No one knew how long had passed before Li Qingxian's vision went black and Heaven Marrow Academy shattered.
Some words, half real and half illusory, reached his ears.
"This kid can really hold on. He's far stronger than you lot were back then..."
"As if he isn't stronger than you were back then..."
The Sun and Moon turned.
Li Qingxian opened his eyes and slowly let out a breath.
He hurriedly rose, reviewed the records from Heaven Marrow Academy, and quickly went over the key points to keep himself from forgetting them.
He took out the Communication Talisman Disc and listened quietly to messages from every side.
Meng Huaichuan was lying low in the Upper Mountain District, keeping his distance from the Prince of Chu while maintaining a somewhat better relationship with the town mayor.
Gai Fengyou spoke of some recent developments.
Li Qingxian put away the Communication Talisman Disc and had someone summon Han Anbo.
Before long, Han Anbo pushed open the door and entered. His expression was calm. He glanced at Li Qingxian, seeming to want to speak but stopping himself.
"What is it?"
Han Anbo sighed. "Let me tell you what has happened these past few days."
"The lords of the Upper Mountain District have realized that life has not been easy lately."
"A great many town residents have died in the Eerie Mist. The Eerie affliction in those still alive has deepened, damaging their bodies. Even though new residents constantly join the town, Eerie Town's situation grows more worrying by the day."
"Fewer and fewer people farm, and fewer and fewer people work. Many cannot afford medical treatment or homes. As for newborns, there are none at all. Apart from old women in their seventies and eighties, every woman capable of bearing children is in the