"Not at all, Martial Uncle. Since you trust me, I am naturally duty-bound. Leave these mortals to me."
Wang Ba spoke readily.
Ma Shengxu smiled and nodded slightly, then reminded him:
"With the Five Elements Offices reopening, there may be a reopening ceremony later. As Chief Director, you will need to attend."
Although Wang Ba found it a little troublesome, he nodded.
After bidding Ma Shengxu farewell and thinking things over for a while, he flew toward the Human Virtue Hall.
"Wang Ba of the Earthly Treasures Hall requests an audience with Deputy Hall Master Luo of the Human Virtue Hall."
Hearing Wang Ba identify himself, the guardian on duty at the Human Virtue Hall dared not underestimate him despite being a Nascent Soul cultivator himself. He immediately said politely:
"Please wait a moment, Chief Director."
People elsewhere might be unfamiliar with Wang Ba, but the cultivators of the Human Virtue Hall knew something about every cultivator in the sect.
A Chief Director's standing could almost be considered a reduced version of a Deputy Hall Master's. How could he dare look down on him?
Before long, Wang Ba was surprised to see Luo Yuzhong personally emerge from the palace to welcome him, dressed in blue robes patterned with auspicious clouds.
"Martial Uncle Luo, you honor this junior far too much!"
Wang Ba looked overwhelmed by the honor and repeatedly offered apologies.
Luo Yuzhong looked a little over thirty, with handsome, distinguished features and an imposing bearing.
Hearing how Wang Ba addressed him, he smiled:
"You are the Earthly Treasures Hall's Chief Director, after all. Coming out to greet you is hardly an excessive honor... but I am rather curious. What brings you to me?"
As he spoke, he had already led Wang Ba into the side hall where the Human