After I got up, Shadow leapt to the window, his form half-shrouded in the dimness, beckoning me to follow. I moved toward him, each step heavy with unspoken dread.
To the left, the ground was stained a deep, blood-red. A lake, dark as coagulated blood, lay nearby, with a handful of revenants wandering restlessly along its edge, their movements haunting in the gloom.
Looking around, I realized this was the territory of the three great clans of the Nether Syndicate. On the left lay the Blood Revenants Clan, in the center the Sunlight Clan, and to the right, the Moonlight Clan.
I followed Shadow, my steps echoing in the hush as we entered the silver-gray expanse. Above, perched on the mountainside, loomed a structure like a palace—its grandeur and ominous silence far surpassed anything on either side.
As soon as I finished speaking, Shadow sprang out the window. I followed, the night air thick and cold as I spread my wings and landed with a muffled thud. Shadow turned his head, eyes glinting in the gloom, urging me onward. I moved toward him, unease prickling at my skin.
I could have flown straight there, but after only a brief, restless sleep, my body felt hollow, my strength a mere ghost of itself. An oppressive dread settled over me—if Yuna Ji truly refuses, and something goes wrong, I need at least enough strength left to run for my life, even if it means fleeing through the shadows of the Nether Syndicate itself.
At that moment, Shadow suddenly leveled his body and floated in the air. I blinked and looked at the wooden house suspended above, dozens of meters high. In the past, Shadow couldn't reach it, but things are different now—he's evolved from an Ironhide Revenant to a Flying Revenant.
I glanced warily around and stepped onto the white stairway. Instantly, the world shifted—on either side, the barren wasteland melted away, replaced by a strange, spectral beauty. I turned to look back; the desolation of the Nether Syndicate still stretched behind me, cold and unforgiving.
Now, the hills were blanketed in pure white flowers, their ghostly fragrance curling through the air. Each blossom, with five broad petals, seemed impossibly perfect—an unnatural beauty that unsettled more than it soothed.
Above, the massive full moon cast a cold silver glow, making the five-petaled white flowers shimmer with an unearthly brilliance. The beauty was so intense it bordered on surreal, almost suffocating.
Gradually, Shadow came to a stop at the border between the black and fiery red ground, slowly landing. He looked extremely respectful, bowing deeply before heading toward the right, onto the silver-gray ground.
To the left, the ground was blood-red. I even saw a lake that looked like a pool of blood, with a few revenants wandering nearby.
Just then, a voice pierced the silence—clear, commanding, and strangely gentle. I jerked my hand back from the flower, awkwardly rising to my feet. The voice belonged to a man, its strength veiled in softness, like moonlight filtered through mist. It was tender, yet carried the quiet power of the approaching dawn, unsettling in its allure.
I followed Shadow, slowly heading toward the silver-gray area. As we entered, I looked up and saw what looked like a palace on the mountainside, far grander than anything on either side.
Three massive white stairways led up, and the buildings above—pavilions, towers, and halls—were laid out with remarkable order. At the end of each stairway stood a white archway, each topped with a large round stone plaque inscribed with the character for 'moon,' each in a distinct style.
The central 'moon' character looked steady and dignified. The one on the left was wild and flamboyant, with heavy strokes at the end, while the one on the right was so sloppy that without seeing the others, you'd hardly know it was meant to be 'moon.'
Shadow glided through the air, stopping at the central stairway. He waved, signaling for me to walk up on my own, then turned and leapt off into the distance.
Finally, I reached the last step and froze. Before me stood a towering, unknown tree, its bark shimmering with a faint silver light. The trunk split into three, gnarled like ancient sculpture, and its branches were draped in translucent, silver leaves that seemed to whisper secrets to the wind.
But now, the hills were covered in pure white flowers, their fragrance drifting on the air. Each blossom had five large petals, all in full bloom.
Above, beneath the enormous full moon, the silver glow illuminated all those five-petaled white flowers, making them shine brilliantly. The scene was breathtakingly beautiful.
Beside the silver-glowing tree, a pavilion stood—roofless, supported only by three stark pillars. From within, a haunting flute melody drifted, weaving through the night air like a spectral invitation.
The flute's song merged with the moonlit scene, silver leaves drifting slowly from the sky. The beauty was overwhelming, bordering on unnatural; I felt compelled, almost driven by something unseen, to approach.
