Southern Sea, Sea Eye.
Jade-white Water Transformation had accumulated in layers, stretching like city walls to bar visiting outsiders. Now, a streak of golden-red fire flowed through the Great Void, emerged from it, and took its place above the sea.
"So this is Pudu Holy Land. It really is sealed off."
Liu Xiaowen felt a headache coming on. He had no means of requesting an audience. Making too much noise might be taken as an offense, but there was no telling how long he would have to wait like this.
Just as he hesitated, an opening appeared in the curtain of Water Transformation ahead, and a white cloud flew out.
"Which True Person has come to visit our tradition?"
A woman's figure appeared within the cloud, her voice clear and cool.
Liu Xiaowen looked over. When he saw her face clearly, he froze. The figure within the cloud also paused slightly.
They stared at each other, both startled.
"It's you-"
The woman ahead slowly revealed her true appearance. She was serene and beautiful, with lively eyes, dressed in a jade-white gown patterned with clouds, a jade bottle hanging at her waist. Fan Huayan.
Her aura was already at the Purple Mansion level. She seemed to have broken through only recently, for her Divine Ability still fluctuated.
"I was ordered to come out and welcome an honored guest. I never expected it to be you. It's been so long, and you've already attained a Divine Ability. How has the monastery... been lately?"
There was a trace of complicated emotion in Fan Huayan's voice. Looking at him, she led the way into the passage opened through the white Water Transformation.
"Everything has gone exceedingly well."
Liu Xiaowen gave her a rough account of the events of recent years, feeling rather wistful himself.