"Do you think that is higher than our mountains?"

It was late noon, and the sun shone down on the jagged peaks in the distance. The mountain had entered their view yesterday already and had been growing larger at a steady pace ever since.

"I think so. But it may also just seem like that because there are no hills around and it stands alone.", Chonglin answered Zixin's question, seeming unsure.

The area around the mountain was indeed remarkably flat. It was mostly wide fields of grass with only the occasional tree making an effort to resist the strong gusts of wind that constantly swept over them.

Zixin was having a hard time imagining that any other sect had a higher mountain than them, but he had to admit that this one was truly impressive.

"It is higher; by quite a lot actually.", Qiao chimed in.

"It's called the 'Heaven's Challenger' and it's the highest mountain on the entire peninsula."

The name was certainly fitting. Where their own sect's mountains were wide and gentle, steadily rising into mostly symmetrical peaks that regally loomed above the area, this one was steep and irregular with several high peaks that abruptly rose and fell. It seemed like a clawed hand, striking at the sky with its dark rock.

"We've got three though, they only have one. And I like ours more."

"This isn't a competition. Or, well, it is, but it's not about who has the best mountains."

"Why would they settle here anyway? It doesn't exactly look inviting!"

"For the same reason that our sect is located where it is. Qi. In this case, Wind Qi. The Parting Cloud Sect is famous for its mastery of the Dao of Wind."

"Doesn't Elder Yuan also cultivate that?"

"He is an outlier, just like Elder Wei. Actually, we've got a lot of these in our sect, many more than is common. And that is without counting that Elder Ma Rong has basically established the Dao of Nature as a third path. We've even got the entire Zhong Family following yet another Dao."

"And that's uncommon?"

"Not that much, at least in the alliance. The Serene Plains Sect does it this way as well. It's basically a split in philosophy. One side argues that giving everyone the option to pursue the Dao they want lets them reach their full potential and makes the sect more flexible. The other poses that focusing on one Dao allows them to pursue it to the utmost and help each other more effectively. In practice, both approaches have provided good results so there really isn't any way to settle the debate."

"You sure know a lot about the sects."

"I know a lot about all kinds of boring stuff. I've been taught about it since I was a young child."

"You think that's boring?"

"Well, when the alternative is constant combat training, then no. When it is playing, finding friends and exploring the sect, then yes, sounds pretty boring to me."

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Sorry, I didn't…"

"No problem. I'm happy enough with how things have turned out now."

…

It was afternoon when the column was approached by a group of cultivators. They wore the robes of the Parting Clouds Sect and were led by an elderly woman with a strict expression. Liu Wei didn't know her, but he could feel that she was in the Realm of Dao Contemplation, so it logically followed that she was an elder of the sect.

"I am Ding Xiao, Elder of the Parting Clouds Sect and Matriarch of the Xiao Family. I greet you as head of the delegation sent to welcome you to our sect!"

She bowed respectfully as the Patriarch stepped forward.

"I, Long Zhao, Sect Patriarch of the Lunar Peaks Sect, thankfully return your greetings!"

"I am honored to meet you. In the name of my sect, I invite you, the elders and all qualified participants of the tournament to come into the sect for a proper reception."

"We naturally accept your invitation."

"Then I shall lead you there while the rest of my group guides your companions to the city where they will be staying."

"Very well. Elder Bai, could you please announce that to everyone?"

"As you wish, patriarch."

As Ning Bai took off to fulfill the instructions, the Patriarch signaled Elder Xiao to get going. The now considerably smaller group split off from the rest and followed her. Since there were no more mortals among them and they didn't have to pull any carts, they could move much faster than before and so they were soon closing in on the foot of the mountain.

…

As they climbed the stairs hewn into the stone, Qiao looked up in awe. Now that they were on the mountain, she could make out buildings that were built on the steep cliffs, hundreds and thousands of meters above them. They were connected with bridges and platforms, held in place by thick ropes and stakes; a construction that looked to her like it would collapse in the first proper storm that hit it.

What caught her attention most however, was that between those buildings and around the cliffs, people flew. Not in the way that cultivators of the Dao Contemplation Realm would fly; no, these people used long staffs with wing-like contraptions on them to glide around. They shifted their weight to steer, tipped the contraption downward to gain speed and spiraled in rising winds to gain height again. It looked so effortless… like something she could do herself even… and so incredibly fun!

The other disciples were just as fascinated as her, staring at the acrobatic maneuvers with open mouths the entire time they ascended the mountain. It was a shame that Zixin wasn't with them right now. He wasn't participating in the tournament, so he'd had to stay with the rest of the group. Qiao wondered if they'd still get a chance to show this place to him.

As the group crossed over the first rope bridges and platforms, they started to attract curious onlookers from all around. Some of them seemed to be uncomfortable with the attention, but Qiao was quite used to it. She simply kept her head held high and walked on without acknowledging it.

"Do you think we'll meet the other contestants here?"

Chonglin initiated conversation.

"Maybe the ones from this sect, but I don't think so. They're probably all at the tournament grounds already. This is more of a ceremonial occasion I think."

"I don't have a lot of practice with that. Anything I should know beforehand?"

"No need. You'll just need to stand there and maybe bow at the appropriate moments. The Patriarch will say a few words, as will the Matriarch of this sect, that's it. Maybe some of the elders will talk as well."

"Coming all the way here seems like a lot of effort for something so minor."

"Respect and ceremony are important; you should know that. It's the same between sects as it is inside them, just increased threefold. These relations are the basis of peace and war after all."

"Yeah, I know. That's why I don't want to mess it up."

"You can't mess up if you just do what the others do."

"I'll take your word for that."

After a while longer, they were taken into a large, decorated pagoda. Inside was a big, open hall, the walls lined with beautiful paintings that showed cultivators slaying monsters and demons.

Waiting for them was a row of people dressed in the same clothes as Elder Xiao, who quickly joined them.

In the front and center stood a tall woman in long, blue-grey robes with distinctive golden ornaments. Her visual age was undefinable, her face seeming both old and young simultaneously and her pinned-up black hair complemented that feeling. She gave off an air of absolute strength that didn't allow any defiance to her will.

"I am Sect Matriarch Jinjing Liqiu, and I welcome you to the Parting Clouds Sect!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.