"The wall is bound with a detection array. Anyone who passes through it, whether man or beast, will be recorded. Their qi signature is scanned and compared against records. No ordinary infiltrator can bypass it. If one attempts to breach without permission, the alarm would ring across the dynasty." Monk Hushu explained.

Daoist Chu let out a thoughtful hum. "So it is both gatekeeper and shield."

"Yes," Monk Hushu affirmed. "And in times of war, the wall can transform into something greater still. The arrays across its length can connect, forming a single shield that covers the entire dynasty like a dome. A barrier said to withstand even Transcendent immortals."

Meng Bai frowned slightly. "But the cost of such a thing..."

"The cost is catastrophic," Monk Hushu replied calmly. "Millions of immortal qi stones burned every day. That is why it is used only in times of utmost peril."

They all fell silent at that. The wall was not simply a defense, it was also a reminder of the dynasty’s wealth. The ability to even conceive of such a measure, let alone prepare for it, spoke of resources and power that few could rival.

Soon, their eyes shifted from the endless wall to the structure that grew out from it like a great bastion. Built into the wall itself and extending outward, it loomed before them: the North Eastern Border Fort number five.

The fort was massive, a small city in its own right. From above, they could see its sprawling courtyards, barracks, supply depots, and training fields. High walls encircled its outer edge, seamlessly merging with the greater wall behind it.

Defensive towers rose at every corner, their roofs tiled in black and gold. At the center stood the main keep, a towering structure that radiated authority. The banners of the Darkhan Dynasty snapped in the wind atop it, visible even from afar.

Lin Mu slowed Little Shrubby as they approached, letting the others take in the sight. Daoist Chu’s gaze was sharp, measuring the fort’s defenses and activity. Meng Bai leaned forward eagerly, trying to glimpse soldiers and disciples moving within the fort’s grounds.

The twin snakes hissed softly, tasting the mixture of qi signatures below, many of them sharp and battle-tested. Monk Hushu gave a slow nod, his expression calm, but the light in his eyes betrayed his recognition of the fort’s strategic significance.

This was their destination, the gate through which they would enter the vast expanse of the Darkhan Dynasty.

Lin Mu and the others landed about a kilometer away from the fort’s entrance so that the guards there would not be alarmed by Little Shrubby. After all, such a large beast approaching the gate would certainly cause panic, and the people atop it would be subjected to greater scrutiny.

They did not intend to cause a large uproar before even entering the dynasty.

STEP. STEP. STEP.

Lin Mu and his companions reached the large open gate of the fort and stood in the relatively short line. There were many other people waiting in line as well, but the lines for individuals were shorter than those for carts and carriages.

Being one of the major entry points into the dynasty, there was no lack of merchants and caravans passing through, which explained why the queues for goods transport were so long.

Having already become used to common procedures like this, Lin Mu had no issues waiting.

"Present your identity token and reason for entry," a guard asked when their turn came.

"Here you go." Lin Mu quickly handed over the letter of entry that had been given to him by the Grand Elder.

"This..." The guard saw the seal of the Xian Sword Sect on it and was visibly surprised.

While it was not unusual for members of the Xian Sword Sect to enter the dynasty, they usually presented their sect token, not a formal letter stamped with the official seal of the sect. Yet the surprise was only just beginning. When the guard opened the letter, his eyes widened further.

"What the..." His voice caught in his throat as he stared at not just the signature of the Grand Elder of the Xian Sword Sect but also the personal seal of the Abbot of the Silent Lotus Temple.

He almost could not believe his eyes.

Suspicion briefly flickered in his mind, but the sharp sword intent radiating from the Grand Elder’s signature and the distinct Buddhist aura contained in the Abbot’s seal could not be faked. No forger, however skilled, could replicate such profound traces.

CLAP.

The guard immediately straightened, cupped his fists in greeting, and bowed his head.

"I welcome the envoys!" he declared, careful not to mention any identities as were listed in the letter.

This discretion was precisely why Lin Mu had not introduced himself directly and had instead provided the letter.

Though even if he had said his name aloud, the guard would have recognized him. Lin Mu’s reputation was now decently well known across the Silent Lotus world. And if he still carried the Sword Cradle Divine Sheath openly, its aura alone would have been enough to reveal who he was, especially alongside the presence of Monk Hushu.

"That was easy," Meng Bai remarked, seeing how quickly they were admitted. "I thought the dynasty was strict about entry into their lands?"

"They are," Daoist Chu replied calmly, "but with the high-level discussions that took place with the imperial court, there is no way they can question us further."

The group passed through the outer gate and stepped into the city built within the fort walls.

The settlement was at least a kilometer wide, with hundreds of buildings spread throughout. At first glance, it looked like any other prosperous city. The difference, however, was the sheer number of guards stationed everywhere and the vast military camp looming within its heart.

Despite this heavy presence of soldiers, commoners lived here too. Streets bustled with vendors selling food, artisans plying their trade, and cultivators going about their business, frequenting taverns, pavilions, and markets.