Fang Yuan gave a low whistle.
"Quite a lineup," he muttered.
"They acted in unison," she went on, "and their coordination implies they were either herded or manipulated."
Felicia glanced at him meaningfully but didn't push the theory aloud.
"The Gu family," she continued, "responded by mobilizing their spirit cannons... but they exhausted half of their spirit stone stockpiles just to repel the four spirit beasts."
Fang Yuan's hands came together in a slow, almost theatrical clap.
He clapped again, sharper this time, his grin wide and full of gleeful sarcasm.
"Wonderful. Absolutely brilliant."
He leaned forward, eyes gleaming.
"They spent years hoarding stones and putting on airs… and now, not even one day after I touched the border of that city, they're already bleeding dry."
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Fang Yuan applauded.
"Bravo. Truly spectacular. The heavens do have eyes."
He leaned back, eyes gleaming with vicious amusement.
