The next three days of travel passed like a blur amid cold landscapes and gray skies.
The pace remained the sa, but within the monotony of flight, small conversations began to sprout.
Kyrian learned that Yan Ling had knowledge about spiritual minerals and their properties and also liked to spend hours in libraries.
That Kai, despite his weathered air, had a perfect mory, able to recall maps and information with just a single glance.
That Li Fen understood a bit about formations, and with his economy of words, said that he could observe vulnerable points in defensive formations that were brutally precise.
Even Bai Zhu, in a mont of rare frankness induced by boredom, confessed that his greatest desire was not just to crush opponents. But to master a legendary technique of the military branch that supposedly allowed the user to temporarily rge their body with their own blood Qi, becoming a living storm of crimson fury, even risking losing control of their own mind.
Kyrian listened. Absorbed. They were pieces of information that could help in so way. Knowing what motivated, what interested, and what his companions could do was vital to the mission.
i Li, as always, was the weaver of these interactions, guiding conversations, smoothing small differences of opinion, and extracting information with a grace that made it seem natural.
Kyrian was beginning to understand why a branch like hers existed, perhaps it was a weapon as valuable as the strength of the military branch.
Finally, on the flat horizon, a dusty outline rose. The City of the Iron Bell.
It was not a tropolis but a robust comrcial fortress, its gray stone walls stained with rust and soot.
From its towers, heavy, dark iron bells hung, inert. The air around it already slled different. Smoke, sweat, spices, and the scent of heavy comrce.
Even before they approached the busy landing field outside the gates, where a line of rchants and travelers waited with land beasts, a shadow detached itself from the towers.
An agile flying beast, a bird of prey with rust-colored feathers, rose toward them.
Mounted on it, a young man wearing luxurious yellow silk robes gestured in a sign of peace.
Kyrian raised a clenched fist, the signal to stop.
The six War Crows and Arcon hovered in the air, their wings beating powerfully.
"Hello, dear guests." The young man’s voice reached them, projected with Qi in a clear and cordial manner.
He made a respectful nod of his head in the saddle.
"I am Liang Wei, son of the leader of the City of the Iron Bell. It is an honor. I invite you, and your magnificent mounts, to spend your stay as honored guests in our mansion in the city."
Kyrian studied the young man. An open face, a polished smile, but his eyes seed shrewd, evaluating their crimson robes and the quality of the beasts.
Before Kyrian could respond, i Li’s gentle voice whispered at his side, using a thin thread of Qi so that only he could hear.
"Leader, it is the most practical path. Core Formation beasts cannot stay in common stables with other beasts. Their mansion will probably have safer facilities."
Kyrian gave an almost imperceptible nod.
"We accept your invitation, Liang Wei." Kyrian said, his flat and cold voice making the young man’s smile beco a bit more respectful.
"Lead the way." Kyrian added.
The young man seed relieved.
"Wonderful! This way, please!"
His beast turned and dove toward the center of the city, circling past the gates and the line. Kyrian and the others followed, the powerful wings of their mounts drawing looks of admiration and fear from the people below.
As they descended in an arc over the gray rooftops, Kyrian projected his voice to Liang Wei.
"Do you know who we are?"
The young man looked back, his smile now more confident.
"Of course, young master. The crimson robes, your cultivations, and... the beasts. You are disciples of the respected Blood Court. It is an honor to receive you."
He adjusted the reins, explaining.
"The Cloud Empire’s Centennial Auction is approaching. Our city lies on a common route between the territories. Young talents from the Court and other forces have already rested under my family’s roof in years past. It is a tradition... it is good business for both sides." The young man was frank as he spoke with a smile.
Kyrian understood. They were professional hosts for passing cultivators. Simple.
They landed in a vast inner courtyard within the walls of a spacious property. The Liang Mansion.
Well-dressed servants hurried forward at once.
"I will call my father to formally receive you." Liang Wei said, dismounting with agility.
"Your beasts will be taken to our special stables. They will receive the best rations and be cared for until the ti of your departure."
Five specialized handlers with cultivation levels in the Liberation Realm approached carefully, taking the reins of the War Crows and Arcon with reverence. Arcon snorted, but a calm look from Kyrian soothed him.
It was at that mont, as the bustle of the landing subsided, that Kyrian felt it. The limit that had been present since his last breakthrough in his eyes simply dissolved.
The limit was gone. The seven days had passed.
A tiny, almost imperceptible smile touched the corners of his mouth for a fraction of a second before disappearing.
"We are tired from the journey." Kyrian said, addressing Liang Wei, his voice a little more hurried than usual.
"Show us our quarters. We will depart at dawn."
Liang Wei seed a little surprised by the imdiate refusal of a formal eting, but he adapted quickly.
"Of course, of course. Follow !"
He led them through ornate courtyards to a Pavilion of Honored Guests, an elegant structure of dark wood and green tiles, isolated from the main bustle of the mansion.
There were eight spacious rooms arranged around a central common hall.
"This pavilion is entirely yours. Ask the designated servants for anything." Liang Wei said with one last smile.
"Hm, very well." Kyrian said, and without further delay, turned and entered the first room on the right, closing the door behind him.
The sound of the latch echoed through the silent corridor.
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