Lu City bustled with noise and energy, the streets filled with hawkers shouting prices, cultivators exchanging goods, and guards marching with disciplined rhythm. Su Yang moved cautiously through the city, keeping Max close and his senses alert.
He didn't want to attract attention—not yet. Not until he understood how this city worked.
After walking past a few crowded inns and noisy taverns, Su Yang finally found a quiet residence area near the city's east side. A small wooden sign read:
> Quiet Willow Courtyard – Clean, Private, Monthly Rent: 10 Gold Coins
The courtyard house was simple but decent—a single room with a small stove, straw bed, a locked cabinet, and a backyard well. Nothing luxurious, but quiet, private, and—most importantly—discreet.
"I'll take it," Su Yang told the old landlord, handing him 30 gold coins for three months in advance.
The old man gave him a long look, noticing the plain robes and calm aura. "You don't look like a rich young master. You sure you've got the gold?"
Su Yang just smiled faintly and tapped the pouch on his belt. The old man shrugged, handed him a simple iron key, and hobbled off without asking more questions.
Once inside and with the door locked, Su Yang finally sighed with relief.
Max jumped onto the bed and curled up.
"We made it, buddy," Su Yang muttered, sitting cross-legged on the floor. "Now… let's understand exactly where I stand."
He called out softly in his mind:
> System. Show Status.
A familiar light-blue screen appeared before his eyes, lines of text hovering like spiritual ink in the air.
---
[Su Yang's Status]
Name: Su Yang
Age: 14
Race: Human
Main Class: Cultivator
Cultivation: Bone Tempering Realm (High Stage)
Spirit Root: Fire – Mid Grade(yellow- upgradable)| Ice – Variant (Unawakened)
Constitution:
Karma Fire Body – Active
Frozen Heart Soul Incarnation Body – Unawakened
Skills:
Heavenly True Fire Art (Linked to Karma Fire Body)
Basic Movement Art
Basic Fist Tempering Technique- mountain splitting punch
Alchemy: Skin Tempering Pill (Yellow-Level, Mid-Tier)
---
[System Note:]
> "The Host's Karma Fire Body allows passive soul and body tempering. Damage resistance and alchemical success rate are increased.
The Frozen Heart Soul Incarnation Body is locked.
Awakening requires either ice-type heavenly treasure or cultivation intercourse with an ice-body cultivator.
No bottlenecks detected in the current realm. The host may safely attempt a breakthrough with sufficient body strength."
---
Su Yang read every word carefully. His Bone Tempering Realm had stabilized nicely, and the system's automatic balance ensured his body didn't collapse from rapid growth.
He clenched his fists, feeling the subtle surge of strength within.
"My muscles feel denser, but the real difference is in my bones… If I reinforce them more, I'll soon reach Blood tempering."
Su Yang brought out one of his remaining Skin Tempering Pills, yellow-gold in color, and nodded.
"For now, I can only make this pill. But even a low-tier pill sells for good coin. One pill is worth 10–15 gold coins, depending on purity. I'll need funds… especially if I want martial arts manuals."
Just then, a knock came at his door. Su Yang stood instantly, his expression cautious. He grabbed a worn wooden stick—he didn't want to use his fire energy unnecessarily.
Opening the door slightly, he saw a boy around his age, grinning.
"You just moved in, right?" the boy asked. "Name's Jin Hao. I live two rooms over. You here for the Sect Exchange Trial?"
Su Yang blinked. Sect Exchange Trial?
"I just arrived. I'm not sure yet," he replied honestly.
Jin Hao laughed. "Then let me give you some free advice! Every year, a few major sects open their doors to outsiders. If you perform well in the trial, you get selected. If you're lucky, you might enter a sect like Azure Sky Sect, Burning Valley Pavilion, or even Jade Sword Manor."
Hearing that, Su Yang's eyes sharpened. So this is the opportunity to find techniques and protection…
"How do I register?" he asked.
Jin Hao raised an eyebrow. "Heh, interested now, huh? The registration is at the outer city plaza. Tomorrow's the last day. You better hurry if you're serious."
"Thank you," Su Yang said, offering a polite nod.
Jin Hao turned to leave, then paused. "By the way, keep your beast hidden. People get weird when they see strange spirit pets… especially ones like yours."
Su Yang nodded again. He already sensed that Max would attract attention, even more now that they were in the city.
Once Jin Hao left, Su Yang shut the door and turned to Max.
"Tomorrow, we'll register for the trial. But tonight… let's train."
He crossed his legs once more and activated his Heavenly True Fire Art, the red-orange flame within his dantian burning steadily. At the same time, his skin emitted a faint glow as he circulated energy along his bones, slowly tempering them further.
From a small clay bottle, he consumed a Skin Tempering Pill. Its heat coursed through his veins like molten iron.
Max sat by the side, his golden eyes glowing softly in the dim candlelight.
And as the moon rose outside, Su Yang cultivated silently, pre
paring for the next step in his journey—a trial that would either open the gates to great power or plunge him into deadly conflict.