Chapter 95: Farewell, Arrival at Cloudhill (2)
"What's the panic? How could things be any worse than they already are? Could it be that the naval forces of Great Jin have come to our doorstep?" Old Yuanhu forcibly suppressed his rage.
This bald man was one of the two Savant experts under his command. He had to give him the respect he was due.
"It’s not the naval forces of Great Jin. However, Grandmaster Yu of the Cloudstride Sect has arrived at the foot of the mountain with the Moontide Sword in hand." The bald man's face was filled with panic.
"Bu Yu?" A fierce glint flashed in Old Yuanhu’s eyes.
...
The appearance of a Chu-Jiang Token in Li City sent the whole Jiang Continent into turmoil, yet the instigator of all this was currently spending his time comfortably on a boat eating and sleeping, relishing in two days of leisure before finally descending from the second floor.
"Young Master, how do you feel?" Gu Ji approached Wu Yuan.
"Not too bad. The Soul Condensing Pill had a much better effect this time," Wu Yuan replied with a smile.
"That's good to hear," Gu Ji nodded.
"Let's return to Li City," said Wu Yuan, "After bidding farewell to my mother, we'll head to the sect headquarters."
"Understood."
...
Sailing with the current, the boat arrived in Li City at dusk, where they quickly learned about the recent events in Li City.
"A duel between Savant experts? A large area of the city was destroyed?"
"A number of first-rate Adepts died."
"Liu Ye is dead?"
"The general of defense is dead!"
"Such a terrifying battle." Wu Xiong and the other guards were shocked, yet there was a trace of relief on their faces. Had they been on duty, they might have been sent to the front lines and killed by the mysterious expert.
"General Xu is dead?" Wu Yuan made sure to display an appropriate amount of surprise.
The group swiftly made their way into the city.
"Young Master, a Savant expert from our sect will arrive soon—your safety is now assured." Gu Ji brought the news to him.
"That's great!" Wu Yuan appeared overjoyed, as though he could finally let down his guard.
The city was awash with tension. However, no one associated Shadow Blade with the mere fourteen-year-old Wu Yuan, despite his burgeoning reputation as Li City's exceptional young prodigy.
...
In the ancestral hall of the Wu Clan's ancestral mansion.
"Chieftain." Wu Yuan looked at Chieftain Wu Qiming.
"I've received the missive from the main clan; you have become a clan elder?" Wu Qiming looked at Wu Yuan with admiration.
"Mm." Wu Yuan nodded. "The seven bloodlines are one family."
"That is splendid news,” Wu Qiming laughed heartily, “A fourteen-year-old clan elder. It's a first in the history of our Wu Clan."
He looked at Wu Yuan, "Wu Yuan, I heard what you did at the main clan. I...express my gratitude." With that, Wu Qiming's face turned solemn, and he lowered his head to bow. But before he could complete the gesture, Wu Yuan caught Wu Qiming with his arm, his strength surprising the chieftain. He then quickly helped Wu Qiming back up.
"Chieftain, I just did what I had to do," Wu Yuan chuckled, his gaze sweeping across Wu Long, Wu Dongyao, and Wu Liuye in the hall.
"Seniors and Uncles, I will soon head to the Cloudstride Sect's headquarters, thousands of li away. I entrust the safety and well-being of my mother and younger sister to your care."
"Without question," Wu Liuye chuckled. "Brother Yuan, you need not worry about matters at home. Focus on your cultivation at the sect."
"Indeed! I, Wu Dongyao of the Li City Wu Clan, am proud of you." Wu Dongyao also chimed in with laughter.
Wu Yuan gave a slight nod. "I hereby promise Seniors and Uncles, within a decade, there will be a place for the Li City Wu Clan in the Cloudhill provincial city."
The room went silent. Only now did they understand Wu Yuan's intentions. The Southdream Wu Clan? Wu Yuan had never even considered vying for the position of the main clan.
The heart of the Cloudstride Sect was the Cloudhill Province, and it was there that he planned to relocate his family and kin. After decades or even centuries passed, the Cloudhill Wu Clan would become a sect of its own!
...
In the days that followed, Wu Yuan remained in the mansion, cherishing every precious moment with his mother and sister.
Several days later, at the docks of Li City, several large ships prepared to set sail. Sect Elder Zhang Changsheng led the group, escorting the injured Sect Elder Mo Jingchen and Protectorate Fu San along with others back to the sect. Naturally, Wu Yuan and Gu Ji accompanied them.
"Mother, I must go now. Please do not worry," Wu Yuan knelt and bowed to his mother, his expression serious.
The members of the Wu Clan observed them in silence.
"Yuan'er, with the chieftain and the others by our side, we will be fine. Take good care of yourself on the journey," Wanqin tried to hold back her tears, forcing a smile onto her face.
She knew that it was a good thing that her son was going to the sect. However, a mother worries when her child travels far. The journey to Cloudhill was thousands of li long, how could she not worry? Moreover, it was at this very dock that she had sent her own husband off to war all those years ago.
"Little Yi, I will be away from home. Make sure you do not upset Mother again," Wu Yuan said, rising to pat his little sister's head.
"Mmm," blinked Wu Yijun, still too young to understand the situation. She was only aware that her elder brother was departing on a distant journey.
"Mother, Chieftain, Uncles, I shall take my leave," Wu Yuan bowed, turning to board the ship.
The sails were unfurled, and soon the fleet disappeared into the vast expanse of the river's waves.
In the year 3224 of the Eastern Martial calendar, on the 27th of August, Wu Yuan bid his clan farewell and set off for the Cloudhill Province.
...
After crossing major rivers and meandering between canals, the fleet entered the Cloud River. This waterway stretched nearly 20,000 li in length, making it one of the four grand rivers of the Central Plains and the largest river in the Jiang Continent.
They sailed against the current, covering thousands of li in seven days. Eventually, the vast fleet neared the largest city in the Jiang Continent - Cloudhill City, a city renowned throughout the world.
Bustling with trade, the large river was filled with passing ships, but no matter which faction or trading company encountered Wu Yuan's fleet, all would make way without exception. The flag bearing the word 'Cloud' fluttering atop their ship explained everything they needed to know.
"Is that Cloudhill?" Wu Yuan stood at the bow of the ship, gazing at the towering mountain not far from the provincial city.
"Mm. That's the Eight-Sided Cloudhill, the headquarters of the Cloudstride Sect," Gu Ji revealed a rare smile.
"Eight-Sided Cloudhill?" Wu Yuan murmured. Memories of the books he had read during the ship's voyage came to mind.
From the ‘Chronicles of Cloudstride': Cloudhill, also known as Eight-Sided Cloudhill, is located twenty li north of the Cloudhill Provincial City. The mountain is split into eight sides, each stretching for dozens of li. Only two paths lead up the mountain, each winding for more than ten li.
Atop the mountain lies the Cloud Pool, a pond that spans a hundred hectares, never running dry regardless of the season, that serves as the source of a large river. Along the mountainside of the eight-sided mountain are six distinct cliffs. The cliffs stand more than ten rens [1] tall, shrouded by clouds all year round.
The pinnacle of the mountain, known as Cloud Peak, is bathed in golden rays when the sky is clear. The founder of the Cloudstride Sect, Grandmaster Yun Shan, journeyed to this peak. Looking around at the wilderness, precipices, sprawling grass, and desolate woods, a myriad of emotions was evoked within him. Thus, he erected the Cloud Hall, marking the beginning of the sect.
1. 1 ren = 7 feet ?
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