At first light the next day, Yun Che finished getting ready and, following Yue Mingsha's instructions from yesterday, headed to the main hall on the Main Peak to see his master.
As soon as he reached the foot of the steps, he saw Yue Mingsha already waiting for him on the platform. Her moon-white Daoist robes set off her upright figure, and her face was cool and aloof. There was not a trace of last night's teasing manner left; she looked every bit a dignified sect master.
"Come along. Let's meet the elders first."
Without further words, Yue Mingsha turned toward the Discussion Hall. Yun Che followed her across a square planted with ancient pines and entered the hall with its sweeping eaves and interlocking brackets.
Four elders with white hair and beards were already seated inside. As the two entered, all four turned their gazes on Yun Che. Their scrutiny put him inwardly on guard, but he maintained a respectful, modest expression and bowed in greeting after Yue Mingsha.
"This disciple, Niu Hun, pays his respects to the elders."
The Grand Elder, seated beside the seat of honor, stroked his beard and asked, "You're the boy whose test revealed an innate nine-colored Dao Body? Raise your head and let us have a look."
Yun Che raised his head as instructed. The Grand Elder studied him for a long while, then exchanged glances with the elders beside him and smiled, stroking his beard.
"Excellent aptitude indeed! Mingsha, you really have found a treasure this time. How many years has it been since our Divine Prison Immortal Sect last had such a promising young talent?"
Elder Zhang, who oversaw cultivation techniques, also nodded. "Since he has already become the Sect Master's disciple, let him choose something from the Treasury shortly, as