It was the spring equinox, a fine season of the year. The heavens were bright, the air clear, and the high winds scattered the clouds.
Ice and snow melted, and the rivers thawed. Clear ripples reflected the sky as a thundercloud suddenly drifted overhead. Three people stood upon it: Xu Xuan, Liu Xiaowen, and Liu Xingfang.
The appointed time had arrived, so Xu Xuan led his two disciples toward the lands governed by the Hollow Sword Gate in the Plainlands.
Upon their arrival, the first things they saw were two magnificent cities, one to the east and one to the west, guarding Spirit Mountain between them.
The three Spirit Mountains stood to the north, southeast, and southwest respectively. Ascending Stars Mountain at their center resembled a heavenly sword, lofty and straight, piercing directly into the clouds.
"These are Attend the Light and Return the Carriage. Both are very prosperous, no worse than the Chen Household's Du Wang City."
Xu Xuan looked down to see streams of people weaving through the streets and common folk living in peace. There were several times as many mortals as in Green Plain Town, with well over a hundred thousand people between the two cities. It was a picture of tranquility.
Liu Xiaowen and Liu Xingfang followed behind him, equally moved by the sight. There was only one sect in the Plainlands. The mortals under the Hollow Sword Gate's rule all lived and worked in peace, and numerous cultivators patrolled the cities.
"The Hollow Sword Gate has quite a good tradition. The cultivators under its rule all obey its discipline, and mortals are happy to settle here."
Liu Xiaowen sighed softly. Such a scene was truly rare. Even their own Green Plain Town could hardly compare; it was newly built, after all, and still plagued