"The Forbidden Light City…"
They all inhaled deeply, the clean scent of fresh grass almost shocking after months of wallowing in marshes, fetid swamps, and corrupt Qi.
For a fleeting moment, they forgot everything—their wounds, their fatigue, even the blood staining their boots.
Above them, the sky stretched wide and pure.
No corruption.
No miasma.
Just endless blue.
The city ahead shone in the distance, its towers and white-stone buildings so bright it almost hurt to look at.
For the first time in what felt like forever—
It seemed like salvation was in reach.
Squelch.
Swish.
A wet, awful sound shattered the peace.
They froze.
"Wh—"
"That noise...?"
They turned.
Just in time to see it.
Shi Yan.
Standing right behind Lan Tian.
A sword impaled clean through Lan Tian's back, the blade emerging from his chest, dripping with blood.
Lan Tian staggered, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Priest… why…"
His voice was faint, more breath than sound.
