The morning light gradually brightened, but the clamor on Lion Peak Mountain had only just begun.
Ye Xingchen had barely broken free of his master Jian Wuhen before he raced over to Lin Shisan, taking the steps two and three at a time.
"Brother Lin, you scared me half to death."
He threw his arms around Lin Shisan, as jubilant as a half-grown child.
His sandbag-sized fists thumped against Lin Shisan's back, making him bare his teeth and grimace.
"You really are something. You don't even let a night pass before getting revenge."
"Several old fossils fell at your hands. A brother of mine, Ye Xingchen, really is a cut above the rest-guts, spirit, and schemes laid out in broad daylight. I'm impressed."
His embrace and shout silenced the entire gathering.
Every gaze swung toward the two of them.
One was the foremost of the Heavenly Sword Sect's younger generation, a sword prodigy at the seventh stage of Meridian Opening.
The other was the Danyang Sect's dark-skinned boy, who had just proved his innocence after being searched in public by an Immortal Alliance elder.
These two were actually that close? Were they brothers of the sort who, though not born on the same day, would die on the same day?
And what did he mean by schemes laid out in broad daylight?
Wasn't that saying they had just been plotting in the shadows?
"Cough... Brother Ye, if you keep thumping me, this wretched life of mine will end in your hands."
Lin Shisan gave two loud coughs in succession.
This display really did leave Lin Shisan a little embarrassed.
Especially those unfathomable looks-what did each of them mean?
Only then did Ye Xingchen sheepishly let go. He chuckled, revealing a mouthful of gleaming white teeth.
"I was just excited, brother!