Great Yue Dynasty—Haizhou.
The emerald-blue sea lay calm as a mirror, like an enormous sapphire.
White clouds drifted slowly, half sky and half cloud.
This was a bay tucked away in some corner of Haizhou.
Where the curving shoreline met the sea lay a stretch of fine golden sand.
At that moment, a group stood quietly upon the beach, gazing out toward the sea.
There were old and young among them, though most were in their prime.
Their clothing was varied—some ragged, some neat; some looked like wealthy gentry, while others resembled ordinary farmwomen.
Yet every one of them carried an inexplicable air of solemnity.
"They're here!" someone suddenly called out.
Before long, two enormous seagoing ships gradually emerged upon the distant waters.
The ships stood a full three stories tall, with sparse figures standing aboard them. A huge Xuan character was emblazoned upon their sails.
"The Xuanmiao Sect truly keeps its promises." Among the group on the beach, a white-haired old man sighed and looked toward a young man beside him.
"Xin Yu, when you go overseas this time, you must keep a low profile. With your talent, it may not be long before you lead our Jinlian Sect back to its former glory!"
"I understand, Patriarch!" The man nodded solemnly.
"Our sect's Nine Hearts of Golden Lotus has been reduced to only its final five hearts in order to cover our retreat. Such enormous losses... Great Yue..." The old man gritted his teeth, seemingly wanting to say something, but in the end he merely let out a long sigh.
The Great Yue Dynasty was now blazing like the noonday sun, growing ever stronger. Even if they had the will, what could they do?
What could they possibly use to contend against such an enemy?
He recalled the miserable