Chapater 72: Azurewing Roc

The journey to the Eastern Wall began far from its shadow, at Yumo's Embersteel Shop in the heart of the sprawling Ironwood City. The shop, tucked into one of the bustling avenues of the central district, was both a haven for smithing and a base of operations for Jiang Feng and Yumo's work.

The city itself was a vast, layered metropolis, stretching out like a living tapestry across the plains. From the Embersteel Shop to the meeting point near the city's northern outskirts, it was a journey of hours, a trek that underscored the sheer scale of Northern Moon City.

Before departing, Jiang Feng and Yumo had discussed the trip in the small workshop behind the shop, where the hiss of cooling steel and the tang of smoke still lingered.

"The Eastern Wall," Yumo began, wiping his hands on a soot-stained cloth, "is over a hundred leagues from here, even further when you consider the city's sprawl. Getting there on foot would take weeks."

"I assumed as much," Jiang Feng replied, adjusting the straps of his travel pack. "What's the plan?"

"We'll head to the meeting point near the Northgate Plaza," Yumo explained, gesturing toward a large map pinned to the wall. "Other blacksmiths have been summoned as well. From there, the Ironwood Sect's Azurewing Roc will take us to the wall."

"Azurewing Roc?" Jiang Feng asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's a massive flying beast, tamed long ago by the Ironwood Section" Yumo said, a touch of awe in his voice. "Each major power in the region has their own tamed beast for long-distance travel. Theirs is among one of the largest and swiftest. Few creatures can match the Azurewing Roc's speed or its ability to carry heavy loads over vast distances."

"I see. And how long until we reach the meeting point?"

"About two hours" Yumo said with a sigh. "The city's too massive to make it any quicker, even with the main roads. Once we're at Northgate, the Roc will handle the rest. Try not to look too impressed when you see it" he added with a grin.

Jiang Feng smirked. "I'll keep that in mind."

-

The streets of Northern City were alive with activity as they set out, weaving through throngs of merchants, travelers, and craftsmen. The city was a marvel in its own right, a sprawling urban expanse with layered districts that seemed to stretch endlessly. Each part of the city had its own character: the central district, with its towering forges and market squares; the residential quarters, lined with narrow alleys and bustling tenements; and the northern outskirts, where the roads widened and gave way to vast training grounds and fortified gates.

Jiang Feng couldn't help but marvel at the sheer scale of the city. It was as if Northern Moon was a world unto itself, a city-state that thrived on the strength of its artisans and warriors. The northern outskirts, where they were headed, marked the edge of civilization, the last bastion before the untamed wilderness beyond.

By the time they arrived at Northgate Plaza, the sun had risen high, casting long shadows over the stone-paved square. The plaza was a hive of activity, filled with blacksmiths, merchants, and soldiers preparing for their journey. Yumo led the way, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd for their party.

"There" he said, pointing to a group of blacksmiths gathered near the edge of the plaza. They were a mix of ages and backgrounds, their tools and supplies packed tightly into reinforced cases. Some looked eager, others wary, but all bore the unmistakable marks of those who worked with fire and steel.

As Jiang Feng approached, he caught sight of the Azurewing Roc for the first time and it was every bit as impressive as Yumo had suggested.

The creature stood at the far end of the plaza, tethered to a series of reinforced posts. Its sheer size was staggering, with a wingspan that seemed to stretch the length of a city block. Feathers of deep azure shimmered in the sunlight, giving the beast an almost ethereal glow. Its sharp, golden eyes surveyed the scene with a mix of intelligence and disdain, as if it knew it was the apex of this domain.

"It's beautiful" Jiang Feng admitted, unable to hide his admiration.

Yumo smirked. "Told you not to look too impressed."

The Azurewing Roc let out a deep, resonant cry, its voice echoing across the plaza. Its handlers, beast tamers clad in leather armor etched with the Ironwood Section's sigil—moved deftly around it, securing harnesses and preparing it for the journey ahead. The Roc shifted its massive talons, its weight causing the stone beneath it to groan faintly.

"As I said earlier" Yumo continued, "every major power has a beast like this. The I heard that the Silver Sword City uses the Lunar Sky Serpent, faster than the Roc, but it can't carry as much weight. The Obsidian Lake City has the Onyx Thunder Drake. And the Mist Ridge Ciry? They're famous for their Starry Gale Hawks, smaller but unmatched in maneuverability."

"And all these creatures were tamed?" Jiang Feng asked, his gaze never leaving the Roc.

