A Worthy Opponent

Great Jin Imperial Capital.

High in the sky still floated the acquired lotus dais aura formed from the life force plundered by hundreds of Body Integration beings from the Great Gold Empire. The entire imperial capital still maintained its peaceful life, yet that peace brimmed with something eerie. It seemed that the slightest ripple could puncture the bubble-like illusion forged from false peace by the great powers.

Yet today, the Great Jin Imperial Capital carried an added air of unrest.

The wind threading through the alleys swept over tranquil old houses, joining the shrill scrape of a man's carving knife into a cold melody. The eight-foot neighbor had not made his usual bone-splitting sounds in the kitchen today; the wastrel who idled about begging for drinks did not boast of his worldly knowledge; nor did the young woman, newly acquainted with the ways of the world, hum her lovely yet faintly chilling ballad.

The table steamed with the fragrance of tea. The refined man picked up his teacup and gathered his broad black sleeve.

Li Xinnian paid no heed to his companions' gazes. He appeared all the more relaxed and at ease.

"Blue Ancestor has fallen."

Li Xinnian had brought the cup to his lips, but before he could taste the fresh tea, he frowned and turned his head, meeting three worried gazes. Mortal World Immortal had spoken, and there seemed to be sorrow in her eyes. Li Xinnian could somewhat understand; this immortal who had come from the mortal world respected few people, and Blue Ancestor was one of them.

Li Xinnian set down his cup and gave a slight nod. "I know. On my way back, I passed by the Eternal Ancient Immortal Sect. They had only raised a cenotaph. I was in a hurry, so I only