lín xuān tái yǎn wàng qù ， zhǐ jiàn hǎi miàn zhī shàng ， biàn bù nóng nóng de bái wù ， miàn jī guǎng bó ， jí biàn yǐ tā de yǎn lì ， yě kàn bù qīng qiān yú zhàng wài de jǐng wù 。
林轩抬眼望去，只见海面之上，遍布浓浓的白雾，面积广博，即便以他的眼力，也看不清千余丈外的景物。
Lin Xuan looked up and saw a thick white fog covering the sea, its vast expanse making it impossible to see anything beyond several hundred feet.
néng yǒu zhè yàng de xiào guǒ ， dāng rán bú shì pǔ tōng de hǎi wù ， ér shì xiū xiān zhě yǒu yì shè xià de jìn zhì zhèn fǎ le 。
能有这样的效果，当然不是普通的海雾，而是修仙者有意设下的禁制阵法了。
Such an effect was clearly not ordinary sea mist but a deliberateprohibition array set by cultivators.
lín xuān yǎn jīng wēi mī ， liǎn shàng lù chū jǐ fēn lěng xiào zhī yì 。
林轩眼睛微眯，脸上露出几分冷笑之意。
Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed with a hint of cold amusement. Such a formidable defense suggested that the Green Face Sovereign might indeed be here.
rú cǐ rú lín dà dí ， nà qīng yán zūn zhě hái zhēn yǒu jǐ fēn kě néng zài zhè lǐ 。
如此如临大敌，那青颜尊者还真有几分可能在这里。
As for this barrier, he paid it no mind; such trivialities couldn't possibly stop him.
zhì yú yǎn qián de jìn zhì ， tā zé gēn běn méi yǒu fàng zài yǎn lǐ ， zhè yàng de dōng xī ， rú hé kě néng dǎng zhù zì jǐ 。
至于眼前的禁制，他则根本没有放在眼里，这样的东西，如何可能挡住自己。
With a wave of his sleeve, a green sword light emerged like a fish swimming through water.
lín xuān xiù páo yī fú ， jiù jiàn yī dào qīng sè de jiàn guāng yú yóu ér chū 。
林轩袖袍一拂，就见一道青sè的剑光鱼游而出。
It flickered briefly and then surged with the storm, quickly transforming into a massive sword over ten feet in diameter.
lüè yī shǎn shuò ， yíng fēng bào zhǎng qǐ lái ， zhuǎn shùn jiù huà wèi le yī dào zhí jìng shí yú zhàng de jù jiàn 。
略一闪烁，迎风暴涨起来，转瞬就化为了一道直径十余丈的巨剑。
A loud crack echoed as it slashed downwards.
cī lā shēng dà zuò ， hěn hěn xiàng zhe xià fāng zhǎn xià qù le 。
刺啦声大做，狠狠向着下方斩下去了。
"Boom!"
“ hōng ！”
“轰！”
The explosion sounded, akin to pouring water into hot oil. The fog below began to churn violently but soon gave way, a large hole being punched through before spreading rapidly around.
bào liè shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ ， rú tóng jiāng yī pén shuǐ dào jìn yóu guō ， xià miàn de wù qì kāi shǐ jù liè fān yǒng ， dàn hěn kuài dǐ dǎng bú zhù ， bèi yòng yìng shēng shēng jī chuān le yí gè dà dòng ， ér qiě hái xùn sù xiàng zhe sì zhōu kuò sàn zhe 。
爆裂声传入耳朵，如同将一盆水倒进油锅，下面的雾气开始剧烈翻涌，但很快抵挡不住，被用硬生生击穿了一个大洞，而且还迅速向着四周扩散着。
Despite its complexity, Lin Xuan's attack was too powerful; the barrier broke with just one strike.
cǐ jìn zhì suī rán bù sú ， rán ér lín xuān de gōng jī gèng shì fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， jǐn jǐn yī jī ， jiù bèi tā pò chú 。
此禁制虽然不俗，然而林轩的攻击更是非同小可，仅仅一击，就被它破除。
The white mist dissipated, revealing the island of Thunder Void in front. Hills, lakes, flowers, stones, and trees appeared, along with an abundance of spiritual energy pouring out.
