The number of figures on the mountain kept growing. Aside from a few familiar faces and the usual Taoist robes, there were also many whose attire was unfamiliar—perhaps cultivators from Wu Country or the Northern lands—each standing upon the cloud peak.
After a few breaths, finally someone stepped forth from among the clouds: a young man in white, his cuffs adorned with pale gold patterns, empty-handed. He cupped his hands, swept his eyes around, and spoke softly:
"Simply standing here does us no good. Whatever it is we seek to compete for, we must at least open this great formation first. I am Nian Yi of the Xiuyue Sect. If there are no objections, let us of the Upper Sect organize and take the lead in opening the formation."
This cultivator's Spell of Wind Riding was formidable; even as the sky filled with the Heavy Abyss Gusts, he could still stand atop the wind. While he could not move freely, he displayed a truly exceptional mastery of wind-riding arts.
