Skyfire Phoenix slowly descended, the black metal giant bird blotting out the sky as its wingtips sliced through the air with a deep hum.
It hovered steadily several meters above the red carpet, its landing gear extending soundlessly before lightly touching down.
Through the Soul Guidance Screen, Bai Yuan saw that the red carpet stretched from the entrance of the Spirit Pagoda all the way to the landing pad, over a hundred meters long.
People stood lined up on both sides of the red carpet.
At the very front stood a middle-aged man with the badge of a senior Spirit Pagoda councilor pinned to his chest. His features were square, and his expression solemn.
The mecha cabin door opened.
Leng Yaozhu stepped out first. The hem of her black gown fluttered slightly in the airflow, her long hair tied up to reveal her slender neck and delicate profile.
She stood at the cabin door, looking down over the crowd below before slowly descending the gangway.
Watch out, the big shot was here!
Remember to manage your expression!
He glanced at Gu Yuena from the corner of his eye.
The silver-haired girl was expressionless, her violet eyes calm as water, betraying no emotional fluctuation.
But Bai Yuan noticed that her steps were a beat slower than usual.
This girl was observing too.
The people on both sides of the red carpet bent at the waist in unison. The middle-aged man in the front row took a deep breath and bowed deeply, his voice loud and respectful.
"Your subordinate Lu Ming of the East Sea Spirit Pagoda greets Your Excellency Heavenly Phoenix!"
The group of senior stewards behind him spoke at the same time, their voices merging into a neat wave of sound.
"Welcome, Your Excellency Heavenly Phoenix. Your presence brings honor