Eastern Saint Garrison.
Beyond the immense, towering mountain gates.
Mountain ranges rolled on and on, their peaks dotted with palaces in an orderly arrangement.
Clouds billowed amid radiant mists, and mountain fog rose.
It was a scene worthy of immortals.
Yet a faint trace of viciousness and sinister evil flickered within it, diluting much of its immortal grace.
From time to time, figures in red-and-black Daoist robes flashed among the peaks, darting north and south.
Just then, a figure with a deep, sustained breath and an indistinct face emerged from the mountains.
Raising his head slightly, he saw a purple spirit beast bound by countless chains among the peaks not far away.
The figure paused briefly, then turned and flew deeper into the mountains.
After several swift movements, he stood before an old, dilapidated palace.
The palace doors were partly closed, and not a sound came from within.
Yet the figure seemed certain someone was inside. He bowed respectfully and cupped his hands in salute.
"Bai Yu pays his respects to Elder Lu!"
The old palace remained silent, but Bai Yu maintained his salute without the slightest lapse.
After a long while, a voice drifted faintly from within the palace.
"I have yet to be formally invested. Keep calling me Steward."
"I wouldn't dare. You have already entered the Gold Core realm. By the sect's rules, you are an elder even without formal investiture."
"Besides, the Sect Master will personally preside over your investiture ceremony today."
Bai Yu remained respectful as he spoke.
"Heh, never mind. Do you have other matters to report to me? Come inside, then."
The presence within the palace did not dwell on the matter.
The dilapidated palace doors moved without wind, opening onto deep darkness before Bai Yu.
Without hesitation, Bai Yu walked inside.
The