After Kisho helped Arion get down, he took a good look around.
Unlike his Fok Grove Ward, the Central Ward was bustling with life; a number of people walking to and fro, visiting shops, chatting on the streets over drinks while some caught sight of the newly arrived people, and their eyes instantly got drawn towards Mei's enchanting figure.
Mei already put on a white veil to cover the lower half of her face, but it really didn't help diminish her otherworldly charms.
Instead, she seemed more mystical, as if she really was a saintess who descended from the moon Alara.
Those who caught sight of her had an excited look on their faces, because of which more and more people looked towards her direction and had the same expressions.
Some then finally spotted Arion sitting on a wheelchair beside Mei and frowned, not liking the huge contrast between them.
Why should someone like her have to drag around this cripple? Even if he was her brother, why do so much for a useless brother like him?
One was like a holy saintess while the other was a bony cripple who looked no different than a roadside beggar; the only difference being Arion had neat and good clothes.
However, in their mind, even if a pig puts on the best clothes, it would still be a pig.
Arion scoffed, seeing their reactions, and wondered how his previous self was able to endure these contemptuous stares and looks.
The more he felt these gazes, the more he felt like shoving his upcoming achievements onto their faces in the future.
'I will have the last laugh, heh,' Arion inwardly smirked as Mei pushed him along.
Whenever Mei took a look around, the ones who were frowning at Arion would quickly change their expressions into that of a humble smile and revert back once she looked away.
Arion shook his head, thinking how two-faced some people in the Central Ward were. He knew that the people's mindset here was more arrogant and loftier than other wards since the Central Ward was where most of the Dreadslayers gather during their leisure times and thus was one of the reasons for the popularity of this ward.
The Golden Monolith was yet another attraction and a facility that attracted people all over from different wards.
After walking for a while, Mei and Arion came upon a set of three stairs leading up to an open field.
Many people were walking up and down these stairs, and one could also hear the chatter of people on the other side.
Fortunately, there was an upward slope on the sides of these stairs, and when everyone saw Mei, they respectfully gave way even though some didn't like doing so for Arion.
Still, they wanted to make a good impression on Mei and didn't hold back on their politeness.
Arion started to enjoy these looks of jealousy and envy instead of getting angry over them since he felt this a refreshing experience.
After all, seeing them show smiling faces helplessly while giving way to him was indeed satisfying.
As Mei and Arion got up the slope, he finally saw a five-meter tall Golden Monolith with beautiful runes inscribed all over it, making it look ancient and mysterious.
Legends said that some ancient experts from the past had erected this monolith for the future generation, but it was just stories without any proof.
Still, for this monolith to have lasted thousands of years, it was proof that whoever created or erected this monolith was no ordinary being.
But what surprised Arion was the number of people standing in a queue, and he counted at least a hundred people standing in the long line.
At a time, only four can use the Golden Monolith since if there were too many, there would be some sort of interference and would ruin their connection to prana.
And each of them would be allotted only ten minutes, but these ten minutes were very precious due to how long the queue was to the point that some don't even get a chance the same day and would have to try their luck the next day unless they don't mind standing for more than a day.
Even if it was only just ten minutes, it was enough for a budding Defier to attune themselves with prana more than they ever could by doing it on their own for a day.
That was how effective the Golden Monolith was and why people would travel from afar to use it for the Prana Binding stage as well since the Golden Monolith acts as a conductor of prana as well, letting these potential Defiers bind prana onto their bodies or just to strengthen their connection.
Most of the people in the queue were kids, even younger than Arion, while very few were around Arion's age, and only one or two were late adolescents.
There were few guards and a supervisor managing the whole queue and to make sure no one caused any trouble while using the Golden Monolith.
There also seemed to be a priority queue. Still, surprisingly it was empty, which meant that no one of importance was currently present or they might have other ways to improve their abilities.
As soon as the people in the queue saw Mei and Arion, excited whispers passed around. Still, a certain few youngsters had scornful expressions upon seeing Arion.
"Damn, what's the scrawny cripple doing here with our saintess? Doesn't he usually get here early and alone?" A boy looking around sixteen with hair dangling over his forehead asked in a contemptuous tone.
"Yeah, just when I thought why the loser didn't show up, it seemed as if he didn't have enough guts left to come alone, haha. Marco, you must have done a number on him last time," A girl looking around Arion's age with pretty looks smirked.
Few younger youngsters standing behind them also supported the comments of these two, "But is he here to sell us out to the Moon Saintess?"
"He wouldn't dare," Marco said as his lips curved.
Arion spotted these youngsters and showed a middle finger to them, making them bulge their eyes in surprise and anger, not expecting such an attitude from him.
Meanwhile, the supervisor had a flattering smile on his face upon seeing Mei and said that he could let Arion use the priority queue instead of standing in the long queue.
Mei didn't shy away from the favor, especially Arion, as they two easily passed the long queue, much to the envy of the others.
Arion put out his tongue towards Marco and the youngsters, making them grit their teeth. However, their expressions stiffened when they felt as if Mei suddenly glared at them.
Arion decided not to pay them any mind anymore as his eyes got fixated on the beautiful Golden Monolith just a few feet ahead of him.