Level Nine

The moment Akes stepped out of the cultivation chamber, the autumn sunlight slanted across his face, bringing with it a lazy warmth. He stood by the doorway for a while, letting his eyes adjust to the long-missed light. It had been half a month—an entire half month without setting foot outside. Every day, Kaman had left his meals by the door, knocked, and walked away. His cultivation had reached a critical point, and he couldn't afford even the slightest distraction.

In the courtyard, Kaman was sweeping fallen leaves. The autumn wind had just begun to blow, and a few parasol-tree leaves spiraled down, landing right on the ground he'd just swept. Hearing footsteps, Kaman turned around. The moment he saw Akes, he froze.

Akes looked much the same as he had half a month ago: neat clothes and an ordinary complexion. Yet Kaman could tell something was different. He couldn't put his finger on what. If Akes half a month ago had been a deep pool, placid and unfathomable, then the Akes standing before him now was a mountain, towering majestically and inspiring awe without even trying.

"Congratulations, my lord." Kaman set down his broom and bowed. His voice was more respectful than usual, and his back bent lower.

Akes nodded and walked down the steps.

Kaman hesitated, then couldn't help asking, "My lord, did you... break through?"

"You can tell?"

"This humble servant doesn't understand cultivation, but I do have some eye for these things." Kaman smiled. "Standing there, my lord feels like... like a drawn sword, its edge fully exposed. You were already powerful before, but your presence was restrained. Now it radiates naturally. I'm just an ordinary person, but I've served quite a few cultivators, so I can still recognize that kind of change."

Akes looked at him with some surprise. Kaman really was observant. To notice these things without having any cultivation meant he was perceptive and good at reading people.

"I did break through." He didn't hide it.

Kaman's smile broadened, and he bowed again. "Congratulations, my lord. I'll go prepare something to eat. You haven't had a proper meal in half a month. You need to replenish your strength."

"Nothing too elaborate. Something light will do."

"Understood."

Akes crossed the courtyard and headed for the garden. As he walked, he felt the magic power circulating within him. There really was a difference between level nine and level eight. It wasn't merely an increase in quantity, but a leap in quality. His magic power flowed through his meridians with effortless ease, like a stream joining a river and surging onward without end. With each breath, the surrounding fire elements were naturally drawn to him, forming a faint red glow around his body. He was doing his best to hold it in, but having just broken through, he still couldn't fully control it.

In the garden, Old Tom was watering the Flame Flowers. These were varieties he'd cultivated with care, larger and redder than ordinary Flame Flowers, their layered petals gleaming like satin in the sunlight. Old Tom had tended these flowers for decades, and each one was like a child to him.

Hearing footsteps, Old Tom looked up. He froze when he saw Akes, then chuckled. "My lord looks especially well today."

Akes smiled but didn't explain. He crouched beside the flowerbed and reached out to touch one of the Flame Flowers.

The instant his fingertip touched a petal, the flower trembled lightly, its petals drawing in just a little, as if responding to his touch. Then the whole plant began to tremble. One flower after another turned toward him, while the leaves swayed gently with a faint rustling sound.

"Huh?" Old Tom hurried over, eyes wide. "What's going on with these flowers? I've grown Flame Flowers for decades and never seen anything like this."

Akes withdrew his hand, thoughtful.

Flame Flowers were extremely sensitive to fire elements. He had just broken through to level nine, and the fire-element aura within him was far stronger than before. Though he'd done his best to restrain it, the flowers had still sensed it. It seemed he needed some time to adjust before he could truly control it at will.

"It's nothing." He stood up. "Maybe they're simply in full bloom."

Old Tom eyed him doubtfully, then looked at the Flame Flowers, still trembling faintly. He scratched his head and asked nothing more.

At lunchtime, Kaman served several light dishes, a bowl of porridge, a plate of pickles, and a platter of sliced fruit. Akes had been eating dry rations for half a month. With his cultivation, he could go several days without food, but a hot meal was still much better than dry rations.

Halfway through the meal, he suddenly said, "Kaman, I may be going on a long trip."

Kaman was waiting nearby. He paused slightly at that. "Where are you going, my lord?"

"The O'Brien Empire."

"Over there..." Kaman hesitated. "Things don't seem very peaceful lately. I heard a few principalities on the border have been causing trouble, and the O'Brien Empire has already sent its troops there. Are you going on business, my lord?"

Akes shook his head. "Just going to have a look."

He didn't elaborate.

Kaman didn't ask anything else. He hadn't served Akes for long, but he'd already figured out his master's temperament. Akes wasn't the sort to explain himself. If he said he was going to have a look, then he was just going to have a look.

"I'll prepare your things, then," Kaman said. "The weather's turning cold, and it's colder up north than it is here. You'll need a few warm clothes. Will you be riding or taking a carriage? If you want a carriage, I can arrange..."

"I'll ride," Akes said. "Keep it simple. I don't need much."

"Understood."

Over the next few days, Akes began preparing for the trip.

