the document in his hands, which also described several other masters.
Moments earlier, he had been so excited by words like "pill refining" that he had missed the rest. Now, on closer inspection, some were even said to "soar through the heavens and burrow through the earth," while others could summon wind and rain or command ghosts and gods.
The emperor's heart surged as he read. He felt that even if the Old Celestial Master did not come, it hardly mattered anymore. Surely any one of these people was his equal!
"Have proper arrangements been made for all these masters?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Everything has been arranged, and we have left some room to accommodate more masters should they arrive later. Throughout this process, we will also observe and assess them carefully! Naturally, any impostors merely filling out the ranks will be weeded out and imprisoned!"
The emperor closed the document and nodded in satisfaction.
"My dear Minister Sima, you truly are a capable official. Keeping you confined to the little Directorate of Celestial Observations is rather like using a great timber for a trifling task!"
Naturally, Sima Xiao was pleased to hear this, but what he felt most was pressure. The emperor's words were certainly heartening, yet if he failed to carry out his duties properly, he feared he would have no way to retreat.
"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. My thoughts are devoted solely to the Magic Appraisal Assembly and