Xiao Yi, the instigator of it all, remained seated cross-legged, utterly motionless. Although his face still wore its signature composure, his faintly trembling lashes and tightly pressed lips betrayed the storm raging within him.
It worked? It actually worked?! I tried this so many times before, and those two never gave so much as a sign. With the child of destiny here this time, I actually summoned the real deal!
In the frozen air, Yao Lao was finally the first to recover. He forcibly suppressed the trembling of his soul and bowed respectfully to the old man, adopting an exceedingly humble posture, his tone unmistakably deferential and awed.
"This junior is Yao Chen. I did not know that you would grace us with your presence, Senior, and failed to welcome you properly. Please forgive me. I dare to ask, Senior... would you offer us a little guidance?"
The old man addressed as "Senior" swept his cloudy gaze over Yao Lao's illusory body, as though he could see through to the essence of his soul. He nodded slightly, his aged voice betraying neither pleasure nor anger.
"Very well. Our meeting is itself a bond of fate. Your character seems sound, and you seek instruction with humility. This old Daoist shall offer you a little guidance."
Having said that, the old man spoke no further. He merely extended his aged finger and pointed lightly at the ancient-looking Medicine Cauldron in the center of the room.
In an instant, a wisp of seemingly unremarkable flame drifted leisurely from his fingertip and settled gently beneath the Medicine Cauldron.
The flame was pale yellow, and it barely flickered. Compared with Yao Lao's earlier, spectacular Bone Spirit Cold Flame, it was utterly inconspicuous, even somewhat... shabby.
Yao Lao stared blankly at that tiny yellow flame, his