After weeks of crossing frozen mountains, ancient valleys, and dangerous spiritual territories, Eryndor and Wizyan finally saw the legendary city of Fugar.
For a moment, both of them stood speechless.
Fugar was unlike anything Eryndor had ever seen.
Massive floating platforms drifted between the clouds. Golden bridges connected entire districts suspended high above the ground. Countless cultivators flew through the skies on swords, spirit beasts, and flying treasures. Towers of crystal stretched toward the heavens, gathering spiritual energy from the surrounding mountains.
The city looked less like a mortal settlement and more like a kingdom built by immortals.
"This..." Eryndor whispered.
"...is insane," Wizyan finished.
For once, even Wizyan couldn't find a joke.
According to Kael's stories, Fugar was the most advanced city in the cultivation world. It stood at the center of countless trade routes and housed merchants, alchemists, formation masters, weapon refiners, and cultivators from every major power.
Yet even within such a magnificent city, one name ruled above all others.
Cloud Fare Sect.
The second strongest sect in the entire cultivation world.
The sect where the legendary Aluki resided.
The sect where Eryndor's future might be decided.
The closer they moved toward the sect grounds, the more overwhelming the atmosphere became.
Thousands of disciples trained across enormous mountain peaks floating above the clouds. Spiritual waterfalls flowed upward instead of downward. Ancient formations surrounded the territory, creating barriers powerful enough to stop Heavenly Sovereigns.
At the highest peak stood a colossal white palace.
Silent.
Ancient.
Untouchable.
Everyone knew that somewhere inside that mountain was Aluki himself.
The strongest cultivator alive.
The man who had not accepted a disciple in four hundred years.
The man preparing to enter sixty years of closed-door cultivation.
As they approached the entrance gate, several disciples immediately stepped forward.
Their cultivation levels were already beyond anything Eryndor had encountered among ordinary sects.
One of them spoke calmly.
"State your purpose."
Eryndor reached into his robe and produced Kael Veyr's black jade token.
The moment the disciple saw it, his expression changed.
The surrounding guards immediately became serious.
One disciple carefully accepted the token and inspected the ancient markings engraved upon it.
His eyes widened slightly.
"This token..."
The disciple looked toward Eryndor again.
"Where did you obtain this?"
"Kael Veyr gave it to me."
A brief silence followed.
Several disciples exchanged glances.
Clearly the name carried significant weight within Cloud Fare Sect.
Without another word, the disciple disappeared into the sect.
Nearly half an hour passed.
Neither Eryndor nor Wizyan spoke.
Eventually the disciple returned.
His attitude had changed completely.
No longer indifferent.
Now respectful.
"The Elders have verified the token."
Eryndor remained silent.
"The token is authentic."
For the first time since arriving, hope flickered within him.
Maybe he had not come all this way for nothing.
Then the disciple continued.
"However, Elder Aluki is currently in seclusion preparing for closed-door cultivation."
Eryndor's expression tightened.
The disciple raised a hand.
"You have not been rejected."
Both Eryndor and Wizyan visibly relaxed.
"The Elders request your presence three days from now."
"Three days?" Wizyan repeated.
The disciple nodded.
"In three days, Elder Aluki will make his final public appearance before entering sixty years of cultivation."
The words carried enormous weight.
Sixty years.
A lifetime for many people.
"If Elder Aluki chooses to meet you, that opportunity will come then."
Eryndor lowered his gaze.
Three days.
After everything.
After the mountains.
After the hunters.
After the Starved Throne.
Three more days.
The disciple returned the token.
"Until then, you may remain within Fugar City as honored guests of Cloud Fare Sect."
The gates slowly opened behind him.
For a brief moment, Eryndor felt destiny shifting.
Somewhere beyond those mountains sat the one person who might understand the power sleeping within him.
Somewhere inside the highest palace, Aluki was waiting.
Whether he knew it or not.
As Eryndor and Wizyan entered the city together, neither noticed a distant figure standing atop the highest tower of Cloud Fare Sect.
The figure wore simple white robes.
His face remained hidden beneath drifting clouds.
Yet his eyes were fixed directly upon Eryndor.
Watching.
Observing.
Waiting.
And for the first time in four hundred years...
The legendary Aluki smiled.