The Great Void.
Blue-Yellow ritual light wove through the void, and a vast, magnificent Mysterious Realm emerged. Its edges were broken and incomplete, as though it were a fragment of some Grotto-Heaven.
A divine palace stood within, dark gray throughout, its spiritual radiance limpid. Three ethereal ancient characters were written upon its plaque-[Lingyou Palace]. Couplets flanked its gates: [The Shepherd Elder emerges from Lesser Yang] and [Evil Severance Descent upon Greater Yin].
Xu Xuan stepped inside and sensed something faintly.
He saw every manner of spirit monster and natural scene painted across the ceiling, encompassing all things. At their center were five supernatural beings: Earth Sheep, Damp Womb, Dead Wood, Golden Man, and Spirit Ghost.
A white sheep lay peacefully upon the principal seat in the palace, motionless, seemingly asleep.
"Please do not look upon my true body, fellow Daoist."
The other spoke, his voice reverberating through the palace.
Xu Xuan averted his gaze rather than examining it. He then sensed that a person seemed to occupy the principal seat, radiance suffusing his body, his aura peaceful and resonating with the mysteries of Sheji.
[True Lord Fufan Calamity-Quelling Qingrang]
The other's exalted name and divine status manifested instantly. A rich aura of fertile nurturing flowed around him, making the six kinds of livestock multiply and plants flourish, without a trace of Nurturing Earth's sinister strangeness.
The other rose and left his seat, speaking with a slight smile. "Gongye Fu greets you, fellow Daoist."
This True Lord openly gave his true name, sending a slight tremor through Xu Xuan's heart.
Gongye!
His surname was Gongye too!
"Taiyou cannot conveniently disclose his true name. Please forgive me."
Naturally, Xu Xuan could not give his true name. With a hint of apology, he changed the subject. "May I ask what relationship you have