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The first rays of dawn crept over the horizon, bathing the quiet village in a warm, golden hue. Roosters crowed, and villagers stirred from their sleep, resuming the rhythm of their simple lives.
Jin stood atop the same hill where he had spent the night, his hands clasped loosely behind his back. He had no need for rest, yet he found himself enjoying the stillness of the mortal world.
The villagers regarded him from a distance, their awe and fear unabated. None dared approach until the elder finally gathered his courage, climbing the hill with slow, deliberate steps.
"Honored one," the elder said, bowing deeply, "our humble village is unworthy of hosting someone such as yourself. But if you would allow us… may we prepare another meal before you depart?"
Jin turned, his gaze soft yet inscrutable. "There's no need," he replied. "Your hospitality suffices."
The elder hesitated, his head still bowed. "We… We are honored by your words."
Jin's gaze drifted past the elder, toward the village below. The mortals moved with purpose, yet their lives were fragile, bound by the whims of the world. Jin felt no pity—he was beyond such sentiments—but he recognized the sincerity of their service.
"A gift, then," Jin said, more to himself than the elder.
With a casual wave of his hand, a small, crystalline object materialized in his palm. It was an unassuming thing, no larger than a pebble, yet it radiated a faint, soothing warmth.
The elder's eyes widened as Jin held it out. "This is a Springlight Core, a fragment of pure vitality," Jin explained, his tone indifferent. "Plant it in your soil, and your crops will thrive for generations. Illness will struggle to take root here."
The elder stared at the core, his hands trembling. To cultivators, such an item would be a treasure fought over with blood and steel. To mortals, it was nothing short of divine providence.
"T-This… this is too much, exalted one!" the elder stammered. "Our village cannot repay such kindness!"
"I don't need your repayment," Jin said bluntly. "Take it."
Hesitating only briefly, the elder accepted the core with both hands, bowing so low his forehead nearly touched the ground. "We… We are eternally grateful. May the heavens bless you a thousandfold, honored one!"
Jin said nothing more, turning his gaze back to the horizon.
---
The Departure
When Jin descended the hill, the villagers gathered to see him off. They stood in silence, their expressions a mix of reverence and gratitude. Even the children, usually unruly and loud, remained quiet, their wide eyes fixed on the figure who seemed to embody the heavens themselves.
Jin walked past them without ceremony, his footsteps light yet leaving an invisible weight in the air.
As he reached the forest's edge, a young boy, no older than six, broke free from his mother's grip and ran toward Jin.
"Thank you, Immortal!" the boy shouted, his voice clear and unrestrained.
Jin paused, glancing over his shoulder. The boy's mother gasped, rushing forward to pull her son back, but Jin raised a hand, halting her in her tracks.
The boy stood trembling yet defiant, his small fists clenched. "W-Will you come back?" he asked, his voice cracking.
Jin's expression remained unreadable. After a moment, he simply said, "Perhaps."
The boy grinned, his fear forgotten. Jin turned away once more, stepping into the forest. His figure vanished into the mist as though it had never been there.
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The Forest's Watchful Beasts
As Jin traversed the dense forest, the creatures he encountered either fled or submitted without resistance. Spirit beasts of all kinds—serpents coiled in ancient trees, birds with feathers of flame—lowered their heads as he passed, their instincts recognizing an apex existence.
Jin paid them no mind, his thoughts wandering. "Mortals," he mused, recalling the villagers. "They're simple. Sincere. Perhaps too sincere."
Though he had little attachment to their kind, he found their unfiltered emotions oddly… refreshing. Unlike the scheming cultivators he expected to meet in this world, mortals wore their hearts plainly.
The thought amused him briefly before fading. He continued his journey, his focus shifting to the vast world ahead.
---
A Nearby City
By midday, Jin emerged from the forest onto a wide, well-trodden path. Far in the distance, the outline of a city came into view. Its tall walls glimmered faintly, inscribed with runes meant to ward off both spiritual beasts and malevolent cultivators.
Above the gates, a massive plaque read "Azureveil City." Even from afar, Jin could sense the bustling activity within—thousands of auras, both mortal and cultivator, mingled in a chaotic symphony.
Jin approached the gates leisurely, his presence hidden just enough to avoid unnecessary commotion. The guards stationed there, clad in armor reinforced with spiritual inscriptions, eyed him warily but said nothing as he passed.
---
The City's Heart
Inside, the streets teemed with life. Merchants shouted to advertise their wares, their stalls overflowing with rare herbs, spirit beast pelts, and glowing talismans. Cultivators in varying stages of strength moved purposefully through the crowd, their robes marking their affiliations with sects or clans.
Jin wandered without aim, observing everything with quiet interest.
Near a stall selling alchemical ingredients, two young cultivators argued heatedly. Their conversation caught Jin's attention.
"You're overpricing this!" a boy in green robes snapped, slamming his hand on the stall. "A single Emerald Feather Grass for ten spirit stones? Absurd!"
The merchant, an older man with a sly grin, shrugged. "Prices are high because demand is high. Take it or leave it, kid."
"Ridiculous!" the boy's companion, a girl with fiery eyes, interjected. "You're just taking advantage of travelers!"
Jin watched the exchange with mild amusement, stepping closer without being noticed.
"Emerald Feather Grass," he muttered to himself, glancing at the herb in question. "Rare but hardly worth such an uproar."
The argument escalated until the boy reached for his sword, but before he could draw it, Jin spoke.
"It's worth six spirit stones," he said calmly.
The sudden voice startled both parties. They turned to face him, their eyes widening as they took in his appearance.
"Who…?" the boy began, but his voice faltered. Something about Jin—his aura, his presence—rendered him speechless.
The merchant, sensing a pressure he couldn't explain, hastily stammered, "Y-Yes, six spirit stones! Just six!"
The girl narrowed her eyes at Jin, clearly suspicious. "And who are you to decide that?" she asked, her tone braver than her trembling hands suggested.
Jin regarded her with a faint smile. "No one you'd understand."
The girl stiffened, unsure whether to feel insulted or terrified.
Jin turned away without another word, leaving the stunned group behind. His interest in the matter had already passed.
---
The Start of a Stroll
As he moved deeper into Azureveil City, Jin's thoughts were unburdened by plans or schemes. He had no destination, no grand purpose. For now, he would simply observe, explore, and let this strange world reveal itself to him one step at a time.
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