That afternoon, Lu Chen was cultivating in the True Disciple Courtyard.
Bare-chested, he stood with both feet planted on the ground, his blood and qi circulating slowly. As he activated the Fourfold Demon-Subduing True Force, a strand of crimson force rose from his heart and flowed along his shoulder bone into his right arm.
Lu Chen raised his hand and pressed forward.
Hiss!
The air before his palm warped slightly.
An invisible heat wave struck the training stone. Its surface appeared intact, but a series of fine cracking sounds came from within. Several breaths later, dark red fissures spread from the inside out, their exposed edges charred black as coal.
Lu Chen was about to continue circulating his force when a knock suddenly sounded at the courtyard gate.
"True Disciple Lu."
"An urgent letter has arrived from Bend River City, addressed specifically to you."
Lu Chen dispersed the force in his palm and put on his outer robe.
"Come in."
The gate opened, and an academy guard strode in, presenting a letter with both hands.
The envelope was sealed with red wax, with "To Lu Chen, personally" written on the front. A Mountain-River City Seal had been stamped over the seal, beside the distinctive crest of the Bend River City Lord's estate.
"The messenger is still waiting at the relay station outside the academy."
The guard said, "He said this letter was desperately urgent and hoped you would reply as soon as possible after reading it."
Lu Chen nodded.
"Thank you for your efforts."
"I'll take my leave."
The guard withdrew from the courtyard and closed the gate behind him.
Lu Chen sat beside the stone table, shattered the sealing wax, and pulled out the letter.
It had been written personally by Qin Yueshan, the lord of Bend River City.