Qinghe Prefecture City.
The gray-black city walls stood towering in the dusk, more than five zhang high, bristling with Kaoshan Sect's Mystic Iron banners.
The city gates stood wide open, with merchants and travelers from north and south streaming through without end.
The clamor of the streets could be faintly heard. Even war had not diminished the prosperous grandeur of this great city in the heartland of Cloud Province.
Yet today, the scene at the gates was clearly unlike usual.
The moment a thousand armored riders bearing the Mysterious Abyss Banner appeared at the end of the official road.
The Kaoshan Sect disciple on duty atop the gate tower suddenly widened his eyes, spun around, and sprinted downstairs, stumbling all the way as he charged into the guardhouse inside the gates.
"They're here! The Mysterious Abyss Daoist Heir has returned!"
Inside the guardhouse, a Kaoshan Sect steward in light Mystic Iron armor had been bent over a desk reviewing documents. At the news, he jerked up his head and slammed his brush onto the desk with a smack.
"Did you see clearly?"
"I saw clearly! A thousand iron cavalrymen are leading the way, followed by several hundred large supply carts, and there are men in black holding down the rear!"
"Most importantly, the Mysterious Abyss Daoist Heir is riding at the very front on a blue roan!"
The steward sprang to his feet, rushed out of the guardhouse in three strides that became two, vaulted onto a fast horse, and galloped toward the city outskirts.
The news traveled faster than a horse.
By the time Wang Yuan's party came within a hundred paces of the gates, a sea of dark figures had already poured out from inside.
Several elders left behind by Kaoshan Sect, stewards from every hall, and Inner