Yun Qing swept his gaze over the familiar and unfamiliar faces below, his voice solemn and steady as it carried in every direction:
"On this journey along the Azure Cloud Road, the sons and daughters of the Yun Clan fought through blood and fire, living up to our clan's hopes!"
"Today, we return victorious to offer tribute to our ancestors and solace to the spirits of our fallen!"
"Let us all share in this joy!"
Yun Qing clasped his fist and bowed solemnly toward those before him.
With him at their head, the Twelve Young Masters of the Yun Clan bowed together toward the east, south, west, and north, and toward heaven above and earth below.
Their movements were perfectly synchronized, measured and dignified.
This bow honored heaven and earth, their ancestors, their kin, and those of their blood... who could never return.
How closely this scene resembled the moment months ago atop Yunqu Peak, at the Cloud Summit Tournament, when the Twelve Young Masters had paid their respects to heaven, earth, and all eight directions.
Now, they had returned.
Bearing the supreme glory of the Divine List, the illustrious prestige of the Immortal List, and the heroic souls who would forever remain on the Azure Cloud Road.
They had returned.
Countless clan members who had witnessed the opening of the Cloud Summit Tournament suddenly felt their eyes grow hot with tears.
Back then, these youths had only just ventured into the world, brimming with spirit and ambition, determined to accomplish something earthshaking for the Yun Clan on the coming Nine Heavens Azure Cloud List, amid this vast Immortal Path and age of fierce contention.
Back then, the countless clan members watching the ceremony had looked upon them with pride and expectation, as though they could already see an even