Most of the morning mist had dispersed, leaving the river clear and bright.
Azure Cloud City was clearly visible in the distance, gleaming faintly gold beneath the rosy dawn.
Fang Han jumped down from the little fishing boat, landing with both feet on the bluestone by the bank. The morning chill of the stone seeped through his soles.
He glanced back at the little fishing boat tied to the old willow, then turned and headed toward Azure Cloud City.
He entered through the east gate. The guards had just changed shifts and stood brisk and alert on either side of the gateway.
Fang Han strode through the gate and followed the Outer City's main street toward the Inner City.
Passing a breakfast stall, he bought a few steaming buns and tucked them inside his robe, eating as he walked.
By the time he returned to the Martial Training Courtyard, the sun had risen above the treetops.
He pushed open the courtyard gate. His elder brother was practicing his standing post.
Fang Ding stood with his back to the gate and did not hear Fang Han enter. He was wholly immersed in his Standing Post Skill, his breathing long and even.
Twelve streams of blood qi circulated within him, each denser and heavier than before. They converged in his dantian like twelve streams flowing into a great lake.
Fang Han did not disturb him. He silently walked over to the stone table, sat down, and placed the remaining buns on it.
Then he studied his elder brother's Standing Post Skill carefully, growing more satisfied the longer he watched.
Twelve streams of blood qi circulated slowly within his body.
Each stream had deepened from its original pale red to a dark crimson, its concentration clearly rising to another level.
His meridians were