The Black Water River ferry crossing.
A treasure ship, flying the banners of the White Ape Martial Arts Hall and the Jiang Family Chamber of Commerce, slowly pulled away from the dock. It rode the wind and waves, heading straight for the Ten Islands Waters.
On the ship's bow, the river wind howled, causing Su Yu's black robes to flutter wildly.
"CHIRP! CHIRP!"
A palm-sized bird, its body covered in feathers like lapis lazuli, wheeled rapidly in the air against the river wind. One moment it shot toward the clouds like an arrow; the next, it glided just above the surging river's surface like a falling leaf, its movements impossibly graceful.
Su Yu stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on that streak of cyan lightning.
He made a hand sign.
As if receiving a precise command, the Cyan-Scaled Sea-Exploring Swallow in the air gave a powerful flap of its wings. In an instant, it executed an impossibly sharp turn and landed steadily on Su Yu's outstretched index finger.
