The next morning, the sky of the capital was still tinted with the first colors of dawn when Kyrian left his room. The air was cold and silent.
When he went down to the courtyard of the Crimson Lotus Residence, everyone was already there.
i Li leaned casually against a stone column while observing the sky. Bai Zhu was speaking in a low voice with Yan Ling. Li Fen looked sowhat sleepy, while Kai spun a small dagger between his fingers, clearly bored.
As soon as Kyrian appeared, everyone looked at him.
"Shall we go?" Kai asked with a smile.
Kyrian simply nodded. Without wasting ti, the group left the residence.
The streets of the capital were still quiet at that hour of the morning. So rchants were beginning to open their shops, and a few cultivators walked along the avenues.
The group went directly to the great stables of the capital. There, several spiritual beasts of travelers and cultivators were kept.
As soon as they arrived, the caretakers imdiately recognized Kyrian. Arcon was brought to him a few minutes later.
The winged horse looked healthy and rested. As soon as he saw Kyrian, he neighed excitedly and flapped his wings once. Kyrian stroked his mane.
anwhile, i Li and the others were also recovering their mounts.
Five enormous birds were led to them. The Crimson War Crows. Fast and resilient creatures, used by the Blood Court for long journeys.
Kai mounted his first, with a wide smile.
"Ah... I missed flying."
Soon everyone was ready. Kyrian mounted Arcon and cast one last look at the capital.
The city that had been the stage of so many events in the last few days. The Coliseum. The centennial auction. The gathered forces of the empire. Now all of that was left behind.
"Let’s go."
Arcon opened his enormous wings. The others did the sa with their crows.
With a powerful flap of wings, the group took flight and crossed the skies of the capital. Soon the walls were left behind.
They headed north. Back to the territory of the Blood Court.
The return journey was peaceful. Strangely, it seed faster than the trip there.
Perhaps because now there was no hurry. Or perhaps because everyone was eager to return.
For most of the ti, they flew high among the clouds.
The days passed quickly. Every few days, the group descended to so isolated mountain or quiet forest.
There the beasts could rest, drink water, and feed. While the others also took the opportunity to ditate and recover energy.
After a few hours, the journey continued. During the trip, they passed again by the Iron Bell City.
This ti, however, nothing important happened. They only landed briefly to rest and continued the journey shortly after.
Days turned into more days. And then, finally... Sothing familiar appeared on the horizon.
The sky began to change. The clouds beca denser. Darker. A heavy atmosphere covered the entire region.
"We arrived..." i Li murmured with a small smile.
Bai Zhu also smiled.
"Finally ho."
The others seed equally satisfied.
Even Yan Ling, who normally liked traveling, seed relaxed when she saw the territory of the Court again.
Kyrian remained silent. His face maintained the calm expression as always.
But he also recognized that sky. Those clouds.
After so more ti flying... Sothing gigantic appeared before them.
A colossal fortress. Black. Imposing.
Its walls were built with dark stone marked by red veins that looked like solidified blood. Enormous towers rose in every direction.
But, curiously... Only Kyrian could see it at that mont.
A powerful barrier covered the fortress. To ordinary eyes, that place would seem like just an empty region of plains.
i Li and the others continued flying calmly. They did not see the fortress. But they knew exactly where it was.
A few seconds later... They crossed the barrier.
Imdiately, the gigantic fortress revealed its true form.
Li Fen opened an excited smile.
"Finally!"
Kai let out a laugh.
"I missed this place."
The crows and Arcon began to descend. They landed in the great landing area of the fortress.
Servants of the Court imdiately approached to take care of the beasts. Kyrian dismounted from Arcon and handed over the reins.
Arcon was led together with the War Crows to the resting areas.
Without wasting ti, the group headed toward the interior of the fortress. Their destination was clear.
The Blood Core hall.
As they walked through the dark corridors of the fortress, i Li and the others talked excitedly among themselves. But everyone still naturally followed behind Kyrian.
When they arrived at the great hall... A figure was already waiting.
A tall man, wearing black clothes with crimson details.
Dong Zhen.
He was standing calmly beside the Blood Core that pulsed at the center of the room.
As soon as the group entered, he lifted his gaze. His eyes slowly passed over each of them.
Bai Zhu, i Li, Kai, Li Fen, Yan Ling...
Everyone was present. Everyone was well. Dong Zhen nodded slightly. Satisfied.
From their expressions... the mission had probably been a success.
Before he could say anything, Kyrian approached and, without words, opened his spatial ring.
And took out a crimson formation scroll.
The item they had bought at the auction. The true objective of that mission.
Kyrian extended it to Dong Zhen.
Dong Zhen received the scroll calmly, observing it briefly. A small smile appeared on his face.
"Very well."
He then looked again at everyone.
"It is good that everyone is back."
His gaze beca more serious.
"Now give the mission report."
Kyrian was already turning around.
"I’m going to my room."
Dong Zhen simply nodded.
"Go."
Kyrian left the hall without hesitation.
Behind him, i Li and the others exchanged glances before beginning to explain everything.
Dong Zhen listened patiently.
They spoke about the capital. About the forces present. About the Coliseum. About the centennial auction.
But, inevitably... A large part of the report revolved around Kyrian.
His fights. His opponents. His victories. The way he had dominated cultivators from an entire realm above.
If before they only respected Kyrian... Now their view had changed completely.
They saw him as soone far above. A true leader. Perhaps even a model to be reached.
When they finally finished the report, Dong Zhen remained silent for a few seconds.
Then he nodded.
"Good work."
He looked at the five.
"You may rest now."
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