With two weeks left before the Rite of Ascendancy, Li Wei decided it was time to leave the Li clan's estate. Since his true self had awakened in this world, he had remained within the clan, focused on cultivating and preparing for the challenges ahead. But now, his curiosity about the outside world and the city of Tianxuan stirred within him.
As Li Wei walked through the grand gates of the Li estate, he felt the cool breeze of freedom. The city stretched out before him, vibrant and alive with activity. Tianxuan was one of the largest cities in the kingdom of Qianyuan, a hub of commerce, power, and influence. It was governed by three powerful families: the Li clan, the Zhao family, and the Feng family.
Each of these families had its own territory within the city, their influence shaping the lives of those who lived under their rule. The Li clan, with its deep roots in cultivation, had long been respected, but both the Zhao and Feng families were formidable in their own right. The Zhao family specialized in crafting high-quality weapons and armaments, while the Feng family was renowned for its mastery of alchemy and pill refining.
The heart of Tianxuan was a sprawling marketplace, where traders, merchants, and cultivators from across the kingdom came to buy and sell rare goods. As Li Wei walked through the bustling streets, the sounds of vendors hawking their wares filled the air, mixing with the chatter of townsfolk and the clatter of carts.
He observed the towering shops lining the streets, each one offering something unique. To his left, an apothecary sold rare herbs and pills; to his right, a blacksmith's forge burned brightly, displaying gleaming weapons fresh from the anvil. The air was thick with the scent of incense, iron, and the fragrant aroma of street food.
Li Wei's eyes roamed across the myriad of shops and stalls, noting the energy of the city's inhabitants. It was a far cry from the quiet and controlled environment of the Li estate. Here, the city was alive with possibility, and each turn seemed to offer something new.
As he passed a particularly crowded section of the market, a group of children ran past him, laughing and shouting. They were about ten or eleven years old, wearing the bright robes of the Feng family. Their playful jostling stopped as they noticed Li Wei's Li clan insignia embroidered on his robes. The leader of the group, a tall boy with sharp eyes, stepped forward, sizing up Li Wei with a smirk.
"Hey, isn't that the insignia of the Li clan?" the boy asked loudly, drawing the attention of those around them. "What's someone from the Li clan doing in our part of the city?"
Li Wei paused, turning to look at the boy calmly. He had no interest in starting trouble, but the arrogance in the boy's tone caught his attention.
The children snickered as the leader puffed out his chest. "You Li clan members think you're so special, huh? Just because you're one of the ruling families, doesn't mean you're better than us!"
Li Wei remained silent, his eyes scanning the boy and his group. From their demeanor, it was clear they were from the younger generation of the Feng family. Rivalry between the three governing families was common, and it seemed even the children had absorbed the tensions that existed between the clans.
"What's the matter?" the boy taunted, "Are you scared of us? Or maybe you're too weak to speak?"
The children laughed, but Li Wei didn't flinch. His expression remained calm, though inwardly, he considered how easy it would be to put this boy in his place. *These are children*, he reminded himself. *No need to stir trouble over petty provocations.*
Still, he couldn't help but feel the stirrings of competition within him. *The Rite of Ascendancy will settle everything soon enough*, he thought. If these children were any reflection of their clan, then the Feng family would pose no real threat to him or his team.
Without a word, Li Wei turned and began walking away, leaving the group of children staring after him in confusion. The leader of the group called after him, "You're just running away! Just like the Li clan always does!"
Li Wei ignored the taunt. His focus was on far greater things. Soon, his team would face off against the best the Zhao and Feng families had to offer. These petty rivalries would be settled on the battlefield.
As he moved deeper into the marketplace, his mind shifted to his original purpose—exploring the city and visiting various shops to gather supplies. He stepped into a pill shop known for its rare elixirs, its walls lined with shelves that held glowing bottles of potions and pills. The shopkeeper, an elderly man with a long white beard, greeted him warmly.
"Ah, a young master from the Li clan," the shopkeeper said, bowing slightly. "How may I assist you today?"
Li Wei glanced at the shelves, his eyes quickly discerning the quality of the goods on display. "I'm looking for high-grade restoration pills," he said calmly.
The shopkeeper nodded enthusiastically, scurrying to the back and returning with a small jade box. He opened it to reveal several glistening pills, each emanating a faint medicinal scent.
"These are the finest we have, made from herbs found deep in the Snowpeak Mountains," the shopkeeper explained proudly. "Perfect for quick recovery during intense battles."
Li Wei inspected the pills, nodding in approval. Though his system often provided him with superior resources, he knew it was wise to stock up on local items, just in case. After purchasing the pills, he continued his journey through the city, visiting a weapons shop, a tailor, and even a small bookstore that sold ancient cultivation manuals.
As he left the final shop, the sun had begun to set, casting a warm orange glow over the city. Li Wei stood at the edge of the marketplace, his gaze drifting toward the distant mountains beyond the city walls. In just two weeks, he and his team would face the greatest challenge of their lives—the Rite of Ascendancy. And with each passing day, the weight of what was to come grew heavier.
Still, as he looked out over the bustling city, Li Wei felt a strange sense of calm. The rivalries, the challenges, the expectations—they were all just steps on the path to his ultimate goal. His composure never wavered, and his resolve only grew stronger.
As night fell over Tianxuan, Li Wei turned back toward the Li estate, ready to prepare for the final days leading up to the Rite. Soon, the entire kingdom would be watching. And when the time came, he would show them all the true strength of his reborn self.