Far away, above the clouds over Moon City, a celestial god was riding a cloud toward the Martial Soul Sky Drum when he suddenly sensed thunder rolling through the nine heavens. His heart gave a slight start, and he looked up in surprise, but saw no further disturbance.
The four divine generals guarding the corners of the Martial Soul Sky Drum also gazed toward the horizon, then down at the distant mortal world, unsure why thunder had sounded just now.
"Lord of the Martial Star, why did thunder sound just now?"
The Lord of the Martial Star wore a red brocade court robe that seemed to merge with his divine radiance. After surveying the heavens in all directions, he withdrew his gaze.
"Merely an occasional shift in the currents of energy, stirring the clouds and water to generate wood. It is part of the natural workings of heaven and earth. Pay it no mind."
Thunder from a clear sky generally spent its force in a single strike. Sure enough, just as the Lord of the Martial Star had said, there was only that one peal, followed by silence.
The Lord of the Martial Star walked over to the Martial Soul Sky Drum, picked up the Heavenly Drum's drumstick, and struck its drumhead. With the blow, brilliant light burst forth alongside the drumbeat.
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!
Atop the corner tower on Yuanjiang County's northwestern city wall, Yi Shuyuan turned toward the sound in the heavens. He could see the Martial Soul Sky Drum revealed again, with a divine figure beating it high in the sky.
Seeing Yi Shuyuan look skyward, A Fei instinctively looked in the same direction. For a fleeting moment, he thought he faintly heard something again.
"Senior Yi, I don't know if