Zhu Gaoyang fell into grave silence, tensing his legs, his claws slightly bent.
"The second decision was made on a whim... because I originally thought that the one to come here would be that young man… Since it's Master Zhu— don't move." The old man lightly pinched Zhu Gaoyang's arm, at once going limp.
He pointed to the courtyard, lifting his tawny eyes as he warned, "As soon as you move away from my hand, the scene that just happened will play out immediately."
Zhu Gaoyang fell quiet.
"There's no need to be nervous." The old man bent his head back down, delicately examining the fierce arm in his hand, "What were we saying... right, the second small gift."
"I had thought that the one to come here would be that youngster, so there'd be no real value. Yet, since it's the first of the Dragon Lord Dongting's Sword Lineage, I can give you one opportunity."
"What kind of opportunity?"
"The chance to escape the fate that you just now experienced."
"What is the price?"