---
Azureveil City, despite its outward appearance of order, carried the unmistakable undercurrent of cultivation politics. Beneath the bustling markets and cheerful laughter of mortals, tension thrummed—a natural byproduct of competing sects, ambitious lone cultivators, and the ever-present hunger for power.
Jin walked among the throng like a shadow, unnoticed yet undeniable. His steps carried him through streets lined with stalls selling everything from talismans to spirit herbs, his gaze calm but probing. Every scent, every sound, every flicker of spiritual energy etched itself into his mind.
Though his golden eyes revealed no outward emotion, he found the diversity intriguing. Unlike the secret realm where he had spent years, this world brimmed with life—not just the raw energy of nature, but the vibrant chaos of people driven by purpose and desire.
---
A Tale in the Marketplace
Jin paused before a modest stall tended by an elderly merchant, his hands gnarled with age yet steady as he arranged small vials of shimmering liquid. These were Minor Spirit Essences, valuable to low-level cultivators for aiding breakthroughs in their qi refinement.
"Esteemed sir, might you be interested?" the old man asked, his tone polite but weary. "These are the finest essences distilled from the Azure Spirit Spring. A bargain for only three spirit stones apiece."
Jin's gaze lingered on the vials. To him, these essences were trivial, their energy so faint he could refine them into a single drop of usable qi with a flick of his finger. But the merchant's expression caught his attention—there was no deceit, no hidden malice, only a quiet hope to make ends meet.
"How many do you sell in a day?" Jin asked suddenly.
The merchant blinked, startled by the question. "O-Oh, not many, esteemed one. Perhaps five or six, on good days."
Jin nodded thoughtfully. He withdrew a small pouch from his robe—a relic imbued with a fragment of his qi, filled with what seemed an endless supply of spirit stones. Without counting, he placed a stack of twenty stones on the counter.
The old man gasped, his eyes widening. "E-Esteemed one, this is far too much—"
"Consider it payment for your sincerity," Jin interrupted, his tone flat. "Take it."
The merchant opened his mouth to protest but stopped when Jin's gaze met his. There was no anger, no pressure, only an unspoken command that defied resistance.
The old man bowed deeply, tears glistening in his eyes. "This humble one thanks you, great sir. Truly, the heavens have blessed me today."
Jin turned and walked away, already forgetting the exchange.
---
The Underground Gathering
Azureveil City was not just a haven for merchants and sect-affiliated cultivators; it was also a hub for those who operated in the shadows. Beneath its cobbled streets lay an intricate network of tunnels and chambers where rogue cultivators, artifact smugglers, and even demonic practitioners gathered in secret.
Jin, guided by his heightened senses, found himself drawn to one such place. Hidden behind an unassuming tea house, a concealed passage led to a dimly lit chamber bustling with activity.
The crowd here was a stark contrast to the orderly city above. Cultivators in patched robes bartered over stolen treasures, while others nursed wounds inflicted during their ventures into forbidden ruins. The air was thick with the acrid scent of blood and desperation.
Jin stepped inside, his aura still suppressed. Despite his casual demeanor, heads turned as he entered. Conversations faltered, and subtle glances were exchanged. The denizens of this underground world were sharp enough to recognize danger, even if they couldn't fully grasp its extent.
"Who's that?" a young rogue muttered to his companion, eyeing Jin warily.
"No idea," the other whispered back. "But he's not someone we should provoke."
Jin ignored them, his attention drawn to a corner where a group of cultivators argued over an artifact. The item in question was a jagged, black dagger that radiated a faint, ominous aura.
---
A Conflict Emerges
"This dagger belongs to me!" snarled a burly man clad in battered armor, his aura fluctuating at the early Core Formation stage.
"Belongs to you? You found it in a ruin, same as the rest of us!" retorted a lithe woman with a whip coiled at her side. Her aura, though weaker, carried a sharp, venomous edge.
The tension between them escalated, spiritual energy crackling in the air. Others in the chamber backed away, wary of being caught in the crossfire.
Jin watched the exchange with faint amusement. What lengths people go to for scraps, he thought.
The burly man, losing patience, raised his fist, his qi gathering into a dull, orange glow. But before he could strike, a voice cut through the tension.
"Enough."
It was a single word, spoken without malice, yet it carried an undeniable weight. All eyes turned to Jin, the dagger dispute forgotten.
The man froze, his attack dissipating as he turned to face the newcomer. "Who are you to—"
His words died in his throat as Jin's golden gaze locked onto him. In that moment, the burly cultivator felt as though the heavens themselves had descended upon him. Cold sweat trickled down his brow, and his legs threatened to give way.
"The dagger is cursed," Jin said calmly, stepping closer. "You'd be a fool to keep it."
The woman frowned, her pride wounded. "And what makes you an expert?" she challenged, though her voice trembled.
Jin picked up the dagger, holding it between two fingers as though it weighed nothing. The artifact writhed, its dark aura flaring in protest, but Jin's grip remained steady.
"This is a fragment of a demonic artifact," he explained. "A remnant of an ancient war. Its energy will corrode your spirit and render you a slave to its will."
He let the words hang in the air before casually crushing the dagger in his hand. The artifact disintegrated into black dust, its ominous aura vanishing instantly.
The room fell silent.
---
A Moment of Awe
The burly man and the woman exchanged glances, their previous hostility forgotten. "T-Thank you, senior," the man stammered, bowing deeply.
Jin waved a hand dismissively. "Your lives are your own. I've no interest in them."
With that, he turned and left the chamber, his presence fading into the shadows as quickly as it had appeared.
---
Back to the Surface
The sun had begun to set as Jin emerged from the underground world. The city above carried on as if nothing had happened, its people oblivious to the conflicts and intrigues beneath their feet.
Jin stood at the edge of the marketplace, his golden eyes scanning the horizon. He had seen only a fraction of what this world had to offer, yet already it had proven itself fascinating.
"For now," he murmured, "I'll let this world entertain me."
And with that, he walked onward, ready for whatever lay ahead.