At last, a five-element cultivation art, "Five qi converge on the origin"; single-handedly throwing the Yue Kingdom into turmoil, a wondrous compass treasure!

[Righteousness Immortal City], Listening to the Waves Hall.

The hall stood majestic, spiritual qi swirling among its carved beams and painted rafters as a bronze crane incense burner breathed out a delicate fragrance. Yet now, this hall where True Person Pine Waves ordinarily handled affairs and received fellow cultivators seemed especially empty and desolate.

Five of them had set out together, spirits high, their sights fixed on a third-tier flood dragon beast.

Now, the atmosphere was heavy, the air seemingly steeped in an oppression that refused to disperse.

"Fellow Daoist Songtao, have you been well lately?"

Lin Changheng's voice broke the silence.

He had deliberately adjusted his condition, giving his face the pallor of someone only half recovered from battle wounds, his brow deeply furrowed.

True Person Pine Waves sat in the broad purple sandalwood chair at the head of the hall, his expression gloomy. His unfocused gaze rested on one of the coiling-dragon pillars, while his fingers unconsciously rubbed the smooth armrest. Clearly, he was lost in some heavy thoughts.

Hearing the footsteps and question, he abruptly came back to himself. When he looked up and saw Lin Changheng, he quickly forced out a smile, rose, and hurried forward.

He bowed deeply to Lin Changheng, his voice somewhat hoarse. "Daoist Brother Fang! It has been too long! Seeing that you, too, escaped that peril unharmed has finally lifted half the weight from my heart! And I must solemnly thank you for coming to my aid when I was in danger of falling into that flood dragon's jaws. I, Songtao, will remember your life-saving kindness until my dying day!"

His bow was utterly sincere, offered from the heart.

Although he had sealed the stump of his arm with magical power and taken elixirs to treat the wound, the empty sleeve