"True Lord Guangde is here?"
The disciples exchanged glances, none of them particularly surprised.
The Old Ancestor had already advanced to Spirit Transformation. It was time his former rank and title received an upgrade.
Li Ling told them, "Let's go out to welcome him. True Lord Guangde is an old friend of our sect. We mustn't neglect him."
True Lord Guangde was entering the Immortal Abode through the array under the guidance of the elder on duty. When he saw Li Ling, he was overwhelmed by the honor. "Why trouble the Immortal Venerable to welcome me in person?"
A faint smile appeared on Li Ling's face. "Old True Lord, these are merely empty titles. Why stand on ceremony with me?"
True Lord Guangde paused briefly at those words, then burst out laughing.
Li Ling was not an immortal within the Heavenly Court's bureaucracy, so his position as Immortal Venerable was honorary rather than an actual office. He did not care much for all these empty formalities.
Regardless, it showed the Heavenly Court's regard for him.
Conferring the title of Immortal Venerable by jade decree was no simple matter. Completing the procedures within a few days and formally proclaiming the decree was certainly a case of special treatment for special circumstances.
Thus, after his laughter subsided, True Lord Guangde still said formally, "This old man pays his respects to the Immortal Venerable."
Li Ling waved a hand and asked, "True Lord, besides proclaiming the decree, have you brought instructions from the three Heavenly Venerables?"
All affairs of the Heavenly Court's Three Celestial Offices were overseen by three figures: the Supreme Golden Palace Purple Pole Jade Firmament All-Encompassing Heavenly Venerable, the Supreme Golden Palace Sacred Wisdom Manifest Spirit Universal Salvation Heavenly Venerable, and the Supreme Golden Palace Wondrous Unity Soaring Mystery Thunder-Control