Near the northern road of Hejian City, where the path toward the Windscar Mountains began, two Golden Core cultivators stood waiting.
They had arrived there early in the morning.
Behind them stood several younger cultivators in disciplined formation.
These juniors all wore robes bearing the emblem of the Sima Clan — a stone gate framed between two mountain peaks, the symbol of guardianship over the mountain passage.
They were all Foundation Establishment cultivators, the promising younger generation of the clan.
The one standing at their front was Sima Yi, a mid Golden Core elder of the Sima Clan and the current overseer of Hejian City.
Beside him stood a man wearing the robes of the Azure Balance Pavilion.
This was Elder Tang Zhen, the Pavilion officer stationed in the city to manage its trading pavilion and maintain relations with the various forces traveling through the region.
Both men were looking toward the river.
High above the distant skyline, a vast ark had already come into view.
Even from afar, its enormous structure and shimmering formation patterns made it unmistakable.
The Azure Cloud Ark.
The symbol carved across its side was clearly visible even at a distance.
An Azure Dragon encircling a Balance Scale.
The emblem of the Azure Balance Pavilion.
Elder Tang Zhen had received word the day before that the fleet would arrive today.
So he had come here early to greet them.
When Sima Yi learned of this, he naturally came as well.
Even though the Sima Clan governed Hejian City and controlled the trade routes of the pass, they clearly understood the realities of power in the cultivation world.
Their clan might be backed by the Heaven-Justice Sword Sect, but that did not mean they could treat other great powers lightly.
Pavilion forces like the Azure Balance Pavilion were far stronger than their clan.
The Sword Sect would never risk conflict with such a force simply for the sake of the Sima Clan.
Because of this, maintaining respectful relationships with powerful sects was essential.
Sima Yi watched the approaching ark carefully.
Behind him, the younger clan members whispered quietly among themselves.
The ark was massive.
Far larger than any vessel they had ever seen before.
Sima Yi turned slightly toward Elder Tang Zhen.
"The ark is slowing."
His gaze followed the massive vessel in the sky.
"Should we go forward to greet them?"
Tang Zhen observed the ark calmly.
After a moment he shook his head.
"There is no need."
His tone remained steady.
"The elders will come here."
"We should not disturb the fleet."
Sima Yi nodded slightly.
That made sense.
Such a large fleet could not be casually halted or moved simply for greetings.
Not long after, two figures separated from the ark and descended toward them.
They were approaching quickly.
As they drew closer, Sima Yi's expression changed.
The first man was enormous.
Broad-shouldered and towering above ordinary cultivators, his physique resembled that of a powerful beast rather than a human.
His steps were heavy and confident, and the spiritual pressure around him carried a faint wild ferocity.
Even from a distance, Sima Yi could sense the terrifying density of the man's cultivation.
Late Golden Core.
Sima Yi's thoughts formed instantly.
Then he paused.
No.
Mid Golden Core.
But only just. The man stood at the very edge of the realm, his aura already brushing against the threshold of Late Golden Core.
Such cultivators were extremely dangerous.
Even before the man arrived, Sima Yi could already imagine how fierce his combat style must be.
Behind Sima Yi, the younger disciples felt that pressure as well.
Their expressions tightened instantly.
A few instinctively straightened their posture.
They even felt a trace of fear.
The second figure walking beside him was far less imposing in appearance.
But what he lacked in physical presence, he made up for in something far more shocking.
He was young.
Extremely young.
Yet the aura surrounding him clearly belonged to a Golden Core cultivator.
Sima Yi's eyes narrowed slightly.
Golden Core.
At that age.
Before he could think further, the two men had already reached them.
Elder Tang Zhen stepped forward immediately and bowed with cupped fists.
"Elder Zhang."
Sima Yi followed his lead and bowed respectfully.
"I have long heard of Elder Zhang Renshan's reputation."
"It is an honor to finally meet you."
He looked at the towering man with genuine respect.
"I once witnessed your battle during the Blackwind Valley expedition many years ago."
"Your strength left a deep impression."
Elder Zhang returned the greeting with a nod.
"Clan Elder Sima."
Then Sima Yi turned his gaze toward the younger cultivator standing beside him.
His eyes held unmistakable admiration.
"This must be Elder Yun Yuzhe."
"The young genius whose name has recently spread throughout the region."
