Early the next morning, before the sky had fully brightened, Bing Yekong woke up.
The quiet on the island was different from that on the continent. At dawn on the continent, there would at least be crowing roosters, barking dogs, and sometimes the sound of early-rising vendors pushing carts over stone-paved roads.
But mornings on Sea God Island were so quiet that one could hear dew rolling off the leaves, drop by drop, thudding softly into the earth.
In the distance, waves lapped against the shore in an unhurried rhythm, as though the island itself were breathing.
He lay in the lodging Sea Horse Douluo had arranged for him, a small stone house built from rough gray rocks. The window was narrow, but just wide enough for the sea breeze to pour in.
The salty, fishy scent in the air was stronger than it had been last night. The tide was probably coming in.
He turned over and reached up to touch his forehead.
The golden-red nine-pointed star was still there, slightly warm to the touch, like a thin piece of warm jade against his skin.
The two powers within the mark—the vastness of the Sea God and the sharp brutality of Asura—remained quiet for now, causing no trouble.
But he could feel that they were both there, each occupying one half of the mark, separated by an almost invisible line, like oil and water that could not mix.
Sooner or later, I'll have to solve the compatibility problem. But not now.
Footsteps came from outside the stone house, light and quick. They were unmistakably Shui Yue'er's. Sure enough, there were two knocks on the door.
"Yekong, are you awake? Senior Sea Horse said we should gather by the Sacred Pillar. The contents of the first trial have come down."