After leaving the Clear Cloud Forbidden Grounds, Qian Xunzong did not alert anyone and returned directly to his residence in the imperial capital.
Inside the pavilion, two Level-9 Soul Engineers silently appeared.
"Master."
Qian Xunzong looked at them. "Han Luo, Su Xuan."
The two bowed. "Present."
Qian Xunzong said, "Make preparations. You're coming with me to Bright Moon City."
Han Luo was startled. "Bright Moon City?"
"Yes." Qian Xunzong said, "We won't be sneaking in. We'll enter openly."
Su Xuan said gravely, "Master, Bright Moon City is the imperial capital after all. Even if its garrison is small, it will not be easy to enter."
Qian Xunzong said mildly, "Precisely because of that, we need to show them what we're capable of."
He raised his hand, and a flash of light passed by.
The Cloudstep Light-Carriage slowly materialized in the courtyard.
Spiritual light flowed as the formations rumbled.
Qian Xunzong said, "With this, we can reach Bright Moon City in an hour."
Han Luo frowned. "But even if we reach Bright Moon City, we still have too few people."
Qian Xunzong smiled. "Who said there are only a few of us?"
As soon as he finished speaking, another five figures emerged from the shadows.
The five men radiated powerful auras. They were all Level-Eight Soul Engineers.
"Master."
Qian Xunzong swept his gaze over the seven of them.
"Han Luo and Su Xuan, two Level-9 Soul Engineers."
"The remaining five are Level-Eight Soul Engineers."
"That will be enough."
He turned and boarded the Cloudstep Light-Carriage.
"Move out."
"Yes!"
The seven boarded the carriage at once.
The Cloudstep Light-Carriage erupted with spiritual light, slowly rose into the air, then transformed into a streak of radiance that pierced the clouds and sped toward the Bright Moon Empire.
A thousand miles passed in an