In an ancient, timeworn hall of the Suyuan Sect, spirit tablets stood in orderly ranks upon the sacred dais. Incense smoke curled upward, and oil lamps burned brightly.
On the floor in a corner of the hall, five glazed lampshades were arranged in a five-pointed star. Inside each shade, a hazy aura swirled around the flame like drifting clouds, serene and tranquil. Suddenly, the haze inside one shade surged violently, shattering that peaceful air. It churned and swallowed the flame within.
The flame soon suffocated and died, going out with a soft whoosh. A faint haze drifted lightly up from the lampshade.
Beneath the spirit tablets, a middle-aged man in white sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion. His eyes snapped open, and he slowly turned toward the five glazed Life Lamps in the corner. At the sight of that thin column of rising white smoke, shock and doubt filled his face. He quickly rose and went over to inspect the lamps.
Once he had confirmed it, he immediately turned and raced away.
Before long, he returned at a brisk pace with several elders.
After examining the Life Lamps, one of them said gravely, "It's Guan Wen."
The elder at their head said, "The daily reports from the Royal Capital have kept saying everything was going smoothly. Mother-Child Talismans can't communicate across realms. Send someone to ask Qinghe in person what's going on."
The death of one disciple was a minor matter. Their greatest worry was whether this was an ominous sign, whether the disciples attending the assembly had already fallen into danger, and whether it would affect the outcome of the competition.
Soon, a man flew down the mountain and headed straight for the nearest bustling city at its foot, where a Xun Gate led directly to the Royal Capital.