They, too, were trialists on the path of the strongest. Though they had failed, they had once traveled far along it. They had more experience than anyone present, and their strength was naturally considerable.
"He provoked us and splashed our bodies with beast blood!"
"He blocked our way in the street, then attacked us! He should be executed!"
The last two of the Thirteen Riders of Wild leveled their accusations, demanding that Lin Yi be punished under city law and shown no mercy.
Lin Yi said, "Someone startled the unicorn and attacked me. I was defending myself."
"It had nothing to do with me. My mount was startled and even threw me off," the unicorn's owner said, his face pale.
The soldiers had seen enough incidents like this to understand what had happened. Since no one had been killed or injured, they had no wish to interfere further. They warned everyone to disperse and stop causing trouble.
Such a disturbance so soon after entering the city spread tension through the crowd. Everyone watched everyone else, afraid of being caught off guard.
Lin Yi found an inn, paid a piece of Divine Source, and took a room.
The inn was expensive, but worth the price. Its rear courtyard had pavilions, terraces, a small bridge, and running water. The gardens were beautifully laid out.
He intended to rest and gather his strength. Once they entered the trial grounds, fighting was inevitable, and a fierce battle with the Thirteen Riders of Wild was all but certain.
"Who are you?"
Lin Yi opened his eyes from meditation and looked into the courtyard. Someone had slipped over from the neighboring yard, moving furtively with strange footwork.
"Shh, keep your voice down, fellow Daoist. I'm here to sell secret manuals," said a scrawny middle-aged cultivator.
"I