"Rivernorth City."
This city, known for the "Rivernorth Marketplace," was already bustling despite the standing water.
A muddy stream flowed down the street to its end. Barefoot vendors with their trousers rolled up to their knees waded through ankle-deep water, beginning to set up their stalls.
In no time at all, the sounds of hawking gradually drowned out the sound of rain. The city awoke as the Perpetual Night receded.
In the refreshing yet earth-stinking air, a hint of the steaming vapor of hot food blended in.
The morning market had opened.
Even though the rainy season had arrived early, it didn't stop the morning market from opening. After all, people still had to eat. Moreover, for ordinary folk facing such circumstances, there was little they could do but resign themselves to fate; they couldn't change anything.
Yet, in a manor next to the morning market neighborhood, it was unusually quiet. This stood in stark contrast to the clamor of the market, just a street away.
This large estate, situated in Rivernorth City, belonged to the "Rivernorth Chen Clan."
One of the three major powers in this City.
....
"..."
In the rear part of the Rivernorth Chen Clan residence, within a small courtyard surrounded by several side rooms, a middle-aged man stood solemnly in the heavy rain. He wore training clothes, his eyes were tightly shut, and his palms were pressed together in a meditative posture.
The next moment!
His eyes snapped open, a sharp gleam flashing within.
The several Level 2 Eerie Stones in his palms instantly shattered, transforming into a dark green liquid that drifted in the air.
"Go!"
With a light shout from the man, his finger abruptly stabbed forward. The dark green liquid, as if possessing life, began rapidly swirling through the air, gradually forming the surreal shape of an "Archery Tower" in green.
Meanwhile, parts of the pale green liquid dissipated into the air.
"Rise!"
A few breaths later, the man clenched his palm once more.
This incorporeal form of Archery Tower swiftly solidified in the downpour until it stood in the courtyard.
A servant standing beside him, holding an oil-paper umbrella to shield him from the rain, smiled obsequiously and flattered, "Clan Guardian Liu, your efficiency in utilizing Eerie Stone energy gets higher and higher. Nowadays, constructing one Archery Tower requires only five Level 2 Eerie Stones."
"On the market, hiring an Architect to build an Archery Tower for one's camp costs at least 150 Eerie Stones."
"Their costs are around 100 Eerie Stones."
"The Chen Clan's former Level 4 Architect needed 70 Eerie Stones to build one Archery Tower."
"But now, Clan Guardian Liu, you can build one with just 50 Eerie Stones, and your success rate is up to seventy percent!"
"It won't be long before you, Clan Guardian Liu, become the undisputed top Architect in Rivernorth!"
"Hmph."
The middle-aged man snorted coldly, a trace of arrogance flashing in his eyes. As a Level 5 Architect serving the Chen Clan, he was a man of pride. However, after sweeping his gaze around, he slightly frowned, "Where is the Patriarch? Doesn't he usually join me here for morning practice?"
"This servant does not know."
"Dismissed. I am going to see the Patriarch."
...
Rivernorth Chen Clan, Side Courtyard, Council Hall.
The current primary heir of the Chen Clan—the young man who had personally exiled Chen Fan to the wilderness—had hurriedly dressed and rushed to the council hall through the heavy rain after receiving the summons for an emergency meeting this morning.
The moment he entered the Council Hall, the Patriarch was already seated at the head. On both sides sat five of the Chen Clan's most influential Elders.
"Father."
The young man bowed slightly in greeting before taking his seat. The atmosphere today felt subtly off. His father's expression seemed grim, tinged with anger, regret, and... disbelief.
Had something happened to the Clan?
"Quan'er is here. Now that everyone has arrived, this morning's emergency meeting concerns the future direction of the Chen Clan. Everyone, speak freely. Voice whatever thoughts you have."
Quan'er was this young man's childhood name. His full name was Chen Quan.
The primary heir of the Rivernorth Chen Clan.
Everyone's here?
Chen Quan was momentarily taken aback. He instinctively lifted his gaze at the empty chair directly opposite him at the table—that was Clan Guardian Liu's seat. Normally, no matter how important the meeting, Clan Guardian Liu was always let in.
Clan Guardian Liu had complained about this many times, saying he was just a Level 5 Architect, knew little about clan development, and shouldn't be called to every trivial meeting. He needed to cultivate and had little time to spare.
But today, they hadn't summoned Clan Guardian Liu?
What matters must be kept a secret from the Chen Clan's only Architect?
He keenly caught a whiff of something fishy.
Immediately, he lowered his gaze in silence, sitting quietly in his seat. His standing within the Clan was still too low; whatever was happening surely had nothing to do with him. He just needed to remain quiet.
However—
His father's next words instantly sent a chill down his spine, as a cold sweat broke out on his back.
"Chen Fan, my son."
"A few days ago, someone dispatched him to Station 37 of our Clan in the wilderness to serve as Station Master."
"The attendant following him was his personal servant, named Crippled Monkey—a servant uniformly trained by the Clan three years ago. Upon departure, they carried only three Eerie Stones."
As the words fell, Chen Quan's face drastically changed color. He instinctively stood up, not daring to meet his father's eyes, his voice trembling, "Father, sending Chen Fan to the wilderness for training aligns with the Chen Clan rules. Everything followed procedure—"
Before he could finish the sentence, a knock on the table interrupted him.
His father hadn't mentioned this matter at all these past few days. Chen Quan had thought his father was completely unaware. Yet unexpectedly, he knew every detail so clearly, even the servant's name—something Chen Quan himself barely remembered.
Who paid attention to a servant's name?
The middle-aged man seated at the head of the table had a face carved with deep lines, heavy eye bags, and tightly pursed lips. He lightly tapped the table, leaning back in his chair, eyes filled with weariness, yet he held his head habitually high.
His hair was completely white.
Sporting an age-weathered face, he was a man who exuded pressure at a mere glance.
Like an aging lion.
"The rainy season arrived early. Today is the third day of the season."
"Among all the Stations in the wilderness that failed to evacuate in time, only two have survived. One is the 'Ravine Wang Clan's Station 16.'"
"The other—"
"Is our Clan's Station 37."
"Which is precisely the Station where Chen Fan is stationed."
He tossed an Eerie-hide Map onto the table. Leaning back, his eyes half-lidded as he rubbed his temples, he continued in a weary, hoarse voice, "What do the esteemed Elders have to say about this? Speak your minds."
"Quan'er."
"You are the future heir of the Chen Clan. Ponder this first. I wish to hear in particular your thoughts later."
"This..."
"How is this possible?"
As soon as the Patriarch finished speaking, these several Chen Clan Elders exchanged looks of utter disbelief. They hadn't actually been aware that Chen Fan had been sent to the wilderness. But seeing Chen Quan's reaction, they roughly understood the situation.
It was... normal.
Within a Clan, such matters were all too common.
The only thing abnormal was...
How could Station 37, where Chen Fan was stationed, possibly have survived into the third day of the rainy season?