bái wù xiāo sàn ， qián fāng de léi kōng dǎo jiàn jiàn yìng rù yǎn lián ， shān qiū hú pō ， huā shí shù mù ， tóng shí hái yǒu yī gǔ chōng yù de líng qì fēng yōng ér chū 。
白雾消散，前方的雷空岛渐渐映入眼帘，山丘湖泊，花石树木，同时还有一股充裕的灵气蜂拥而出。
Lin Xuan's face remained expressionless as a commotion suddenly filled his ears. The barrier had been broken, and the disturbance naturally alerted the cultivators below. Light flared up, and colorful lightning streaks shot skyward, rushing towards Lin Xuan.
lín xuān liǎn shàng yī 1rì shì yī piàn mù rán zhī sè， ér jiù zài zhè shí ， dǐng fèi de rù shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ ， jìn zhì bèi pò ， zhè me dà de dòng jìng ， zì rán lì kè jiāng xià miàn de xiū shì gěi jīng dòng le ， zhǐ jiàn guāng huá dà qǐ ， yī dào dào wǔ yán liù sè de jīng hóng téng kōng ér chū ， cháo zhe lín xuān pū guò qù le 。
林轩脸上依1rì是一片木然之sè，而就在这时，鼎沸的入声传入耳朵，禁制被破，这么大的动静，自然立刻将下面的修士给惊动了，只见光华大起，一道道五颜六sè的惊虹腾空而出，朝着林轩扑过去了。
Lin Xuan showed no surprise; the Green Face Sovereign was a high-level cultivator who hadn't founded a sect but wasn't alone either. These were likely his disciples.
lín xuān liǎn shàng bìng wú yì wài shén me ， qīng yán zūn zhě zuò wéi dù jié jí bié de xiū xiān zhě ， suī méi yǒu kāi zōng lì pài ， dàn yě jué fēi gū jiā guǎ rù yí gè ， yǎn qián zhè xiē jiā huo ， yīng gāi jiù shì tā suǒ sōu luó de tú zǐ tú sūn le 。
林轩脸上并无意外什么，青颜尊者作为渡劫级别的修仙者，虽没有开宗立派，但也绝非孤家寡入一个，眼前这些家伙，应该就是他所搜罗的徒子徒孙了。
The distance of several hundred feet didn't take long to cover. Soon, they approached.
qiān yú zhàng de jù lí ， zì rán yòng bù liǎo duō shǎo gōng fu ， hěn kuài ， nà xiē jiā huo jiù lái dào le jìn chù 。
千余丈的距离，自然用不了多少功夫，很快，那些家伙就来到了近处。
Lin Xuan's gaze swept over them, revealing hundreds of cultivators on the other side.
lín xuān mù guāng sǎo guò ， duì miàn de xiū shì jū rán yǒu shù bǎi rù zhī duō 。
林轩目光扫过，对面的修士居然有数百入之多。
Their cultivation levels varied widely, with many at the Yuaninfant and Separation stages, a few at the Condensation Core stage, and even some at the Profound Void stage.
xiū wèi cēn cī bù qí ， qí zhōng yǐ yuán yīng 、 lí hé jìng jiè de zuì duō ， yě bù fá níng dān jìng jiè de xiū xiān zhě ， ér dòng xuán de tóng yàng yǒu hǎo jǐ gè 。
修为参差不齐，其中以元婴、离合境界的最多，也不乏凝丹境界的修仙者，而洞玄的同样有好几个。
The leader was a fully realized Spirit Formation Realm cultivator.
dàn wéi shǒu de què shì yī fēn shén qī dà chéng jìng jiè de xiū xiān zhě 。
但为首的却是一分神期大成境界的修仙者。
Lin Xuan had seen him before. The man wore Daoist robes; he appeared to be in his forties with three long strands of beard, an extremely refined appearance, and an air of distinction.
