Dragon-Tiger Mountain, Celestial Master Mansion.
The ancient halls stood in silence, the bronze bells hanging from their eaves utterly still. The usual bustle of worshippers burning incense and Taoists coming and going had vanished.
The piercing roar of a sports car drew closer, shattering the temple's tranquility.
A flashy red Ferrari swung through a neat drift and came to a steady stop in the parking lot outside the Celestial Master Mansion.
The door opened, and a young man in a designer T-shirt and ripped jeans climbed out with a yawn, his hair dyed flaxen.
His name was Zhang Junnian, the only son of Zhang Jinling, the current sect leader of Dragon-Tiger Mountain.
"Whew... had a bit too much to drink last night..." Zhang Junnian rubbed his throbbing temples and staggered toward the main hall.
Behind him, another equally fashionable young man emerged from the passenger seat. It was Meng Yichuan, the son of Mount Sanqing's sect leader.
"Junnian, you spend every day drinking and partying. Doesn't Celestial Master Zhang ever rein you in?" Meng Yichuan teased, handing him a bottle of water.
"Rein me in? How?" Zhang Junnian took a long swig and waved dismissively. "I'm a Taoist in name only. I can't even memorize the scriptures or get the martial arts right. The old man gave up on me ages ago."
With their arms slung around each other's shoulders, the two climbed the long stone staircase.
But the farther they went, the stranger Zhang Junnian's expression became.
It was too quiet.
Unnaturally quiet.
At this hour, the training hall and main hall were usually bustling.
"Something's wrong..." Most of Zhang Junnian's drunken haze cleared in an instant. He quickened his pace and shoved open the main hall's heavy wooden doors.
Not a soul.
He rushed to the alchemy room,