"Finally, I no longer have to live like a savage!"
Before long, a handsome young man emerged from the shop, donned in a flowing aquamarine robe. His resolute face radiated a confident smile, and his long hair danced in the breeze, giving him an extraordinary presence.
Without a doubt, this was Ye Tian, transformed by a change of attire, now resembling a wealthy young gentleman.
"First, I must acquire an identity token, then find an inn to stay at; in six days, the Blood Guard's assessment will commence," Ye Tian pondered quietly as he stepped into the bustling crowd.
Through inquiries, he quickly located the office for obtaining the identity token. After spending a bit of silver, he finally secured his token.
Do not underestimate this identity token; it will serve Ye Tian well as he travels across the continent and roams the world.
With the identity token in hand, Ye Tian proceeded to find an inn to settle in.
Finding an inn was effortless, as Blood Jade City boasted an abundance of establishments. He randomly selected one called "Fortunate Arrival."
Glancing at the inn's sign, Ye Tian found it amusing and stepped inside.
Upon entering, a young attendant greeted him warmly.
"Welcome, sir! Are you here to dine or to stay?" the attendant inquired enthusiastically.
"To stay," Ye Tian replied nonchalantly.
The moment the attendant learned Ye Tian sought lodging, his demeanor became even more exuberant, rapidly stating, "Sir, we offer four types of rooms: Class A for one hundred taels per day, Class B for fifty taels, Class C for ten taels, and Class D for five taels. Which would you prefer?"
"How exorbitant!" Ye Tian was taken aback; a hundred taels could cover the living expenses of an ordinary family for three months, and he hadn't expected it would only afford him a single night here.
"I currently possess three thousand taels, and I must save for future expenses!" After a moment's contemplation, he said to the attendant, "I'll take a Class C room."
In truth, Ye Tian's family, the Ye clan, was not as impoverished as it might appear, and given his status in Ye Village, he should have more than this amount. However, silver weighs heavily, making it inconvenient for travel, so he brought only three thousand taels to Blood Jade City.
"Very well, esteemed guest!" The attendant's eyes flashed with a hint of disdain at Ye Tian's response, his previous enthusiasm fading. He answered curtly before leading Ye Tian to finalize the room arrangements.
Ye Tian chuckled and shook his head, unperturbed by the attendant's attitude; he saw no reason to argue with a mere server.
Before long, guided by the attendant, Ye Tian arrived at his room. The accommodation consisted of only a bed and a rack for clothing—nothing more.
"Truly quite sparse!" Ye Tian remarked with a wry smile, then instructed the attendant to prepare some meals. He didn't skimp on himself and ended up spending several dozen taels on the fare.
Yet, the attendant remained dismissive, responding coldly before departing.
Despite the attendant's poor attitude, he worked swiftly, and before long, he returned with a spread of dishes.
"Enjoy your meal, esteemed guest. Should you require anything, feel free to find me downstairs," the attendant said blandly, then exited, closing the door behind him.
Ye Tian rubbed his nose, noting how practical the attendant was; he had initially referred to him as "sir," but now had resorted to "esteemed guest."
With a slight bitter smile, Ye Tian quickly found himself captivated by the food. He had to admit, city cuisine was leagues above what he had known. Compared to the simple fare from Ye Village that merely needed to be cooked, the dishes here were truly delightful.
After indulging in a hearty meal, Ye Tian glanced outside to see the sky darkening. Taking a deep breath, he sat cross-legged on the bed and entered a meditative state.
With his green martial spirit, Ye Tian cultivated at a remarkable pace, as the ambient spiritual energy surged toward him like a tide.
Before long, he felt his true qi steadily increasing, which he guided through the ten primary meridians within his body.
Having reached the tenth level of martial prowess, Ye Tian was uncertain how to proceed; all ten primary meridians had been opened, and he had no idea what the next step should be.
He could only continue to control the true qi within him, circulating it through several major cycles to gradually strengthen it.
In Ye Village, Wang Xu was the sole martial artist, and he was deceased, leaving Ye Tian with no means to learn the secrets of advancing as a martial artist. Thus, joining the Blood Guard was his primary motivation for rushing to Blood Jade City.
In the early morning, as the first rays of sunlight streamed through the cracks in the window, Ye Tian slowly opened his eyes.
Instantly, two beams of brilliance flashed and vanished.
Stretching his arms, Ye Tian leaped from the bed, feeling invigorated, as if filled with boundless energy and vitality at its peak.
After indulging in another sumptuous meal, Ye Tian stepped out of the inn and began to meander through the streets.