"I hear your talent is often mentioned alongside the younger prodigies of the three great sects."
Yun cupped his fists politely.
"You give me too much credit."
"I cannot compare with them."
Sima Yi smiled faintly.
"Elder Yun is being too modest."
Elder Zhang then turned slightly toward Tang Zhen.
"How are things here?"
Tang Zhen answered calmly.
"The pavilion's affairs are stable."
"Trade through the pass remains steady."
"Our caravans have not encountered any serious issues recently."
Elder Zhang nodded once.
Then he asked another question.
"And the Vice Patriarch of the Sima Clan?"
"Sima Tianrong."
Sima Yi answered.
"He and the other clan elders departed earlier."
"They have already traveled to attend the Heaven-Justice Sword Sect gathering."
He paused briefly before adding,
"I remained here to manage the city and welcome your arrival."
Privately, Sima Yi made a mental note.
So Elder Zhang knew Vice Patriarch Tianrong personally.
Perhaps the two had crossed paths more than once.
Best to remain cautious.
Offending someone like this would bring unnecessary trouble.
Elder Zhang simply nodded.
"We will see him at the gathering then."
At that moment, Yun finally spoke.
"How are the conditions in the mountains?"
Sima Yi's expression became more serious.
"The Windscar Mountains have grown somewhat more dangerous recently."
"Many groups have crossed the pass in the past weeks because of the Sword Sect gathering."
"This has disturbed several demon beast territories."
"There have been more encounters than usual."
He gestured toward the mountains in the distance.
"Because of this, several smaller sects and loose cultivators who arrived late have decided not to attempt the crossing."
"The ones who went through mostly departed earlier."
He then produced a rolled scroll from his sleeve.
"However, we have prepared the most recent route map."
"The safest known paths have been marked according to the latest reports."
He respectfully handed it to Elder Zhang.
"The territories of several Golden Core level demon beasts have shifted recently."
"You should remain cautious even with the map."
"Especially with such a large fleet."
Elder Zhang accepted the scroll with a nod.
"Understood."
After exchanging a few final courtesies, the conversation gradually came to an end.
For a brief moment the group stood quietly beneath the open sky.
Above them, the massive Azure Cloud Ark hovered steadily in the air. Its formation arrays glowed faintly along the hull, waves of spiritual energy circulating across the surface like ripples on water.
The shadow of the vessel stretched across the road leading toward the mountains.
Behind Sima Yi, the younger clan disciples tried their best to maintain their composure, but their eyes kept drifting upward toward the enormous ark.
For most of them, it was the first time witnessing a vessel of such scale.
Elder Zhang turned slightly toward Yun.
"It is time."
Yun nodded.
Without further delay, the two Pavilion elders stepped forward.
Their figures rose smoothly into the air, lifted by controlled spiritual energy. In only a few breaths, they had already ascended dozens of meters above the ground.
From below, Sima Yi watched them rise toward the ark.
Even now, the pressure carried by Elder Zhang's presence had not completely faded.
The younger clan disciples finally allowed themselves to relax slightly after the two figures left.
High above, the ark's outer formations shifted subtly as the elders approached.
A section of the vessel's defensive barrier parted momentarily, allowing them to pass through.
Moments later their figures disappeared onto the deck.
The ark remained still for only a short time afterward.
Then the formation arrays along its sides brightened.
A low hum spread through the air as spiritual energy surged through the structure.
Slowly, the enormous vessel began to move again.
Its direction shifted slightly away from the river, turning toward the rising foothills beyond Hejian City.
Behind it, the rest of the fleet followed in orderly formation.
Dozens of ships lifted from the river's surface or adjusted their course through the air, forming a long procession behind the ark.
From the ground, the sight was imposing.
A moving wall of vessels heading toward the mountains.
Sima Yi folded his hands behind his back as he watched the fleet depart.
Far ahead, beyond the last edges of the city, the road disappeared into the dark ridges of the Windscar Mountains.
The jagged peaks stretched across the horizon like the edge of a blade.
Within those mountains lay Gale Pass.
And beyond the pass, the path toward the Heaven-Justice Sword Sect.
The fleet continued forward without hesitation, gradually leaving the city behind.
Before long, the vast ark and its accompanying ships became distant shapes against the towering mountain range.
The journey through the Windscar Mountains had begun.
End of Chapter 79