The second stop is Whirlpool City which is governed by the two most powerful clans of the country. "Shira Clan" is the ranks two and "Naoya Clan" is the strongest clan in the country.
It was the first time that Neru learned about the cultivation world he was in. Now, they are in the capital city of the Cross Country where the ruling party and also where the most popular market were situated.
The carriage smoothly arrived in front of a small gate. The guard only gave the carriage a passing glance. "Magna Commerce? Let them in..."
This is a special gate reserved for powerful people as a shortcut. On the other hand, not far away from it was a big gate where fifty to a hundred carriages were lined up. The guards there were also strictly inspecting the belongings of the people and their identities. Worst, everyone who wants to enter needs to pay money depending on the weight of the items inside the carriage.
'It's convenient to have such an influence isn't it?'
As the carriage entered the door, Neru couldn't help but lament. Everywhere, the status of a person really determines how valuable they are and what privileges they get. Status segregates special people from common folks.
Neru was lucky that he managed to ride on the carriage of someone powerful. This is a good start! He just stepped into the world and he's already in the capital city! Not at a damned novice village.
After all, the larger the city, the more prosperous it was. The more resources he could get. Most of the time, the biggest factor for success is the environment itself! The better the environment, the more opportunities.
Even a pig would be able to cultivate if you put him in a dimension with tremendous natural energy or qi.
'Hard work beats talent? Yeah, but without the right environment and opportunity. Hard work alone could only do so much.' Neru shook his head.
Zaude who was chilling noticed Neru shaking his head. "What are you thinking? Are you disappointed or something? Does the prosperity of the city fail to meet your expectations?"
"No, it's not like that." Neru didn't know what to say.
How did this guy even come up with such a conclusion?
Beluer noticed his lord's boredom at this time. "Well, since we're still a bit far from the destination. Why don't we talk more about the situation in this country?" He chuckled as he turned his head at Neru. "Do you want to know about something?"
Beluer put his hand behind his back and he exuded the demeanor of an expert. "As long as you want to know something. I'm the only person that knows this city in the back of my hand." However, there was an unnoticeable dangerous glint in his eyes.
"You can believe him. He's the head of my intelligence unit whose primary purpose is to gather intel." Zaude affirmed.
'Are they stupid? Why would they want to give me information?'
For starters, Neru knew that a person who knows a lot can be silenced. This fact alone made Neru reluctant to ask about core information or secrets. He doesn't want to step on the muddy water of this country without sufficient strength. He also couldn't understand why Zaude or Beluer would suddenly try to lead him into a trap. Is it for fun or out of boredom?
Thinking of this, Neru said cautiously. "Just the general information that everyone knows. Mostly about the three powerful clans."
Beluer laughed. "Hahaha! What a smart kid. It seems you're not the type to bite more than you can chew."
Zaude also nodded his head in approval. 'How many times have I sent assassins to kill people due to knowing information that they shouldn't?'
Even if it was Beluer who took the initiative to give information. Zaude would still not let Neru leave in case he asked for something sensitive. The kid Neru could only die at that time!
'These bastards aren't right in the head.' Neru grimace. 'As expected, fortunately, I know the pitfalls of knowing too much.'
"I know that the bloodlines of those three clans are really one of the wonders in this world. So which clan do you want to start between the three major clans?" Beluer laughed boisterously.
'What an annoying laugh.' Neru complained in his mind.
"Well, let's start with that Zatete Clan. What's up with their bloodline ability to transform their body to liquid?"
"Satete not Zatete..." It was Beluer's turn to have a black line on his face. With a deep breath, he smiled slightly to continue. "It's interesting, isn't it? They are basically immune to physical attacks with their ability as long as they're not caught off guard."
"Indeed." It was Neru's turn to nod. Honestly, he was quite envious to have such a lifesaving ability.
Zaude just smiled silently listening to the conversation between the two. He just acted as a bystander watching the two of them like a distant spectator.
"The mechanism behind their transformation is unclear as it involves the secrets of DNA. However, the thing is, to replicate their ability, one needs to have a precise qi control to the molecular level."
"When members of Satete Clan activate their ability. The Qi flows to the DNA that contains the information and turns their bodies into liquid. I specialized in information gathering but I'm not a scientist so..."
"And here I thought you knew everything." Neru couldn't help but tease with a chuckle. "Well, I don't want to know the specifics either even if you know. I don't want the Satete Clan hunting me for knowing such deep stuff about them."
"It's not a secret but Satata Clan aren't invincible." Zaude smiled confidently. "Their ability might have given them immunity to physical attacks... After all, they would have already became the number one clan in the world if that's the case."
"Hmmm... What is it?" With a fake curious expression, Neru asked.
Beluer gave his lord a knowing smile which made Neru sweat.
"This is not some secret information, right?"
Neru asked suspiciously and hr was ready to cover his ears.
"Don't be nervous. It's a public information. I'm quite suspicious now how cunning you are for your age. You have a good head between your shoulders."
"I'm 28!" Neru corrected but the two turned deaf ears to him.
'Don't full us. How can such a face be 28 years old?' Zaude thought. "The Satetr Clan are susceptible to two elemental attacks. Fire and lightning. Though, those two attributes were relatively rare so it doesn't make their weakness easy to exploit."