At the deepest reaches of the abyss, upon the colossal throne that filled heaven and earth, the giant overlooking all things slightly raised his eyes.
The corner of his mouth lifted in an imperceptible curve.
He seemed to be smiling.
Yet it was difficult to tell whether that expression was delight or mockery.
Beneath the throne, the aged priest, as tiny as dust, raised his head and keenly noticed the subtle change. "Why does my lord laugh?"
"Because there is a fine light. I like it."
The lord said, "Though it is still weak, given time, it may yet be granted the honor of an audience.
"Unfortunately..."
He said, "It is too early, and too small."
"Then leave it to the future. There will always be an opportunity."
The chief priest stroked the bronze drum in his arms. His crack-covered fingers brushed across its surface, carefully and gently sweeping away the dust.
The lord lowered his gaze and suddenly asked, "Such a rare occasion—do you not intend to show your skill?"
The chief priest's movements halted. He looked up.
"Does my lord wish to hear it?"
"Give me some sound."
The lord said, "It is too quiet."
The chief priest smiled. "Then permit me to be so bold as to sound the drum and entertain my lord."
Beneath the throne, the stooped chief priest slowly straightened his bent spine. As though pondering, after a moment of thought, he raised his hand and struck the bronze drum in his arms.
Smack!
It was as if the sound of a bubble bursting rang out beside everyone's ears—so crisp. A hoarse sigh emerged from amid countless chaotic noises,
Effortlessly drowning out every other sound.
Merely... a single, understated note!
Above the Heavenly Prison Fortress, Huai Shi's expression suddenly changed.
He sensed something that