After the main hall of Willowell Monastery is destroyed, Ashveil and the Serpent Lords face the costly challenge of rebuilding it. Suddenly, a man passing by offers 500 taels to fund the restoration on the condition that he can stay temporarily to meditate and observe the monastery and its protectors. Grateful yet cautious, Ashveil instructs Lucien Williams to prepare accommodations and robes for their unexpected guest. As the monastery begins to recover, the arrival of this stranger introduces new uncertainty about his true intentions, leaving the Serpent Lords on edge about what lies ahead.