City Lord Gaoluo abruptly raised his sleeve and wiped the corner of his eye. Then he stepped aside and gestured for Fang Chen to enter. "Don't stand here talking. Come into the city! I'll send for the others right away! City Lord Qingyun and City Lord Hongxue are here too. If they hear you're back, they'll be beside themselves with joy!"
Gaoluo City's council hall was built from dark red boulders. Its ceiling soared high overhead, hung with several oil lamps fueled by some kind of dark red grease. Their dim, flickering light cast shifting shadows across the walls.
City Lord Gaoluo, City Lord Qingyun Yun Qingshan, and City Lord Hongxue Mu Hongxue sat in three stone chairs at the head of the hall. All three stared at Fang Chen as though trying to make sure he was no illusion.
City Lord Qingyun looked much as he had back then, apart from a few fine lines at the corners of his eyes. The gentle, scholarly air in his gaze remained unchanged.
City Lord Hongxue had grown steadier over the years. Her expression held the depth and calm of someone who had weathered much, and her blood-red eyes gleamed softly in the dark red lamplight.
Several trusted commanders stood behind the three of them. They, too, watched Fang Chen with curiosity, awe, and a trace of expectation they could not quite put into words.
Fang Chen sat in the chief guest's seat. The myna bird perched on his shoulder, while Little Crane crouched before him. Inside Spirit Crane Space, Great Emperor Glazed Glass, Great Emperor Huo Li, Ye Qingci, Ye Kong, Great Emperor Black Flame, the Realm Master, and the others watched the conversation through the Spatial Barrier.
"Divine Envoy!"
City Lord Gaoluo was the first to break the silence. Excitement