Red Flame City

Lin Qin did not stay in Iron Rock City. He left early the next morning. As expected, the Basil Clan did not come looking for trouble again. Clearly, their Saint Realm ancestor knew that offending a Saint Realm powerhouse whose background was unknown over some spoiled young lord was unwise.

He headed north at a steady pace, continuing to familiarize himself with the power of the Saint Realm as he traveled, especially flight. Several days later, a vast, imposing city appeared on the horizon. Its towering walls were dark red all over, as if cast from solidified lava, and radiated a heavy, scorching aura beneath the sunlight. This was the imperial capital of the O'Brien Empire—Red Flame City.

The martial arts culture in Red Flame City was even more prominent. Hardy-looking warriors could be seen everywhere in the streets, along with a few Ascetics wearing temple robes. An invisible pressure hung in the air, formed by the mingled auras of countless powerful figures.

Lin Qin reined in his aura and entered the city like an ordinary traveler. First, he found a decent-looking inn and settled in. Then he went to the largest tavern in the city, Warrior's Glory. Places like this were often the best sources of news.

The tavern was bustling with conversation in all sorts of accents, clinking glasses, and hearty laughter. Lin Qin found a seat in the corner, ordered some food and ale, and quietly listened to the talk around him.

Most of the conversation revolved around cultivation, magical beasts, mercenary jobs, and anecdotes about powerful figures in the Empire. He heard several familiar names, such as the pillar of the O'Brien Empire, the War God O'Brien. Although this God-level powerhouse had long since withdrawn from worldly affairs, he remained the object of every warrior's faith. He also heard news about several renowned Saint Realm powerhouses, including Hedereson, the Rock Sword Saint.

"...Have you heard? A few days ago, someone saw two Saint Realm powerhouses fighting in Gale Canyon to the north! The commotion was earth-shattering!"

"Who were they?"

"No idea. They were too far away. All I saw was a sky full of yellow sand and dazzling sword light. I guess two Ascetics got into a conflict."

"The Saint Realm... I wonder if I'll ever have a chance of reaching it in my lifetime..."

Lin Qin quietly noted the name Gale Canyon. The battle between Saint Realm powerhouses held great appeal for him.

He also heard a few people who looked like mercenaries speaking in hushed voices at a nearby table.

"Things haven't been peaceful in the Kingdom of Fenlai lately, either."

"What happened?"

"Seems like several major clans got into trouble. It's caused quite a stir. They say even the Radiant Church has gotten involved behind the scenes."

"Which clan, exactly?"

"I'm not sure. The news is being tightly suppressed. It seems... it might have something to do with the Baruch Clan?"

Baruch? Lin Qin's heart stirred. Was it Linley's clan? He continued listening without giving anything away, but those men didn't seem to know much either, and soon changed the subject.

Was Linley investigating what had happened to his mother? Lin Qin recalled the heaviness Linley had occasionally shown at the academy and had a vague suspicion. But he had no intention of interfering in the Kingdom of Fenlai. That was Linley's own path, and he believed Linley could handle it. If he needed help, Linley would ask.

After spending the afternoon in the tavern and gathering plenty of useful information, Lin Qin left. He went to the Mercenary Guild's headquarters in Red Flame City.

The headquarters was far larger than the Fenlai City branch, and its missions were much more varied. He even saw several S-rank missions issued by the authorities to exterminate Saint Realm magical beasts, with extremely generous rewards.

Lin Qin registered his information and updated his mercenary rank. Saint Realm powerhouses automatically received the highest privileges, but he still kept a low profile. He accepted an A-rank mission: hunt down a Level Nine Magical Beast, a Golden-Eyed Thunder Eagle, that was causing trouble in the Black Wind Mountain Range in the northern part of the Empire. The mission posed no challenge to him. He mainly wanted to familiarize himself with the terrain in the north and earn some gold.

As he was completing the paperwork, a powerful aura locked onto him. A middle-aged man in crimson armor, his expression stern, walked over. His aura was deep and steady; he was clearly a Saint Realm powerhouse.

"Welcome to Red Flame City, stranger of the Saint Realm." The middle-aged man's voice was low, with a soldier's gruffness. "I'm Baruch, deputy commander of the Imperial Household Guards." (This Baruch was not the other Baruch; they simply had the same name.)

"Lin Qin." Lin Qin gave his name, his expression calm.

Baruch scrutinized Lin Qin, his eyes assessing him. "You look unfamiliar. May I ask where you're from?"

"The Yulan Empire. I'm traveling around." Lin Qin gave a common answer.

Baruch did not press him. Saint Realm powerhouses were mostly unpredictable in their movements, and as long as they did not run amok in the Empire, the Imperial Household generally did not interfere too much. "Since you've accepted a mission, you're our guest. Red Flame City has its rules, and I hope you'll abide by them. If you need anything, you can come to the Imperial Household Guards' residence and find me."

His words carried a hint of warning, as well as a hint of an offer to recruit him.

"I understand." Lin Qin nodded.

Baruch said no more and turned to leave. This was the Empire's routine contact with, and warning to, unfamiliar Saint Realm powerhouses.

Lin Qin paid it no mind. He left the Mercenary Guild, intending to set out for the Black Wind Mountain Range the next day.

As he walked through the streets of Red Flame City, he sensed several subtle Saint Realm auras sweeping over him from different parts of the city. Clearly, his arrival had already drawn the attention of the other powerful figures within its walls. This was the world of the Saint Realm: they could all sense one another to some extent.

He looked up toward War God Mountain, the tallest place in the city, seeming to reach all the way to the heavens. It was the residence of the War God O'Brien, as well as the sacred ground of the entire O'Brien Empire.

"The War God..." A trace of longing flickered in Lin Qin's eyes. God-level beings stood beyond the Saint Realm, truly at the pinnacle of the Yulan Continent. He still had a long way to go.

But he was confident. With Heaven Rewards Diligence, as long as he had time, God-level power was not beyond his reach.

The next day, Lin Qin left Red Flame City and headed for the Black Wind Mountain Range.