First was his staff, which he formally bound to himself. He used a blood-refining method, dripping his essence blood onto the staff and imprinting it with his mental power. The drop of blood was absorbed as soon as it touched the staff. The staff grew slightly warm and gave a faint hum. The Magic Core at its tip lit up, its red glow flickering as if flames were dancing inside. Akes could feel a strange bond forming between him and the staff, as though it were part of his body. From then on, only he could use it. In anyone else's hands, it would be no more than scrap metal. If someone tried to force it to work, not only would they fail to unleash its power, they would suffer a backlash.

Next, he put away the bottle of Moonlight Spirit Liquid, keeping it close to his body. It could save his life at a critical moment, so he couldn't let it out of his sight.

As for pills, the ones he'd accumulated through years of checking in, along with his share from the ruins, would last him for a while. He also went to the market and bought some ordinary healing and antidote potions, just in case. The shopkeeper was a shrewd middle-aged man. Seeing how much he was buying, he even gave Akes a waterproof, fireproof leather pouch, perfect for holding the potions.

"Heading out on a long trip, sir?" the shopkeeper asked as he packed the goods. "From what you're buying, it looks like you're getting ready for the road. Which way are you headed? If it's north, you'll want to be careful. Things haven't been peaceful over there lately."

"Thanks for the warning." Akes took the pouch.

"Not at all, not at all. Safe travels, sir." The shopkeeper cheerfully walked him to the door.

The most important thing was having a way to stay alive.

Ice Block could only be used once a day, and Teleportation had five marked locations: the Earl's Mansion, Ernst Institute, the old site of Fenlai City, the outskirts of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, and the Yulan Empire Magic Guild. If he ran into danger, he could retreat at any time. He carefully checked the coordinates for every marked location to make sure there were no errors. Teleportation was useful, but a mistake in the coordinates could send him straight into a rock or up into the air. Either way, he'd be dead.

He made another trip to the outskirts of the Magical Beast Mountain Range and set new coordinates in several hidden places. If he ran into danger in the O'Brien Empire, he'd need somewhere to retreat to. The Magical Beast Mountain Range was dangerous, but its complex terrain made it easy to hide. He chose several spots: a hidden cave, a place behind a massive boulder, and a hollow in a thousand-year-old tree. He checked every set of coordinates carefully to make sure they were flawless.

By the time everything was ready, a week had passed.

The night before he left, Akes paid a visit to Holman's residence.

Holman was delighted to see him and pulled him into a drinking session. After several rounds, Holman's wife brought out a few small dishes, greeted Akes with a smile, then withdrew. Only the two of them remained in the sitting room, with the candlelight flickering and the scent of wine in the air.

"You've really made up your mind?" Holman held his wineglass, his smile fading a little.

Akes nodded.

Holman sighed. "I knew you couldn't sit still. How long have you even been in the Imperial Capital?"

"Almost two months," Akes said.

"Fine, I won't try to talk you out of it." Holman raised his glass. "Be careful on the way to the O'Brien Empire. It's not as peaceful as the Yulan Empire over there. The O'Brien Imperial Family is notorious for throwing its weight around. You may be powerful, but you still need to keep a low profile and avoid trouble. People there are quick to fight. The slightest disagreement could turn violent."

Akes smiled. "I know."

"Good." Holman took a sip of wine, then continued, "By the way, if you go to the O'Brien Empire's Imperial Capital, you can check out their Colosseum. It's the largest in the whole continent. They have fights every day, sometimes even duels between level-nine powerhouses. The entrance fee is outrageous, though. One match can cost as much as an ordinary person earns in a year."

"Level-nine fighters in the arena?"

"That's right. The O'Brien Empire loves that kind of thing. They worship strength and consider fighting in the arena the noblest form of entertainment. Some powerhouses do it for money, some for fame, and others just to test themselves. If you're interested, you can go watch. But don't enter the arena. People there love to fight, and you'll be in trouble if someone challenges you."

Akes nodded, making a note of it.

Holman went on and on, telling him about local customs, warning him not to pick fights with soldiers, and saying he could seek out the local Mercenary Guild if he ran into trouble. He covered a lot, then finally raised his glass.

"Anyway, just make sure you come back alive. I'm still waiting to hear your stories about the place."

Akes clinked glasses with him.

They drank until midnight before Akes finally rose to leave. Holman walked him to the door and patted his shoulder. He didn't say much, just gripped it firmly.

The night wind was a little chilly. Akes rode back, the streets empty except for the occasional patrol of soldiers. His horse's hooves struck the cobblestones with a crisp sound that carried far through the silent night. As he passed a shop that still had its lights on, the owner was tidying up to close for the night. Seeing him ride past, the man looked at him curiously.

Akes paid no attention and continued on.

When he returned to the Earl's Mansion, Kaman was still waiting for him. Seeing him arrive, Kaman came forward. "My lord, I've got everything ready. A change of clothes, dry rations, a waterskin, a fire striker, and a few odds and ends. Is there anything else you need?"

Akes followed him to a side room, where a bundle lay on the table. He opened it and saw that everything had been packed neatly and sorted by type. Kaman was so thorough that he'd even included a sewing kit, as well as a small packet of salt and seasoning, in case Akes caught something on the road and wanted to roast it.

