A year later, Xu Xuan emerged from seclusion on Heavenly Tribulation Mountain.
His dragon body had already traveled along the [Mist Marsh Skyroad] toward Chonghua to join Fire Crow. The sensation was rather strange, like manipulating a puppet from afar. With his mind anchored in the [supreme clarity dao realm], he could increase or decrease his control over either side at any time.
Stepping out of the secret chamber within the main hall, he considered briefly, then headed straight for the Forge Rectitude workshop on the neighboring peak.
Inside, the Scenery Sun Great Furnace radiated fierce heat, its flames roaring. The fire spirit poked half his head out of the furnace, laughing incessantly and making the dao fire within flicker.
Below the furnace stood a boy in his early teens, saying something. His bright eyes shone with intelligence, and he wore a blue-green upper garment painstakingly embroidered with a hundred bats and a hundred butterflies, all lifelike.
The two were Wen Guang and Cheng Yan. Seeing the sect leader enter, both grew flustered. Fire flashed over Wen Guang, and he stepped out of the furnace, hastily getting Cheng Yan to bow with him.
"Greetings, Sect Leader."
They spoke in unison, their voices still childish.
Xu Xuan looked at Cheng Yan. The boy was fourteen now, at middle fetal breath, and had already completed drawing spiritual energy into his body. He had not neglected his cultivation.
Looking at the pair, Xu Xuan found them rather amusing. He waved Cheng Yan away first. As though granted a grand pardon, the boy left the Artifact Workshop, remembering to turn back at the doorway and wave to Wen Guang.
"You certainly have been enjoying a leisurely life. Even Cheng Yan has come to visit you."
Wen Guang's little face stiffened, and the flames around