As the villagers enjoyed the barbecue, Wei Zhao, Mei Ling, and Liu Hao sat around a table discussing rumors they had heard about powerful beasts taking humans as slaves in the big cities.
Wei Zhao furrowed his brow, "That's a disturbing rumor. We should investigate it and see if there's any truth to it."
Liu Hao nodded in agreement, "I've heard similar rumors from travelers passing through the village. It's definitely worth looking into."
Mei Ling chimed in, "I'll do some research and see if I can find any information that might be helpful. Perhaps we can also reach out to other villages to see if they have had any encounters with these beasts."
Wei Zhao nodded, "Good idea, Mei Ling. Let's also make sure to strengthen the defenses of our own village, just in case."
Liu Hao added, "I'll gather some skilled hunters and warriors to train and prepare for any potential threats. We need to make sure we're ready for anything."
The three continued to discuss their plans and strategies, determined to protect their village and its people from any possible danger.
Wei Zhao, Mei Ling, and Liu Hao continued their conversation as they enjoyed their BBQ. Mei Ling mentioned that she had heard rumors about a powerful beast that had been sighted near a nearby city.
Wei Zhao's interest was piqued, and he asked Mei Ling for more details. She explained that the beast was called the "Soul Devourer" and that it had the ability to consume the souls of humans, turning them into mindless slaves.
Liu Hao chimed in, saying that he had heard similar rumors, but that he thought they were just exaggerated stories meant to scare people.
Wei Zhao nodded, but he couldn't shake the feeling that there was some truth to the rumors. He had seen firsthand the power of some of the beasts in the forest, and he knew that there were likely many more out there that he had yet to encounter.
As they continued to talk, the conversation turned to the cultivation realms. Liu Hao mentioned that he had heard that there were nine cultivation realms, each with its own set of challenges and rewards.
Wei Zhao was intrigued and asked for more information. Liu Hao explained that the first realm was the Mortal Realm, where most people started their cultivation journey. Beyond that were the Earth, Heaven, and Divine Realms, each with increasing levels of power and difficulty.
Mei Ling added that she had heard that there were even higher realms, but that they were shrouded in mystery and few people had ever reached them.
Wei Zhao nodded, taking in the information. He knew that he had a long way to go on his cultivation journey, but he was determined to reach the highest level.
Wei Zhao, Mei Ling, and Liu Hao sat around the bonfire, their bellies full from the delicious barbecue they had just enjoyed. As they relaxed, they began to discuss the various powers and strengths of the villages in the area.
Mei Ling spoke first. "I heard that the village to the north has a powerful group of cultivators who can control the elements. They say that they can summon lightning and thunder with a wave of their hand."
Liu Hao nodded in agreement. "Yes, and the village to the west has a group of warriors who are unmatched in speed and agility. They say that they can move so fast that they become a blur."
Wei Zhao listened intently, but he had his own thoughts about the villages. "What about the village to the south? I heard that they have a powerful sorcerer who can control the minds of others. They say that he can make people do his bidding with just a glance."
Mei Ling shuddered at the thought. "That sounds terrifying. I hope we never have to face someone like that."
The conversation then turned to the various cultivation realms and the different stages of power that cultivators could reach. They discussed the mystery and wonder of the world they lived in, with its powerful beasts, mysterious artifacts, and unexplored territories.
As the night wore on, they continued to discuss the many mysteries of the world, marveling at the wonders and dangers that lay beyond their village. They knew that there was much to discover and much to learn, and they were eager to continue their journey of exploration and growth.
. . . . . .
Wei Zhao returned to his humble abode and sat cross-legged on the floor. He took a deep breath and began to sort through the items he had collected from his recent battles.
He started with the empty bottles he had used to collect the essence of the beasts he had defeated. He carefully labeled each bottle with the name of the beast and the essence it contained. He knew that these essences would come in handy for his future cultivation.
Next, he sorted through the various items he had received from absorbing the souls of the beasts. He had collected everything from rare herbs to precious metals. He carefully stored each item in a separate compartment in his storage space, making sure they were safe and easily accessible.
As he sorted through the items, he couldn't help but think about the mysteries of this world. He had heard rumors about powerful cultivators who could control the elements and even manipulate space and time. He wondered if he would ever reach such levels of power.
As the night wore on, Wei Zhao lost track of time as he continued to sort through his items. He was so absorbed in his task that he didn't even notice the sun rising in the distance.
Finally, he finished his task and sat back, feeling satisfied with his progress. He closed his eyes and meditated, feeling the energy of the world flowing through him.
He spent the rest of the night meditating and practicing his swordsmanship. With each strike, he felt his body growing stronger and his mind more focused.
As the first rays of sunlight began to peek over the horizon, Wei Zhao finished his practice and got ready for the day ahead.
. . . . . .
Liu Hao had come to his house early in the morning to inform him that a group of cultivators was planning to head to the city to trade their village's goods for food and cultivation resources. Liu Hao had been entrusted with the task of escorting them to the city, and he had come to ask Wei Zhao to join them.
As he was about to leave, Liu Hao arrived at his door. "Hey, Wei, ready to go to the city?" Liu Hao asked.
"Yeah, I'm all set," Wei replied, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
Wei Zhao was excited about the prospect of going to the city this was his first time going to the city. He had heard that the city was a bustling metropolis with tall buildings, busy streets, and people from all over the world. He had always been fascinated by the stories he had heard about the city, and now he was going to see it for himself.
He quickly packed things he can sell and set out with Liu Hao to meet up with the other villagers.
As they walked toward the city, Wei Zhao couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The road was busy with people and carts carrying goods, and the air was thick with the smell of cooking food and the sound of merchants haggling with customers.
As they stepped into the city, Wei was amazed at the sights and sounds. The streets were bustling with people, and there were vendors selling all kinds of goods. The buildings were tall and made of stone, unlike the simple wooden homes in the village.
Finally, they reached the city gates. The guards at the gate checked their permits and let them through. Wei Zhao's heart raced as he stepped through the gates and into the city.
As they walked towards the city market, Wei Zhao asked Liu Hao about the city and its name. Liu explained, "The name of this city is Xuan City, and it's known to be one of the biggest cities in this region. It's a bustling hub for cultivators and traders alike. There are many powerful cultivator families that reside here, and they have a lot of influence over the city's affairs."
Wei Zhao said"Alright, let's get going then. I'm excited to see the city and do some trading."
Liu Hao said, "Me too, But be careful, the city can be dangerous for outsiders like us. We'll need to stick together and watch out for any trouble."
Wei nodded, taking in the sights and sounds of the city. As they walked through the crowded streets, he couldn't help but notice the vibrant colors of the marketplace stalls and the lively chatter of the merchants. His system also identified several rare herbs and goods that he could use for his cultivation, and he made a mental note to come back to stock up on resources.
"Wow, this place is incredible," Wei said in amazement. "I never thought I'd see a city like this. It's so different from our village."
Liu smiled. "Yes, it's quite different from our simple way of life back in the village. But it's also a great opportunity for us to trade our goods for food and cultivation resources. And who knows, maybe one day we'll be able to afford to live in a city like this."
Wei nodded, excited for the opportunities that lay ahead. "Let's make the most of our time here and trade our goods for the best prices we can find!"
The city was everything he had imagined it to be and more. The streets were crowded with people of all shapes and sizes, and the buildings were taller than any he had ever seen. The sounds and smells were overwhelming, but Wei Zhao was too excited to be bothered by them.
"Wow, this place is incredible," Wei said, looking around in awe.
Liu Hao chuckled. "You're like a kid," he said. "But we're here on a mission. Let's focus on trading our goods for some cultivation resources."