Yunir City

Riding on a spirit beast was tough. As majestic as it may sound, it was anything but. No one told me anything about how much I had to do to just hold on. 

There was nothing comfortable about this. I had to put my concentration into holding on. Cai Lien had it even worse. She was at the edge of being flung over by the wind. 

Maybe the spirit beast noticed it, but maybe it didn't. 

We were above the black ring that circled the sect, the Black Swamp Forest. It loomed over me. I just couldn't let go now. Even if I could fly, even the skies were dangerous.

"You are new meat, I can see that." this deep voice rumbled in my ears.

My eyes widened and I looked at Cai Lien. She also looked surprised. This person was addressing both of us.

"Who are you?" I shouted, trying to overcome the sound of the whistling wind.

"Who do you think I am? You are in the air, and there is no one else around you." the voice continued.