The atmosphere within the central pavilion was alive with preparation.

After weeks of planning, adjustments, and countless reports, the day of departure had finally come. Lin Mu stood calmly, his eyes moving over the polished stone floor as he gathered the last of his companions.

Daoist Chu, dignified yet practical, was the first to arrive, robes flowing neatly as he stepped out from the administrative wing with Monk Hushu beside him. The two had spent much of the past few days consolidating documents, assigning responsibilities, and ensuring the transition of authority while they were gone.

Both of them appeared prepared, but also a bit weary from the meticulous bureaucratic labor that came before such an expedition.

Meng Bai appeared shortly after, spear strapped firmly to his back and the twin snakes, Xiao Yin and Xiao Yang, curled lazily around his shoulders. The young man’s eyes shone with anticipation.

For weeks he had been training, sparring with elders and disciples alike, and polishing his understanding of formations, but the idea of setting off on a new mission stirred something restless in his chest.

Lin Mu scanned the group and gave a small nod of satisfaction.

They were all accounted for except one. Ashy, as expected, was absent.

The little bird had made the Sleepscape her own palace in the absence of her brothers and sister. Lin Mu had taken a look inside a few days earlier and found her nesting in a cluster of branches of the Violet Mystic Life Tree that looked more extravagant than any emperor’s bedroom.

The bird had lined her quarters with precious materials she had pilfered from vaults, layered with shimmering fabrics and gemstones, until the place gleamed like a trove of wealth. She had looked immensely pleased with herself, tucked snugly in the glittering splendor.

Lin Mu had only chuckled, choosing not to disturb her indulgence.

With their group gathered, Lin Mu gestured for them to move. They exited the pavilion through the portal and soon the vast waters of the coast greeted them once more.

Gush

Splash

The faint mist clung to the horizon, where sea met sky, and the briny air carried the promise of long travel ahead.

Waiting at the edge was Little Shrubbyin his full size, his fur faintly crackling with threads of lightning. The beast’s golden eyes glowed with pride and energy. Since his bloodline had been strengthened and his body refined, his speed had multiplied to levels none could have anticipated.

It was no longer simply flame and ferocity that defined him, but also an affinity for lightning that lent his movements a piercing swiftness.

"Let’s get on." Lin Mu stated.

The companions mounted Little Shrubby, finding their places with practiced ease. Meng Bai held firm, already accustomed to the beast’s powerful pace. The twin snakes settled themselves comfortably, their tongues flickering as they sensed the electric currents running beneath Little Shrubby’s fur.

WHOOSH

Daoist Chu though... was less prepared.

The moment Little Shrubby leapt forward, the sudden surge nearly threw him off.

"WHOA! WHOA!"

He barely managed to clutch the thick fur beneath his fingers, his eyes wide as the world blurred past them. His dignified expression twisted into shock, the wind tearing through his robes. For a fleeting moment, the man looked almost comical.

Monk Hushu, usually calm and unreadable, could not fully suppress his surprise either.

"He’s a lot faster than before..." His brows arched slightly as he steadied himself.

His monk’s composure remained intact, yet the faint widening of his eyes betrayed his astonishment. He calculated silently in his mind, the distance they had to cover against the incredible pace of their mount. The result astounded him.

At this speed, what should have taken weeks of travel would be reduced to mere days.

’We might not need more than six or even five days to reach our destination...’ He calculated

The sound of rushing wind filled their ears, mingling with the faint crackle of electricity from Little Shrubby’s body. The horizon unfolded before them in streaks of color, the ground beneath almost invisible as they sped forward.

"Remarkable," Daoist Chu finally managed to mutter, voice almost lost to the wind. "He is twice as fast as before... no, perhaps even faster."

Meng Bai smirked at the man’s reaction. He had already experienced this exhilaration before and now enjoyed watching the others come to terms with it. For him, this speed felt almost normal.

After experiencing the speed properly, Monk Hushu folded his hands together, his initial surprise faded, his lips moving in quiet thought. "The border of the Darkhan Dynasty... at this rate, five days, perhaps less. Truly formidable."

Lin Mu remained calm, his gaze fixed ahead.

He too was impressed with Little Shrubby’s growth, though he did not let it show outwardly. His bond with the beast ran deep enough that words were unnecessary. He knew Little Shrubby was eager to display his strength, proud to carry them with such ease.

There had been the option to use teleportation arrays, but Lin Mu had dismissed it after careful thought.

Every use of such arrays was recorded meticulously.

If the Ephemera Sect or any of their spies had access to those records, their arrival could be compromised.

Moreover, their destination was not a convenient city within the dynasty but rather a border fort, lacking any advanced arrays nearby. Even if they had teleported, they would have been deposited far from where they needed to be, wasting valuable time and potentially exposing themselves.

The method they chose now was safer and more direct.

The open skies offered no trail to follow, and Little Shrubby’s pace outmatched most pursuers. It also gave them the opportunity to meet Elyon and Cattaleya at the border fort naturally, without drawing unnecessary attention.

Far ahead, the faint outline of distant mountains shimmered against the horizon.

The Darkhan Dynasty lay beyond them, an expanse filled with both opportunity and peril. Elyon had already infiltrated its borders, gathering information and weaving his way through the dynasty’s networks. He would be waiting for them alongside Cattaleya, who was ever eager to play her role as mercenary muscle.

For now, however, the group let themselves become accustomed to the relentless speed.