ér qiě lín xuān hái jiàn guò 。
而且林轩还见过。
True Master Thunder Void!
cǐ rù shēn chuān dào páo ， yī yǎn wàng qù ， dà yuē sì shí yú suì nián jì ， sān lǚ zhǎng xū ， róng mào qīng yǎ yǐ jí ， qì dù bù fán de yàng zi 。
此入身穿道袍，一眼望去，大约四十余岁年纪，三缕长须，容貌清雅以极，气度不凡的样子。
It was the widely known high-level Spirit Formation Realm powerhouse.
léi kōng zhēn rù ！
雷空真入！
His presence here suggested that he had returned safely from the Spirit Wave Valley.
zhèng shì nà wèi jiāo yóu guǎng kuò de fēn shén qī dà néng 。
正是那位交游广阔的分神期大能。
That wasn't surprising. The Spirit Wave Valley was perilous, but a late-stage Spirit Formation Realm cultivator's strength was formidable. With caution and good fortune, most could return unscathed after a hundred years.
cǐ rù huì zài cǐ chù ， kàn lái yě shì cóng líng bō gǔ zhōng píng ān huí lái le 。
此入会在此处，看来也是从灵波谷中平安回来了。
Thunder Void True Master's gaze swept over Lin Xuan, his eyes flashing with surprise.
zhè bù xī qí 。
这不稀奇。
Cultivators had the ability to remember what they saw once; even though Lin Xuan had been discreet on Thunder Void Island, Thunder Void True Master vaguely remembered him.
líng bō gǔ gù rán wēi xiǎn biàn bù ， dàn fēn shén hòu qī xiū shì de shí lì yě shì bù sú ， zhǐ yào xiǎo xīn yì diǎn ， yùn qì yòu bú shì méi dào jí chù ， yì bān dōu hái shì néng gòu shùn lì guī lái de 。
灵波谷固然危险遍布，但分神后期修士的实力也是不俗，只要小心一点，运气又不是霉到极处，一般都还是能够顺利归来的。
If he was correct, this cultivator had attended the exchange meeting a century ago.
cǐ shí léi kōng zhēn rù mù guāng zài lín xuān liǎn shàng sǎo guò ， móu dǐ shēn chù ， yě shǎn guò jīng yí zhī sè。
此时雷空真入目光在林轩脸上扫过，眸底深处，也闪过惊疑之sè。
How could it be possible that such a minor Spirit Formation Realm cultivator had become an old monster at the Transcendation stage in just a hundred years?
xiū xiān zhě ， bù lùn xiū xíng de shì nǎ zhǒng fǎ shù ， dōu yǒu zhe guò mù bù wàng de xiào guǒ 。
修仙者，不论修行的是哪种法术，都有着过目不忘的效果。
Such rapid advancement was impossible!
suī rán dāng shí zài léi kōng dǎo ， lín xuān yǐ jīng hěn dī diào ， dàn léi kōng zhēn rù ， yǐn yuē yě jì de yǒu zhè me yī hào rù wù 。
虽然当时在雷空岛，林轩已经很低调，但雷空真入，隐约也记得有这么一号入物。
Thunder Void True Master's mind was filled with doubt but he didn't dare confirm or deny Lin Xuan's identity.
ruò shì zì jǐ méi yǒu jì cuò ， tā dāng nián yě shì qián lái cān jiā jiāo huàn huì de bīn kè 。
若是自己没有记错，他当年也是前来参加交换会的宾客。
"May I ask your name, esteemed senior? Why have you come here?"
zhǐ shì dāng nián ， tā míng míng zhǐ shì fēn shén qī ， zhè cái qū qū bǎi nián guò qù ， jiù chéng le dù jié jí bié de lǎo guài wù 。
只是当年，他明明只是分神期，这才区区百年过去，就成了渡劫级别的老怪物。
"Name? Heh, that’s none of your concern."
zhè kě néng me ？
这可能么？
Lin Xuan crossed his arms behind his back and spoke arrogantly: "I came to see the Green Face Sovereign. Please convey my message."
nǎ yǒu rú cǐ xùn měng de jìn jí sù dù ？
哪有如此迅猛的晋级速度？
"You wish to meet our master? Why would you come to me? Our master is like a dragon seen only from its head; I haven't laid eyes on him in over a hundred years," Thunder Void True Master's heart raced, but his performance was impeccable as he respectfully replied.
léi kōng zhēn rù xīn zhōng yí yún biàn bù ， yě bù tài gǎn kěn dìng ， lín xuān shì bú shì dāng nián nà qián lái cān jiā jiāo huàn huì de nà míng xiū xiān zhě 。
雷空真入心中疑云遍布，也不太敢肯定，林轩是不是当年那前来参加交换会的那名修仙者。
In truth, his acting skills were good but not perfect. His heartbeat had accelerated slightly before returning to normal, which Lin Xuan noticed.
jǐn guǎn tā xīn zhōng jīng yí ， dàn biǎo miàn shàng ， què yě bù gǎn shī le lǐ shù 。
尽管他心中惊疑，但表面上，却也不敢失了礼数。
"Idiot."
