In the imperial capital in Ningyan’s mansion, there was a courtyard set aside specially for Plumdark.3

Plumdark was struggling. She sat cross-legged in the middle of a host of complicated sealing marks that floated around her. They formed a sealing barrier that bound her in place. The sealing marks were made of soul threads that had erupted the moment the ancestral sacrifices began, thus preventing Plumdark from leaving.3

Not very far away in another residence, Erniu sat cross-legged, also struggling. In fact, blue veins bulged out on his forehead, and his eyes were bloodshot. He was surrounded by similar sealing marks. However, these weren’t soul threads. Instead, they had been set up by Master Seventh.7

“Old man!” he roared, struggling with all his might. “You damn geezer! I can’t believe you plotted against me like this! You sealed me here? Fool! I refuse to be your apprentice!!”6

Outside, the Nine Serenities wind blew through the imperial capital.0

The sky...0