Old Ancestor Xuanming climbed to his feet, his knees still trembling, but his face had already shifted into that signature look of fawning flattery.
"Token Master, you've emerged! I was worried sick! The commotion inside the Stone Chamber kept growing these past few days. I could neither eat nor rest, and lay awake all night—"
He edged closer, lowered his voice, and rolled his eyes thoughtfully. "Token Master, forgive my boldness, but may I ask—is your current realm... beyond?"
"Beyond" was terribly vague, but everyone could hear what he meant.
Zhou Xuan turned his head, his gaze settling on the old ancestor's face.
There was nothing forceful about that gaze. It could even have been called casual. Yet every hair on Old Ancestor Xuanming's body stood on end at once, as though a basin of ice water had been poured over him from head to toe.
"Keep your eyes in check."
Five words.
There was no threatening tone, no pressure from laws, just five calmly spoken words.
Old Ancestor Xuanming's legs went weak again.
"Yes, yes! I spoke out of turn! I deserve death!"
He retreated three steps, nearly tripping over his own Tortoise Shell Shield on the ground. Fumbling, he picked it up and hugged it to his chest, his head lowered until it almost touched his breast.
"I shouldn't pry into the Token Master's affairs. I shouldn't pry!"
Old Ancestor Cangwu finally caught his breath.
He straightened, returned the Dark-Gold Long Sword to his back, and saluted Zhou Xuan with clasped hands, wasting no words.
Zhou Xuan took two steps forward and rolled his neck.
His joints gave several crisp cracks. The Three Forces within him were still adjusting to one another, and his body had not fully stabilized. As he walked, he could feel his muscle fibers