On this day, the heroes gathered on Cloud Mountain Plain outside Azure Province City.
The Secluded Valley, once desolate and deserted, now thronged with dignitaries and rang with voices.
The sect masters of Azure Province's great sects, elders of its noble families, and venerable masters of the Martial Academy all ascended the mountain peaks, taking their places on either side.
Every gaze was solemn, fixed on the enormous spatial rift that spanned heaven and earth in the center of the valley.
Blue-white spiritual energy billowed and churned, spilling endlessly from the ancient secret realm. It carried the vast, ancient weight of accumulated ages, setting the spiritual energy throughout the valley roiling.
A secret realm lay hidden here.
Armored soldiers of the Patrol Platform Office stood in ranks like a forest, their killing intent stern and forbidding as they sealed off every approach.
On the raised platform, Azure Province's Provincial Inspector, Yang Xuantian, stood in immaculate robes, his bearing composed, his indifferent gaze looking down upon the crowd.
The next instant, he flicked his sleeve.
Hum-
A brilliant spiritual light shot skyward from his palm, unfurling in midair into an ancient spirit boat.
Its hull shimmered with the luster of green jade, its ancient patterns steeped in the resonance of the Dao. Dozens of yards long, it hovered high above the valley, towering over every seat on the mountain peaks.
This was the Provincial Inspector's exclusive Sky-Patrol Spirit Boat. Only spirit cultivators could board it.
"Fellow Daoists, you may join me aboard to watch."
Yang Xuantian's calm voice drifted outward.
In an instant, several transcendent figures concealed deep within the crowd rose into the air. All were reclusive spirit cultivators of Azure Province, masters from various walks of life.
The spirit cultivators stepped aboard and took their seats. Long jade tables