The noise around them doubled as someone came running through the crowd, announcing that the young Lord had just entered the city.
"Look! The young Lord is here!" someone shouted.
Lican and Neris looked over.
A large carriage slowly made its way through the crowded street, pulled by two furious bull-like beasts. Their hooves struck the ground with heavy thuds, and every breath they released carried a scorching, oppressive aura.
Lican's eyes narrowed.
These beasts are close to Qi Condensation.
Even from a distance, he could feel the strength contained within their bodies. Their aura alone was enough to make the weaker cultivators around them instinctively move aside.
But Lican's attention soon shifted to the man controlling them.
At first glance, he looked like nothing more than a carriage driver.
But that was only if one ignored the sheer size of him.
His arms were twice as thick as Lican's, muscles bulging beneath his clothes with every movement. His broad shoulders made the reins look almost too thin for his hands, and his chest was as solid as a wall.
A greatsword rested across his back.
It was nearly as tall as he was, its thick blade wrapped in dark cloth. Even without seeing its edge, Lican could tell that it was no ordinary weapon.
The man sat upright, his expression calm as he guided the two furious beasts through the crowd.
He didn't shout.
He didn't need to.
Whenever the beasts moved forward, people instinctively stepped aside.
Lican narrowed his eyes.
This man isn't a cartman.
There was something about him that made Lican's instincts quietly warn him.
He was strong.
The maids stepped down from the carriage and opened the curtains.
The crowd almost fell silent.
A foot slowly stepped out from the carriage.
Then the young master appeared.
He was a young man of around eighteen, tall and slender, with a physique that looked naturally refined rather than heavily muscular. Long black hair flowed down his back, gathered neatly into a high ponytail, while a few loose strands rested around his face.
His features were handsome without seeming delicate. His straight nose, sharp jawline, and smooth complexion gave him an almost flawless appearance.
But it was his eyes that caught Lican's attention.
They were hazel, carrying a faint brownish-red hue that became more noticeable beneath the sunlight. They were calm and clear, yet there was something confident hidden behind them.
A gentle smile slowly spread across his lips.
The moment he stepped fully out of the carriage, the females surrounding the street began to squeal.
The young master didn't seem bothered by the attention. He simply stood there with an effortless calmness, his expensive crimson robes flowing lightly around him.
There was no need for him to announce who he was.
His bearing already did it for him.
Lican watched silently.
Beside him, Neris stared at the young master for several moments. Her brows slowly furrowed as her gaze moved over him.
Then she turned toward Lican.
Her eyes shifted between the two of them as though she were comparing them.
"What?" Lican asked, raising his brows.
"Hmph."
Neris turned away.
"You're a more handsome boy, but you lack bearing."
Lican nearly choked.
He scratched his head.
What does that even mean?With his hands behind his back, the young master walked down the steps with a smile, pride evident in every step.
People around him continued to nod and greet him. No one seemed bothered by his arrogance. If anything, they seemed to think he had earned the right to be arrogant.
His strength would speak for itself.
"Knox Alaric Crimson!"
A loud voice suddenly came from the crowd.
"Hahaha! I heard you were coming to the city. I happened to be passing by."
A middle-aged man stepped into view. Two youngsters followed behind him,a stern-faced girl with a curvy figure and a lean young man who looked as though he would rather be anywhere else.
Knox turned toward the man, a smile appearing on his face as he walked over.
"Greetings, Old Man Thoern."
The two exchanged greetings before Knox turned his attention toward the youngsters behind him.
The stern-faced girl gave Knox a respectful nod. She clearly knew his identity, but her naturally stern expression remained unchanged.
The lean youth simply smiled.
Knox turned back to Old Man Thoern.
"Haha, what is so special about your visit to my father's city today?" Knox asked, gesturing toward his carriage as they began walking.
Old Man Thoern didn't bother lowering his voice.
"How could I, Thoern, not come to greet the once-in-a-century genius? I heard you've been given special entrance into the sect. These two children will have to take the selection test in two years when the entrance examinations begin. I hope you can take care of them for me."
He smiled.
"No worries, Uncle. You are part of the Crimson Clan, even if you are from a branch family."
The girl's brows immediately furrowed.
She clearly didn't like being reminded of her family's position.
But Thoern continued smiling, even laughing.
"Hahaha! Thank you very much!"
He reached out and patted Knox on the shoulder, his expression easing up.
By now, the crowd had already begun to disperse, gossip spreading among them as they left.
"Thank you for the warm welcome," Knox said with a smile.
He then turned and entered the carriage.
Lican scratched his head as he watched the carriage move away.
"They said special sect entrance?"
"You dummy. You really don't know anything, do you?"
Neris patted down her dress before looking at him.
"Come. I'm hungry."
She grabbed Lican and began dragging
him toward a nearby restaurant.
Lican helplessly followed her into the tavern. The place was filled with lively chatter and laughter, completely different from the tense atmosphere outside.
Neris dragged Lican toward an empty table, cleared it with little regard for the dishes already sitting there, and comfortably took a seat.
Then she turned toward Lican with a mischievous smile.
"You're paying," she said with a giggle.
Lican smiled helplessly. He couldn't really resist her. She was tougher than some of the beasts he had fought, and there was something else he had noticed about her.
She had been completely comfortable around him.
Even with the blood and the stink that still clung to him, she had never seemed bothered. She still smiled and talked to him as though nothing was wrong. She was almost too innocent for this kind of world.
For some reason, it made him want to protect her.
Lican shook his head before finally nodding helplessly.
Seeing his agreement, Neris smiled brightly and happily called over the waitress. What followed was almost an order for everything on the menu.
Lican stared at the growing list of dishes.
Can she really finish all of that?
When the food finally arrived, Lican began eating. The roasted meat was good, but he couldn't help comparing it to the meat he cooked himself.
Mine is better.
He took another bite before murmuring, "It's not spicy enough. These dwarf pig thighs need more seasoning."
Neris's eyes widened.
"Are you really a foodie? How do you know all that?" she asked, still chewing.
"Something like that." Lican shrugged. "I cook for myself."
He reached into his storage bag and pulled out some jerky before passing it to her.
Neris immediately took it.
She chewed.
Then her eyes slowly closed as she savored the taste.
Damn.
Her eyes widened.
A smile spread across her face.
"I swallowed that one way too fast." She reached toward him eagerly. "Do you have another one? Let me try again."