The western shore of Hidden Dragon Lake.
Hidden Dragon Town stood beside the water, its bluestone streets stretching along the shore, its houses arranged in pleasing tiers, the warmth of everyday life lingering throughout.
Across the vast lake, this waterfront ferry crossing faced one of Jintai Prefecture's sacred grounds of the Martial Path.
Thin mist shrouded the lake year-round, spirit energy curling through it. Standing at its very center was Duck Mountain Island, Jintai Prefecture's renowned blessed ground of the Martial Path and the home of the Profound Truth Sect, one of the Five Great Sects.
At that moment, carriages and horses streamed through the waterfront docks amid a constant flow of people. Numerous carriages of identical design pulled up beside the bluestone quay in succession, the soft rumble of wheels over stone mingling with disciples' footsteps and murmured conversations as they gathered their luggage.
One carriage after another rolled to a gentle stop, and their doors opened in turn.
Many disciples dressed in Profound Truth Sect robes stepped out. All had accompanied the sect to Moonwatch Mountain to watch the Jintai Grand Tournament and were now returning after several days of festivities.
At the rear of the procession, a simple, elegant carriage came to a steady halt. Its curtain lifted, and Yang Jing stepped down, tall and composed, his feet settling firmly on the cool bluestone quay.
He raised his gaze toward the boundless expanse of Hidden Dragon Lake ahead.
The vast waters were clear and immense, their shimmering surface meeting the sky, their edges beyond the reach of sight.
The evening breeze stirred layer upon layer of delicate ripples. They swayed gently, catching the light of the sky and the shadows of clouds in glittering reflections.
A thin, hazy veil of mist lingered above the lake year-round, drifting