The night was deep, the stars sparse.
The wind rose, and the moon emerged.
On this land, an unknown distance from that cloud-shrouded night sky, a blue meteor fell after crossing more than a dozen steep mountains, as though it had escaped from one world into another.
Everything around them was quiet. Frogs croaked in the fields, and scattered barks could also be heard. In the distance, the outlines of houses were visible about two li away. Presumably, that was a little mountain village so remote that few knew of it, tucked away among the mountains and untouched by the wars raging outside. Even someone with no intention of becoming a recluse could not help envying it.
The blue light landed, and as wisps of smoke dispersed, a figure gradually emerged within it.
Even from behind, it was clear that this person was a woman. Her hair fell to her shoulders, neither long nor short, and her eyes were greener and clearer than emeralds. She stood six feet tall, with shapely, slender legs. Her clothes looked ordinary, but a closer look revealed numerous tiny particles of light embedded in them, neither quite red nor quite purple, reflecting a pure, gemlike luster beneath the faint moonlight.
Zeng Mu lay on the ground. Even though he had escaped that place, fear still lingered in him. He breathed heavily, drawing one deep breath after another to ease the strain and help the Elemental Power within him repair his internal injuries.
He slowly stood and looked at the woman before him, unsure whether to laugh or cry. "Long time no see. I never thought I'd run into you here."
"Yes, it has been a while. I never expected to meet you again like this, either. I thought my warning would keep you out of