The massive Flying Ship of the Jade Serpent Guild breached the dense, turbulent cloud layer, leaving the humid, mist-shrouded islands of the Eastern Archipelago behind. The vessel, a marvel of Northern engineering reinforced with Heaven-grade metals, sailed smoothly into the endless blue sky, beginning its month-long journey toward the harsh, unforgiving boundaries of the Western Prefecture.
On the sun-drenched, heavily shielded observation deck, Alaric stood at the bow, the rushing wind tangling his golden hair. He exuded an aura of absolute, untouchable authority. Beside him stood the fallen royal, Princess Hai Lan.
