Tian Shen stood atop the Azure View Pavilion, hands resting on the wooden railing as he watched a group of Scout Division disciples descend the cliff path below.
The gentle rustle of bamboo echoed in the distance, and the sky above Feilun Sect shimmered with streaks of spirit cranes migrating toward the eastern horizon—a sign of late spring's end and the start of a new summer.
The scout disciples moved with caution, packs strapped tight, formation flags fluttering, guided by the ever-enthusiastic Xu Wei—now deemed the "Unluckiest Scout" by his peers.
"Off to the Glimmerwind Basin again?"
A soft voice asked behind him.
He didn't need to turn.
"Yin'er."
Feng Yin stepped beside him, her arms filled with scrolls and a steaming cup of honeyed spirit tea, which she handed over without comment.
"They're quite eager."
She said, nodding toward the scouts below.
