Within the Dao realm, clear qi drifted slowly through a hazy expanse.
On the Moon-Gazing Terrace, moonlight lay clear as rippling water. Xu Xuan stood at its edge and looked down, finding another small boat below. It was a murky yellow and could carry only one person.
He held a shifting mass of murky-yellow treasure light in his hand, with the spiritual consciousness contained within. Steadying his mind, he sent Fa Yan's spiritual consciousness into the center of the Shadow-Moon Pool. The boat below trembled, and a human figure slowly manifested, standing beside Xu Xuan on the terrace.
"Master."
Xu Fayan revealed his true form. His yellow eyes blazed brightly, and twisted, curling beast horns crowned his head. They resembled pottery rather than bone. Smoke sand gradually rose to envelop him, exuding an ever-growing air of desolation and withered stillness.
Xu Xuan led him down from the terrace, looking at his disciple with some concern. Tiantuo had transformed into a blood-colored flower and drifted onto his shoulder. The two conversed through their thoughts.
"Perhaps a change in nurturing earth has implicated him. This path excels at following the greater tide. When the four seas are peaceful and the granaries full, [Phoenix Rays] fly by night and [Vermilion Boars] carry treasures. At its height, it can even take the place of 'Ji Earth.'"
Tiantuo seemed to be pondering as he continued:
Xu Xuan's thoughts raced, and he understood the reason. What sort of world were they living in now? Li-Liao had waged war along its borders year after year, leaving chaos everywhere. These were hardly peaceful times.
After slaying Wei Luxing with his sword in [Surging Tribulation Heaven], he had paid some attention to the man's background. Wei Luxing had come from the [Green-Waste Dao] on Li-Liao's frontier. That tradition was