Right at this moment, while the trench appeared, swallowing all the visitors whole, a figure was watching it unfold from a distance.
A familiar-looking elder could be seen squatting atop his inn. In his right hand was a smoking pot, from which he drew puffs of smoke occasionally. He watched leisurely as the trench formed, then reached into his robe and retrieved a talisman.
Glowing strings of energy appeared in the air, intertwining to form a rune before merging with the talisman, which immediately lit up in response.
The elder began speaking into it. "Zhang, it is as we suspected. This is a den of the Seekers…
I'd say you have around two weeks to get here before they turn your beloved granddaughter into an abomination.
Sigh… I've done my part as promised. Tell the elders I'm on my way to the Borderlands. Recently, Qi cultivators have been sighted in troves — I have to go investigate."
