Yao Pei’s courtyard was different from Qi Xuansu’s because it was reserved only for the most outstanding disciples. Otherwise, it would remain vacant. Many influential figures of the Daoist Order had once lived here. Zhang Yuelu was one of the most recent residents. Next year, it would house Li Changge.0

Within the courtyard lay a small pond that was crystal clear. When Zhang Yuelu and Qi Xuansu first visited Yao Pei, they found her gazing into this very pond.0

Yao Pei walked straight into the house, saying as she went, “I need to set up a privacy barrier to prevent others from spying. Daoist Qi, please bring me some water.”0

Qi Xuansu nodded and walked over to the pond, scooping up a handful of water with both hands. The water perfectly reflected the moon above.0

By the time Qi Xuansu entered the room, Yao Pei had already affixed talismans to the four corners of the living room, each of remarkable quality. Then, she retrieved a fine red thread from her magical receptacle, linking the four talismans together before tying a knot. A flash of light rippled across the talismans and thread, signifying the completion of the barrier.0

Yao Pei turned around, pointed at the water Qi Xuansu was holding, and transformed it into a floating sphere, suspending...0