Early the next morning, the sky had only just begun to brighten.
Lu Changfeng stood before the mountain gate and cupped his fists in farewell to those seeing him off.
Holding the Tai'e Sword, Shen Lingyue said solemnly, "Sir, mountains rise high and rivers run long on the road ahead. Should you ever need us, everyone in the Shu Mountain Sword Sect will be yours to command."
Lu Changfeng smiled. "You are too kind, Sect Master. Until we meet again."
He vaulted onto Lingbo's back. Snow Robe landed on his shoulder, still carrying a packet of spicy rabbit heads that Shen Guannan had pressed upon the bird.
"Off we go!"
The words came out muffled.
With a soft cry, Lingbo soared into the sky.
Lu Changfeng sat on the Flood Dragon's back, gazing down at Ten Thousand Sword Mountain below.
In the morning light, the mountains were dark as ink, and the Sword Pool shone like a mirror. The silent ancient swords at its bottom gleamed with a cold, ghostly light. He withdrew his gaze and looked ahead.
Lingbo flew east, entering the Capital Region in less than an hour.
Lu Changfeng was resting with his eyes closed when something suddenly stirred in his mind, and he opened them.
He had sensed something.
Below lay a secluded valley rarely visited by anyone, ringed by mountains, with a pool of jade-green water at its center. Several bamboo cottages stood beside the pool, simple yet elegant. Birds gathered throughout the valley-white cranes, golden pheasants, orioles, and all manner of rare birds perched on branches, soared through the sky, or played beside the water, their lilting calls rising and falling.
They adorned the entire valley like a realm of immortals.
Lu Changfeng smiled faintly.
He patted Lingbo's back. Understanding his intent, Lingbo swooped