The morning mist had yet to clear. On the cliff behind Eastern Splendor Stronghold, three figures stood in silence.
Li Yun stood with his hands behind his back, the mountain wind stirring his blue robes.
His gaze was calm as he looked down over the rolling mountains and scattered strongholds, as though he were viewing a painting that had nothing to do with him.
A little black snake lay coiled lazily on his shoulder, its tail flicking now and then.
It had shrunk until it was no thicker than an adult's arm. Fine scales covered its body like black jade, and without a closer look, it might have passed for an ordinary snake.
Only when it occasionally raised its eyes did those two glimmers, deep as an abyss, betray how extraordinary it was.
He Pingtian stood beside Li Yun, half a step behind him without realizing it.
He might not even have noticed the subtle change himself.
After witnessing Li Yun subdue the Dragon Soul with his Sacred Will last night, He Pingtian could no longer look at him as an equal.
Whenever his gaze fell on Li Yun, a carefully suppressed awe showed deep in his eyes.
The scene from last night still echoed through his mind: Sacred Will soaring into the sky, the Dragon Soul bowing in submission. In that moment, Li Yun had seemed less like a mortal martial artist than a god descended to earth.
He took a deep breath, pushed those thoughts aside, and spoke in his usual steady tone.
"Chief Lin, after what happened last night—and the Dragon Soul's warning just now—I'm afraid the powerful figures throughout Crouching Dragon Mountain will start making their way to Eastern Splendor Stronghold today."
"You should make preparations as soon as possible, Chief Lin."
"Caution would be wise.