Three days later, in the West Suburbs of Zhouluo City.
In a bright, elegant courtyard, Fang Qianyuan sat at a stone table, sipping fragrant tea, lost in thought.
This was a residence the local magnates used specifically to receive honored guests. Fang Qianyuan had no ties to them, however, nor had he found this place himself. Someone had sent word through the Azure Cloud Sect's liaison personnel.
He had come here to meet Daoist Xuanji of the Spirit Taming Sect.
Daoist Xuanji, Wang Xuanji, had met Fang Qianyuan once when Fang Qianyuan traveled to the Spirit Taming Sect. On that occasion, however, he had merely reminisced about old ties and offered some guidance. The two had never developed a close relationship.
For the moment, Fang Qianyuan had no idea why this elder of the Spirit Taming Sect wanted to see him.
Still, he had come. He trusted that Daoist Xuanji was no Daoist Mystification, and would not stoop to playing mysterious tricks on the disciple of an old acquaintance.
As for joining forces with experts from his sect to set a trap and kill him?
Fang Qianyuan had fought his way through battlefields all along. Wei Baojun and the others had moved against him together, and even Elder Wei, whose might shook the world, had personally intervened, yet none had been able to do anything to him. What did he have to fear?
As he was thinking, Fang Qianyuan suddenly heard footsteps a few yards away. Turning, he saw a white-haired elder in splendid robes, still hale and vigorous, approaching with two middle-aged men who looked like guards and a pretty maidservant.
Although the maidservant supported him, his steps were swift and firm, without the slightest sign of a stumble.
"Senior."
Fang Qianyuan set down his teacup and rose.
This