Atop Xuanji Peak, the clouds and mist grew ever thicker, drifting and curling like gauzy veils.
On Crescent Moon Lake, the delicate hearts of purple lotuses held beads of dew, casting wavering reflections in the water like crystal hairpins left behind by immortal maidens.
Xuanji True Lord sat upright beside the lake. He lightly raised the Blackfire Red Sandalwood fishing rod in his hand and slowly reeled in the line, a little fish with glittering silver scales flailing on the hook.
He casually plucked it off and tossed it into the fish basket beside him before speaking at an unhurried pace:
"Xuntian, did you deliver the message I entrusted to you?"
Chi Xuntian stood quietly beside the pond with his hands at his sides, his purple robe pressed tight against his body by the mountain wind.
His voice was steady as a bell as he replied, "Master, I delivered it."
"Oh?" The True Lord tapped his fingertips lightly against the Blackfire Red Sandalwood fishing rod.
His line slowly dipped into the water again, stirring rings of fine ripples. "What did they say?"
Without the slightest hesitation, Chi Xuntian answered truthfully, "Master, Hall Vice Lord Xin said that a matter of this magnitude required Deputy Sect Master Qing to make the decision."
The corners of Xuanji True Lord's mouth lifted slightly, a hint of amusement in his tone. "And what did Qing Chen say?"
"I did not meet Deputy Sect Master Qing." A trace of anger unconsciously crept into Chi Xuntian's voice.
He had waited bitterly for days, keeping vigil day after day, yet Qing Chen had never summoned him. Being shut out like this had left him thoroughly stifled.
Watching a Blade-Whiskered Pythonfish swim leisurely across the bottom of the pond, the True Lord suddenly broke into a smile:
"Do