The two became streaks of light racing over the sea. Li Bufan's Wind-Thunder Nine Heavens Step left a trail of intertwined azure and violet light across the sky, while Meng Xinghe rode a streak of azure light beside him. They traveled neck and neck, their robes snapping and billowing in the sea breeze.
Meng Xinghe glanced at the azure and violet energies swirling around Li Bufan's feet, curiosity entering his eyes. "Brother Li, I didn't notice earlier, but now that I look closely, your footwork seems rather familiar. It looks somewhat like Brother Gu's movement technique."
Li Bufan smiled. "You have a keen eye, Brother Meng. Brother Gu and I actually belong to the same sect. We're both disciples of Songhe Gate."
"Brother Gu's family member is a Peak Master in our sect. Before Brother Gu left, he specifically asked him to teach me this movement technique. Although we aren't related by blood, we've always called each other brothers in the sect."
Meng Xinghe clapped his hands and laughed. "So that's it! No wonder you're so close. Brother Gu often mentioned you at the Academy. He said that if you ever came to Central Province, he absolutely had to play the host properly. Looks like I'll be stealing that honor from him today."
As they talked and traveled, the sea beneath them gradually changed from deep blue to pale blue, then emerald green. Far away, a grayish-brown line slowly appeared on the horizon. It grew thicker and clearer until it became a vast coastline stretching across the edge of their vision.
After roughly two hours of flight, the coastline lay fully before them, its golden beaches gleaming softly in the sunlight.
Behind the beach stood a towering wall built of massive gray-white stones. Several hundred feet high, it was as