Since the teleportation was within the same world, the journey was swift.

Barely a minute passed before the light around the group dimmed and solid ground returned beneath their feet.

When Lin Mu opened his eyes again, he found himself standing at the center of another teleportation plaza. But unlike the dark volcanic stones of Ash Crown City, here the ground was made of pale gray stone, smooth and polished, as if it had been washed by the ocean countless times.

The first thing that greeted him was the air.

Instead of the dry, ash-choked winds of the volcanic north, his lungs filled with cool, briny air. The scent of salt, seaweed, and faint spray carried by the ocean breeze was so refreshing that it almost felt like a different world entirely.

Around them stretched Hawk Cliff City.

Lin Mu let his gaze travel outward, and he could see that the city was built directly along the edge of a massive cliff that overlooked the ocean.

The cliff face itself was vast, stretching for kilometers, its rocky surface dark and weathered from centuries of waves crashing against it. On top of this natural fortress, the city sprawled outward in tiered levels, each layer built with a mixture of stone, wood, and coral-colored tiles that shimmered faintly in the morning light.

To the west, elegant mansions perched precariously near the cliff’s edge, their balconies and terraces built to give a direct view of the endless ocean.

Many of them were adorned with flowing banners, carved railings, and even small gardens filled with coastal flowers that bloomed in bright blues and whites. The waves below reflected the sunlight like countless shards of glass, creating a dazzling panorama for the more elite residents.

Toward the east, where the cliff sloped into a series of rocky outcroppings, a large harbor had been carved.

Docks extended into the sea like fingers, and countless ships were moored there. Some were fishing vessels with nets and barrels stacked high, while others were sleek merchant ships designed for speed and long voyages. Lin Mu even spotted a few larger vessels reinforced with arrays, likely belonging to cultivators or noble houses who dealt in trade.

The heart of the city, however, was no less impressive.

Roads paved with pale stone stretched outward from the teleportation plaza, lined with shops and stalls that sold everything from fresh seafood to talismans carved with watery motifs.

The people here wore clothing lighter than what Lin Mu was used to seeing in Ash Crown. Blues, whites, and sea-greens dominated the streets, matching the city’s atmosphere. Laughter echoed from nearby taverns, and the sound of waves crashing against the cliffs blended with the bustle of urban life.

The entire scene radiated peace.

To Lin Mu and the others, who were about to march into a dangerous battle, the sight carried a kind of irony. The tranquil ocean winds and the picturesque beauty of Hawk Cliff stood in sharp contrast to the dark mission that lay ahead.

Meng Bai tilted his head back slightly, inhaling deeply. "This city feels so alive. It is so different from Ash Crown. Almost makes you forget why we are here."

Cattaleya’s eyes scanned the harbor, her lips forming a small smile. "It is beautiful, yes. But beauty does not hide danger. It is only a starting point for us."

Daoist Chu nodded. "Indeed. We should not let appearances soften our vigilance. Our true destination lies far from here."

Grand Elder Huo allowed his gaze to sweep across the city, though his expression did not soften. "Our target is five hundred kilometers inland from this place. From here we will fly. The Silent Lotus Temple’s vessel will join us soon, and the Xian Sword Sect forces are already taking position. This city is nothing more than a staging ground. Do not let its calmness deceive you."

The man’s experience as a general of the Immortal Court was on full display today.

Lin Mu exhaled slowly, his eyes drifting to the endless stretch of blue ocean.

The gentle rhythm of the waves seemed to mock the storm that would soon be unleashed against the Hidden Cave Sect. It was almost ironic that such a peaceful coastal paradise would serve as the foundation for an operation steeped in blood and battle.

He turned back to his companions. "We know what we must do. Let us not waste time."

Everyone nodded, their expressions sharpening once more. The serenity of Hawk Cliff City was just a brief interlude. Their true path lay ahead, in the hidden darkness that waited five hundred kilometers away.

WHOOSH

The moment Hawk Cliff City faded into the distance behind them, the group spread out into the air, their qi carrying them high above the ocean’s edge.

The salty breeze flowed against their robes, tugging at sleeves and hair as the open expanse of the coast stretched endlessly before them. Flying along the edge of the continent, they could see the waves crash into the cliffs and beaches below, each swell carrying the strength of the sea.

Lin Mu kept his senses open as he traveled, though his eyes often strayed toward the horizon.

The endless blue of the ocean reflected the sky above, so that for long moments it almost felt as if they were flying through a world of only sea and sky, with no land in between. The sight was calming in its own way, a serenity that seemed to soak into the bones.

Meng Bai was clearly entranced, tilting his head from side to side as if he wanted to take in every possible detail. "It is beautiful," he finally said, his voice carrying easily across the wind. "No matter how many times I see the ocean, it always makes me feel small."

Daoist Chu gave a small nod of agreement. "That is the nature of it. The sea embodies vastness, and vastness humbles even the proudest of cultivators. There is a reason why it has its own Dao.

There’s no lack of cultivators that wish to comprehend it and spend their lifetimes by the ocean."