"Thanks for your hard work," Akes said.

"You're too kind, my lord. It's my duty." Kaman smiled. "Be careful on the road, and come back soon. Old Tom was saying yesterday that the Flame Flowers in the garden won't be as lively once you've gone."

Akes froze for a moment, then smiled.

Early the next morning, Akes rode out of the Imperial Capital.

Kaman saw him off at the gate, with Old Tom standing beside him and waving. Akes looked back, waved in return, and rode off.

He left the city and headed north.

The early autumn breeze was cool against his face, pleasant and refreshing. Farmers were harvesting crops in the fields along the road, and the countryside was bustling. Golden waves of wheat rose and fell in the wind. As the sickles flashed, sheaves of wheat were stacked in neat piles. Children chased one another along the field ridges, their laughter carrying from far away. A few bold children spotted him riding past and stopped to wave, shouting something. Akes couldn't make out what they said, but he waved back. The children laughed even louder.

Akes slowed down and watched them.

It was a simple, peaceful life. No pressure to cultivate, no dangerous ruins, no life-or-death battles. Work at sunrise and rest at sunset, year after year. If he hadn't been a transmigrator, if he hadn't obtained the Sign-in System, perhaps he would have lived like this too.

But since fate had brought him here, all he could do was keep moving forward.

The road stretched ahead, its end nowhere in sight.

The outline of the Imperial Capital gradually shrank behind him, then finally disappeared below the horizon. Akes turned his gaze away and urged his horse to pick up speed.

The horse's hooves rang out crisply as he rode north.

The sun rose higher, and more travelers appeared on the road. There were merchant caravans with their wagons, farmers carrying tools, travelers with bundles on their backs, and messengers on fast horses. Everyone hurried toward their own destination.

Akes moved along with them at an easy pace.

After about an hour, a fork appeared in the road ahead. One path continued north toward the next town; the other led west toward the Magical Beast Mountain Range. Akes reined in at the junction and examined the boundary stone beside the road.

As his horse stepped onto the new road, Akes felt an indescribable stirring in his heart. Ahead lay an unknown country, unfamiliar customs, and unknown opportunities and challenges. He didn't know what he would encounter, but that was exactly what made the journey interesting.

The scenery along the road gradually changed. There were fewer and fewer fields, and more and more wasteland. Every so often, he saw a few homes, most of them dilapidated thatched huts. Gaunt dogs squatted by the doors and barked whenever anyone passed. Children ran barefoot through the mud, stopping to stare blankly whenever they saw a traveler on horseback.

Akes fished a few copper coins out of his bundle and tossed them to the children. They scrambled to pick them up and looked up to thank him, but he had already ridden away.

In the afternoon, he passed through a small town. It was hardly a town at all—just a single street with a dozen or so scattered shops on either side. Food stalls sent up clouds of steam. Akes was a little hungry, so he dismounted and sat down at one of them.

The stall owner was a woman in her fifties. She moved briskly and brought him a bowl of hot soup as soon as he sat down. It was bone broth with a few leaves floating on top, and it smelled quite good.

"Where are you coming from, sir?" the woman asked with a smile.

"The Imperial Capital."

"Oh, that's a long way." The woman looked him over in surprise. "You rode all this way alone? Didn't run into any trouble?"

Akes shook his head. "The road's been peaceful."

"That's good, that's good," she said. "The road north hasn't been very peaceful lately. I hear bandits have been roaming around. A few merchant caravans were robbed a few days ago, and plenty of people died. If you're continuing north, you'd better be careful."

Akes nodded and thanked her for the warning.

After a bowl of hot soup and two flatbreads, he felt warm again. He paid and asked the woman, "How far is the nearest town if I head north?"

"On horseback, you can reach it before dark." She pointed in the right direction. "Just keep going. You'll come to a stone bridge. Cross the river there, and you'll reach the town in another half hour."

Akes thanked her, mounted his horse, and continued on.

As the sun slanted westward, he did indeed come upon a stone bridge. It was an old stone arch bridge, its uneven surface covered in moss. A small river ran beneath it. The water was crystal clear, and he could see fish swimming in it.

After crossing the bridge and riding for another half hour, he saw a town ahead. It was larger than the last one and had a city wall. The gates were still open. Akes rode in and found an inn to stay at.

The innkeeper was a shrewd middle-aged man. Seeing Akes arrive on horseback, neatly dressed, he knew he was a man of means and hurried to welcome him. Akes asked for a private room, ordered some food, and told a young server to take his horse to be fed.

The room was fairly clean. Akes set down his bundle and opened the window to look outside. There was a street below. The sky was darkening, and fewer people were on the road. A few dogs barked in the distance, mixed with the sound of children crying and women scolding them.

He closed the window and sat cross-legged on the bed, beginning his daily cultivation.

Deep into the night, the world outside fell completely silent.

Early the next morning, Akes continued on his way.

Day after day, he rode north.

He passed more and more towns, and the scenery grew increasingly desolate. Fields gave way to grasslands, and grasslands to wasteland. The air grew colder, and the wind sharper. Akes changed into warmer clothes and pressed on.