Deep within the collapsed mountain rock, in waist-deep floodwater.
Meng Chao sat cross-legged, his eyes slightly closed, his breathing long and steady.
With every breath, ripples formed in the floodwater, like the tentacles of an octopus stretching into the distance, making the scattered currents flow in the directions he willed.
He waited for a full half hour.
Only after ensuring that the floodwaters showed no sign of gathering again and surging toward the Mining Area.
Nor had they formed an even more dangerous Barrier Lake behind the collapsed mountain.
Did he finally let out a small breath of relief and rise from the floodwater, which had already turned into mud.
Just then, Meng Chao heard a buzzing sound.
Amid the clawing Black Cloud, he spotted an inconspicuous black dot flying low toward him.
It was a search-and-rescue drone.
Meng Chao pondered for a moment, then lay back down in the silt, merging with the earth and leaving only his bright eyes exposed.
For now, he did not wish to return to Dragon City with great fanfare.
He had yet to understand Lü Siya's current situation.
What had this Jungle Banshee become?
Had she grown three heads and six arms, turning into a savage and terrifying tigress?
Was there still a chance to suppress the power of chaos inside her, awaken her, and heal her?
And was the Blood Alliance still around?
Even if it had nominally fallen apart long ago, could it have changed its face—or changed the soup without changing the medicine—and continued its evil mission in another form?
Would its filthy claws reach for Bai Jiacao, as he and the Wolf King had foreseen, and brew his adorable little sister into the "Black Night Witch," or something even more horrifying?
Even if his little sister could escape disaster