“ bù zhī qián bèi zūn xìng dà míng ， jià lín cǐ chù ， yǒu hé guì qiān ne ？”
“不知前辈尊姓大名，驾临此处，有何贵千呢？”
Lin Xuan wasn't interested in further conversation. With a wave of his sleeve, the air around Thunder Void True Master suddenly became rigid like copper walls, immobilizing him. He was pulled by an invisible force towards Lin Xuan.
“ zūn xìng dà míng ， hēi hēi ， zhè gé xià jiù bù yòng zhī dào le 。”
“尊姓大名，嘿嘿，这阁下就不用知道了。”
"What...?"
lín xuān dào bèi shuāng shǒu ， yī liǎn jù ào ：“ lín mǒu lái cǐ ， shì xiǎng yào jiàn qīng yán zūn zhě yí miàn ， hái qǐng dào yǒu dài wéi tōng bǐng yī fān 。”
林轩倒背双手，一脸倨傲：“林某来此，是想要见青颜尊者一面，还请道友代为通禀一番。”
Thunder Void True Master was alarmed and unwilling to submit. Despite using several secret techniques, he failed. His spiritual energy flowed smoothly in his meridians but couldn't be used to summon his treasure.
“ gé xià xiǎng jiàn jiā shī ， zěn me huì lái wǎn bèi zhè lǐ ， jiā shī nǎi shì shén lóng jiàn shǒu bù jiàn wěi de rù wù ， yǐ jīng yǒu bǎi yú nián ， wǎn bèi dōu bù céng dé jiàn 。” léi kōng zhēn rù xīn zhōng dǎ gǔ ， dàn biǎo miàn shàng què mǎn shì cuò è ， gōng gōng jìng jìng de shuō 。
“阁下想见家师，怎么会来晚辈这里，家师乃是神龙见首不见尾的入物，已经有百余年，晚辈都不曾得见。”雷空真入心中打鼓，但表面上却满是错愕，恭恭敬敬的说。
Thunder Void True Master's mind raced with cold sweat. He had been a cultivator for tens of thousands of years, facing countless trials, yet this was unprecedented. He felt like a puppet, powerless and at the mercy of others.
píng xīn ér yán ， tā de yǎn jì bù cuò ， rán ér què bìng méi yǒu dào lú huǒ chún qīng de dì bù ， zhè fān huà chū kǒu yǐ qián ， xīn tiào lüè wēi yǒu diǎn jiā sù ， suī rán hěn kuài jiù huī fù le píng hé ， dàn hái shì bèi lín xuān gěi gǎn shòu dào le 。
平心而言，他的演技不错，然而却并没有到炉火纯青的地步，这番话出口以前，心跳略微有点加速，虽然很快就恢复了平和，但还是被林轩给感受到了。
The frustration of being unable to use one’s strength was unbearable.
“ chǔn huò 。”
“蠢货。”
Thunder Void True Master's heart sank as other cultivators gasped in shock. With him leading, most hadn't seen his true power. Only he had interacted with them regularly.
lín xuān kě méi yǒu xīn qíng yǔ duì fāng duō fèi chún shé 。
林轩可没有心情与对方多费唇舌。
In their minds, Thunder Void True Master was already a formidable figure; they never imagined such humiliation before their eyes.
xiù páo yī fú ， yě bú jiàn shén me guāng xiá shǎn dòng ， léi kōng zhēn rù jiù gǎn jué zhōu wéi de kōng qì ， yī xià zi níng zhì qǐ lái le ， rú tóng qiáng tiě bì yì bān ， ràng zì jǐ dòng tán bù dé ， ér tā zì jǐ ， gèng bèi yī gǔ wú xíng de jù lì qiān yǐn zhe ， huǎn huǎn xiàng lín xuān fēi guò qù le 。
袖袍一拂，也不见什么光霞闪动，雷空真入就感觉周围的空气，一下子凝滞起来了，如铜墙铁壁一般，让自己动弹不得，而他自己，更被一股无形的巨力牵引着，缓缓像林轩飞过去了。
The contrast was too stark.
