EYE OF THE FALLEN HEAVEN

pte

ith reverent silence. The wind held its breath. Not a leaf rustled, not a crow dared caw above the towering peaks of Clo

ia hung unmoving, and sacred braziers exhaled slow tendrils of incense. Between carved stone pillars etched with the names of generations

race veiled in drifting m

walk-he see

sure. An invisible wave pulsed across the courtyard. Discip

d from the old man. No gl

arts t

ed clan. Elder Jian, the silent sword of the Lin Clan, had not attended an Awakening Cerem

d. The mist obeye

tir marrow. "Today, the heavens shall weigh your worth. Some will

s gaze sweep across t

pride. Or b

ed, whispers li

ivision, the firs

rward, L

, his hair did not sway. As he reached the Soul Stone-an ancient monol

nded hi

artb

ning roar sp

l White Tiger, lightning cascading f

rowd

lder Jian declared. "Grade Se

tyard wa

is eyes met Lin Feng's-just for a moment. Pit

mes wer

, and a Silver Serpen

soared from the light.

h

rward, L

an silence fell.

eneral Lin Fenglo

calm. His eyes flickered with fire, but his steps wer

long'

something powe

hand upon th

ickered... t

ancient, echoed t

t-its fur blazing gold and black, its mane rip

narrowing. "Dominion-class. Sharp inst

illed t

aintly. Not arro

among the elders-and then glanced

ame si

ingered

g stood

Stone before the ceremon

rs said

was not

, he

d began

iple s

he eve

of bloo

ven get a

Feng did

, back straight,

he path awa

lder than memory. Once, Lin Feng's laughter had echoed here with

grooves worn into the wood-remnants of a hundred

knock. Sharp

the door. "The Clan

No def

stood. "V

lan Chief, the air hung thick

arms clasped behind his back, eye

hamed today

g bowed

ng p

ed. Not with ange

fair, he thought. Will w

erce and reluctant-answered back: Ye

tur

d. "Now you understand what it means to fal

nd offered a scroll

he said. "No soul will come. But

epted it wit

d the aged silk. I

gin tonigh

eng turned to leave, his fathe

ng. If the heavens ignor

In the silence, an ancient relic buried deep bene

ad heard Li