Chapter 29: The Wolves Descend

Fang Zhe played the first movement of the Heavenly Sound solo. Hearing the melody from afar, the woman in white could not help but tremble. "I knew I wasn't wrong about them!"

Compared to her own progress, she had made no headway in all this time, yet she felt no frustration, for the affairs of the Kingdom of Women required her constant attention.

"Baiyi, how could you teach your Heavenly Sound to that boy?" Grandmother Jiudai, aware of the woman's abilities and knowing that she alone possessed the secret of the Heavenly Sound, approached her upon hearing Fang Zhe's playing.

The woman in white smiled faintly. "This Heavenly Sound was not something I created myself. Since that boy can grasp it so quickly, he will surely be able to master the mysteries of the Seven Movements of the Heavenly Sound and pass it on. This will fulfill the dying wish of the master who taught me."

Mentioning the Seven Movements of the Heavenly Sound reminded the woman of that day, long ago, when she had lost her throne and did not know where to turn. It was in that very Purple Bamboo Forest that an elderly man with white hair had fallen from the sky. His life force was nearly extinguished, and the woman had stepped forward to support him.

The old man looked at Baiyi and, sensing her lack of innate ability, remarked, "In this world, everyone chases after single attributes or spiritual roots, unaware that these are mere illusions. A blank slate, devoid of everything, is the most important thing of all."

The woman in white did not understand.

The old man pulled out a flute and handed it to her. "This is the flute I have cultivated throughout my life. Now that my time has come to an end, I give it to you. I also bestow upon you the Seven Movements of the Heavenly Sound. I hope you will help me spread this art and bring it to prominence."

The woman was astonished by such a serendipitous encounter. After accepting the flute and the teachings, the old man passed away.

Though she was deeply grateful for his kindness, she had long felt she was not the one to carry on his legacy, given her lack of spiritual roots and attributes. Yet, after playing with Fang Zhe several times, she was surprised to see him grasp the essence of it. "Master," she whispered, "whether you accept it or not, you are my mentor. By teaching these movements to this boy, I believe he will be able to fulfill your wish."

Fang Zhe, however, was unaware of all this. He had simply felt that playing this music while in the woman's company was uplifting, and he wished to delve deeper into it, never suspecting the profound mystery hidden within.

***

Meanwhile, within the space of his ring, Han Tianyue heard Fang Zhe's first movement. The death energy within his dark, icy core began to flow, merging with his own icy soul. Instead of bringing death, it allowed him to master that energy. As he gained control, a fourth dragon began to awaken.

He paid little mind to this, focused instead on the recovery of his body. Having stayed in the ring’s space for too long, he knew he had to emerge and see what was happening.

"You're awake!" Feng Shang was the first to notice Han Tianyue opening his eyes and rushed toward him.

Hantianyue looked up at Feng Shang and Mao Xuanzi. "Where is Fang Zhe?"

"He is on the northern city wall," Mao Xuanzi replied.

With that, the three of them headed toward the northern wall.

"What is that?" As they arrived, they saw a cloud of dust rising in the distance. As the small shapes approached, they realized they were a pack of vicious wolves.

The woman in white stood on the wall, watching them. "They have finally come," she said.

The citizens of the Kingdom of Women, already prepared, gathered along the battlements. As the wolves drew near, the woman in white shouted, "Fire!"

Instantly, the sky was filled with a rain of arrows descending upon the pack.

There were thousands of them. Trampling over the bodies of their fallen kin, the wolves continued their charge toward the wall. Had the wall not been repaired, they would have long since breached the city.

"Fire again!" the woman in white commanded.

Another volley of arrows rained down.

The vanguard of the savage wolves was annihilated. Looking at the mountain of corpses before them, everyone exchanged anxious glances, for no one knew what would happen next.

"Boom!" The earth seemed to shake. In the distance, they could see a colossal figure striding toward them.

The woman in white stared coldly at the giant. "Sheba," she said, "it seems they have finally arrived."