The night wind was a blade, slicing apart sea and sky.
Above Golden Scale Island, the lingering golden-red spiritual radiance was finally swallowed inch by inch by the night.
The hollow in the sea of clouds slowly closed, as though that world-shaking duel had never happened.
But fifty thousand li away, Yaoyue knew that some traces, once carved into the heart, could never be erased.
The Blissful Union Tower's flagship lay quietly in the void, bottomless darkness beyond its portholes.
Yaoyue stood before a window, thinking of the routes the various factions had taken as they departed, silent for a long time.
What was she thinking? Guanyin dared not ask.
Her eldest sister had not spoken a word since leaving Golden Scale Hall. Yet the more silent she became, the more Guanyin worried.
"Eldest Sister," Guanyin said softly, "now that the Golden Scale Alliance has been established and our Blissful Union Tower has risen to the position of deputy alliance leader, we will probably have to reorganize our ties with the various factions. Someday, you might even command the Golden Scale Alliance, or all of the Gouwu Sea!"
Yaoyue did not turn. "Third Sister, what are you trying to say?"
Guanyin considered her wording before answering. "Master Hui'an is still far too powerful. Sect Leader Qing nominated you as deputy alliance leader today. Why don't we draw closer to him? We cannot let the Vajra Zen Sect tower over everyone alone!"
Yaoyue had the same intention. After a moment's silence, she nodded. "Third Sister is right. Today, Hui'an secretly had Chan Master Wuxiang keep a relentless watch on True Lords Yunwu and Chonghe. He thought he had done it discreetly, but he could not hide it from me."
She paused. "Once we return to the Main Tower, take Yinji with