At this time, it was the peak of summer, with the afternoon heat waves rolling in, blanching everything in sight, making it hard to breathe. However, the small garden in the back mountain's separate courtyard of Shaoyang Peak was cool, with the towering trees shielding the harsh sunlight. The wind passing through the woods created a crisp rustling sound, as if playing the most soothing lullaby.
A young girl, about ten years old, sat on a large bluestone by the pond, her jet-black, glossy hair unbound and draped casually down her back. She held a large tome in her hands, lazily reading through it.
"...then three hundred miles south, called Geng Mountain, no vegetation, abundant in turquoise waters, many large snakes. There be creatures..."
