With Purple Star Mountain utterly destroyed, even Jiangteng Mountain and Luoyun Pavilion had successively displayed friendly attitudes toward Fang Xuan. The atmosphere throughout Jing Province's martial world began to grow strange.
Jiu Nan Mountain, where Pu Nan Academy had been established.
Upon a quiet cliff in the Back Mountain, lush greenery blanketed the surroundings, a waterfall hung in midair, and immortal cranes occasionally let out long cries.
On a platform along the mountain wall stood two emerald willows soaring into the clouds, their branches swaying. Beneath the trees was an exquisite little pavilion, where Yan Chengge and Yin Xu played Go as they talked.
"Now that Purple Star Mountain has fallen, Jing Province's Ten Great Sects have become nine. I hear even Jiangteng Mountain and Luoyun Pavilion have been drawing increasingly close to Fang Xuan." Yin Xu rubbed his forehead. The white stone pinched between his fingers did not fall for a long while. These past days, he had been closely watching the Dragon Whale Army's movements, but after the great battle at Purple Star Mountain, Fang Xuan—who had once again shaken the Nine Provinces—had fallen silent once more. There was not even any news of him to be heard within Jing Province City.
Yan Chengge nodded faintly, but there was little smile on his face. Staring at the board before him, he murmured, "Although the Purple Star Mountain Alliance has been broken this time, it does not mean every martial artist in Jing Province can rest easy. One tiger has died, yet a male lion has arrived. Whether this is a blessing or a curse for Jing Province's martial world remains unknown."
Clack.
A stone fell. Yin Xu studied the board for a while longer, confirming there was no problem with his move. Then he sighed softly and said