The thick woodlands sheltering the remaining members of the White Crane Clan lay silent as the displaced group gathered near a sputtering flame. Since their settlement's devastation many moons ago, these scattered fragments of their people had existed in perpetual dread, eternally scanning the distance for traces of their enemies. Their ranks had thinned, their supplies growing scarce. The formerly mighty White Crane Clan now consisted of just a few desperate souls, guided by the sagacious yet elderly Elder Tian.
Yet this day brought a shift to their makeshift sanctuary. A scout had delivered intelligence that rattled their very foundation—Li Shen, believed perished in their clan's destruction, still drew breath. More shocking still, he had ascended to become the Viper King, commanding the vast reaches of Purple Lotus City.
