Depthless Hunger

Kai had thought they were almost on top of Floodisle City, but the city kept growing... and growing. He realized that it was far larger than he expected, built atop an island that was more like a mountain. All of the sloped roofs and tile construction he'd seen elsewhere on Cloudspire were taken even further here, sprawling not just across the island, but into multiple tiers that rose skyward.

Even from a distance, he could tell that the upper regions were broken into different sect headquarters, each with their own colors and flags. The very top was a palace that seemed to have a grand balcony open to the sky in most directions, as if broadcasting its utter invulnerability.

"People visit Floodisle City from all across the Southern Rivers," Zae Zin Nim explained, "and even from other parts of Cloudspire. The city is technically neutral, but in practice is controlled by the Masterful Crown clan."

"Not sect?" Kai asked.

"In this case, the clan is actually larger than any sect. They have so many branch families starting so many different organizations, they have entire sects working under them. Actually the four most prestigious sects in the region are called the Great Rivers and operate under them. Their patriarch is one of the few cultivators my father actually has some respect for, with a great reputation for teleportation and barriers."

Omilaena slouched in beside them. "Are there any weird rules here? Will they start a blood feud if we don't hop up and down three times before bowing?"

"You have both proven yourselves reasonable enough on Cloudspire. Just don't do anything offensive, and don't upset anyone powerful." Zae Zin Nim hesitated a moment, then glanced at him. "And don't attempt to start a peasant uprising or anything. It wouldn't go well here."

Kai threw up his hands. "You never let me have any fun."

"I am serious, Kai. They care about loss of face here."