The mid-afternoon sun poured down from a clear, azure sky, illuminating the towering, golden-hued walls of Imperial Sun City. Spanning dozens of miles across the lush, fertile plains of the Central Sun Province, the grand metropolis stood as a monument of absolute wealth, ancient power, and architectural splendor.
Unlike the bleak, dusty stone structures of Obsidian Pass or the rigid, blood-drenched boundaries of the northern mountain sects, Imperial Sun City radiated an aura of unyielding prosperity and neutral authority. Towering ramparts forged from golden-tinted spirit granite were inlaid with shimmering arrays that pulsed subtly with protective runic energy. Above the main eastern gate, massive banners emblazoned with the emblem of the Central Merchant League floated in the gentle breeze, declaring the city a safe, neutral haven for cultivators, scholars, and merchants from every corner of the continent.
A vast, bustling stone highway led directly toward the grand arched entrance. Hundreds of travelers—ranging from heavily armored merchant caravans drawn by giant, scaled beasts to solitary rogue cultivators riding sleek spiritual steeds—queued in orderly lines.
Walking along the edge of the stone road, away from the loud chatter of the crowd, was Li-Wen.
His tall, broad-shouldered frame was covered in a simple, high-collared black traveling coat, his long dark hair tied neatly behind him. His heavy blade, wrapped tightly in dark cloth to obscure its distinctive ancestral markings, was slung securely across his back. His face was calm and unreadable, his dark eyes observing every detail of the surroundings with quiet vigilance.
In his arms, wrapped comfortably inside a plush, fleece-lined navy cloak, was Xiao-Yue.
Her small face peeped out from beneath the soft hood, her dark, crystalline eyes wide with absolute wonder as she took in the majestic sight before her. The sheer height of the golden city walls, which seemed to pierce the very clouds, was unlike anything her young mind had ever imagined.
"Brother Li-Wen..." Xiao-Yue whispered in a quiet, awe-filled breath, her small fingers clutching the lapel of his coat. "Is that the golden city? It's... it's so big! It looks like a mountain made of gold!"
"It is Imperial Sun City," Li-Wen replied smoothly, his low, steady voice bringing an instant sense of warmth to her ears. "It is governed by the Central Merchant League and five ancient neutral clans. As long as one abides by the city laws, no faction—regardless of their size—is permitted to initiate open slaughter within its walls."
Xiao-Yue nodded her head in understanding, nestling her cheek comfortably against his chest. "So those bad people from before won't be able to hurt us here?"
"They will not touch you," Li-Wen stated, his tone firm and absolute.
As they reached the grand eastern gate, four guards dressed in polished silver armor stepped forward. Their eyes flicked over Li-Wen's stoic posture, quickly registering the deep, hidden aura of a high-level martial artist despite his suppressed presence. They did not attempt to pry or question his background. In a city where millions sought refuge or fortune every day, discretion was the primary rule of survival.
"Entry fee for a master and one child: twenty silver coins or two low-grade spirit stones," the lead guard announced politely, holding out his hand. "Entry permits are valid for thirty days within the outer and inner districts."
Li-Wen reached into his sleeve, tossing two clear, glowing low-grade spirit stones onto the guard's palm. The guard verified the purity of the stones, handed over two bronze identification tokens, and stepped aside with a respectful bow.
"Welcome to Imperial Sun City, Senior."
Li-Wen accepted the tokens, held Xiao-Yue securely in his left arm, and crossed the threshold into the metropolis.
The moment they stepped through the massive arched tunnel and entered the outer avenue of the city, a vibrant wave of sights, sounds, and scents rushed over them.
The main street was broad enough for six heavy carriages to ride abreast, paved with smooth, white marble slabs that reflected the warm sunlight. On either side stood sweeping, multi-tiered pavilions constructed from rare scented cedar, featuring intricate carved balconies where wealthy patrons sat drinking fragrant tea. Street vendors lined the walkways, selling everything from sizzling skewers of monster meat and candied fruits to low-tier spirit talismans, enchanted trinkets, and colorful silk garments.
Xiao-Yue's eyes darted rapidly from one stall to another, completely mesmerized by the sheer abundance of life and color. She saw street performers breathing harmless, golden fire, flying spirit birds carrying sealed letters across the rooftops, and young noble children laughing as they rode small, tamed spirit foxes.
"Look, Brother Li-Wen!" Xiao-Yue gasped, pointing her tiny hand toward a stall displaying glowing glass lanterns shaped like lotus flowers. "Those lamps are glowing without any fire inside!"
Li-Wen slowed his pace, walking closer to the stall so she could get a better look. "They are powered by low-grade light runes," he explained gently. "They can shine for three years without burning out."
"They're beautiful..." she whispered softly.
Seeing the pure, unadulterated joy in her eyes, Li-Wen did not hesitate. He tossed a silver coin to the smiling vendor and picked up a delicate, pale-blue lotus lantern, handing it directly into Xiao-Yue's small hands.
