CHAPTER 39: CHAPTER 39 - ARRIVAL AT IMMORTAL SECT

The airship’s subtle vibrations shifted as we began our descent, the qi-powered engines humming with a different frequency that made the walls pulse with contained energy.

I dismissed the pleasure palace back to its bracelet form, the opulent chamber folding into dimensional space as reality reasserted itself—cramped utility closet, stale air, and all.

Mei Ling straightened her clothes, her cheeks still flushed but her posture more confident now. Lin Yue adjusted her torn top with practiced efficiency, green eyes sharp and alert. Whatever doubts had plagued them seemed settled, at least for now.

A sharp knock echoed against the metal door. "Passengers, prepare for docking," came Jian Wei’s voice, dripping with barely concealed disdain. "Elder Feng commands your presence on deck."

Through the narrow porthole, I caught my first glimpse of the Immortal Sect’s mountain stronghold. It rose from the clouds like something out of legend—towering peaks wrapped in perpetual mist, with structures that seemed to grow from the rock itself. Pagodas and bridges connected floating platforms, their surfaces gleaming with embedded formation arrays. Waterfalls cascaded between the levels, their spray catching the light in rainbow arcs.

"Incredible," Mei breathed, pressing close to the window. "It’s like a city in the heavens."

The airship approached a massive docking platform carved into the mountainside. Other vessels of various sizes floated nearby—some sleek like ours, others massive cargo haulers, and a few that looked more like floating fortresses bristling with defensive arrays.

We emerged from our quarters to find the deck bustling with activity. Disciples moved with practiced efficiency, securing lines and activating docking formations.

But their hostility toward us remained palpable—whispered conversations that cut off when we passed, meaningful glances exchanged between the crew.

Elder Feng stood at the bow, her obsidian robes whipping in the mountain winds, that severe bun somehow still perfect despite the turbulence.

She didn’t acknowledge us directly, but I caught her pale eyes tracking our movement in the reflection of a polished control surface.

As we descended toward the docking platform, the sheer scale of the Immortal Sect became apparent. What I’d taken for individual buildings were actually massive complexes, each one easily the size of a small city. Disciples moved along the pathways like ants, their white and silver robes creating rivers of light against the dark stone.

The airship settled with a gentle thrum, docking clamps engaging with metallic clangs that echoed off the mountain walls. A boarding ramp extended from the platform, and I spotted a reception committee waiting—more sect disciples in formal attire, their cultivation auras carefully controlled but unmistakably powerful.

"Remember," I murmured to my companions, "we’re guests here, not prisoners. Act accordingly."

Lin Yue snorted softly. "Guests don’t usually get the utility closet treatment."

Before I could respond, Jian Wei appeared beside us, flanked by his cronies. His smile was all sharp edges. "The welcoming committee awaits. Try not to embarrass the Elder—or yourselves."

We disembarked in formation: Feng leading with regal grace, the ship’s disciples following in precise order, and us bringing up the rear like an afterthought. The platform was even more impressive up close—carved from what looked like a single piece of jade-green stone, inlaid with formation lines that pulsed with gentle qi circulation.

The reception committee bowed as Feng approached. Their leader, a middle-aged man with the bearing of authority, stepped forward. His robes marked him as an Inner Elder, the silver threading indicating significant rank.

"Elder Feng," he said, voice carrying easily across the platform despite the wind. "The Sect Master awaits your report. These..." his eyes flicked to us dismissively, "...are the subjects mentioned in your transmission?"

"Indeed, Elder Song," Feng replied coolly. "The former emperor and his... companions. As discussed, they require processing before assignment to appropriate quarters."

Processing. That didn’t sound ominous at all.

Elder Song’s gaze lingered on me, calculating. "Interesting. The resemblance is... notable. Very well, follow me. Mind your steps—the mountain paths can be treacherous for those unaccustomed to high-altitude qi density."

As we began walking, I felt it—the pressure of concentrated spiritual energy pressing against my lungs.

The air itself felt thick, almost viscous, laden with power that made every breath a conscious effort. Mei stumbled slightly, and I steadied her with a hand on her elbow.

Lin Yue’s face had gone pale, but she pushed forward with stubborn determination.

The path led through a series of checkpoints, each one manned by disciples whose auras grew progressively stronger. Gates of translucent energy scanned us as we passed, formation arrays probing for hidden weapons or concealed cultivation techniques. The system remained mercifully quiet—apparently dimensional storage registered as some kind of sect-approved spatial artifact.

"First time at altitude?" one of the checkpoint guards asked with barely concealed smirk, watching Mei struggle with the thin air.

"We’ll adapt," I replied evenly, helping her maintain her footing.

The architecture grew more elaborate as we climbed. What had seemed like simple stone from a distance revealed intricate carvings—dragons, phoenixes, and mythical beasts twisted through geometric patterns that hurt to look at directly. The formations weren’t just decorative; they were functional, creating layers of protection and enhancement that turned the entire mountain into a vast cultivation array.

We passed groups of outer disciples practicing in courtyards, their synchronized movements creating visible ripples in the qi around them. They paused to stare as we walked by—three obvious outsiders being escorted by Elders, a sight that clearly didn’t happen often.

"The Immortal Sect has stood for three thousand years," Elder Song said, apparently deciding to play tour guide. "Founded by the Celestial Patriarch when he achieved Divine Transformation realm. We maintain forty-seven peaks, house over ten thousand disciples, and our influence extends across seven kingdoms."

It was clearly a rehearsed speech, designed to impress and intimidate. But the numbers were staggering. Ten thousand cultivators, even if most were low-level, represented a military force that could reshape continents.

As we approached what looked like an administrative complex, Elder Song gestured to a series of smaller buildings. "Guest quarters are located in the Outer Peaks. You’ll be assigned temporary housing while your... status... is determined."

The way he said ’status’ suggested this would involve more than a simple background check.

We entered a reception hall that managed to be both austere and magnificent. Pillars of white marble supported a vaulted ceiling painted with scenes of cultivation ascension, while formation circles glowed softly in the floor, maintaining perfect climate control despite the mountain winds outside.

A queue of petitioners waited at various desks—visiting merchants, diplomatic envoys, and what looked like potential disciples hoping for acceptance into the outer sect. We were directed to a separate area, clearly marked for "special cases."

The clerk who handled our processing was a thin man with calculating eyes and the precise movements of someone accustomed to bureaucratic power. He produced a series of jade tokens and began filling out forms with quick, efficient strokes.

"Names, cultivation realms, stated purpose for visiting the Immortal Sect," he rattled off without looking up.

"Zhao Tianlong, recently awakened cultivation, seeking knowledge and allies," I replied carefully.

He paused, stylus hovering over the jade slip. "Recently awakened? At your apparent age? Elaborate."

This was the tricky part. "Heavenly intervention. Divine awakening. The specifics are... personal."

His eyes sharpened with interest, but Elder Song’s presence kept him from pressing further. Similar questioning followed for Mei and Lin, though their answers were more straightforward.

"Temporary guest tokens," the clerk said finally, handing over small jade medallions. "These will allow access to designated areas, guest quarters, and the outer sect refectory. Violations of sect rules will result in immediate expulsion... or worse."

As we were led toward our assigned quarters, I caught sight of something that made my blood run cold. Through an open courtyard, I spotted a familiar figure in sect robes—older now, bearing the insignia of an inner disciple, but unmistakably recognizable.

It was one of the guards who had been present during my grandson Chen’s escape from the capital three years ago. He looked up at that moment, our eyes meeting across the courtyard.

His face went white with shock, then flushed with what looked like panic. He turned and hurried away, disappearing into the crowd of disciples.