Before dawn the next day, all the old Daoist's disciples in the Azure Spirit Estate rose early. Each busied himself changing clothes, washing, and tidying up, before they all earnestly began their morning practice.
Gao Hongqing had actually been awake in his room for some time too, repeatedly inspecting his few Daoist robes. In the end, he put on the same outfit as yesterday. It was his best clothing, after all, and looked suitably formal.
When he stepped outside and heard his disciples' voices ringing out more strongly and in greater unison than usual, a satisfied expression appeared on Gao Hongqing's face.
In the courtyard out front, his disciples performed a slow-paced set of exercises while reciting incantations, their chanting more spirited than ever.
When they saw the old Daoist arrive, none of them stopped. Only after repeating the exercises several times did they gradually come to a halt under their eldest senior brother's lead, then turn to face their master.
"Good morning, Master!"
The dozen or so disciples spoke in unison, and Gao Hongqing nodded in satisfaction.
"Very good. Full of vigor!"
There was a reason his disciples were so eager to show their mettle today. Besides their excitement at having just arrived in the Capital City, their master was going into the palace for an imperial audience, and had said he would take two disciples along.
It was both nerve-racking and thrilling. All the disciples were beside themselves with excitement and had been competing since last night, hoping to accompany their master into the palace.
There was one exception, of course: their eldest senior brother, Zhuang Shengyi. Their master was certain to take him, so everyone else was competing for the remaining place.
"Master, breakfast is ready!" "Master, I've checked on the Alchemy Furnace too. Its fire is