Hearing the Grand Elder's words Monk Hushu folded his hands together in a gesture that was somewhere between prayer and amusement. "The Abbot has already expressed his displeasure with the Imperial Court," he said calmly.

"He said that if the court continues to make decisions that lead to needless suffering, he may have to 'preach' to them himself. I would not want to be one of those ministers when that happens."

Cattaleya, standing near the window with her arms crossed, smirked. "Well then, that's settled, isn't it? The old men can deal with politics while we do something useful. The Ice Drakes or any drakes are not the kind of creatures to wait long once their patience runs out.

I still remember when I disturbed a Thunder Drake's sleep, and it chased me through two continents. I had to leave that world by stealing access to an Interworld Teleportation away to get away. So, let's go before this turns into another catastrophe."

Her fiery attitude drew a faint smile from Lin Mu. "You are right," he said. "We leave today."

Without wasting another word, Lin Mu extended his hand, summoning a shimmering ripple of spatial energy.

A moment later, a familiar aura burst forth, and Little Shrubby emerged from the Sleepscape with a deep growl, his large form radiating raw vitality. His fur gleamed with fiery red and golden hues, faint lightning-like streaks shimmering along his legs.

The beast's eyes gleamed with excitement as he stretched his body, claws scraping lightly against the stone floor.

Meng Bai, who had been silent throughout most of the meeting, finally spoke. "We're flying there?" he asked, slightly surprised. "Won't that take a lot longer than using the teleportation arrays?"

Lin Mu shook his head. "It would be faster to use teleportation arrays, yes, but we will not be allowed. The Imperial Court will never grant permission for anyone to teleport directly to the Glacial Ranges. They would call it a violation of the treaty." He glanced at Little Shrubby, whose tail swished eagerly. "But distance is no problem for him. We will fly."

Little Shrubby gave a deep rumbling sound that could only be described as a proud affirmation. Sparks danced briefly along his fur as if to prove his strength.

Elyon chuckled softly. "Looks like he's eager to go."

Daoist Chu, ever the strategist, quickly began drawing a simplified map in the air using spiritual energy. "We can take a direct route along the western air currents. The journey will take three days and a half at most if we keep moving without long rests. The skies might be turbulent near the mountain range, but Little Shrubby's strength should be enough to handle it."

Lin Mu gave a satisfied nod. "Good. Everyone prepare what you need. We leave within the hour."

The group dispersed briefly to gather their supplies and secure their gear. Daoist Chu checked his formations and protective talismans, Monk Hushu collected a few scrolls containing the Silent Lotus Temple's records that might need, and Cattaleya stored several energy-restoring pills in her pouch.

Meng Bai adjusted his spear's bindings, trying to keep his excitement in check. Elyon merely shrugged and slipped on his dark cloak, already prepared. Soon, the group gathered again on the wide open terrace of their residence. The early morning winds whipped around them, carrying the sweet scent of flowers from the garden below. Lin Mu stepped forward, his coat fluttering behind him, and looked toward the southern horizon.

"Let's move," he said simply.

ROAR

With a mighty roar, Little Shrubby crouched low, allowing everyone to climb onto his back.

Lin Mu took the front position, his hand resting on the harness handle on the beast's neck, while the others secured themselves behind him. Once everyone was ready, Little Shrubby let out another low growl and then kicked off the ground.

WHOOSH

The terrace shattered with a gust of wind as the great beast leapt into the sky, soaring upward with a burst of fiery energy trailing behind him.

The winds screamed around them, the city shrinking rapidly below. Lin Mu glanced back once, seeing Grand Elder Huo watching them from the terrace, his hands clasped behind his back. The old man's single eye gleamed with anticipation, and a faint smile tugged at his lips.

"Go on, boy," he murmured to himself. "I'll make sure the court listens. And if they don't... well, the patriarch will remind them what the Xian Sword Sect truly stands for."

Lin Mu turned his gaze forward again, the wind tearing through his hair as Little Shrubby cut through the sky like a blazing comet. The mountains ahead awaited them, and beyond those peaks lay the territory of the Ice Drakes... and perhaps, the next move of the Ephemera Sect.

The group soared through the skies like a blazing comet streaking across the heavens.

Little Shrubby's massive form cut through the clouds, leaving a shimmering trail of fiery motes behind him. The air up high was cold and sharp, but the warmth radiating from Little Shrubby's fur kept everyone comfortable. Below them, the world unfurled in a breathtaking tapestry of autumn.

The forests stretched endlessly, painted in hues of amber, red, yellow, and orange. The colors shimmered like molten gold when the sunlight passed through the thinning canopy. Rivers gleamed like silver threads weaving between the hills, while the plains rolled gently like a sleeping giant's chest. Herds of beasts moved in clusters across the fields, their bodies reflecting the fiery hues of the season.

Meng Bai leaned over the edge of Little Shrubby's back, eyes wide with awe. "It's... beautiful," he murmured.

Daoist Chu smiled faintly, his gray hair whipping lightly in the wind. "Autumn in the western regions always is. The energy here condenses well with the seasonal cycles. The forests of the Vermillion Plains are particularly famous for this. We'll be able to see them soon enough."

Cattaleya stretched lazily, resting her elbows on her knees as she admired the horizon. "Hmph, I prefer places that are warm year-round. Too much beauty makes me feel like I'm walking into a painting I can't touch."