Reality tore open.
Not gradually, not with warning—just a sudden rip in space itself. Black smoke poured through the gap, spilling onto the cobblestone street like liquid shadow. The air pressure shifted violently, sending nearby market stalls rattling.
The portal stabilized—a swirling vortex of darkness hovering three feet above the ground in the center of the marketplace.
And then he stepped through.
Tianlong.
His crimson robes flowed around him as he descended, his feet touching the cobblestone with absolute silence despite the dramatic entrance. His crimson-gold eyes swept across the marketplace, taking in everything instantly.
Behind him, his wives emerged one by one.
Yu Xiang first—her milky white skin almost glowing against her tight black dress, violet eyes scanning the crowd with predatory assessment. Her presence alone made the air feel heavier.
