While Xuan Yuan was soundly sleeping, Aunt Lan moved like a ghost under the dark sky, reaping lives like a grim reaper.
The shadows of assassins, scouts, and greedy cultivators melted into the night one after another. None screamed, none even resisted, it's not they do not want, but they couldn't—each strike was silent, merciless, precise. By dawn, the alleys were clean, the rooftops empty, and the city breathed as though nothing had ever happened.
The morning sun broke lazily through the mist. Inside the inn, Yuan stretched and yawned so wide his jaw cracked. "Mmm… slept like a baby. Finally, a night without a certain old man's nagging in my dreams. Must be a good omen."
Previous Xuan Yuan was frequently patronized by the old man's lectures which only motivated him...but for current Xuan Yuan, it's like the school Principal's speech on annual fest, utterly boring and repetetive.
He sniffed the air, then brightened. "And is that… porridge? Bless the heavens!"
Aunt Lan placed a tray in front of him, face calm as if she hadn't just culled half the city's night-stalkers.
Yuan dug in happily. "Ah, this is life. Sleep well, wake up to food. Honestly, exile isn't looking too bad right now."
Aunt Lan sipped her tea in silence.
"…Why do you look so refreshed? Don't tell me you actually slept better than me. That's unfair," Yuan grumbled.
"Eat," she said simply.
He shrugged and obeyed, oblivious.
Later that morning, Yuan and Aunt Lan strolled through the lively streets of the city. Vendors hawked talismans, roasted meats sizzled on skewers, and spirit beasts in cages snarled at curious children.
They also learned that this city was called Red Moon City, because of the red moon which appears every month. While red moon is nothing special and can be seen regularly at all parts of world, but here the frequency is quite high - once a month. Hence the city got it's name.
Yuan leaned halfway out of a stall, chewing candied fruit. "Ah! Aunt Lan, maybe we should settle here. so peaceful and they even sell candied scorpions."
"You'd rot in a week," she replied flatly.
He grinned. "A happy rot, though."
As the sun climbed, the Codex pulsed in his chest.
Ding! Special sign-in location detected: Red Moon City. Would host like to sign in?
Yuan's eyes lit up. "Finally! Don't disappoint me, Codex. Claim!"
Sign-in successful. Reward: High Heaven-Grade Defensive Artifact — Scarlet Moon Pendant.
A red jade pendant appeared in his palm, warm and humming with qi.
Scarlet Moon Pendant: Automatically activates to block fatal strike - body and soul - once per day. Can rebound the attack with 3 times more the power.
Yuan whistled. "Not bad! Fashionable and life-saving. Perfect for a low-key genius like me." He slipped it under his robes smugly.
Aunt Lan glanced at him sideways. "Where are you dazing off again? Honestly brat, you are becoming weirder everyday"
"May be this is actual me..without any mounting pressure or stifling clan atmosphere..."
"Uh…Aunt, have a bite, these candied scorpions taste better than expected," Yuan said smoothly.
She rolled her eyes and moved on.
By evening, they left Red Moon City behind. The spirit horses trotted smoothly, their golden manes glowing in the dust. The road turned wilder as they went deeper south—forests thicker, mountains sharper, villages more scattered.
Two days passed in peace. Yuan lounged in the carriage, alternating between "meditation" (i.e., napping) and pestering Aunt Lan about snacks.
During these two days, he obtained a low Earth-grade Flowing Light Talisman—a neat little escape charm—and a bottle of Core Nurturing Pills, practical for stabilizing his freshly gained realm. Not as flashy as his earlier rewards, but still useful.
On the second evening, as their caravan crossed a stone bridge, Aunt Lan finally broke the silence.
"Little Yuan, You should already know about South, it is not like the East. There are no dynasties or empires here. No great imperial academy to unify the young generation."
She gestured at the rugged mountains ahead. "Instead, sects and clans rule every region. Large or small, righteous or demonic—it doesn't matter. They rise and fall like waves, fighting constantly for land, resources, and pride. Even kingdoms are temporary here."
Yuan blinked, then smirked. "So basically, the South is one big chaotic free-for-all. Like a sale day at a shopping mall."
Aunt Lan gave him a long look but didn't deny it.
"Still," she continued, "not all is disorder. A few sects have stood firm for centuries. They are the pillars here. Some hidden forces are nearly as strong as 5 great families of Eastern Spiritual Lands"
She didn't name them, but Yuan tucked the words away.
He stretched, gazing lazily at the wild landscape. "Sounds lively. Maybe I'll fit right in."
Aunt Lan shook her head softly. "You'll see soon enough. Perhaps the South will indeed be kinder to you. Tomorrow, we'll reach the sect your father entrusted you to."
Yuan leaned back, lips quirking. "Let's see… Finally. From trash young master to… guest trash disciple. What a promotion."
He chuckled at his own words, but as the last rays of sun sank behind the mountains, his eyes lingered on the horizon.
What kind of sect did Father choose for me?
His tone outwardly stayed casual, but deep down, curiosity sparked. Maybe… just maybe, this next step would open a path even he hadn't imagined.
The road stretched on under the twilight, the wheels of the carriage carrying him steadily southward—toward the sect that would mark the next chapter of his strange and unpredictable journey.