The wind was soft in the hills outside Dawn River City.
It rustled the tall grass gently, brushing against the still-smoldering remains of the nearby forest.
The beast stench was mostly gone now. Rain had washed much of it away over the last two days.
But the scars remained.
A path curved through the hills—a simple dirt trail lined with shallow stones. It led to a quiet clearing tucked into the side of the slope, shaded by three tall spiritwood trees.
Beneath them stood a circle of stone pillars, low and unadorned, carved with names.
No sect banners.
No clan symbols.
Just names.
Some had been etched hastily, the carving lines uneven, like they'd been done by shaking hands.
Others were clean and precise—maybe added later by someone with more time or more clarity.
There was no ceremony here.
But there was memory.
Elder Shen Haoyu stood silent near the entrance to the clearing.
He didn't wear his usual robe today.
No embroidered sleeves.
No polished boots.
