At the easternmost edge of the Heavenly Court.
This was one of the Heavenly Court's most remote corners. Ordinary immortals passing by would not spare it a second glance.
After all, the Heavenly Court had more immortal palaces than anyone could count. Everyone was sharpening their heads to squeeze into the central districts around Tongming Hall and Lingxiao Palace. Who had time to come here and gather dust?
And yet.
An immortal came that day.
Ma Muzhi tucked his hands into his sleeves and ambled along the Cloud Road. He stopped and looked around, making sure that not even an immortal crane had followed him before pushing open the hall doors.
Once inside, Old Ma shed his usual fawning, cringing manner, his gaze turning sharp.
He drew a Bronze Mirror from his sleeve and expertly shone it into all four corners of the Main Hall.
Only after confirming that no Recording Stones had been left behind, nor any traces of eavesdropping through a Soundproofing Formation, did he approach the meditation cushion in the center of the hall and wait quietly.
A moment later.
The space at the front of the Main Hall twisted slightly, and a hazy Phantom appeared out of thin air. The Phantom's face was indistinct, and even the style of the robes was concealed, leaving only an outline.
"What happened?" The Phantom's voice was disguised, revealing neither age nor gender.
Ma Muzhi hurriedly cupped his hands. "High Immortal, something's gone wrong. Southern Dipper and Randeng set a trap and spared no expense, throwing in a minor earth god's life as a sweetener. Lord Chen is now trapped behind bars, rumors are flying outside, and the Censorate's name stinks all over the streets. I'm afraid we've landed in a sorry mess this time."
"Do you think we should