At the docks of Mysterious Constancy City, the first light of dawn shone against the golden glow gradually spreading across the horizon.
The sea breeze brushed gently past, carrying a hint of salty moisture.
Six small Dharma Artifact Flying Boats of various shapes lay quietly moored along the shore, some high-grade and some mid-grade.
None of these Flying Boats were large, however, with almost all measuring no more than a hundred feet.
On their decks, cultivators stood or sat, conversing quietly. The air was thick with the tension and anticipation of the coming expedition.
Chang Silang stood at the edge of the dock. His brows furrowed slightly as his gaze swept over Gao Yuliang and his party.
"Where is Inspector Qing? Why haven't I seen any sign of him today?" A measure of displeasure colored his words.
Gao Yuliang hurried forward a step and cupped his hands. "Household Head Chang, Martial Uncle Qing has been feeling unwell lately and is in seclusion recuperating, so he could not come in person."
Chang Silang found this somewhat amusing and thought to himself:
It seems this Qing Chen does have some of the arrogance of a true sect cultivator. Now that I've blunted his edge, he won't even show his face.
As he turned, Chang Silang's gaze fell on his steward, Chang Wan.
"Chang Wan, you will command Mysterious Constancy Island's allied forces on this expedition. You must give it your all and crush those Three Pythons Bandits who run rampant, making Mysterious Constancy Island's name ring out far and wide!"
Chang Wan's heart tightened at these words, and he bowed.
With careful treatment, the injuries Qing Chen had previously inflicted on his face had already healed completely.
The allied forces brought together cultivators from the various powers of Mysterious Constancy Island.
Forty