On the southern face of Qianmu Mountain, halfway to the summit, a large portion of the once-dense forest had been cleared away. From the stone steps leading to the Mountain Peak Dojo, a new, smaller path branched off. It was paved with bluestone slabs and led directly to the deforested area on the mountainside.
Dozens of outer sect disciples were here leveling the ground, trying to prepare a foundation. Down the mountain, outside the storeroom of the front hall, other disciples were taking inventory of giant logs that had been transported back in previous years, likely selecting some to be used as house beams.
Disciples returning from their training expeditions all stopped to gaze at the scene, curiously asking those nearby, "Are they building another palace?"
As soon as the question was asked, someone would loudly reply, "It's an order from Ancestor Changqing! He said to build some kind of palace."
