As Ji Yuan spread out his Four Treasures of the Study and ground ink for the Little Characters, Zhu Yan, who had left Ji Yuan's Small Courtyard, hurried to the official residence's Front Courtyard and sent a voice transmission to the old cultivator surnamed Tang.
The old Immortal Master, who had been chatting merrily with Li Ping in the main reception hall, was stunned. He had not expected Fellow Daoist Zhu, who had been so excited just before, to be leaving already—and in such a hurry.
"Er, Immortal Master Tang, what... what happened?"
Seeing the Immortal Master beside him suddenly go blank, Li Ping asked with concern. The latter looked at Li Ping with a smile.
"Nothing. Fellow Daoist Zhu seems to have suddenly gained some insight and wishes to return for quiet cultivation. He will not be attending tonight's dinner, and asked me to apologize to Master Li on his behalf."
"Oh, no need, no need. Of course Immortal Master Zhu's affairs come first. I can hold a special banquet for Immortal Master Zhu another day. Immortal Master, let us continue discussing Feng'er."
"Mm, quite right, let us continue. Feng'er possesses outstanding talent; he truly is fine material..."
Meanwhile, under the respectful send-off of the official residence's gate guards, Zhu Yan left Li Ping's official residence. He quickly entered the streets and returned to an Immortal Master's residence where he was temporarily staying. It already had restrictions in place, along with several measures Zhu Yan had personally reinforced.
Zhu Yan strode hurriedly onward. When the attendants of the immortal residence saw him returning, they all bowed to him.
"Immortal Master Zhu!" "Greetings, Immortal Master Zhu!"
"Mm!"
Zhu Yan merely snorted through his nostrils and nodded faintly before returning without pause to his secluded cultivation chamber. After entering and