Divine King Xuan Yang lay on the jade bed, weakly lifting a hand.
His voice carried an unmistakable weariness. "You... withdraw for now. Xuan Chen, you stay."
The elders exchanged glances. Though deeply worried, they dared not defy the Divine King's wishes. They bowed one after another, then tiptoed out of the main hall.
As they left, every face was heavy.
Only Divine King Xuan Yang and Sect Master Xuan Chen remained in the main hall.
Divine King Xuan Yang struggled to sit up. The wounds beneath his Divine King Robe were pulled, making him knit his brows tightly as a trace of scarlet blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
He raised a hand to wipe away the blood and said to Sect Master Xuan Chen, "Come with me to the Destiny Heavenly Pool."
Sect Master Xuan Chen hurried forward to support him. Feeling the Divine Power within Divine King Xuan Yang—so weak it was nearly exhausted—his heart grew heavier still.
The two flew through the air toward the Destiny Heavenly Pool atop Star Peak.
When they arrived at the Destiny Heavenly Pool, the Destiny White Dragon within seemed to sense Divine King Xuan Yang's aura. Its previously languidly coiled body shifted slightly, letting out a low dragon's roar, its eyes filled with concern.
The pale golden water remained clear, but the Destiny mist swirling above it was thinner than usual. Clearly, it too had been affected by Divine King Xuan Yang's severe injuries.
Divine King Xuan Yang broke free of Xuan Chen's support and slowly walked to the pool's edge, gazing at his reflection in the water.
It was a pale, haggard face, stripped of the dignity and radiance it had once possessed.
He drew a deep breath and slowly said, "Xuan Chen, I intend to enter