Four complete cycles of the moon had passed since the violent eradication of the Silver Gale Sect upon the Azure Peak. The sprawling, brilliantly illuminated streets of Abyssal Pearl City had long since settled into a heavy, unbroken rhythm of absolute, terrified compliance. The bustling trade hubs, the grand auction houses, and the highly fortified harbor districts operated with a flawless, rigid efficiency beneath the unyielding, authoritative hand of City Lord Lin Wanyue. To the countless wandering martial artists and independent merchants who navigated the stone pathways, the transition of power appeared complete, solidifying the City Lord's estate as the sole, undisputed ruler of the island.
Yet, true sovereignty was not merely claimed through the elimination of a single rival. True sovereignty demanded the absolute, physical submission of all opposing forces.