Xiao-Yue held the glowing lantern with both hands, her small mouth opening in a soft 'O' of surprise. She looked up at Li-Wen, her dark eyes sparkling with deep affection. "For me again? But... you already bought me so many things back in the other town..."
"You are my sister," Li-Wen said simply, his palm resting lightly on her head to smooth her hair. "You deserve nice things."
Xiao-Yue's cheeks flushed with a warm, rosy color. She squeezed the lantern tightly to her chest, her heart swelling with an overwhelming sense of happiness. To a child who had spent her early years starving in cold mud, being cared for with such effortless, boundless affection felt like living inside a wonderful, unending dream.
However, Li-Wen knew that enjoying the city's luxuries was only the secondary goal. His primary objective was to secure a safe, private residence where they could establish a long-term foundation away from prying eyes.
Navigating through the bustling commercial district, Li-Wen made his way toward the Verdant Pavilion, the premier real estate agency managed directly by the Central Merchant League.
The agency was a grand, three-story building constructed from dark ebony wood, filled with well-dressed clerks attending to wealthy cultivators and aristocratic families. As Li-Wen stepped inside, his sharp, imposing stature and dignified aura immediately drew the attention of a senior estate manager—a middle-aged man named Steward Zhao, clad in immaculate purple silk robes.
"Greetings, honored Senior," Steward Zhao greeted, bowing politely as his experienced eyes took in Li-Wen's subtle, dangerous presence and the clean, well-kept child in his arms. "Welcome to the Verdant Pavilion. How may this humble steward assist you today?"
"I require a secluded courtyard house," Li-Wen said directly, his voice clear and resonant. "It must be located in a quiet, high-grade residential district near the inner boundary, equipped with a clean water source, private courtyard, and a stable defensive spirit array. Price is not an issue."
Steward Zhao's eyes lit up with professional enthusiasm. A buyer who demanded a high-grade property near the inner boundary without negotiating on price was the most desirable client.
"You have come to the right place, Senior!" Steward Zhao said, gesturing toward a private VIP room decorated with comfortable leather chairs and hot tea. "We have just the property that matches your exact requirements. Please, step inside and allow me to present the details."
Ten minutes later, Steward Zhao laid out a detailed blueprint on the mahogany table.
"This is the Autumn Water Courtyard," Steward Zhao explained, pointing his finger at the intricate diagram. "Located at the foot of the western cloud hills, right on the border between the outer and inner districts. It features a spacious three-bedroom residence, a private bamboo garden, a natural thermal spring, and an ancient, Grade-3 Spirit-Gathering Array built directly into the foundation. It is completely isolated from the noisy commercial streets, offering absolute privacy and high ambient spiritual energy."
Li-Wen examined the blueprint carefully. The location was ideal. The proximity to the western hills provided a clear, unobstructed escape route toward the wilderness if an emergency ever arose, while the Grade-3 array would conceal his internal cultivation breakthroughs and spiritual pressure from external scanners.
"What is the cost?" Li-Wen asked.
"For a full three-year lease, including the maintenance of the defensive array, it is five hundred mid-grade spirit stones," Steward Zhao replied politely.
Without a single word of haggling, Li-Wen waved his hand across the table. A gentle, shimmering light flashed from his spatial storage ring, and five hundred flawless, glowing mid-grade spirit stones appeared in neat, gleaming stacks on the wooden table, filling the room with a crisp, refreshing surge of pure spiritual aura.
Steward Zhao was momentarily stunned by the casual display of wealth. He quickly collected the stones, verified their quality with a sweeping glance, and produced a golden spirit key along with the property deed.
"The Autumn Water Courtyard is officially yours, Senior! Here are the master tokens for the array. Allow me to assign a carriage to escort you and your young lady immediately."
Half an hour later, the wooden carriage stopped in front of a grand, secluded estate nestled against the quiet green slopes of the western hills.
The property was surrounded by ten-foot-tall walls forged from smooth, white jade-stone, topped with sweeping dark-blue roof tiles. Tall, ancient bamboo stalks swayed gently above the walls, rustling softly in the cool mountain breeze.
Li-Wen pushed open the heavy mahogany gate, stepping inside with Xiao-Yue by his side.
The interior of the Autumn Water Courtyard was magnificent yet serene. A stone path carved from smooth river pebbles led past a clear, babbling thermal spring that released gentle, warm steam into the air. In the center of the yard stood a grand plum blossom tree surrounded by stone benches. The main residential hall was constructed from polished sandalwood, featuring high ceilings, grand windows, and fully furnished living chambers.
The moment they stepped through the gate, the automated spirit array activated with a soft, humming sound. A faint, translucent golden barrier briefly flashed above the walls before fading into invisibility, sealing the courtyard off from all external noise and spiritual inspection.
Xiao-Yue stood on the pebble path, looking around the breathtaking courtyard with wide, shining eyes.
"Brother Li-Wen..." she whispered, her voice filled with pure wonder. "Is... is this whole place really ours now?"
