At the gates of Inkstone Mountain City, the broad road stretched wide as a column of armored soldiers bearing weapons escorted provisions out of the city.
Wheels rumbled and horses neighed. Travelers and merchants stopped to watch the troops depart for the front.
Only after a long while did the passage through the gates finally reopen.
The guards shouted for everyone to line up, and people filed through one after another.
"What are you here for?"
"Sir, I've come into town to do a little business. These are the wild fruits I'm selling."
"Entry tax, ten copper coins. Next."
"Sir, I've come into town to find someone."
"Entry tax, five copper coins. Next."
Suddenly, the guard stopped and carefully examined the next person in line.
He was a burly middle-aged man with a deep, imposing presence. His hair was cropped to about an inch, and his exposed arms bulged with muscle. One glance was enough to tell he was no ordinary commoner.
The guard instinctively shrank back. "N-no charge."
The middle-aged man was none other than Zhao Wuyan. At those words, he raised his slightly bowed head, glanced at the soldier, and walked forward.
His steps were slow. It took him a long time to pass through the tunnel beneath the wall and emerge onto the street.
The guard swallowed and said to his companion, "Who was that? He scared me half to death."
"What happened?"
"You don't understand. There's definitely something strange about him. He's either an extraordinary adept or a cultivator. I could tell!"
"How strange. Why have so many remarkable people been gathering in our city lately...? Forget it, forget it. Never mind that for now. Here comes the next one."
"..."
Zhao Wuyan tilted his head slightly, his ears twitching, then continued onward.
"The Worthy