A roar of Martial Arts rang through heaven and earth, as if someone drew an invisible sword from the firmament above; the clang of blade leaving scabbard pressed down the mountain wind, pressed down the soughing pines, pressed down the millennia-old snow that never melts on Changbai Mountain.
The great mist above the Heavenly Pool was jolted to a halt by this sound, then churned violently, as though some colossal creature were turning over within it.
Almost at the same time, the Martial Temple Mountain People patrolling the mountain all halted in unison, silently gazing at the great mist above the Heavenly Pool. Someone's torch flickered unsteadily in the wind, someone's sheathed blade on their shoulder gave off a fine, buzzing hum.
