Outside Hanyang Prefecture's city walls, the river surged and roared.
Night had deepened. The moon rose above Swan Mountain, its pale light faint, its curve like a lady's arched brow.
Wearing a ritual robe patterned with immortal cranes and clouds, Song Chou rode Flame Light concealed high in the sky. He offered a Daoist salute to the lean Daoist with three wisps of long beard beneath his chin and said flatteringly:
"Elder Huang, your Nether-Catching Spirit-Seizing Great Art has actually reached perfection. Not only can it stir hidden thoughts, it can even plant demonic thoughts that remain unwavering. This is already approaching the Law Power and methods of a Foundation Establishment True Person."
An ancient bronze bell hung above the lean Daoist's head. Each chime shed clear light, dispelling layer upon layer of fierce winds.
Seeing Song Chou approach, he did not rise, remaining seated cross-legged as he asked evenly:
"What brings you here, Elder Song?"
"The opening of the [Ghost Dao] and the emergence of [Fengdu] concern not only your opportunity for Foundation Establishment, Elder Huang, but also whether our sect can open another superior Resource Grounds."
Song Chou's manner was quite courteous, his expression revealing an unmistakable desire to cultivate friendly ties:
"The Sect Master specifically sent me to assist you, Elder, lest anything go wrong."
He understood perfectly well that although Elder Huang was not a direct descendant of either the Fu Clan or the Kang Clan, he had long since married a Kang Clan woman as his principal wife, making him half "one of their own."
More importantly, the man had condensed third-grade True Qi and had hopes of soaring into Foundation Establishment. He was unquestionably a seed of a future True Person!
How could he afford to offend a Dao Talent of their Dharma Lineage