Seeking a Way Out

Spirit City was shrouded in an air of grim slaughter.

Luo Yuan strode steadily across the battlefield's wreckage, his boots crunching softly over broken stones.

He stopped before Gu Li and looked down at him from above.

He stood straight as a pine, his features stern and cold, his brows carrying an imposing authority that needed no anger to inspire fear.

"This is the Spirit Vein Dragon Descendant Clan. It is not your place to run wild."

His voice was not loud, yet it rang like clashing gold and stone, carrying an unquestionable pressure that reached every person present with perfect clarity.

Gu Li knelt on one knee, his black scales cracked in several places, exposing the paper-pale skin beneath.

A glaring streak of blood hung at the corner of his mouth, while his disheveled hair fell across his forehead. He looked utterly wretched.

He clenched his fists, his knuckles whitening from the force, but soon loosened them again, as though he had made some kind of decision.

"City Lord Luo, I was disrespectful just now. Please, for the Spirit-Devouring Clan's sake, stop here."

His voice was low and hoarse, steeped in deliberate humility and pleading.

He coughed twice, and more blood spilled from the corner of his lips.

At that, Luo Yuan snorted coldly. "Take your people and get out of Spirit City at once."

"Fine, I'll have them stop right away," Gu Li said weakly, his voice full of compliance.

He slowly rose to his feet, each movement sluggish and arduous, as though even the slightest action drained all his strength.

He kept his head lowered, concealing his expression. Only his bloodstained hair swayed faintly in the wind.

But at that moment, Gu Li suddenly raised his head, a savage smile curling across his lips.

Now.

In the