Night in Sky Dragon Valley grew so still that the wind whispering through the leaves could be heard clearly.

The sky was dark as spilled ink, as though brushed across the heavens, and even the stars—subdued by the valley’s presence—glimmered only faintly.

A full moon, round as a jade plate, hung high overhead, pouring silver light across the valley and cloaking it in a gentle glow.

That moonlight mingled with the rolling bands of golden draconic energy drifting above the valley.

The currents of energy wove themselves into countless slender golden dragon phantoms that circled through the air—diving, rising, and spiraling.

Their scales flashed beneath the moonlight, and the faint, dignified roars they released sounded as though they were guarding a hidden realm.

Jared sat cross-legged on a high cliff.