At the summit, inside the hall.
Purple-gold mystical patterns of soaring serpents covered the ceiling. Twelve long beams of gold and jade radiated evenly from its center. White mist rose, with faint thunderlight escaping from it and condensing into Metal and Stone that fell into a Blackwater Rock Pool below with melodious plinks.
Beside the pool, a woman in a purple dress crouched without the slightest regard for decorum, staring blankly at the ripples spreading across the water.
A middle-aged Daoist stood behind her, his features deep-set. He wore magnificent purple-gold robes, a moon-patterned cape, a star-patterned headcloth, and a dark ceremonial crown over spotless robes. His expression was somewhat helpless.
"Yi'er, you slipped out without permission. Did you tell my elder brother Gongxiang? I have an honored guest to meet today and no time to look after you."
Xin Yuanchang's tone was slightly stern. The abbot of Purple Gold Abbey was close friends with the lord of Yin Thunder Mountain, and knew Xu Yi, who had sneaked away to visit, all too well. He could hardly bring himself to speak harshly to her.
Xu Yi stood up and first gave her elder an ingratiating smile, blinking her eyes.
"Uncle, my father went to the Northern Sea to catch a [Thunder-Crossing Whale]. He won't be back for at least ten years. He has no time to bother with me."
Xin Yuanchang frowned. Though Xu Gongxiang was his sworn elder brother, his unrestrained behavior surpassed even Xu Yi's. Leaving his sect unattended to go whale hunting-he truly was one of a kind.
"Is True Person Yin Guang still overseeing Yin Thunder Mountain?" He considered it briefly. That True Person was seasoned and steady, and should have the situation firmly in hand.
"Grandfather went to argue his case with the Thunder Edict