August 19th, 5:00 p.m.
Two days had passed since the Federation fleet departed from the capital. They were still some distance from Bynder-Weishaupt State, but they were already very close.
On the boundary of the landmass in the distant sky, a slender solitary peak could be seen rising from the earth, stretching all the way into the clouds above.
A cluster of ethereal white mist coiled around the mountain, with blue-violet flashes of lightning flickering within.
Set against the ash-gray sky and the blazing red clouds of sunset, the interplay of light and color made it appear especially majestic and magnificent.
"Uncle Briggs, look! It's so spectacular."
Briggs folded his arms and looked into the distance. "That should be Heavenly Pole Mountain, where the Celestial Mystery Sect headquarters is located. At this speed, we'll reach it tomorrow morning."
They were not the only ones watching. Senior observers from the Union and several West Coast councilors stood by the portholes as well, taking in the beautiful sight.
In the Federation's official records, this place was called "Mount Kalid." To the Celestial Mystery Sect, however, it was Heavenly Pole Mountain, one of the seventy-two famed scenic sites, known as "Purple Clouds Gazing Eastward, Heavenly Pillar Piercing the Skies."
The Life Plateau of Arcana Continent was the highest plateau in the Federation, but when it came to the tallest peak, it was still the one before them.
The Celestial Mystery Sect's main grand hall had been built atop this pillar-like peak. It looked like a thin line from afar, but the peak itself actually covered an immensely vast area.
Even stranger, it could only be seen clearly from a distance. Once one drew near, it was often overlooked instead.
At this moment, both the Union observers and the councilors gazed greedily at the