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As Jin approached the City of Celestial Spires, a sprawling metropolis built atop a massive plateau, he marveled at its grandeur. The city was named for its towering spires, each reaching toward the heavens, their surfaces shimmering with inscriptions of ancient runes.
Massive walls encircled the city, their surfaces reinforced with formations designed to repel even the mightiest of invaders. The streets within bustled with life, filled with cultivators and mortals alike, their lives intertwined in a vibrant tapestry of commerce, artistry, and ambition.
Jin's golden eyes scanned the city from a nearby hill, his expression calm but thoughtful. He recalled his previous encounters in the sects and the constant need to explain himself to curious onlookers.
Hiding my presence does nothing but invite scrutiny, Jin mused. If they're going to question me regardless, I might as well let my power speak for itself.
He reached inward, loosening the constraints on his aura just enough for it to radiate faintly around him. The air shimmered, and the surrounding environment seemed to bend slightly under the weight of his existence. Though far from his full power, the energy he exuded was enough to command respect and deter unnecessary confrontation.
With that, Jin began his descent into the city.
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The Gatekeepers' Awe
The city's main gate was a bustling hub of activity. Merchants led caravans loaded with exotic wares, mortals waited patiently for entry, and cultivators strode confidently, their robes marking their affiliations.
At the gate, a pair of armored guards monitored the flow of people, their sharp eyes scanning for troublemakers. When Jin approached, their attention snapped to him almost instantly.
The faint aura he emanated hit them like a gust of wind—intangible yet undeniable. The guards instinctively straightened, their hands twitching toward their weapons before they thought better of it.
"Esteemed cultivator," one of them stammered, bowing deeply, "please, enter freely."
Jin said nothing, merely nodding as he stepped through the gate. The crowd parted before him as if guided by an unseen force, their gazes filled with curiosity and reverence.
---
A City of Wonders
The City of Celestial Spires was a marvel of architecture and ingenuity. The streets were paved with polished stone that shimmered faintly under the sunlight, reflecting the intricate glyphs embedded within.
Marketplaces thrived in every district, with vendors hawking rare herbs, enchanted weapons, and mystical trinkets. Mortals and cultivators alike haggled with animated fervor, their voices blending into a symphony of commerce.
High above, the spires themselves glimmered like celestial beacons. Each spire housed a different faction—merchant guilds, scholarly enclaves, and powerful sects, all coexisting in tenuous harmony.
Jin strolled through the streets, his golden eyes drinking in the sights. He noted the balance of mortal and cultivator life here, a rare harmony that intrigued him.
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A Curious Merchant
As Jin passed a bustling stall, a merchant called out to him, her voice tinged with both curiosity and caution.
"Esteemed one, might you be interested in my wares?" she asked, gesturing to an array of gleaming artifacts displayed on her counter.
Jin paused, his gaze falling on a small jade amulet etched with ancient runes. "What is this?" he asked, picking it up.
The merchant's eyes lit up. "Ah, that is the Amulet of Flowing Stars, crafted by a master artificer! It enhances the wearer's qi flow and stabilizes their cultivation during breakthroughs."
Jin turned the amulet over in his hand, sensing the faint energy within. Though impressive by mortal standards, it was little more than a trinket to him. Still, he appreciated the craftsmanship.
"How much?"
The merchant hesitated, clearly unsure how to address someone of Jin's caliber. "For you, esteemed one, it is merely 50 spirit stones."
Jin reached into the folds of his robe, producing a single high-grade spirit stone and placing it on the counter. "Keep the change."
The merchant's eyes widened in shock and gratitude. "Thank you, exalted cultivator! May your path be ever smooth!"
---
The Aura of a God
As Jin continued through the city, the faint aura he released began to ripple outward, drawing the attention of those attuned to spiritual energy.
In the marketplace, cultivators paused mid-transaction, their faces turning toward him with expressions of awe and unease. Mortal craftsmen found themselves inspired, their hands moving with uncharacteristic precision as they worked. Even children playing in the streets felt the subtle shift, their laughter tinged with inexplicable wonder.
By the time Jin reached the central plaza, a crowd had begun to gather at a respectful distance. Whispers filled the air.
"Who is he?"
"His presence… it feels divine."
"Could he be an emissary of the heavens?"
Jin ignored the murmurs, his gaze fixed on the grand spire that dominated the plaza. Its base was adorned with murals depicting celestial battles, and its peak seemed to pierce the heavens themselves.
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The City's Guardians
Within the spire's halls, the city's ruling council convened. Made up of powerful cultivators and influential mortals, they governed the city with a careful balance of strength and diplomacy.
The sudden ripple of Jin's aura had not gone unnoticed. The council members, each a figure of great authority, exchanged tense glances.
"A presence like this cannot be ignored," said Elder Ling, a venerable cultivator with a beard as white as snow. "We must determine his intentions."
"But approach him with caution," warned Master Yuan, a shrewd mortal diplomat. "A being of such power is not to be provoked lightly."
The council quickly dispatched a contingent of elite cultivators to the plaza.
---
A Brief Encounter
As Jin stood before the grand spire, the air around him shimmered once more. The contingent arrived, their leader—a stern-faced woman clad in ornate robes—stepping forward.
"Exalted one," she said, bowing deeply, "the council of Celestial Spires welcomes you. May we inquire as to your purpose in our city?"
Jin's golden eyes met hers, and for a moment, the air seemed to still. "I am merely passing through," he said, his tone calm but unyielding. "I seek nothing from you."
The woman hesitated, then nodded. "Of course. If there is anything you require, the city is at your service."
Jin inclined his head slightly, acknowledging her words before turning away. As he walked toward the next district, the crowd parted once more, their gazes following him in silent reverence.
This is better, Jin thought to himself. No questions. No interruptions. Just peace.
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