Gods Beyond the Heavenly Court, Dragons Born to Rank

The roc clasped rosy clouds as it faced the phoenix towers; fish churned the waves and transformed into dragon palaces.

After entering the crystal-clear Dragon Palace, Qiu Yan found beauty filling his eyes. The flowing water and rolling waves, reflected by the glittering palace walls, took on an extraordinary beauty. Mingling with the light, they cast rippling gleams across the ground.

As he walked down the broad, quiet corridor, he saw many poems, calligraphic works, and paintings hanging on both walls. With a sweep of his gaze, Qiu Yan spotted many familiar names in the inscriptions on these works.

Without exception, every one of those names had left its mark in the history books.

Apparently noticing Qiu Yan's surprise, the Well Dragon King smiled beside him. "These are treasures of ink left behind by learned men who served in the Privy Council throughout the ages, or who lived nearby. They were all invited here as guests by this king. I have held this well for many years, and only then was I able to collect so many. Speaking of which, when the time comes, I hope you, Scholar, will not be stingy and leave behind a treasure of ink as well."

"So that was it." Qiu Yan nodded. "No wonder the inscriptions bear the names of men from the previous dynasty and even earlier times." This interlude gave Qiu Yan some understanding of the Well Dragon King's temperament.

After taking a few more steps, he suddenly stopped. His gaze swept over a piece of calligraphy, whose inscription bore the four words "Duskfield Hermit."

Some people might have found that appellation unfamiliar, but Qiu Yan, who had once presided over the Book Repository of the Hanlin Academy, knew that it was one man's literary name. That man had met with little