The sky was dark. Heavy clouds blotted out the sun, and muddy yellow rain fell across the city, bringing with it a crushing sense of dread.
In the gloom, the golden glow of the Safe Barrier offered people their last hope. Atop the tallest building in the inner city, a massive bell shone with dazzling light.
Beneath that bell, on the top floor of the Bell Tower Magic Association, Han Ji, Zhu Meng, the Pale Gray Mysterious Man, Mo Fan, and every senior official in the Ancient Capital had gathered.
Rows of Imperial Mages stood at attention in purple robes, imposing and stern.
The Imperial Mages answered to Han Ji, making the president of the Magic Association the man who commanded the largest force of mages. There was no better choice to protect everyone.
Lu Huan, Chief of the Imperial Guard, was absent. He had to hold his post: the Skeleton Nether Lord, the fastest of the approaching enemies, was already closing in on the Safe Barrier.
Everyone stood on the spacious platform, their faces grave and uneasy as they waited for the Red-robed Archbishop to appear.
At last, in the tense silence, steady footsteps sounded in the distance. They grew louder, drawing closer.
"He actually came. How brazen—he's wearing the Red-robed Archbishop's coat in plain sight!"
Shi Zheng, the Ancient Capital's Chief Judge, looked down from the high bell tower platform and spotted someone in a red raincoat slowly making his way up.
The newcomer was a tall man who looked to be in his thirties beneath his hood. He was rather handsome.
A red leather coat hung over his shoulders. The rain seemed unable to soak it, and its vivid hem snapped in the wind!
Strangely, he wore a crisp new suit underneath, without a trace of dampness.