As I drew near, I saw him in the moonlit courtyard—a man draped in black, his hair white as frost. Clothes and hair billowed ethereally, his obsidian eyes glinting with a gentle, enigmatic light. His features were exquisitely delicate, his brows leaf-shaped, his presence almost androgynous. Crimson lips rested on a silver-gray flute, the source of that mesmerizing, otherworldly music.
I stared, transfixed, as if a phantom from a painting had stepped into reality. His beauty defied gender and mortal boundaries—words failed before such unearthly allure.
"Honored guest from afar, welcome. Please join me in the courtyard—we have fine wine and food to greet you."
I couldn't help but tremble inside. That voice was truly beautiful—I've never heard anything so free-spirited and masculine. I thought to myself, if this guy became a singer, he'd surely be famous.
I smiled and quickly climbed the stairs. They looked long, but I was in good shape now and hurried up toward the mountain.
At last, I reached the final step and was stunned. Before me stood a tall, unknown tree, radiating a faint silver glow. Its three-pronged trunk looked like a carved sculpture, and its branches were covered in translucent, silvery leaves.
All around were small pavilions, distinctive and square, each pillar adorned with moonlight patterns, all different—from crescent moons to full moons. The place was empty, but about thirty or forty meters away stood a larger pavilion.
Beside the silver-glowing tree stood a pavilion, though it had no roof—just three upright pillars. A melodious, enchanting flute tune drifted through the air.
The flute music perfectly matched the moonlit scene. Silver leaves floated down from the sky, and the beauty was overwhelming. Unable to contain myself, I hurried over.
As I drew near, I saw that in the courtyard, bathed in moonlight, sat a man—black-clad, white-haired. His clothes and hair flowed elegantly, and his white hair framed obsidian eyes, clear and gentle as running water. His features were exquisitely refined, his brows shaped like leaves, his demeanor almost feminine. Crimson lips rested lightly on a silver-gray flute—the source of that enchanting music.
Staring at this man, as if he had stepped out of a painting, I was transfixed. His beauty transcended gender and worldly standards—words could barely describe it.
Everything before me felt like a masterpiece from a great artist's hand.
I slowly approached the beautiful man and quietly sat before him, listening to the intoxicating flute music. I felt spellbound, as if drawn in by his presence.
The soft melody faded. The beautiful man gently placed the flute on the small table before him. In that simple gesture, I saw both elegance and a carefree spirit.
I stared wide-eyed as the beautiful man smiled. I’d heard of a smile that could topple cities—now I understood. His smile seemed to melt my heart.
"Guest... no, I should call you Master Ethan. Since you’re here, please—"
The beautiful man raised his hand, his voice still as alluring as ever—like a soothing melody. I felt myself drawn closer, and suddenly, a long, low table appeared before me.
The table was laden with vibrant dishes, their aromas wafting through the air. There was also a delicate, round-patterned silver wine pot and two small cups. The scent of the wine was unmistakable—rich, mellow, and intoxicating even on the nose.
"It's Morning Dew Wine."
After Luna Quay finished his drink, a ghostly green light flared behind him. Yuna Ji emerged, her form shimmering with spectral energy—her appearance sent a chill through my soul, as if the air itself had turned to ice.
I replied, mentioning that Berziran had given me some before. The beautiful man smiled, and I looked around awkwardly—his face and smile were so captivating, I couldn't help but be drawn in.
"By the way, Master Ethan, I am Luna Quay. You may call me Luna Quay."
I nodded quickly. He was indeed the leader of the Moonlight Clan—Luna Quay. I had already suspected as much. Luna Quay continued speaking.
"This Morning Dew Wine is our clan's most treasured secret. Years ago, however, Elder Bozi obtained the recipe."
As Luna Quay spoke, he raised his hand and the silver wine pot floated up, pouring wine into both cups. Luna Quay lifted his cup, and I fumbled to grab mine. With a splash, some wine spilled out, but Luna Quay smiled gently, and the spilled drops magically returned to my cup. I smiled awkwardly.
"Come, Master Ethan. In honor of your long journey, let us drink together."
With a crisp clink, my cup met Luna Quay's. I drank the wine in one gulp and set down my cup, secretly amazed.
Watching Luna Quay drink was a pleasure in itself. He started with a sip, then slowly finished the small cup, exuding a sense of ease and spontaneity.
"Yuna, your friend is here. It's rude not to greet him—come out."
After Luna Quay finished his drink, a faint green glow appeared behind him. Yuna Ji emerged, and her appearance sent a shock through my heart.