Mo Daoist heard the sound of the jade chime and did not have time to speak further with Feng Zhen. He quickly rode the smoke clouds and hurried toward Rongyan Island. Feng Zhen followed closely behind, and the two broke through the clouds, chasing the wind. It was only with the second toll of the jade chime that they managed to descend onto Fireworks Island.
By now, dozens of fellow disciples were already standing in front of the Fire Roar Palace. When the two pressed down their clouds and walked to the front of the hall, they looked upon the Jade Stairs and saw Du De seated high above. He wore a long robe of plain, unadorned fabric, his hair tied into a tall bun with a bright red hairpin inserted. Without any other adornments, his expression was unreadable, neither joyous nor angry. Yet the disciples below all stood upright with a rigid posture, not daring to make a sound.
