The colorful Brocade Bird landed in a side courtyard, then flew away moments later...
The spirit beast Brocade Bird threaded through the vast sea of clouds and mist, skimming past wind and rain, avoiding lightning, and flying day and night toward the southern lands.
Half a month later, it entered a secret realm hidden atop a mountain peak and, upon landing, transformed into a youth in brocade robes.
The youth wore a floral plume on his head and Feather Boots on his feet. A short cape woven from beautiful feathers in a unique rhythm draped over his shoulders, its ends trailing several long, lovely, dreamlike tail feathers. Yet the strikingly handsome youth was pale as death, his eyes filled with terror. He seemed to want to flee this secret realm, yet had no choice but to enter.
Lowering his head, he hurried up the mountain.
Following the winding stone steps around the ridges, he arrived before a Bamboo House.
The brocade-clad youth trembled as he dropped to both knees.
Many beast hides and beast horns hung from the outer walls of the Bamboo House, as though it were an ordinary mountain homestead. Yet those hides and horns emitted powerful waves one after another. In life, they must have belonged to overlords, divine beasts, ferocious beasts, or even dim-witted Savage Beasts. The brocade-clad youth, merely a spirit beast, was terrified beyond measure.
The Bamboo House door opened, and a handsome young man with sinister eyes emerged, dressed in a green robe and wearing a languid expression.
"Bird, is there a reply?"
"Reporting to Master, Senior said we may begin."
After speaking, the brocade-clad youth lowered his head even further. His body shook as he pressed his forehead against the bluestone.
Upon hearing this, the Green Robed Youth gave a wicked smile.