It was well past midnight in the Celestial Beast Academy.
In the same hall where Su Ningyan had been judged earlier, Rong Yue sat upon the throne.
He wore loose robes that hung open at the chest, exposing a body marked by old claw scars. Pale lines carved into hardened muscle.
His golden hair fell freely down his back, his tiger ears flicking once in irritation as his tail swayed in a slow, measured rhythm behind him.
A massive sword rested in his grasp, held casually by the hilt, its tip pressed against the stone floor.
Below him, Rong Chen knelt.
His forehead touched the ground. His shoulders shook violently.
"Brother," he sobbed. "Please. I was only trying to do what you would have done."
Rong Yue's eyes narrowed. "I would never waste my time killing humans."
His voice was calm. Flat.
"If their strongest cultivators had been present, do you think you would still be breathing right now?"
Rong Chen lifted his head weakly.
