Slander

Venerable Dragonbone spoke, his voice as low as ever.

"Take it. Everyone in the War Pavilion is yours to command."

Chu Ming looked at the token in his hand and fell silent for a moment.

Then he solemnly clasped his fists and bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Venerable."

Venerable Dragonbone waved a hand.

The gesture was as casual as if he were shooing away a fly, but Chu Ming caught a flicker of amusement in his eyes.

That smile was faint, so faint it was almost impossible to discern, yet it was truly there.

Venerable Dragonbone turned and left.

After taking several steps, he stopped again.

Without looking back, he stood with his back to Chu Ming as his low voice drifted over.

"I am old."

There was a faint weariness in his voice.

"I never expected to break through to the Four-Step Dao Lord realm in this lifetime. But you..."

He paused.

"You still have hope."

"Don't die."

As his words fell, his figure transformed into a streak of golden light and vanished into the void.

The nine dragon phantoms followed behind him, releasing deep dragon roars.

The dragon roars echoed through the void, lingering for a long time.

Chu Ming stood where he was, watching the direction in which that streak of light had vanished.

The token in his hand grew faintly warm.

He lowered his head for a glance, then put it away.

He turned around.

And looked at the others.

His gaze swept across every face.

Qingwei, Thunder Splendor, Venerable Lingfeng, Su Qing, Hanche, Shuang Ning, as well as Li Xuan and the youth in his arms.

Seven figures, seven pairs of eyes, all watching him.

"Let's go."

Chu Ming spoke, his voice not loud, yet it reached every ear with perfect clarity.

"Back to Stargazing Cliff."