The road to Valen City is long, but not empty.
A steady line of people moves toward the gates, merchants with carts, travelers on foot, and a few cultivators walking with quiet confidence. Dust rises with every step, hanging lightly in the air under the afternoon sun.
Among them, Aiden walks without drawing attention.
A dark robe covers his body, the hood pulled low enough to shadow most of his face. From a distance, he looks no different from any other traveler trying to enter the city.
No one spares him a second glance.
That's exactly how he prefers it.
Ahead, the walls of Valen City rise tall and intact, untouched by war. Guards stand at the entrance, checking the incoming flow, though not too strictly. The line moves at a steady pace.
People talk.
Not in whispers.
Just normal conversation.
"…heard something about the sect fighting again."
"Yeah, but that's nothing new."
"They said it's serious this time."
A man laughs.
