Wang Mengde gazed from three thousand meters above the ground at the distant archipelago. Under the Spirit Eye Technique, the outlines of all eighty-five islands were clearly visible.
Above every island floated a pale-blue spiritual-energy barrier, like a gigantic bowl turned upside down, covering the entire island.
Fine spirit patterns flowed across the barrier's surface, radiating a gentle blue glow in the morning light. Occasionally, streams of light swept across the patterns like glowing brooks.
Through the barriers, the prosperous scenes on the various islands could be seen.
Some islands were packed with buildings. Towers stood in great numbers, their flying eaves and upturned corners arranged in orderly rows, stretching from the island's center all the way to the shore.
Some islands were shaded by luxuriant trees, their buildings half-hidden among the woods and appearing and disappearing from sight, creating a charm of their own.
Others were clearly commercial districts. Streets crisscrossed in every direction, while shop signs glittered brightly in the morning light.
From time to time, cultivators flew through the sky on swords, sword light carving silver-white trails through the morning glow;
Other cultivators rode various spirit beasts—spirit cranes, spirit eagles, and spirit bats—shuttling back and forth between the islands.
The sea was even livelier. Spirit ships and demon-hunting vessels of all grades crowded the waters, sails dotting the horizon. Some cultivators aboard were sorting fishing nets, some trading their catches, and others repairing their ships. Shouts, laughter, and the sound of oars striking the water blended together into one buzzing din.
Wang Mengde flew on his sword, rapidly drawing closer.
As he approached the barrier, he saw a tower standing in each of the island's four directions: east, south, west, and north.
The towers were not large—three-story buildings of blue brick and green tiles. A plaque reading