The full moon reached its highest point in the night sky, casting a stark, blood-red glow through the high crystal skylights of the underground Grand Hall. The massive cavern was packed full of heavily armed Nether Orchid loyalists. Their poisoned blades shone in the crimson moonlight as they formed a tight, disciplined ring around the center of the room.
In the middle of the hall, Song Tianyu was bound with his arms and legs spread wide against a towering jade pillar carved with strange symbols.
The proud heir of the Song Clan had been stripped down to his inner white silk pants. His bare chest was slick with terrified sweat, and his Second-Stage Origin Realm Yang Qi pulsed visibly under the heavy suppression arrays. Thick iron chains bit deep into his wrists and ankles. He was breathing much too fast, struggling wildly against the unbending metal while praying desperately to the heavens for a miracle.
