The moment An Rui stepped out of the cave, his slit pupils had condensed into ice shards, and the frivolous smirk on his lips shattered into nothingness. The cave's shadows slipped from his shoulders like shedding snakeskin. He stood beneath the ancient vines outside Ruan Fu's cave, catching the sweet, grassy scent lingering in the air.
It was completely different from the rotting leaves and toxic miasma that permeated the Snake Clan year-round. Sunlight pierced through the canopy, shattering into dappled spots of light upon him. The pink and white floral vines entwining the giant trees stung his slit pupils. He suddenly recalled the perpetually damp, thorny vines outside his own cave.
"This is quite different from your Snake Clan, isn't it?"
A voice behind him interrupted his thoughts. He turned to see Chief Nian, who was supposed to have left earlier. Surprisingly, he hadn't. An Rui narrowed his eyes, sizing up Chief Nian.
