The next day, Yu Qing woke up early and decided to go to the city, and from there head to the mountains to test his combat power and increase his strength.
Walking among the trees, his speed was extremely fast, especially when he wrapped his spiritual energy around his feet. With each step, slight gusts of wind arose, sending leaves flying away.
Running at full strength, he quickly crossed the green forest like a human wind. After three hours, he reached his goal, where he stopped and began walking normally, following behind the caravans.
Unlike the little place where he lived, the city was bustling. People came and went through the red gate, which was enormous, reaching twenty meters high, surrounded by white walls that stretched up to a hundred meters.
Following the huge line, Yu Qing stood at the back, looking around like a country bumpkin and, at the same time, noticed some strange looks cast his way.
In the crowd, he was a young man with long black hair, reaching his knees. His face was quite handsome, and his amber eyes might not have been rare, but they weren't common either. His black clothes, which he was wearing today—even though they were the nicest he owned—were worn from being washed so many times.
A youth like that stood out in the middle of many, but no one approached. Around him, there was a depressive aura, the kind that wasn't sociable and didn't like people.
It wasn't that Yu Qing was like that, but he had spent so much time alone that he lost the ability to make friends.
Ignoring the stares, he stayed in line, waiting for his turn. After an hour, he was almost dying of boredom. There was nothing else to do; if he stayed in that line a little longer, he would go insane. But, thanks to the gods, his turn finally came.
Taking a step forward, he saw two enormous guards, almost two meters tall, dressed in black uniforms and holding halberds in their hands. They were intimidating.
"Name?" asked the first guard, but no response came, making black lines appear on his face. "Name, boy!"
"Y-yes! Yu Qing!" he replied hurriedly, startled by the shout. Then he scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. He had gotten lost in appearances and forgotten about his surroundings.
The first guard only frowned, then ignored the young man and began checking his information in the virtual formation.
Yu Qing, seeing that floating in the man's hands, wasn't surprised. In the Eastern Turtle Continent, it didn't matter if it was a village or a city, an empire or a sect—everyone had to register their identity at ten years old. It was mandatory because it was a law established during the era of the Seven Martial Emperors, who created this system to regulate the continent and prevent too many crimes.
"Your name is correct. You may enter." The guard checked the information and authorized his entrance.
Yu Qing didn't hesitate and entered. When he went in, he saw several large houses, compared to the Red Phoenix Commerce Pavilion, and people as numerous as ants. His heart, looking at all that, skipped a beat in nervousness.
'Is this a city?' he thought, feeling nostalgic. The last time he had come to the city was when he was ten years old, six years ago. Since then, he had never returned.
But along with that feeling, envy also arose. 'Lucky bastards… they can cultivate from a young age, have beautiful homes, and fine clothes.'
He felt inferior, but quickly dismissed that, clenching his fists. 'From now on, I'll change my life, I'll become strong, eat all the delicious food I want, and build the most beautiful house of all!'
Yu Qing's thoughts were pure, merely the desires of someone who had lived humbly.
After establishing that small goal, he headed toward another exit of the city, which was enormous. Only after two and a half hours did he manage to reach the end.
When he arrived, Yu Qing had a tired expression. 'This is so huge… almost like the distance from here to my village.'
He was impressed and then passed through the gate, where once again he saw a group of guards checking identities. After the check, Yu Qing left.
Outside, he saw several tall mists, resembling writhing snakes, moving up and down. At the same time, there were several paths, which Yu Qing followed based on his memory of the map.
But as he was going, the sound of a cart came from behind him. Turning quickly, he saw a two-headed lion pulling a red carriage.
"A noble?" he murmured, incredulous. He never thought he would see someone of high status in this city. Especially because, as it passed by him, it was going to stop.
"Hey, boy, where are you going?" a voice with no emotion came from inside, and the atmosphere immediately turned cold.
Yu Qing quickly backed away. "No need, I'm fine alone."
He said and moved even farther away. His caution didn't allow him to enter that place. He felt as though there was living ice in there!
'Why do I feel like this?' he felt dazed at himself but obeyed his senses.
"Are you sure? With your measly Pulse Opening cultivation, you won't survive if you continue. These mists are about to turn dangerous. I'll warn you—retreat."
The cold voice appeared in his mind, leaving poor Yu Qing even more panicked. "I really appreciate it, but no need."
He refused again and then turned around, heading back toward the city. 'A noble appearing? That's suspicious. I don't know if she spoke the truth or not, but it's better to avoid it.'
He returned, sighing, blaming himself for his unlucky day—right on the day he was going to train, disasters happened.
'My luck ended when I found that stone? I think so.' he sighed once more and soon arrived at the entrance. When he was about to approach the gate, he felt a cold wind behind him.
"Help!" he shouted to the guards, who showed panic in their eyes and were slightly trembling, but still drew their halberds.
'What's behind me?' Yu Qing felt his nerves tense up and, with careful steps, approached without looking back. There wasn't time.
"Roarrrrr!"
An eagle's roar sounded behind him, lifting his black hair. Right after, a claw grabbed his tunic, and then he saw the guards becoming tiny.
'I'm so unlucky!' he panicked. 'Damn it! Why do these things happen to me? First a damn level 1 beast in an area where only wild animals should live, and now I'm being captured.'
He gritted his teeth and then clutched at his tunic. In the next second, his eyes shone with killing intent.
'Land in a dirt area! And try to wound this eagle… if I can, I'll absorb its blood!'
Yu Qing began conspiring. To survive, he would do anything.