The crimson crosshairs burned a bright red dot directly between Kaelen’s eyebrows.
High in the clouds, the massive burning runes of [ORBITAL PURGE: THIRTY DAYS REMAINING] cast a bloody glare across the courtyard stones.
Elder Sterling remained on one knee, holding the Nine-Turn Golden Dragon Sword manual out with trembling hands.
“Sovereign, look at your forehead!” Sterling pleaded, his voice breaking. “The celestial cannon has your soul locked in its sights! Thirty days! You have exactly thirty days to forge an immortal sword intent!”
Sterling scrambled to his feet, trying to demonstrate the first sword form.
He hopped forward, swinging his arms in an elaborate, swooping arc that nearly knocked over Barnaby’s herb basket.
“You see this stance?” Sterling urged, panting heavily. “It gathers the breath of heaven! It circulates twelve thousand units of Qi through the spine!”
Kaelen raised a lazy hand, gently pushing the sword manual aside.
