The Flying Swan Sect's headquarters did not stand atop a mountain, but before a continuous range of peaks, nestled beside mountains and water amid beautiful scenery.
Outside the Flying Swan Sect's headquarters lay an exceptionally prosperous town.
The town had a population of tens of thousands. Trade flourished, and restaurants, inns, cosmetics shops, weaponsmiths, cloth stores, and all manner of merchants lined the streets. Crowds surged through its lanes, shoulder to shoulder.
The town was so prosperous, naturally, because its merchants could do business with the Flying Swan Sect's disciples.
The Flying Swan Sect had several thousand members and disciples. Though many had been dispatched to oversee various places or carry out missions, more than a thousand remained at the sect year-round. They could hardly spend all their time training without eating, drinking, or tending to daily necessities, so they came out to buy supplies every so often. The town had naturally flourished as a result.
Another important reason was that wealthy families from hundreds of miles around brought their children to the Flying Swan Sect, hoping they could join and learn martial arts.
Recently, in particular, the Flying Swan Sect had been recruiting on a massive scale. Families who heard the news came with their children from every direction, making the town livelier still.
Clop, clop~
Clear hoofbeats rang out as Huang Tian rode into town.
Prosperity filled his view. The place was every bit as bustling as Baoqing Ward in the prefectural city.
At the western end of town, several long lines stretched out. At their heads sat dozens of Flying Swan Sect disciples dressed in matching blue robes.
"Don't rush! What's the hurry? Anyone who disrupts the order again gets the whip!"
"Stand still. I'm going to check your Root Bone."
"Don't worry. If your Root Bone