The morning sun reflected brilliantly off the golden deck plates of the Taichu Sovereign Ark.
The three-hundred-meter vessel hovered steadily at the threshold of the Kunlun Immortal Gate.
Its starlight dragon prow remained locked between the three-thousand-foot bronze doors, holding the dimensional passage open with unyielding force.
Near the aft railing, four men in matching neon-pink debtor canvas vests were on their knees.
All four held scrub brushes and buckets of soapy water.
Envoy Zhao Wuji, former sword master of the Raging-Flame Sect, dipped his brush into the suds.
His teeth ground together so hard they nearly cracked.
He was scrubbing mountain pine needles off the golden deck tiles.
