A ripple of sapphire light washed over the plush purple cushion.
In the span of a single heartbeat, the ball-shaped blue jelly dissolved into a vortex of swirling sky mist. When the mist cleared, an eighteen-year-old youth sat calmly upon the cedar terrace. He possessed silky raven-black hair tied loosely with an azure silk ribbon, clear sapphire eyes that mirrored the infinite depth of mountain lakes, and features of easy, calm elegance. Dressed in simple azure scholar robes edged with silver thread, Lin Xiao rose to his feet with fluid grace. His wide sleeves fell cleanly at his sides.
With an easy, welcoming smile, Lin Xiao pulled out a carved cedar armchair beside the low sandalwood table. He smoothed the stitched seat cushion and gestured invitingly toward the hovering war chariot.
“Come down, Lord Envoy,” Lin Xiao called up, his human voice rich, smooth, and entirely unruffled. “You’ve traveled millions of miles across the space-folding void. No matter how grand your Upper Realm palaces may be. He shouted demands from the roof of a noisy brass wagon makes everyone’s throat dry. Sit, have a cup of tea, and let’s discuss this like reasonable beings.”
High above, aboard the deck of the Solar Vanguard, Bai Ming’s amber eyes narrowed with cold, high-born disdain.
