The voice was consummately solemn and respectful, and contained wording not commonly encountered in everyday speech. It was like an ode, uttered loudly in all heaven and earth! The words carried a sense of antiquity and beauty. For instance, the term ‘pay formal respects.’ It was like a rite, in which formal respects were paid to the terrestrial and the celestial!

Even the Captain suddenly looked unprecedentedly serious. On this day, he didn’t wear his usual gray daoist robe. Instead, he had the same type of robe Xu Qing wore, violet, with golden embroidery. At a glance, it was obvious that the robes were those of the Seventh Peak, but at the same time, they were nothing like the ordinary robes.

As the Captain stood in the doorway looking at Xu Qing, he said, “Xu Qing, as the grand highness, it is my pleasure and honor to serve as your chief attendant today. Come with me.”

The Captain never talked like this; the words he spoke matched his serious expression. Clasping his hands one atop the other, he bowed deeply at the waist in a very formal dao prostration.

Xu Qing could sense the solemnity, and knew something very important was about...