The voice rolled like thunder, spreading across the four seas.
Cheng Xinzhan halted, listening intently, taking in every single word.
Only when the thunderous words faded did he resume his steps.
One, two, three...
He counted silently.
He had taken fewer than ten paces when with a buzzing sound the whole of Fire Dragon Island erupted in a clamor, like the cicada chorus of midsummer, as if it would tear the island from the sea.
He smiled slightly.
On his next step he rose on the wind and flew back toward his cave dwelling.
—
Back in his cave, Cheng Xinzhan set down the two newly obtained corpses.
He looked first at the female corpse.
This was a living corpse; once unsealed she would possess Third Realm combat strength — the sort of Third Realm sword cultivator that would require a Grand Elder of the Elder Court to personally subdue.
Cheng Xinzhan did not hesitate.
He stepped forward and peeled the corpse-sealing talisman off the woman's forehead.
At the exact moment he tore the paper away, the woman’s eyes flew open and fixed on him.
Her gaze was as clear as snow.
"Zheng!"
A bright, ringing sword-tone sounded.
The long sword at her waist leapt free in a flash, transforming into a ribbon of pale blue and white and whipping toward Cheng Xinzhan's head.
"Take this!"