Plumes of colored smoked rose in the air before exploding in amazing patterns. A flurry of fireworks lit up the sky to the delight of all the spectators. A duet by a pair of male and female singers belted out a powerful song that describes the desperate struggle of a lowly being that rises above all. Troupes of dancers in wonderous robes moved down the street performing amazing routines.
"Welcome to the first day of the Pinnacle", a charming woman's voice was heard by the crowd, "I am Lui Mingxue, and I will be one of many hosts during the next seven days as our most outstanding competitors fight to reach the top."
"I am Jin Lei", a man said after Mingxue, "I also will be joining everyone for the monumental event. Ah! The competitors are here now, feel free to cheer for your favorite player or team."
A mixture of cars carrying members who qualified for the finals, floats with musicians playing or singing the current popular songs, and dancers slowly began to proceed forward as the two host would point out certain names.
"The first in line today is 'Thunder', and it seems to be an appropriate position for him as he is the favorite to win in the Gran Prix finals", Jin Lei announced, "He had an excellent performance in the Senior division of Q1 cycles, and hails from the Nanying continent."
"I see the 'Eternal Echoes' team a few cars down", Lui Mingxue said, "This team is from the Wu continent, and was very impressive for their first contest of 'Battle of the Ancients' Battle arena Junior division."
A few more cars passed by when Jin Lei spoke again, "Next is a returning player that the hometown should be familiar with, 'Shadow'. Shadow competed several years ago when Sun & Moon island held a smaller event with the cultivators of Nanying continent, but his luck was not so great then. Times have changed as he is now one of the best 'Sage' players in the competitive arena."
"As we have everyone's attention, I would like to point out some of the important people sitting in the audience", Lui Mingxue directed the viewers to a special floating platform, "The easiest to recognize is our ministers of course, so let's focus on the others. To their left is the leaders of the two biggest sects in all of Nanying, Sect Master Liang of the Boundless Yang sect, and Sect Master Zhan of the Immortal Yin sect. To the right is Sect master of the Burning Fist sect, the Master of flames, Lin Xia and next to her is the Patriach of the Hidden Eye sect, Zhou Wei. They hail from the Wu continent, and I believe this is their first official visit. Further to the left is the delegation from Shuo continent led by Elder Shenlong, the wisest leader of the beastkin council. And finally, we are pleased to introduce everyone to the envoys of the Sheltered Depths Kingdom and the Kingdom of Roaring Waves, Envoys Taro and Kaida. Finally in the top box, it's someone everyone recognizes, Wei Huoran and his fiancée Zeng Meirong."
"Let's return to our valiant challengers", Jin Lei laughed, "I see the next car holds 'Bladewolf', a beastkin from Shuo continent who gave a heroic performance in the Master division of Musuo."
"Speaking of Musuo", Lui Mingxue said, "I see the team 'Storm surge' from Moon City. They showed excellent teamwork in the last round to secure their spot today."
The pair continued to call out and highlight the contenders as they appeared as the procession continued. They followed the route that snaked through Markey Square before finishing at the Pod cafe. Once they reached their destination, the participants would exit their vehicles and walk inside. Once inside, they would get sorted by event and once everyone for that event had arrived, they would receive a briefing. They would be told the days and times of their competition, and have the information sent to their QPhones. Then a picture was taken, and sent to everyone as well.
"Everyone, I am Yan Longwei and I appreciate your patience today", a representative of the entertainment ministry told everyone, "If you have any questions or doubts, please ask now. Otherwise, you have been given your competition times so you are released at this time."
Just as all the players were leaving the pod cafe, Wei Huoran and Zeng Meirong were leading all the visiting leaders to a new building in Market Square, the train station. Huoran had told Meirong that if she was tired or had something to do, he could handle it, but she just shook her head.
"Everyone, as you might or might not know, our cities for residents are separate from the cities for guests", Huoran explained, "Obviously, since many of the residents own and operate businesses in different cities, we had to have a reliable source of transportation. In a minute, you will see how move around in a fast and efficient manner. We will be using this way to reach Seabreeze Cove, our newest location, and if you are interested, we can talk later."
Huoran pointed to his right, and the eyes of everyone followed as they saw a large artifact moving towards their location at a rapid speed. When the artifact got close, it slowed down very quickly before stopping at the station.
"This is a vehicular artifact we call a train", Huoran explained, "We currently have two routes, one for residents and the other for visitors. Please enter and find a seat we will head towards the next destination once everyone is ready."
The leaders more familiar with Huoran immediately entered the opened doors first, which caused the rest to follow afterwards. Inside, large comfortable seats in groups of four awaited everyone and when they were seated, Huoran took the last empty seat.
"When this artifact is normally operating, it will be much longer and hold more passengers", Huoran informed everyone as he nodded at the waiting crew.
(Attention all passengers, we are now departing Market Square. For the purpose of today's ride we will be visiting all the stops before returning. Please stay seated for thirty seconds, after which you can move as you please. As an extra service, drinks and food will be provided, speak to a crew member for more information or for making requests. Have a pleasant trip.]
The announcement startled a few people, and as soon as it finished, Huoran could slightly feel the train accelerating.
"If you look out the windows, you will be able to view our progress as we move", Huoran said aloud.
It did not take long for the other passengers to find the array that allowed the windows to change from solid black to transparent, and thirty seconds had already passed so the train was now moving at top speed.