"Yes," Li-Wen said, looking down at her small, radiant face. "This is our permanent home. You can run around, play in the garden, or bathe in the warm spring whenever you wish. No one will ever bother you here."
A sweet, joyful laugh escaped Xiao-Yue's lips as she ran onto the soft grass beneath the plum blossom tree, her new boots tapping happily against the ground. For the first time since they had left the frozen alleys of the northern border, she felt a profound, absolute sense of stability and belonging.
However, Li-Wen knew that providing a safe house was only the first step. To ensure Xiao-Yue's long-term health and growth, he needed to address her physical condition completely.
While her toxic fever had been cured by the Thousand-Year Snow Lotus, her meridians remained fragile from years of severe starvation and physical abuse. If he wanted her body to fully recover and develop a strong foundation, she required rare, top-tier medicinal pills capable of cleansing her marrow and nourishing her vital organs.
"Xiao-Yue," Li-Wen called out softly. "Stay near the courtyard. I am going to the city's central medicinal market to acquire herbs for your recovery."
Xiao-Yue immediately ran back to his side, her small hand grabbing his sleeve. "Can I come with you, Brother Li-Wen? I want to see the big medicine market!"
Li-Wen looked at her eager face, nodding his head. "Very well. But stay close to me."
The Grand Medical Market of Imperial Sun City was located in the heart of the inner commercial district. It was a massive, four-story round pavilion that housed hundreds of certified alchemists, herb merchants, and pill traders from across the continent. The air inside was thick with the rich, intoxicating scent of rare roots, burning medicinal incense, and refined spiritual elixirs.
Li-Wen walked through the grand hall with Xiao-Yue, his sharp eyes evaluating the displays of rare herbs resting inside protective crystal cases.
He skipped the common stalls selling low-grade healing salves, heading straight toward the Heavenly Herb Pavilion—the largest and most reputable alchemy establishment in the central market.
An elderly clerk dressed in green robes stepped forward, noticing the refined aura of the dark-clad swordsman. "Welcome to the Heavenly Herb Pavilion, customer. Are you looking for raw spiritual herbs or refined alchemical pills?"
"I need three specific items," Li-Wen stated calmly, his voice cool and precise. "A fifty-year-old Jade-Marrow Root, a stalk of Crimson Dragon-Blood Grass, and a bottle of top-tier Body-Nourishing Elixir formulated for children."
The elderly clerk's eyebrows raised in mild surprise. These were high-grade, expensive medicinal ingredients designed specifically to purge deep-seated physical impurities and rebuild a child's internal foundation from scratch.
"We do have those items in stock, customer," the clerk said respectfully. "However, the Jade-Marrow Root and Dragon-Blood Grass are extremely rare. The total cost will be three hundred mid-grade spirit stones."
Without a moment of hesitation, Li-Wen reached into his pouch and placed three hundred glowing mid-grade spirit stones onto the counter. "Package them immediately."
The clerk bowed deeply, astonished by his decisive efficiency. "Right away, honored customer! Please wait one moment!"
As the clerk hurried toward the rear vault to retrieve the rare herbs, Xiao-Yue tugged gently on Li-Wen's coat, looking at the glowing spirit stones on the counter with a worried expression.
"Brother Li-Wen..." she whispered softly, her small voice filled with genuine concern. "You are spending so many bright stones for me... Are those stones very hard to get? You don't have to buy expensive medicine for me... I am already feeling very strong!"
Li-Wen lowered his gaze, looking into her innocent, anxious eyes. He reached down, lightly pinching her soft cheek with a rare, faint trace of amusement in his dark eyes.
"Spirit stones are meant to be spent," Li-Wen replied softly, his voice carrying an unshakeable weight. "No amount of spirit stones can match the value of your health and well-being. Do not worry about cost."
Xiao-Yue looked at him, her dark eyes brimming with unshed tears of profound gratitude. She buried her small face into his coat, her arms wrapping tightly around his waist. "Brother Li-Wen... you are the best big brother in the whole wide world..."
Li-Wen patted her small back gently, holding her close as the clerk returned with the velvet-lined box containing the rare, precious medicinal herbs.
With the deed to their new home secured and top-tier herbs in hand, Li-Wen knew that their life in Imperial Sun City had officially begun. They had successfully built a fortress of peace amidst the vast, chaotic continent.
Yet, as they stepped out of the Heavenly Herb Pavilion into the warm afternoon sunlight, Li-Wen's sharp divine sense caught a subtle, momentary flicker of spiritual scanning coming from the upper balcony of a nearby merchant guild.
Someone in the crowd had noticed his casual display of massive wealth.
Li-Wen did not turn his head, his face remaining as stoic as a mountain peak. He simply held Xiao-Yue's small hand tightly, walking calmly toward their quiet sanctuary at the foot of the western hills, ready to obliterate any dark hand that dared to reach out from the shadows.
See you in next chapter.....