"Shang Hua Ming?" The disciple was visibly startled. He looked Xiao Hua up and down in disbelief, then said with a smile that did not reach his eyes, "You say you are a disciple of Shang Hua Ming. What proof do you have?"
"When I set out, the sect master instructed me that a communication talisman had already been sent to your sect. Sect Leader Jiang of your sect has also met me before, so no token was bestowed upon me," Xiao Hua answered neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"So you truly are a fellow Daoist from Shang Hua Ming!" Hearing this, the disciple immediately changed his manner. He returned the salute with cupped hands and said, "I am Chen Feng of the Hundred Herbs Sect. The Young Sect Master reminded us this morning that a fellow Daoist from Shang Hua Ming would be arriving. However, the Young Sect Master only said it would be tomorrow or the day after. I never expected Fellow Daoist Xiao to arrive so quickly!"
He then looked behind Xiao Hua, his brow creasing slightly. "Have none of your sect's other senior brothers or senior sisters come?"
Xiao Hua was taken aback. He had thought Xiao Yuehong's communication talisman had already explained that he would be coming. It seemed he had been mistaken, so he could only smile and say, "I alone have come from my sect. None of the other senior brothers have left the mountain."
"Ah?" Chen Feng was somewhat astonished. He opened his mouth but did not speak, likely wanting to say, "Your Shang Hua Ming really is... at ease, letting a first layer of Qi Cultivation disciple leave the mountain gate alone!"
"Fellow Daoist Xiao, please wait a moment!" Chen Feng said. He reached into his robes and pulled out a yellow