The Western Sea.
The True Derivation Secret Realm, the Pill Chamber.
Countless cinnabar-red flames flickered here. Muffled burning sounds came from the Eight Trigrams Furnace, and dust scattered in every direction before finally settling on the hem of a woman's skirt.
It was as though boundless light surged within the furnace flames. Unending waves of heat spilled out, yet could not break through the confines of the [Heaven-Covering Eight Trigrams Furnace], merely making the precious furnace hum and tremble. Only after a quarter of an hour did the place settle into silence.
"Please come in."
The woman wore a gold-and-red silk Robe of Law that flowed like fire. She sat alone before the furnace, tending its flames, their radiance making her eyes shine.
The entrance outside the Secret Realm suddenly opened, and a man walked in. Dressed in a green robe with a sword on his back, he had the aura of an ordinary mortal, yet carried an unquestionable majesty. Law settled into place of its own accord within the Great Void.
"I am [Shen Yi], Liu Xingfang, inheritor of Constant Light of the Fengxuan Great Dao and successor to the Great Scarlet Dao Lineage. My respects, Senior Jingying."
"Now that I seek the Dao, I must trouble you, True Person Liu. My apologies."
"Dousing Flame and Great Scarlet have always been close. I once took pills you refined, Senior, so it is only right that I help. My master died seeking the Dao and could not fulfill his promise, so his disciple should come in his stead."
Liu Xingfang sighed. "I hope you can understand, Senior."
By then, Jingying had turned around and slowly risen. Dust scattered from the edges of her robes, and she casually brushed them off before saying, "I was the one who delayed too long.