An Explanation

Night fell like ink spilled from an inkstone, slowly staining the skies above Ancient Dragon Island.

The mist that had risen during the day settled with the dusk, turning into thin fog drifting through the mountains and wrapping the entire island in a hazy silence.

In the distance, the outline of Dragon Hall flickered beneath the starlight. From time to time, patrolling Dragon Armor Army soldiers crossed the sky, the faint clink of their armor scattered by the night wind, only making the darkness seem deeper.

Sunset Glow Courtyard lay amid the mountains along Dragon Hall's flank, and this was the hour when its scenery was at its finest.

The last remnants of sunset had yet to fade. A trace of pale gold and crimson still lingered on the horizon, casting a warm halo over the courtyard's ancient pines and cypresses.

Beneath the blue-stone pavilion at the center of the courtyard, the stone table and stools had been polished spotless. On the table sat the Dragon Saliva Spring tea left unfinished during the day. Its mist had long dispersed, leaving only the tea leaves unfurled in the cups.

Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin, and Xiao Ling sat around the pavilion, facing one another.

The evening breeze passed through the pavilion pillars and stirred Xiao Yi Xian's plain white skirts. She lightly rolled a fallen pine needle between her fingertips, her gaze resting on the deepening twilight beyond the courtyard as she spoke softly, "The nights on Ancient Dragon Island are much quieter than those at Starfall Pavilion. Even the wind carries the weight of countless years."

Qing Lin rested her chin in her hand as she studied the glowing dragon patterns on the rock wall beyond the pavilion. At that, she smiled and nodded. "Yes. During the day, the island