The moon hung high in the quiet sky, casting a cool, silvery glow over the manicured pathways, arched bridges, and tranquil lotus ponds of the Falling Blossom Villa.
The serene atmosphere of the sprawling estate stood in stark, peaceful contrast to the scorched, ash-filled ruins of Leaf Green City's central district left in their wake.
As the heavy vermilion gates of the estate swung open with a smooth, resonant creak, Shen Haoran stepped across the threshold, flanked by Xu Xiansu, Huo Yue, Zhu Ziyan, and the Ten Crowns.
Waiting in the wide, marble-paved inner courtyard illuminated by gentle spiritual lanterns were Qian Yunxi, Ling Luochen, Xia Mengyao, Ning Xueli, and Luo Mingye.
Each of them had been monitoring the chaotic spiritual fluctuations rocking the horizon for the past hour, and the sight of Haoran walking in unscathed immediately dissolved the lingering tension in the air.
SWISH—!
