Qin He's figure became an ink-black streak of light, racing low over the ground.
The demonic essence swept up by his sleeves enveloped Long Mingyuan and the others like an invisible shield, shutting out every gust of howling gale wind.
Long Qingyao huddled at the edge of the shield, clutching the hem of her clothes so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
She had already changed into a fresh brocade robe, but her face was still frighteningly pale.
Her once-lively almond eyes were now bloodshot, with faint dark circles beneath them. Her lips were cracked, and she looked as haggard as someone who had only just recovered from a grave illness.
The terror of her earlier humiliation had yet to fade, and now the grief of her Lineage's destruction weighed on her heart. She shrank into herself, not even daring to raise her head to look at Qin He.
Most of the Long Clan members were still unaware of Long Qingyun's presence. Only Long Mingyuan and a few other core members had glanced at the little black banner at Qin He's waist, their expressions thoughtful.
"Boy, where are you headed?"
The Black Demon Banner suddenly grew slightly warm. Long Qingyun's voice emerged, hoarse and probing. Its former venom was gone, replaced by a measure of caution.
He knew his living soul had been imprisoned. If Qin He died, things would not end well for him either.
Qin He did not even lift his eyelids. Wind roared past his ears, yet his voice reached clearly into the banner. "Where else? Somewhere to hide from the Divine Court's Sky-Seeking Mirror."
"What's a mere Sky-Seeking Mirror?"
Long Qingyun scoffed, his tone disdainful of the Divine Court's methods, before his voice sank again. "Even a High God's avatar has descended to the Lower Realm.