Blood Jade City was bustling with prosperity, featuring taverns, inns, brothels, gambling houses, gladiatorial arenas, and auction houses—numerous venues for revelry that dazzled Ye Tian's senses.
He wandered the streets for an entire day, even relishing a hearty feast at a tavern. By evening, he found himself standing before a military camp guarded by four Blood Wardens, each at the seventh rank of martial prowess, clad in blood-red attire, their gazes sharp as blades.
"This is the encampment of the Blood Wardens, the very place where we will undergo assessments in five days!" Ye Tian thought, gazing at the imposing camp before him, filled with a sense of longing. This would be his first step into the vast continent of the Divine Land.
Not far away, one of the guarding Blood Wardens noticed Ye Tian, who was pacing restlessly in front of the camp, and frowned deeply, admonishing him sharply, "What are you doing? This is the Blood Warden's stronghold; loitering is strictly prohibited. Move along!"
At that cold command, a palpable aura of intimidation washed over him.
Ye Tian was secretly astonished; indeed, the Blood Wardens were formidable. Even as a seventh-rank martial artist, his father would likely be no match for this man.
"Ha, Liu San, he's just a kid; there's no need to be so on edge," another Warden chuckled.
"Exactly! In Blood Jade City, who would dare to act insolently before us? This child must be dreaming of becoming a Blood Warden. Let him gaze a bit longer; it won't hurt," a third chimed in.
"Too bad, to join the Blood Wardens, one must at least possess the strength of a seventh-rank martial artist. Boy, you'd best go home and train for another twenty years before you return! Hahaha!" the fourth laughed heartily.
Ye Tian smiled faintly, about to take his leave, when he suddenly caught sight of a figure emerging from the Blood Warden's camp.
It was a middle-aged man, also clad in blood-red attire, but with a black wolf's head embroidered on his chest—a truly imposing figure that sent chills down one's spine.
This man was undeniably a powerhouse, possessing martial prowess above the level of a martial master.
As soon as the four guarding Blood Wardens saw him approach, their smiles faded instantly. They stood at attention, faces stern and respectful, declaring, "We greet you, Captain!"
The man was none other than the Captain of the Blood Wardens, a genuine martial master, and not of the third-rate caliber like Wang Xu.
What truly astonished Ye Tian was that he recognized this Blood Warden Captain.
"Hmm?" The Captain nodded in acknowledgment, preparing to depart, when his gaze suddenly fell upon Ye Tian not far away. His eyes widened in disbelief.
"Martial artist at the tenth rank? How old is this kid? How can he possibly possess such cultivation?"
While others might have failed to discern Ye Tian's strength, the Captain, a martial master himself, immediately recognized the terrifying level of his prowess, his expression shifting to one of shock.
This was not merely due to Ye Tian's cultivation level; many within the Blood Wardens had achieved the tenth rank. However, it was clear to any discerning eye that Ye Tian was only in his twenties. Such youthful cultivation was virtually unparalleled in the entire Blood Jade City.
The Captain, stunned, approached with a beaming smile. "Young brother, what is your name? What brings you here?"
The four guarding Blood Wardens stared wide-eyed; when had the Captain ever been so amiable, treating a mere child with such courtesy? Could this boy possess a noteworthy identity?
Their curiosity piqued, they looked at Ye Tian, especially the one who had earlier scolded him, now filled with regret, silently hoping that Ye Tian wouldn't report him to the Captain.
In truth, the Blood Warden was overthinking; Ye Tian had no intention of stooping to his level. He looked at the Captain and smiled, "Lord Li, I've met you before!"
"Oh?" The Captain responded with a knowing smile. As the Captain of the Blood Wardens, he held some renown in Blood Jade City, so it wasn't surprising that a few people recognized him.
Ye Tian knew the Captain likely wouldn't recall him, so he prompted, "Lord Li, a year ago, in Ye Family Village, I encountered you."
Indeed, this Captain, named Li Tian, was the very same Blood Warden Captain Ye Tian had met a year prior, possessing formidable strength.
"Hmm? Ye Family Village…" Li Tian's expression shifted, a hint of regret flickering in his eyes as a painful memory surfaced. A year ago, he and his brothers had faced a beast horde in Ye Family Village, suffering heavy casualties, with only half of them managing to escape.
For that incident, Li Tian had been severely reprimanded by his superior and stripped of his command. Though he retained his title as Captain, he was now confined to the Blood Warden's camp, attending to administrative matters without the opportunity to lead his men again.
Recalling this ordeal, Li Tian was filled with regret; it was his greed that had led to such a dismal outcome.