The bright moon hung overhead, its frostlike light spilling over a thousand miles of mountain wilderness. A great river cut past the foot of a thousand-fathom cliff.
Two travel-worn figures announced their identities outside the mountains, then followed white-robed sect members onto the rugged mountain path leading to Southern Skies Mountain.
The man in front was Tang Yudan of Cloud-Cutting Palace on Yan Mountain, Lu Jieyun's direct disciple. This was his first visit to the Sky-Pacifying Sect's territory. Although his master also ranked among the Eight Great Beauties, one stood at the bottom of that ranking and the Sky-Pacifying Sect Master at the top; there was simply no comparing them. His eyes were solemn, and he walked without glancing aside.
Following behind him was Cao Aning, who had become a wandering martial artist after losing his position in the palace.
To regain power and status, Cao Aning had traveled throughout both the northern and southern dynasties over the past ten years. This was not his first visit to Southern Skies Mountain, and he introduced the surroundings to Tang Yudan with easy familiarity as they walked:
"Once you pass Southern Skies Mountain, you're beyond the frontier. Follow the river downstream to its mouth, and you'll see Hundred-Foot Cliff outside Guancheng. Fengguancheng lives there in a thatched hut, secluded from the world. Any martial artist who can climb Hundred-Foot Cliff to challenge him counts as a regional overlord in the martial world, win or lose.
"The Sky-Pacifying Sect Master ranks first among the Eight Great Beauties because she challenged Fengguancheng on Hundred-Foot Cliff. Fengguancheng himself declared her unrivaled beneath the mountain..."
Hearing this, Tang Yudan looked up toward the lingering glow of lights on the mountaintop and sighed.
"She may not be the greatest under heaven, but Unrivaled Beneath the Mountain is