The sacred grove lay deep within the forest, far from the palace grounds.
Ancient trees formed a natural circle around a clearing where another waterfall cascaded down moss-covered rocks into a pool that reflected the moonlight.
Grim arrived to find Húxiān already waiting, her divine presence making the very air shimmer.
"You came," she observed with obvious satisfaction. "I confess, I wasn't entirely certain you would follow through."
"I gave my word," Grim replied, though he couldn't entirely suppress his nervousness about what the training would involve.
"Indeed you did," Húxiān agreed. "And now we discover whether you have the strength to honor it."
"Sit," she instructed, indicating a rock in the pond. "We begin with assessment. I need to understand exactly how the dark mana has integrated with your natural flow."
