Ashes

Ashes

Li Changshou walked beside the army, gazing at those layer upon layer of figures, unable to suppress the pity in his eyes.

Behind him, Heng'e searched through the crowd in slight confusion, looking for that missing piece of her Dao heart.

Suiren Clan, walking at the very front of the army, trembled like a candle flame about to gutter out, yet still stood proudly against the wind.

The horn calls fell silent. The seemingly endless tunnel through heaven and earth stretched infinitely beneath Suiren Clan's feet. Only the uniform tread of footsteps and the creaking of rolling wheels echoed within.

It had been many years, hadn't it?

'Chief, there's nothing to eat here. Everyone can barely hold on.'

'How much longer can we endure?'

'Six meals, seven at most. It'll take seven days to reach the next cavern. If we don't move now, we may starve to death here.'

'Don't panic. The Demon Race Army hasn't withdrawn yet. I'll think of something about the food.'

A stooped figure sat cross-legged in a damp cavern, staring at the firewood and wooden sticks before him as he slowly rubbed them together with lowered head.

Back then, he had always wondered: when would these days of hiding east and dodging west ever end?

'This is the only path, isn't it?'

The old man looked at the inscription illuminated by the torch in his hand, reaching out to stroke the lines of words carved upon the stele.

'Chief, let us do it.'

'I am the strongest and possess the highest cultivation in the clan. Only I can withstand the invasion of the Demon Ancestor's Lingering Soul...'

The old man spoke softly, his gaze brimming with determination.

'Chief, this is far too dangerous. What if you cannot withstand it!'

*'Then kill me. Turn