The ship surged forward, its sleek hull cutting through the crimson waters as the island of Emerald Edge slowly emerged from the mist. The scene was nothing short of breathtaking—a shimmering, jade-green land surrounded by jagged cliffs, each one adorned with ancient emerald veins, reflecting the sunlight in dazzling bursts. Above the cliffs, floating islands hovered serenely in the sky, tethered to the earth by thick vines, while waterfalls cascaded down into the ocean below, sending up a fine mist. From a distance, the Emerald Pavilion, a towering structure of translucent jade, stood proudly at the island's heart, its radiant glow drawing the eyes.
As the ship drew closer, a feeling of awe spread over the deck. The passengers, a mix of ordinary travelers and cultivators, leaned over the railing to take in the scene. But for those who were cultivators, the sight was not just a marvel—it was a promise of something greater. Ling Fei could sense the energy in the air, thick with potential, and his resolve hardened.
His attention, however, shifted momentarily to the egg nestled in his arms. The faint pulsating glow was becoming stronger by the day. The system's countdown had informed him that there were only five more days until it would hatch. The sense of urgency was palpable. He needed to find a safe place, a quiet spot to nurture the beast that was about to emerge.
Xiao Yin, perched on his shoulder, was unusually agitated. The little serpent's normally calm demeanor had been replaced by an energetic restlessness, its eyes darting to and fro, as though it could sense something was coming. Ling Fei couldn't help but notice the tiny creature's heightened state of alertness. Xiao Yin's behavior was a rare thing—an instinctive reaction to something beyond the physical realm. Whatever was to come, it seemed Xiao Yin knew that the Emerald Edge was no ordinary place.
Ling Fei's thoughts were interrupted as a voice rang out from the front of the ship. "Cultivators, prepare for disembarkation!"
The ship began to slow, and the cultivators were quickly ushered toward a designated section. Unlike the ordinary passengers who would have to wait for their turn, the cultivators received special treatment. The dock ahead was separated into two distinct areas—one for the common folk and one for those of higher status. The cultivators, as expected, were to land first.
As the ship coasted toward the pier, the crew began lowering ramps and guiding the cultivators down. Ling Fei followed his fellow cultivators, his eyes scanning the others. Yan Hai, the Beast Path cultivator, was already grinning from ear to ear, clearly excited to set foot on the island. Shen Ru, the Sky Path cultivator, walked with quiet elegance, her sharp eyes taking in the surroundings. Feng Zhi, the Land Path cultivator, seemed entirely unfazed, his calm demeanor in stark contrast to the others' excitement.
"Look at that," Xu Wei said, nudging Ling Fei as they stepped off the ship and onto the dock. "This place is magnificent. Just the kind of environment for someone like me."
Ling Fei nodded, his gaze never leaving the towering cliffs in the distance. "Let's see if we can secure our place here first. If we can find my master's old friend, it could smooth things over."
The group walked in a loose formation, but their attention was quickly drawn to the surroundings. The dock had its own aura of refinement—runic engravings lined the wooden planks, glowing faintly with a mystical energy that seemed to hum with life. As they ventured further, a soft tremor ran through the ground, and Ling Fei felt a subtle pulse in the air. It was as if the land itself was alive, breathing in rhythm with the cultivators who entered it.
Xiao Yin, still perched on Ling Fei's shoulder, let out a soft hiss, its little body vibrating with anticipation. Ling Fei noticed that the serpent's usual calm had been replaced with a rare intensity. The creature's bright eyes scanned the surroundings, its movements jerky as it flared out its small wings in an uncharacteristic display of agitation.
"What's with you, Xiao Yin?" Ling Fei murmured, his fingers gently brushing over the creature's back. Xiao Yin let out a hiss again, but this time there was no sign of aggression—only excitement.
As they continued their journey toward the heart of the island, the others, too, had begun to sense the subtle change in the atmosphere. Shen Ru paused, tilting her head toward the floating islands in the distance. "Do you feel it?" she asked, her voice soft but tinged with curiosity.
"I feel something," Feng Zhi replied, his voice more pragmatic. "The land is alive with energy. But it's not just the land… Something is stirring beneath it all."
Ling Fei didn't say anything, but inside, a gnawing sense of anticipation grew. This was no ordinary sect. The energy here was ancient, filled with history and mystery, and whatever awaited him in the days to come, he could tell it would be nothing short of transformative.
As they neared the gates of the sect, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed in the distance, signaling the arrival of more cultivators from other ships. Ling Fei noticed that some of the ships that had arrived earlier were already unloading their passengers, each ship carrying a mix of cultivators from the Sky, Land, and Beast Paths. The competition would be fierce—no one would simply be given a place in the sect.
A large procession of cultivators wearing the Emerald Edge sect's robes began filing through the gates, their expressions serious and focused. Their presence carried weight, and it was clear that these cultivators were not to be taken lightly. They walked with a sense of purpose, heads held high, as though they were already part of the sect's inner circle.
As Ling Fei approached the entrance, he glanced at his companions. Xu Wei was already sizing up the other cultivators, his grin widening at the prospect of a challenge. Shen Ru was quiet but alert, her eyes scanning the faces in the crowd, while Feng Zhi seemed lost in thought, calculating the best course of action.
Ling Fei's attention shifted back to Xiao Yin, still displaying its strange excitement. The countdown continued to tick down—five days. The egg was close to hatching. He would need to act fast, find a place to settle in, and secure the alliances that would help him rise. There was no time to waste.
His hand tightened around the egg as he followed his companions toward the entrance.