The wind howled softly across the mountain ridge, tugging at the crimson-stained robes of the boy who stood atop the hill.
Xiao Ling, or rather, the soul within that body—Yu Zhong—took a lazy bite of the spirit apple in his hand, its vibrant flesh crunching softly between his teeth.
Juice ran down his fingers, gleaming ruby under the dying sun.
Before him, the capital city stretched out like a slumbering beast, unaware that its dreams were about to catch fire.
Reports had flooded in.
The Xiao family was under siege.
The matriarch, Xiao Ziyun, was now the most wanted fugitive in the kingdom.
The royal guard had orders to kill on sight.
And the once-mighty Xiao clan was to be placed under total lockdown.
Yu Zhong chuckled softly, the sound sharp as a blade sheathing itself.
