Zhou Xuan looked at Little Stone, who was still standing in the Secret Chamber in a daze.
Little Stone had just finished his transformation. The seven vow power channels in his body circulated steadily, and dark Metal-gold patterns shimmered faintly beneath his skin.
"How do you feel?"
Little Stone clenched his fists. "Great. Ten times better than before."
"Can you fight?"
Little Stone paused, then realized what Zhou Xuan was asking.
"Yes."
"Then come with me." Zhou Xuan took the longsword from the wall and turned to Yang Wudi. "Old Yang, you stay."
Yang Wudi's expression darkened. "I'm not so crippled that I can't move."
"The spiritual power in your right arm is flowing at only forty percent of its normal speed. In a real fight, that'll be a weakness." Zhou Xuan pulled no punches. "Stay in the city. If the Cold Tide advances too quickly, you'll be our last line of defense."
Yang Wudi opened his mouth but did not argue.
The old man knew perfectly well that Zhou Xuan was telling the truth.
"Yang Mie," Zhou Xuan called toward the door.
Yang Mie appeared in the doorway almost instantly, his saber still unsheathed.
"Come with me to the Ice Plain."
Without another word, Yang Mie cupped his fist and accepted the order.
Zhou Xuan led Little Stone and Yang Mie out of the Secret Chamber and headed straight for where Apocalypse was docked. On the way, Zhou Xuan contacted Second Brother through their Soul Link.
"Keep an eye on things in the city. If anything unusual happens, activate the Divine Statue immediately."
Second Brother's voice sounded in his mind, carrying his usual impatience. "Leaving me behind to watch the house again?"
"I'll take you next time."
"You say that every time."
Zhou Xuan ignored him, and the three