The clamor on Sun-Watching Peak gradually faded as the Golden Core Ceremony drew to a close, and the guests who had attended departed one after another.
At the foot of the peak, Elder Jingchen secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Over the past several days, all the honored guests the Taiyi Sect had invited to the Clear-Talk Assembly had been received into Spirit Firmament Gorge.
For today's Golden Core Ceremony, he had once again been responsible for guarding the mountain.
Receiving and seeing off guests throughout the ceremony had put him under considerable pressure, especially when it came to identifying the riffraff trying to sneak in.
He was just preparing to finish his duties for the day and visit a few old friends from other sects for a little wine.
But then a figure suddenly hurried into view.
Elder Jingchen took a closer look and let out an "Oh dear."
"Fellow Daoist Deng, why are you here again?"
Over these past several days, Jingchen and Deng Ke had become quite familiar with each other.
"Daoist Brother Jingchen, sorry for the intrusion. I see the Golden Core Ceremony has ended. Please do me another favor."
"I'm not trying to pester you unreasonably. Please, you must help me pass a message to True Person Ciyu."
"If the True Person remains unmoved after hearing it, I, Deng Ke, will leave immediately and never trouble you again."
Deng Ke had been burning with anxiety these past days, unable to find any opportunity to meet Song Yan.
Hearing that True Person Ciyu had come to today's Golden Core Ceremony on Sun-Watching Peak to offer congratulations on Jun Mountain's behalf, he had rushed over.
Earlier, Jingchen had sent him away for the time being on the grounds that the ceremony had just begun. He had not