High above the clouds,atop the flying sword—
The journey looked effortless from the outside. The massive sword glided through the sky like a streak of silver light, cutting through the clouds as if they were nothing more than drifting mist.
But the truth was far from easy.
Simply maintaining their footing on the sword as it tore through the air required constant circulation of qi. The wind pressure alone could have thrown them off balance if their bodies were not reinforced.
After nearly a full day of flight, Stephen, Wilson, and Elsa were beginning to show signs of exhaustion. Their faces had turned noticeably pale as their qi reserves were slowly drained.
The sky was painted in warm shades of orange and crimson as the sun sank below the horizon.
At that moment, the elder who stood calmly at the tip of the sword spoke.
"We will rest in the next city ahead for the night—"
Before he could finish speaking, Stephen suddenly felt his heart seize.
A massive shadow swept over them.
It appeared so suddenly that none of them had noticed it approaching. A chilling sense of danger gripped Stephen's chest, causing every instinct in his body to scream in warning.
Wilson and Elsa tensed immediately, their eyes narrowing as they tried to identify the threat.
The elder, however, remained completely calm.
Without even turning his head, he raised a hand and flicked his finger lightly.
A streak of milky-white sword qi shot into the sky.
A moment later—
A shrill, pained screech echoed across the heavens.
Only then did the creature reveal itself.
A gigantic crimson bird nearly ten meters long hovered above them. The edges of its wings were lined with razor-sharp ridges, and its talons gleamed like curved blades.
Blood trickled down from one of its wings where the sword qi had struck.
Its crimson eyes glared down at them with ferocious hatred.
The bird let out a furious screech and suddenly dove downward, targeting Stephen, Wilson, and Elsa rather than the elder.
They were the weakest prey.
But the elder simply rotated his wrist.
Another strand of sword qi appeared.
It slashed silently through the air toward the diving beast.
The attack looked almost unimpressive, as though it had passed harmlessly through the creature.
The elder didn't even bother to look back.
The flying sword continued forward without slowing.
Behind them, the crimson bird froze in midair.
A flicker of shock appeared in its eyes.
Then—
A thin line appeared along the center of its body.
Blood erupted like a fountain.
With a wet, tearing sound, the creature split cleanly in half from head to tail.
Both halves plummeted toward the earth far below in a rain of blood.
The elder casually waved his hand.
A small stone, about three fingers wide, flew out from the falling corpse and landed neatly in his palm.
He examined it briefly before placing it inside his sleeve.
The flying sword dipped below the clouds soon after.
Night had already fallen, and the land below was shrouded in darkness.
Stephen exhaled slowly before asking,
"Senior… what kind of beast was that?"
Wilson gave a faint smirk.
"Well, since you're a commoner, I suppose I can enlighten you," he said casually. "But only this once."
Stephen ignored the mockery.
Wilson continued.
"That was a Blood Eagle. A vicious aerial predator. The skies are far more dangerous than the ground, which is why only experts in the King Realm and above are normally allowed to fly freely."
He folded his arms as he spoke.
"The air is filled with flying beasts like that. Some hunt alone, while others travel in massive flocks numbering in the hundreds. Even an Emperor would eventually die from exhaustion if surrounded by such a swarm."
"Which is why most cultivators prefer to travel on land," he finished.
Stephen nodded thoughtfully.
Wilson added,
"That one we just saw was likely a newly advanced early-stage King Realm beast. If its realm had been fully stabilized, the fight wouldn't have ended so easily."
The elder finally spoke.
"Good observation."
He glanced briefly at Wilson.
"You must be Master Thomas's son, correct?"
Wilson blinked in surprise.
"Senior… you know my father?"
The elder nodded.
"He saved my life once."
Wilson's posture straightened instantly.
"If you encounter any problems within the sect," the elder said calmly, "you may come to me."
Then he turned forward again.
By now, lights had appeared across the dark landscape below.
A city came into view.
Its walls were lined with patrols of armored guards, and lanterns illuminated the streets within.
At the entrance gate hung a large wooden sign.
Moon City
The flying sword did not slow down. It sailed directly over the walls and descended toward the city center.
They landed in front of a modest but elegant three-story hotel.
The moment they stepped down from the sword, a sharply dressed man hurried over with a welcoming smile.
"Greetings, Master White Wind," he said respectfully. "Will you be staying in your usual room?"
The elder waved his hand casually.
"Yes."
Then he pointed behind him.
"Also prepare three standard rooms for them."
"Of course."
The manager quickly gestured to one of the attendants nearby and whispered a few instructions.
He personally escorted the elder inside.
Before leaving, the elder said,
"Meet here at dawn. If you are late, you will have to find your own way to the sect."
The attendant then guided Stephen, Wilson, and Elsa to their rooms.
That night, the sky above Moon City was filled with stars.
Stephen washed the dust and blood from his body before returning to his room.
Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a pale glow across the bed.
He lay quietly, one arm tucked behind his head, staring up at the stars outside.
From the streets below came the distant sounds of laughter, footsteps, and merchants closing their shops.
Life.
Simple and ordinary.
His thoughts drifted back to Ironveil City.
To the small forge on its outskirts.
To the image of his father standing before the furnace, hammer rising and falling as sparks flew into the air.
Stephen had spent countless hours watching him work.
At the time, it had felt like the world would always remain that small.
Now everything had changed.
It felt as though years had passed since he last saw him.
But in truth—
Only a single month had gone by.
Then another memory surfaced.
The promise he had made.
To find his mother.
To bring his family back together.
Stephen slowly clenched his fist.
"No matter who stands in my way…"
"I will cut them down."
"I will become strong enough that no one will ever dare touch the people I care about again."
The words were silent, spoken only in his heart.
After a moment, he sat up on the bed and crossed his legs.
His breathing steadied.
His mind grew calm.
He began circulating his qi and drawing the surrounding spiritual energy into his body.
Outside the window, the stars glittered quietly in the endless sky.
Inside the room, Stephen cultivated in silence.
Tomorrow—
A new chapter of his life would begin.