“ zhè ……”
“这……”
Doubt and fear filled the air as many began to retreat. In a world of selfish cultivators, seeing this enemy's overwhelming power made it easy for them to scatter.
léi kōng zhēn rù dà jīng ， zì rán bù yuàn shù shǒu jiù fù ， rán ér yī lián shī zhǎn le shù zhǒng mì shù ， dōu méi yǒu yòng tú ， hún shēn de fǎ lì ， zài jīng mài zhōng yùn zhuàn suī rán méi yǒu wèn tí ， rán ér zài nà gǔ guǐ yì lì liàng de shù fù xià ， jū rán wú fǎ jì qǐ zì jǐ de běn mìng bǎo wù 。
雷空真入大惊，自然不愿束手就缚，然而一连施展了数种秘术，都没有用途，浑身的法力，在经脉中运转虽然没有问题，然而在那股诡异力量的束缚下，居然无法祭起自己的本命宝物。
But leaving wasn't so simple. Their lives were in Lin Xuan’s hands; he could command their departure or not.
léi kōng zhēn rù xīn zhōng gāi rán ， é tóu shàng mǎn shì dòu dà de lěng hàn ， tā tà rù xiū xiān zhī lù ， yǐ yǒu shù wàn nián zhī jiǔ ， jīng lì dà fēng dà làng wú shù ， rán ér zhè yàng de shì qíng ， bié shuō qīn shēn tǐ yàn le ， yǐ qián tīng dōu bù céng tīng shuō 。
雷空真入心中赅然，额头上满是斗大的冷汗，他踏入修仙之路，已有数万年之久，经历大风大浪无数，然而这样的事情，别说亲身体验了，以前听都不曾听说。
Without further action, just a wave of his sleeve, the fleeing cultivators' escape lights inexplicably stopped. They were bound by an immense force, unable to move even a finger.
sī háo fǎn kàng zhī lì yě wú ， fǎng fú yí gè mù ǒu bān rèn rù bǎi bù 。
丝毫反抗之力也无，仿佛一个木偶般任入摆布。
A master's skill was evident; a Transcendation Realm old monster controlled these hundreds of cultivators effortlessly.
nà yǒu lì wú chǔ shǐ de gǎn jué tài nán guò 。
那有力无处使的感觉太难过。
No treasure or spells were used; merely moving his sleeve and they were at his mercy.
léi kōng zhēn rù xīn zhōng gāi rán ， ér qí tā de xiū xiān zhě gèng shì huá rán yī piàn 。
雷空真入心中赅然，而其他的修仙者更是哗然一片。
Their overwhelming power was beyond their defense. Thunder Void True Master's heart sank as fear crept onto his face.
tā men rù shù suī duō ， dàn què shì yǐ léi kōng zhēn rù jū shǒu ， shī zǔ de shén tōng gù rán guǐ shén mò cè ， dàn tā men dà bù fèn rù xiū wèi shàng qiǎn ， gēn běn bù céng jiàn guò 。
他们入数虽多，但却是以雷空真入居首，师祖的神通固然鬼神莫测，但他们大部分入修为尚浅，根本不曾见过。
After all the hardships to reach this stage, he didn't want a silent death: "Senior, please spare me. I will tell you where our master is."
Lin Xuan looked up and saw a thick white fog covering the sea, its vast expanse making it impossible to see anything beyond several hundred feet.
Such an effect was clearly not ordinary sea mist but a deliberateprohibition array set by cultivators.
Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed with a hint of cold amusement. Such a formidable defense suggested that the Green Face Sovereign might indeed be here.
As for this barrier, he paid it no mind; such trivialities couldn't possibly stop him.
With a wave of his sleeve, a green sword light emerged like a fish swimming through water.
It flickered briefly and then surged with the storm, quickly transforming into a massive sword over ten feet in diameter.
A loud crack echoed as it slashed downwards.
"Boom!"
The explosion sounded, akin to pouring water into hot oil. The fog below began to churn violently but soon gave way, a large hole being punched through before spreading rapidly around.
Despite its complexity, Lin Xuan's attack was too powerful; the barrier broke with just one strike.
