Two weeks had passed since Linfei's battle against the cave's guardian beast. With his strength risen to the Fourth Level of Qi Refining and his mastery of the Swift Serpent Steps, he now moved through the forest like a shadow on wind. The scars of survival had hardened him, and the faint pulse of the silver ring served as his silent companion.
By dawn, the endless trees finally thinned, giving way to a wide valley. At its heart shimmered Azure Mist Pavilion City, a large cultivator hub encircled by glowing wards and misty spirit towers. Its streets bustled with merchants, alchemists, and wandering cultivators—some hunting treasures, others simply seeking fortune.
As Linfei passed through the towering archway, the scent of spirit herbs and incense filled his lungs. The sight overwhelmed him for a heartbeat—shops glittering with treasures, auction houses humming with energy, and energy cultivators of varying realms walking with proud poise. Compared to the silent danger of the forest, this city felt alive with ambition.
His first stop was the Beast Merchant Hall, a trade post famous for buying rare beast parts. Linfei laid out the crocodile hide and fangs before the merchant—a heavyset man with sharp eyes. After some bargaining and appraisal, Linfei left with a pouch heavy with silver coins and a few low-grade spirit stones.
Next, he visited a small apothecary whose wooden sign read Moonleaf Remedies. The elderly alchemist inside raised a brow at Linfei's aura. "Freshly broken through, aren't you? Your Qi hasn't settled yet," he remarked, handing Linfei a bottle of stabilizing pills that pulsed faintly with medicinal energy. Linfei offered his thanks and traded some silver without hesitation.
Outside, he wandered through a busy square where cultivators exchanged information. A crowd had gathered around a raised platform, where announcements were posted for duels, missions, and auctions. One notice caught Linfei's eye—an upcoming inner forest expedition organized by Azure Mist Pavilion, promising rare treasures and mystical herbs.
A smile crept across his face. This city was buzzing with promise, and though his past days were spent surviving among beasts, here began his next trial—against people sharper than claws and ambitions deeper than blood.