Outside Heaven Dou City, the branches cast deep shade over a lush forest.
Sunlight filtered through the layers of leaves, scattering yellow spots across the ground.
Two elderly men and a middle-aged man stood or leaned beneath a crooked tree. The two old men seemed to blend into the surrounding scenery; unless one looked carefully, one might not even notice them.
The middle-aged man had a face as handsome as jade, a straight nose, and a square mouth. His refined, gentle features were complemented by a spotless white robe.
His smooth black hair fell down his back. Everything about him looked casual and effortless, with not a trace of pretension.
He kept glancing toward the edge of the forest and pacing back and forth. A rare hint of anxiety had crept into his usually composed expression.
"Chengye, why don't we go into the city to meet them?"
An old man beside him, dressed in a white robe with gold trim and sporting a ruddy complexion and neatly combed white hair, asked the middle-aged man.
Ning Chengye stopped and smiled wryly as he shook his head. "Uncle Chen, you know how things are. We've had our share of friction with the Body Sect. If they get the chance, they'll kill us without hesitation.
"Six years ago, after the Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire defeated the Sun Moon Empire, we learned that a number of Sun Moon's generals had been assassinated by powerful newcomers. Their command structure fell into chaos, and before they could recover, Heaven Dou and Star Luo seized the opportunity to invade.
"The Heaven Dou Empire never announced it, but it doesn't take much to figure out that the Body Sect must have worked with them. They might even be in Heaven Dou City right now.
"Uncle