Far away, inside the Vermilion Palace of the Great Zhou Empire, an imperial spy knelt before the Crown Prince.
"The remnant of the Azure Sky Pavilion has resurfaced."
The Crown Prince, Zhao Liang, tapped the armrest of his jade throne.
"A survivor?"
"Yes, Your Highness. He killed a Nascent Soul elder."
Silence.
Then a faint smile.
"Summon the Heavenly Observation Bureau."
High above the palace, an ancient mirror shimmered.
Within its reflection, Li Tian's golden sigil flickered like a rising star.