The dawn in the Taiji Basin's Yin region painted the sky with ghostly purples and deep indigos, but down on the plateau, a blinding golden light erupted.
It was the Golden-Armored Blue Ape, the supreme guardian of these mountains, standing calmly amidst its dozens of Silverback Blue Ape subordinates.
These lesser apes, usually fierce and territorial, were now silent, their heads bowed low.
They moved with utmost deference, bringing glowing, elemental fruits and clear, shimmering water to their magnificent leader, serving it as if it were a king, or perhaps, a god.
The Golden-Armored Blue Ape was colossal, easily twice the size of its already massive subordinates, its fur a burnished gold that seemed to radiate ancient, regal power.
Its eyes gazed down at Daniel, Lia, and Ayra with an air of profound, almost cosmic contempt.
It didn't roar or snarl. Its very presence spoke of unchallenged authority, of power so vast it barely needed to acknowledge their existence.