"This is so fast and smooth for an artifact to travel without flying", Elder Shenlong said.
Sect master Liang looked at Huoran, "You mentioned that if we are interested in this, we can purchase it?"
"I assure that we can definitely make an agreement", Huoran replied, "I would suggest that could use this to connect all the villages, towns, and cities in your area for a reliable and fast way to travel. Then it will be easier for more people to travel on the Golden Peony's ships."
This first leg of the trip did not take too long and everyone was happily discussing a variety of topics when an announcement came.
[Attention all passengers, we have arrived at Seabreeze Cove. Please prepare for arrival by sitting down as we pull into the station.]
Not many were walking around, but the few that were quickly took their seat. Soon, everyone had exited the train, and walked through the station as a line of taxis awaited them.
"We have three hours before we need to return here to travel to Misty peaks, so feel free to look around as a group or individually as you see fit", Huoran told the crowd.
"What is your plan, Friend Wei?", Elder Shenlong asked.
"If your interested, I was going to check the city first", Huoran replied, "Then I'll head to the beach."
Most of the leader who were unfamiliar with Sun & Moon island decided to follow Huoran while the rest who were familiar ran off on their own. Huoran and the group that followed wandered around in the city for an hour before arriving at the beach.
"Daoist Wei, this beach is amazing", Lord Whitetail complimented him.
"It is as designed, Lord Whitetail", Huoran responded, "When we build we always try our best to use Feng Shui to arrange everything and blend together with nature. We want to promote harmony, balance, and style in a way that will allow of visitors to enjoy their time, stay active, and still be able to cultivate."
"I heard from some of the other chiefs that's visited before that you said that everyone was cultivating wrong", a massive man stated.
"Chief Thunderhorn, I did indeed say this", Huoran admitted, "It's something my master taught me, and a crucial flaw I found as I met other beings. Everyone only looks after themselves in the end, even if cooperation would lead to success."
"Before we start a debate on the merits or flaws of Daoist Wei's philosophy, let's enjoy this opportunity", Elder Shenlong advised Thunderhorn, "Or do not, I found a comfortable place to stay for a few minutes, so I'll let you young people do what you want."
As the elder walked away, Chief Thunderhorn seemed to have lost his voice, and he walked away as well. Almost two hours passed by, and now everyone was back at the station, entering the train again. As everyone was more familiar with the process, the train was able to disembark earlier and was once again making its way north. The passengers watched as the scenery changed several times before they reached the snowy peaks of Misty Peaks. Unlike Seabreeze Cove which had just opened, Misty Peak had way more visitors walking around. It was not long after exiting the train when Huoran and the leaders walked across beastkins who were wearing strange outfits, and staying in various hybrid forms.
What is the meaning of this?", Elder Shenlong asked as he saw beastkin in humanoid forms but still sporting beast ears, tails, or wings.
"Ah", Huoran was slightly embarrassed, "We do not require any beastkins to perform like this. I heard that many of the beastkins became popular in this form, and often they will stay like this. Other visitors will often give gifts to them, and since it's a deal between two visitors to the island, we do not interfere as long as no one is in danger."
Huoran could see the elder tortoise was shocked and suggested, "How about we move on, and you can speak to who you in private later?"
"Yes, you are right", Elder Shenlong responded, "This is not the time to address this."
Huoran was relieved, and was just about to keep guiding everyone around, but a voice stopped him.
"Is that Elder Shenlong? I pay my respects", a woman's voice was heard.
The group turned around, and Huoran wanted to slap himself when he saw Elder Yara Snowfur greeting them in a similar form as the younglings.
"Elder Snowfur?", the old tortoise asked uncertainly.
Yara suddenly realized how she looked, and quickly shifted to a completely human form.
"Excuse me", she apologized, "It has become somewhat of a habit."
"Elder Shenlong, why don't I continue with the tour?", Huoran tried his best to change the topic.
"Yes, Yes, Yes, of course", Shenlong answered hurriedly, "This old man is causing problems, and keeping others from the tour."
Admittedly, the rest of the tour in Misty Peaks was normal, and nothing more of note happened.
"The earth element here is amazing, Friend Huoran", Shenlong exclaimed.
"Well, we were hoping to speak of this later, but now if fine as well", Huoran said, "We are hoping to cooperate with all who wish to create arrays that will purify bloodlines."
"Is that possible?", not only Shenlong, but many beastkin leaders asked.
"My master is assisting in this project, and we had our first success not too long ago", Huoran mentioned, "Thanks to his vast knowledge of runes, he extracted the bloodline purification array from the stones. Then he modified them so that they are now usable without any of the side effects."
All the beastkin tribe leaders became restless after hearing this and pledged to cooperate.
"Please wait until after this event, and we can sit down to properly discuss this", Huoran suggested.
"I will go with this", Shenlong replied.
After touring the mountain, the groups reunited and headed back the train station. As the train headed back to Market Square, Chief Amberman asked Huoran, "Why are we going back to the square? Did we not make reservations at Seabreeze Cove resort?"
"I was just inspired to show everyone here how we're raise our spiritual beast and plants", Huoran offered, "But only if you are willing."
"Please excuse us, Friend Wei", Elder Shenlong apologized, "I would like to see your fields, but not today."
"That is acceptable", Huoran said, "I will return tomorrow to take you to the competition."
Huoran escorted everyone to their hotels before returning to his own home, ready for the fun tomorrow.