The drumbeats rang so clearly in Yi Shuyuan's ears, and the radiance shone so plainly in his eyes, yet no one in the bathhouse-or anywhere in the county offices-noticed a thing. Perhaps the same was true throughout Yuanjiang County.
Perhaps only the ghosts and gods had noticed?
As this thought crossed Yi Shuyuan's mind, he instinctively looked toward the sky above the City God's temple.
At that very moment, Yi Shuyuan was not the only one watching the distant sky. Several great gods of the underworld had appeared atop Yuanjiang County's City God Temple, while the mountain god and the old man born of the ancient pine had appeared on the summit of Broad South Mountain.
Clearly, these drumbeats were not confined to the skies over Yuanjiang County. Even atop the City God Temple in Moon City, the Moon Province Great City God had manifested his divine form. Golden divine bodies had appeared at several other temples in the city as well, and even some nonhuman beings with unusual spiritual senses were gazing skyward from hidden corners.
The drumbeats and the changes in the sky made it impossible for Yi Shuyuan to remain calm. Once he had finished dressing, he set out with a faint thrill of excitement, eager to find out what was happening.
While daylight still lingered, Yi Shuyuan hurried out of the county offices and into Yuanjiang County's streets, where pedestrians streamed past. Many townsfolk were hastening home, while quite a few martial artists wandered the streets. Tongxin Pavilion was already full.
None of that interested Yi Shuyuan now, however. As he walked along the street, his concealment spell gradually took effect. His figure became less and less noticeable until everyone overlooked him, and he vanished entirely from their sight.
Then a light breeze swept through the