Sparks on the City Wall
Many people had gathered and were discussing the situation outside on the city wall.
Smoke drifted beyond the battlements in long dark ribbons, and the scent of scorched timber rode the hot wind. Ashford City's walls, once symbols of safety, had become crowded watch posts where anxious cultivators, wandering mercenaries, and ordinary townsfolk pressed shoulder to shoulder, all staring toward the burning wilds.
Rumors moved faster than arrows.
Fear moved faster still.
"Hey, have you heard? Last night, a few experts from the Lavahound family encountered an extremely powerful Beast in the near valley."
A bearded man in worn leather lowered his voice as if even the walls might overhear.
Beside him another whispered back,
"I heard that it was a Primal Ancient Magical Beast with the strength of at least an early-stage sage Realm. It almost wiped out the Lavahound family's hundreds of troops."
A third person cut in urgently.
