Liu Wei stood at the railing and watched as the shoreline grew smaller and smaller. Out of all of the ship's quirks, he still found himself the most impressed by its speed. It wasn't the fastest ship out there, the others in their small formation had no issue keeping up, but it was faster than one would ever imagine something of this size to be.

He knew how it worked of course – several formations were supplied with Qi to turn and strengthen the local wind, blowing it right into the massive sails while others worked to reduce the water's resistance – but seeing it in action was another thing entirely.

Once the land was only visible as a thin strip above the horizon, the Tidebreaker turned and began sailing parallel to it. They would continue following the coast for most of their journey. The reason Shirong Yuan, who had the honor and duty to steer the ship, had distanced them so far from it was to avoid running aground on some of the shallower spots. The ship wouldn't be damaged by something like this like a usual one, but it would certainly still be a pain to get it moving again.

Liu Wei stared at the waters. He had always felt a certain fascination with the sea. He didn't feel the special connection to it that cultivators of the Dao of Water had, but he still felt drawn to it in a way. A part of him had always wanted to explore what was beyond, the adventure beckoning him from beyond the horizon.

They knew that there was more out there, but anything beyond that was an inextricable mess of truth, rumors and legends. The powerful cultivators didn't have time to go out on long voyages of exploring the unknown with no clear goal in mind – cultivation, politics and the gathering of wealth kept them more than busy – and to anyone else, the journey was too dangerous to risk.

Out there, humans weren't the unchallenged masters. The sea, untamed and uncontrolled by their hands, was home to many mighty beasts, the likes of which did not exist on land, at least not anymore. Whales that could swallow entire ships whole, krakens that would pull them into the depths. Horrors beyond human comprehension that lurked and hunted in the deepest and darkest parts of the ocean.

The shore was secure because these beings knew to stay away: for all their might, their bodies made for a mighty bounty that many of the most powerful cultivators wouldn't pass up on. But the open ocean was a place that most would – and should – not dare visit.

Liu Wei had himself done so nonetheless, back in the days when he had first achieved the Realm of Dao Contemplation. A reckless act no doubt, especially considering that underwater was really the worst possible place to fight for a fire cultivator. It had been an experience that almost cost him his life, though he had eventually made it back ashore in one piece and with the body of a massive monster of the sea in tow.

Ever since then, he had known to pick his fights carefully, not just based on the strengths of the opponent, but also the surrounding circumstances. It was a lesson that had brought him much success in the many wars he had participated in, so he considered the lesson he had learned back then one of the most valuable things the sea could have given him.

He caught himself wondering, how he would fare out there today. He was many times more skilled and dozens of times stronger than back then after all…

At great difficulty, Liu Wei pulled his gaze away from the water. He had other things to do than muse about the peculiarities of the sea. Training Chonglin, for example. The boy was making good progress without his help, but a little push certainly couldn't hurt when he was about to face off against the very best of his age.

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He looked around for the boy and found him marveling at the sea, just like he had just been doing. He was in the company of Zixin – little surprise there – and Qiao Bai.

Their recent friendship had taken him entirely by surprise. Considering her lineage and her arrogant display at the competition, he would have taken the girl for someone who wouldn't associate with those of "lesser" status, much less befriend them. It appeared to come from a genuine place though and who was he to judge her based on her family's actions? If anything, a girl from the pillar families integrating herself with normal disciples was a great thing to see and carried with it a lot of hope and potential for a better future.

"I see you lot are enjoying the experience, as far as I can tell."

They turned to look at him. Qiao was still a little trepidant around him, but much better than before.

"I want to show Chonglin the sparring area and start with his training. You two are free to come along if you want."

"Of course, Elder Wei. We'd love to, right?"

Zixin turned towards Qiao who nodded along.

"Very well. Follow me, then."

Liu Wei led the three towards the stairs leading down into the ship. Just before heading under deck, he stopped. Qingge was standing not far off, enjoying the early sun on her face.

"Qingge!"

"I… oh, Master Wei! What is it?"

"We are headed to the training areas, and you are going to come along. You dearly need to work on your form."

His new disciple was intelligent and talented in cultivation, but her combat skills were shockingly lacking. Any of the three youngsters he was bringing along could have easily folded her in half if she didn't have the cultivation advantage. Not everyone needed to be a masterful warrior, but a little skill in battle was indispensable for any ambitious cultivator.

Qingge didn't exactly seem thrilled at the news.

"Do I… have to? But… Okay, understood."

And so, the group of five headed down into the ship.

…

The ground tremored and shook as the hooves of a thousand galloping horses trampled down any vegetation and other obstacles in their way, the sound of their passing like roaring thunder. They were large and wild beasts, their frames muscular and lithe, and their hair ranging from deep gray to black. They were the kind of horses that were bred for war, difficult to tame but fierce and unflinching in battle.

Each of these magnificent animals was ridden by an armed cultivator dressed in equally dark robes. It was sect tradition for each disciple to form a bond with a horse at young age and so these horses were perfectly under control, following their masters' directions without question.

At the very front of this group, riding on an even larger horse of pitch-black color was Patriarch Xing Zhou, his wild black hair fluttering in the wind as he led the group through the plains, always headed towards the Parting Clouds Sect.

His muscular frame matched the horse's large size, clearly standing out amongst the riders. His massive, curved sword was loosely hanging from his hip, and his favored longbow was fastened to his broad back.

Behind him, knit in tight formation, were the eight elders of his sect, each carrying their own arms with them. Contrary to the lower members of the sect, they didn't need to do this, as they were all in possession of spatial rings; it was more of a statement towards the other sects than it was necessity.

Xing Zhou grinned as he examined his horde. They were grim and resolute, exactly what he wanted out of them for the following days and weeks. The Roaring Thunder Sect would show the world its strength.

They would arrive just in time for the tournament, no later, but also no earlier. There was no need to take time to rub elbows with their lessers, not with what they were planning to do there.

They would come in peace and arrive unchallenged – but they wouldn't leave that way. Before the tournament was finished, blood would flow outside of the arena as well.

He spurred his horse, driving it to run forward even faster and small sparks of electricity crackled along his arms and out of his eyes. He couldn't wait.

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