Half a Day in Fenlai City

It was the weekend, a rare day of rest at the Ernst Institute. Most students chose to spend the time resting in their dorms, meditating, or strolling through the commercial street within the academy. Yale Dawson, the young master of the Dawson Chamber of Commerce, however, proposed a more attractive suggestion.

"Brothers, aren't you bored staying in the academy all day? Let's go, let's head into Fenlai City! My treat!" Yale draped his arm over Linley's shoulder and said this to Reynolds, George, and Lin Qin, who had just arrived to discuss a magic problem with Linley.

Reynolds was the first to jump up in response: "Great! I've been wanting to check out the largest magic item shop in Fenlai City for a long time!"

George pushed up his glasses and smiled: "Going for a look is fine, it will broaden our horizons."

Linley was also somewhat moved; he hadn't really explored Fenlai Royal Capital properly since arriving.

Lin Qin had intended to refuse, as he preferred to use this time to consolidate the morphological changes of his Earth Wall Technique. But looking at Linley's expectant gaze and Yale's enthusiastic smile, he hesitated for a moment before nodding. Perhaps there was no harm in relaxing for half a day occasionally.

The group boarded a carriage arranged by Yale, leaving the tranquil Ernst Institute and heading toward the bustling Fenlai City.

Upon entering the city, the clamor immediately rushed toward them. The wide streets were filled with a constant stream of carriages and horses, shops lined both sides, and the sound of hawking was endless. Pedestrians dressed in all sorts of clothing rubbed shoulders—there were ordinary citizens, mercenaries carrying weapons, and mages in magnificent robes. This was a stark contrast to the quiet, focused atmosphere of the academy.

"How is it? Much livelier than the little commercial street in our academy, right?" Yale introduced proudly, "This area is near the Mercenary Guild, where there are the most taverns and weapon shops. If we go further ahead, it's the noble district; the things there are more exquisite, and of course, much more expensive."

Reynolds's eyes couldn't take it all in, especially when he saw the magic item shops with their strange signs.

They first visited a fairly large magic item shop. The store was filled with a dazzling array of goods, from the lowest-level magic cores and blank scrolls to magic wands shimmering with various lights and jewelry inlaid with gemstones; everything one could imagine was there.

Reynolds picked up a wand that was fiery red all over, with a red magic core embedded at the tip, and couldn't put it down: "Wow, this wand must definitely amplify fire-style magic!"

George, meanwhile, was carefully observing some magic scrolls inscribed with complex patterns, analyzing the structures upon them.

Linley lingered a few extra moments on a jade pendant that was said to slightly increase the speed of spiritual energy condensation, but he shook his head after seeing the expensive price tag marked below it.

Lin Qin's gaze swept over the expensive magic equipment without much fluctuation. He was more concerned with some of the basic materials displayed in the shop, such as various types of magic beast leather, tough vines, and special minerals. He wondered what effects these materials would have if used in forging or creating magic traps. His Heaven Rewards Diligence seemed to have made his thinking more pragmatic, accustomed to considering problems from a foundational level.

Leaving the magic item shop, Yale took them to the famous Champs-Élysées Avenue, a consumption district where nobles and wealthy merchants gathered. The streets were cleaner, the shops were decorated with splendor, and everything sold was a luxury item.

In front of an exquisite pastry shop, Yale waved his hand and bought several boxes of snacks that looked quite expensive, distributing them to everyone.

"Try it, this was made by the most famous pastry chef in Fenlai City." Yale took a piece and stuffed it into his mouth first.

Lin Qin took a pale green pastry with an elegant shape and carefully took a bite. It was sweet but not cloying, carrying a fresh tea fragrance with a delicate texture. This was indeed a delicacy he had never tasted before. He ate slowly, feeling this simple pleasure that had nothing to do with cultivation.

Linley, Reynolds, and George also ate with great relish, occasionally letting out exclamations of praise.

"How about it, Lin Qin, it's nice to come out and stroll occasionally, right?" Yale asked with a smile.

"Mm, thank you." Lin Qin thanked him honestly. He looked at the bustling crowd on the street, at the people who were rushing about for a living or enjoying their leisure time, and felt moved. This world was not just about cultivation and power; it had many other facets.

They wandered around a bit more, looking at shops selling art and strange, curious gadgets. At a street corner, they even saw a juggling troupe performing fire-breathing and knife-throwing, drawing cheers from the surrounding crowd.

As the sunset began to sink, Yale suggested going to a restaurant he was familiar with for dinner.

"No," Lin Qin spoke up at this moment, "I plan to go look at the weapon shop district over there, and then head back on my own."

He knew the restaurant Yale chose wouldn't be cheap, and he didn't want to owe too many favors. Moreover, he was more interested in the weapons themselves.

Yale was stunned for a moment, but he didn't force the issue: "Alright, then take care of yourself. Linley, what about you guys?"

Linley thought for a moment and decided to go to dinner with Yale and the others.

Thus, the group parted ways at the street corner. Lin Qin walked alone toward the relatively noisy weapon shop district, which was thick with the scent of smoke and life. He looked one by one at the blacksmith shops hanging swords and armor, listening to the clanging sounds of forging coming from within. Occasionally, he would go inside to check the quality of the finished products, weighing the weapons in his hand to feel their balance and the texture of the forging.

In this half-day, he had seen prosperity, tasted delicacies, and felt the vitality of the city. This gave him a more three-dimensional understanding of the Yulan Continent. But in the end, he returned to the field he was most familiar with—the place related to power and skill.

When Lin Qin returned to the Ernst Institute by public carriage alone, the sky was near dusk. He walked through the familiar school gate, feeling the magic elements around him becoming dense again and the tranquil atmosphere, and took a deep breath.

The relaxation was over. He gripped the hilt of the sword on his back, his steps firm as he walked toward the back mountain. Tonight, another thousand sword swings and two hours of meditation awaited him.

The clamor of Fenlai City was left behind, while the path of Heaven Rewards Diligence that belonged to him continued to stretch out beneath his feet.