The imperial palace grand hall was alive with overabundance.
Music coiled through the air, dancers moved gracefully, and laughter rose in waves among the gathered serpent lords, each seated beneath lantern light, each cloaked in the heavy aura of demonic cultivation.
At the center, upon the elevated throne, sat Lan Yunlai.. Smiling.
Then a presence descended. It did not announce itself with sound, but crushed the air all the same until silence fell.
The music died and cups froze mid-air as every gaze turned toward the entrance. Lan Meishan stepped in.
Blood stained his robes, dark against the deep green silk, his emerald serpent eyes burning with a cold, intense rage. At his side stood Jun Haoxuan, blue lightning faintly threading along his form, his golden reptilian gaze sharp and unreadable.
Lan Yunlai's smile widened as the command fell from his lips without hesitation. "Kill them."
