The sky gradually darkened. In the Divine Capital, the imperial city's lights began to shine.
As the last rays of the setting sun vanished completely behind the distant mountains, this magnificent immortal city took on a dazzling new appearance.
By then, the White Jade Capital, which had been clearly visible in the daytime, floating high above the clouds, had long since disappeared behind the deep night and drifting starlight. Only a faint, hazy immortal glow remained, like a distant lighthouse hidden among the stars.
Yet the night sky above the Divine Capital itself was far from still. Countless streaks of light continued to dart through clearly designated air lanes.
Annie looked up. It was easy to spot enormous cargo airships dragging long, brilliant trails of spiritual light, as well as splendid private cloud carriages gliding silently overhead. Sword cultivators flew on their swords like people riding little electric scooters, heading in orderly fashion toward their destinations along invisible roads marked by a crisscrossing network of aerial signs.
The entire sky looked like a brilliant river of light flowing upside down—a dazzling galaxy, far more beautiful than it had been during the day.
At the edge of the inner city's central district, outside the gates of a market district famous for gathering delicacies from the Three Realms—the "Hundred Flavors Ward"—a winding little river flowed by. Its waters were clear and carried a faint spiritual aura. White jade lined the banks, bridges crossed the river, and willow trees grew along either side. Beneath the night sky, their drooping branches brushed the water, sending ripples of scattered light across the surface. The scenery was lovely.
At that moment, a certain troublesome little girl Great Immortal was sitting contentedly on a large gray rock by the riverbank.
"..."
(￣~￣) Chew!
A small campfire burned