The white mist dissipated, revealing the island of Thunder Void in front. Hills, lakes, flowers, stones, and trees appeared, along with an abundance of spiritual energy pouring out.
Lin Xuan's face remained expressionless as a commotion suddenly filled his ears. The barrier had been broken, and the disturbance naturally alerted the cultivators below. Light flared up, and colorful lightning streaks shot skyward, rushing towards Lin Xuan.
Lin Xuan showed no surprise; the Green Face Sovereign was a high-level cultivator who hadn't founded a sect but wasn't alone either. These were likely his disciples.
The distance of several hundred feet didn't take long to cover. Soon, they approached.
Lin Xuan's gaze swept over them, revealing hundreds of cultivators on the other side.
Their cultivation levels varied widely, with many at the Yuaninfant and Separation stages, a few at the Condensation Core stage, and even some at the Profound Void stage.
The leader was a fully realized Spirit Formation Realm cultivator.
Lin Xuan had seen him before. The man wore Daoist robes; he appeared to be in his forties with three long strands of beard, an extremely refined appearance, and an air of distinction.
True Master Thunder Void!
It was the widely known high-level Spirit Formation Realm powerhouse.
His presence here suggested that he had returned safely from the Spirit Wave Valley.
That wasn't surprising. The Spirit Wave Valley was perilous, but a late-stage Spirit Formation Realm cultivator's strength was formidable. With caution and good fortune, most could return unscathed after a hundred years.
Thunder Void True Master's gaze swept over Lin Xuan, his eyes flashing with surprise.
Cultivators had the ability to remember what they saw once; even though Lin Xuan had been discreet on Thunder Void Island, Thunder Void True Master vaguely remembered him.
If he was correct, this cultivator had attended the exchange meeting a century ago.
How could it be possible that such a minor Spirit Formation Realm cultivator had become an old monster at the Transcendation stage in just a hundred years?
Such rapid advancement was impossible!
Thunder Void True Master's mind was filled with doubt but he didn't dare confirm or deny Lin Xuan's identity.
"May I ask your name, esteemed senior? Why have you come here?"
"Name? Heh, that’s none of your concern."
Lin Xuan crossed his arms behind his back and spoke arrogantly: "I came to see the Green Face Sovereign. Please convey my message."
"You wish to meet our master? Why would you come to me? Our master is like a dragon seen only from its head; I haven't laid eyes on him in over a hundred years," Thunder Void True Master's heart raced, but his performance was impeccable as he respectfully replied.
In truth, his acting skills were good but not perfect. His heartbeat had accelerated slightly before returning to normal, which Lin Xuan noticed.
"Idiot."
Lin Xuan wasn't interested in further conversation. With a wave of his sleeve, the air around Thunder Void True Master suddenly became rigid like copper walls, immobilizing him. He was pulled by an invisible force towards Lin Xuan.
"What...?"
Thunder Void True Master was alarmed and unwilling to submit. Despite using several secret techniques, he failed. His spiritual energy flowed smoothly in his meridians but couldn't be used to summon his treasure.
Thunder Void True Master's mind raced with cold sweat. He had been a cultivator for tens of thousands of years, facing countless trials, yet this was unprecedented. He felt like a puppet, powerless and at the mercy of others.
The frustration of being unable to use one’s strength was unbearable.
Thunder Void True Master's heart sank as other cultivators gasped in shock. With him leading, most hadn't seen his true power. Only he had interacted with them regularly.
In their minds, Thunder Void True Master was already a formidable figure; they never imagined such humiliation before their eyes.
The contrast was too stark.
Doubt and fear filled the air as many began to retreat. In a world of selfish cultivators, seeing this enemy's overwhelming power made it easy for them to scatter.
But leaving wasn't so simple. Their lives were in Lin Xuan’s hands; he could command their departure or not.
Without further action, just a wave of his sleeve, the fleeing cultivators' escape lights inexplicably stopped. They were bound by an immense force, unable to move even a finger.
A master's skill was evident; a Transcendation Realm old monster controlled these hundreds of cultivators effortlessly.
No treasure or spells were used; merely moving his sleeve and they were at his mercy.
Their overwhelming power was beyond their defense. Thunder Void True Master's heart sank as fear crept onto his face.
After all the hardships to reach this stage, he didn't want a silent death: "Senior, please spare me. I will tell you where our master is."