"Tamed, yes, but never fully broken" Yumo said. "A beast like this doesn't lose its pride just because it's been captured. It's a delicate balance between control and respect. Without it, you'll lose your head or worse."

Jiang Feng nodded, understanding the unspoken lesson in Yumo's words. Power, whether wielded by man or beast, was a force to be handled with care.

"Let's get ready" Yumo said, motioning toward the other blacksmiths. "The Roc doesn't wait, and the Eastern Wall won't defend itself."

Jiang Feng followed, his mind already shifting to the challenges ahead. The journey to the wall would be swift, but what awaited them beyond was anything but certain.

-

The group waited in orderly rows as the final preparations were made, the air around Northgate Plaza alive with activity. Blacksmiths murmured amongst themselves, beast tamers issued commands, and the occasional rumble of the Azurewing Roc's shifting weight sent tremors through the ground. Jiang Feng stood alongside Yumo, observing as the crowd steadily grew.

Yumo's cart arrived during the wait, pulled by a sturdy pack animal and loaded with the tools, materials, and food he had ordered in advance. The cost—four spirit stones—was a small price to pay for efficiency, especially for someone who took pride in his craft. Jiang Feng, by contrast, traveled light. His spatial ring held all he needed: materials and even rations. To avoid drawing attention, he carried only a simple pouch at his side.

As the hour ticked by, the beast tamers began calling for boarding. One by one, the blacksmiths and their cargo made their way up the ramps leading onto the Roc's broad back. The Roc's feathers, a striking mix of deep azure and steely silver, were impossibly dense. As Jiang Feng set foot on the beast's back, he noted that the feathers gave beneath his weight only slightly, as if walking on a tempered steel floor.

"Hard to believe those are feathers" Jiang Feng muttered, running a hand along one.

Yumo chuckled beside him. "The Azurewing Roc isn't like any bird you've ever seen. Its body is built for endurance and strength. Those feathers can repel arrows, swords, hell, probably even a direct strike from a Profound-level weapon."

The Roc's back had been fitted with harnesses, ropes, and compartments to secure the cargo and passengers. Jiang Feng spotted beast tamers moving from group to group, checking that everything was properly fastened. The Roc's sheer size allowed enough space for nearly fifty people and their belongings, but it was still a delicate operation. Falling from such a height would mean certain death, and the tamers took no chances.

Once everything was secure, the lead beast tamer climbed onto the Roc's head, his voice booming across the plaza. "Hold on to your luggage and keep your footing! The takeoff will be rough, and the winds stronger than you think."

Jiang Feng and Yumo settled near their assigned luggage, fastening themselves with the ropes provided. Jiang Feng adjusted his grip, his eyes scanning the plaza below one last time.

"Up!"

The tamer's shout rang out, and the Roc responded with a deafening cry that reverberated through the air. Its massive wings unfolded, casting a shadow that seemed to swallow the plaza whole. With a powerful beat of its wings, a whirlwind of dust erupted, forcing everyone to shield their faces.

The beast's ascent was gradual at first, the ground seeming to pull at them with stubborn determination. Then, with a sudden surge of strength, the Roc lifted fully into the air. Jiang Feng gripped the ropes tightly, the wind rushing past his face as they climbed higher and higher.

At fifty meters, the city sprawled beneath them like a living map. Jiang Feng's eyes widened as he took in the sight. By day, Northern Moon City was breathtaking—a maze of streets and buildings interwoven with patches of greenery and glittering waterways. The towering forges of the central district stood out like sentinels, their chimneys releasing steady streams of smoke.

"It's even more incredible from up here" Jiang Feng commented.

Yumo glanced at him. "First time seeing it during the day?"

"Yeah" Feng nodded, The last time he had flown was at night, after my tribulation with Lin Moyi. Thus he didn't get the chance to take notice.

"Then enjoy it while you can" Yumo said with a grin. "Once we reach the Eastern Wall, the view won't be as peaceful."

The Roc's cry echoed again as it leveled out, turning gracefully toward the east. Its wings carved through the sky with a rhythm that seemed almost hypnotic, each beat propelling them forward with astonishing speed. Below, the city slowly began to recede, its edges blending into the vast wilderness that lay beyond.

"To the Eastern Wall!" the lead tamer called, his voice carried away by the wind. The Roc let out another cry, as if affirming the command, and surged forward. The journey through the skies had begun, and with it, the possibility of death.