At the Azure Cloud Sect Headquarters, inside the Ascension Academy.
Fang Qianyuan and Yu Shixian sat facing each other in a spacious hall. The fragrance of fresh tea drifted through the air, its steam curling like clouds and mist winding around mountain peaks at dawn.
Sunlight streamed through the eastern windows, filling the hall with clear, brilliant light and lending it a golden splendor.
Yu Shixian leisurely sipped the fragrant tea in his cup, then set it down, loosened his broad sleeves, and looked at Qianyuan.
"You want to go to Central Province?"
Fang Qianyuan said, "Yes. I hope you will grant your approval, Sect Master."
Yu Shixian smiled faintly. "There is no question of approval. The sect only asks you to report your travels so we can keep track of your whereabouts in case something happens. Besides that, we can provide travelers with travel credentials and letters of recommendation. All our allies will receive you with the courtesy due a guest."
Fang Qianyuan said, "Then sorry for the trouble, Sect Master."
Yu Shixian said, "I can sign your letter of recommendation now. Afterward, go to the front hall yourself to collect your travel credentials."
With that, he immediately formed a hand seal and summoned a strange little beast, emerald green from head to toe, as though carved from Jade Stone.
The little beast had a dragon's head, a horse's body, a qilin's feet, and a lion's shape. It somewhat resembled the legendary auspicious beast Pixiu, though it was much smaller.
The letters of recommendation followed a standard format and had already been printed by a dedicated hall. Yu Shixian took one intended specifically for traveling Earth Rank Experts, filled in Fang Qianyuan's name, then added his signature below, completing the letter.
The little beast bobbed its head, stepped forward,