Snowflakes as large as mats swept through the northern lands.
A young woman sat cross-legged.
Her eyes were tightly shut, her breathing barely perceptible.
Even her terrifying aura flickered in and out, as though she were an empty shell.
The Red Sun Demon Venerable squatted beside her, hands tucked into his sleeves and neck hunched, looking for all the world like an old farmer waiting at the village entrance in hopes of scrounging a seat at a feast.
An unknown stretch of time passed.
The wind and snow left a thin layer of white frost on the young woman's shoulders.
The Old Flood Dragon cautiously shuffled closer to her.
"M-Master?"
"..."
No response.
The Red Sun Demon Venerable swallowed, growing a little bolder. "Well... it's cold out. Shall this old dog find you something to wear?"
Still no response.
Gone!
She really was gone!
Young after all, without the slightest vigilance.
With her primordial spirit outside her body, her flesh was nothing but an empty shell.
Didn't that mean he could do whatever he pleased?!
The Old Flood Dragon slowly stood and circled the young woman twice.
The humility in his eyes gradually gave way to amusement.
He muttered to himself, "Tsk, tsk, tsk..."
"Weren't you so arrogant earlier? Weren't you having a grand time calling me an old dog every other breath?"
"Why aren't you saying anything now? Come on, call me an old dog again. Let me hear it."
Only the howling north wind answered him.
The Red Sun Demon Venerable took a deep breath, his thoughts beginning to stir.
If he swallowed this body now, not only could he reclaim the Dragon Pearl, he might even take the fortune she had obtained for himself...
He advanced step by step, raising his fist high and aiming it at