It had been a day or two since both Julong and Qingchan had arrived in the town. Both were quite impressed by the standing of the town, as it constantly had to defend itself from multiple threats; the clashing Genesis Qi and Genesis Beasts just to name two of the many more.
The town was filled with masterfully designed buildings that carried beautiful and transcendent designs from the past. It was much to Julongs liking. He had always been a fan of tradition. Perhaps it had something to do with his Spirit and the era it originated from?
The town was built in such a way that it was almost like a stronghold. There were many buildings that went from shabby up to high class the further one strolled toward the interior. In the very centre, as expected was a large castle-like building. From the information provided before the mission, this place was undeniably the Swirling Poison Corrupting Sect. As heinous as the place sounded, apparently some of the students that had been taken by the Sect had become dazzling stars for the 6 Sacred Sects in the past.
Around the outskirts of the town, bordering city - a large wall that blocked off everything from the outside. This was presumably the main defence from the ravenous Genesis Beasts outside the said city walls. It had a very powerful resonance from it, leading Julong to assume that there was some sort of Genesis Rune engraved into it that was allowing it to maintain such a powerful defence.
The two of them were currently staying at an inn inside of the middle-most region of the town. It was just a small two-bedroom room, but it was enough to be their base of operations for a few days. They had been compiling any information they were able to find over the last day or so, and there really wasn't much to be found other than the fact that the Sacred Palace was indeed on their way.
This is what led to their current predicament; Julong wandering aimlessly around the streets of the town while Qingchan sat back at the inn looking for any clues in their priorly gathered information.
Stepping into one of the many small courtyards that littered themselves throughout the town, he spotted children no older than 4 or 5 playing with sticks and other things that littered the area. It was a rather interesting sight to behold for Julong. Naturally, this was because he had never had such liberty. While he was young, for as long as he could remember he was forced to study up on Cultivation and its many aspects. He was set to become an unfathomable Cultivation Genius before he could even walk.
His lingering gaze on the happy children must have caused some attention to fall upon him as he momentarily felt someone's presence appear beside him. He shuddered a little. This person was not weak by any standard either. If he was correct they were in the Eighth-Layer of the Alpha-Origin Realm. While they weren't as strong as Qingchan, they were definitely stronger than him. Even among standard Eighth-Layers, this person was exceedingly strong.
Amongst it all, there was a sense of foreign familiarity.
Looking over his shoulder toward where the undulations were appearing, he was greeted with a stunning girl a few years older than him. Long black hair with ash streaks was tied into a guan which helped direct the hair toward her middle back, where it became shrouded. Her eyes were a cold grey in contrast to her cherry red lips. She was wearing a combination of black and white, and on her side was a Genesis Weapon with the legendary Yin and Yang symbol.
Now the sense of familiarity made sense, he could sense whatever was causing this phenomenon. This person, much like Su Youwei, had a Yin and Yang Qi Dwelling. While it was not as high of a grade, it would still indeed be incredibly powerful in the future. Someone with such an outstanding Qi Dwelling would undoubtedly make it to the Nascent Source Stage if given the right guidance.
"Isn't it lovely?"
Her voice was silky soft and sounded like a song. Upon hearing her words, Julong couldn't help but scrunch his brow, what an odd opening question.
"The playing children?"
"Mmm~ the children. It reminds me of how much fun it was to be so negligent of the dangers of the world. Why..? Does it not resonate with you?"
She looked at him, inquisition in every feature of her gorgeous body.
"Not particularly. Why are you so interested?"
She put two fingers to her chin in thought.
"I suppose I'd like to figure out how an outsider looks at the world."
What a threatening stance she was taking. He should have expected as much though. As if someone of her apparent stature would randomly approach him for a leisurely chat.
"Your quick, aren't you?"
"It's hard to miss a newcomer, especially when they are as good-looking as yourself." She gave him a cheeky grin before returning to her initial stance, "But seriously, this town is so small, and in such a location, I can't help but notice."
Julong couldn't disagree with what she had said. The size of the town, despite its' size bordering on that of a city - wouldn't have been so great as to not know everyone inside of it.
"Well, if your intentions are so pure, I cannot help but to give you an answer, can I?"
Almost as if he was thinking of how to deliver what he was going to say, Julong looked into the sky which was filled with its incredibly dense fog. His answer, after all, could be considered that of a story, had he not decided he would make his answer quick.
"I was never given such a liberty as to... play." His eyes flickered momentarily, "I was only meant to be a Genius of Cultivation."
The still-unnamed girl let his words sink in until a look of understanding came to her face. She gave a quick up and down before deciding to speak.
"Well considering your age, you certainly were made to be a Genius."
Julong scratched the back of his head with an uncertain smile.
"Thanks. However, I would like to get down to business. What is the real reason you chose to approach me?"
An audacious smile graced her lips.
"I wanted to know why it is you came to our humble town?"
She was obviously intending to find out what his intentions were in case he was a threat. If he was correct, with her Cultivation Realm, she would have definitely been a part of the Swirling Poison Corrupting Sect.
"Tell me your name, then I'll answer you."
She tilted her head. Such an exchange was almost always in her favour.
"Sure. My name is Xiao Dai, yours?"
"Wan Julong." He turned his whole body to face her, "As for the reason I'm here?"
He chuckled thinking about his task, more specifically how detrimental to the Sacred Palace's resources it would be, should he and Qingchan succeed. They had expended a lot to keep the other Sects away after all.
"I'm here to find something."