The caravan crested the final hill, and Redwater City came into view, sprawling beneath the morning sun. Nestled next to the vast Redwater River, the city buzzed with life, serving as a crucial center for trade and maritime activity in the Xiang region. The river's surface glistened with all kinds of vessels—merchant ships, fishing boats, and luxurious barges, all moving with purpose.
The city was protected by high stone walls, their battlements worn by time but still strong. Beyond the walls, the skyline was a mix of sturdy warehouses, tall towers, and the sails of ships docked at the port. The sounds of dockworkers calling out orders, the rhythmic clang of hammer on metal, and the faint smell of saltwater filled the air.
Redwater City was a beacon of wealth, a place where goods from all over the eastern lands came to be traded—silks, spices, rare ores, and exotic beasts. It was a city of power, its influence reaching far beyond its borders.
As we neared the gates, Yuan Feng rode up beside me. "Young master, welcome to Redwater City," he said, smiling. "A place where fortunes are made and alliances forged. It's the heart of trade in this region."
I nodded, my eyes fixed on the towering gates ahead. "It's certainly impressive. I imagine such wealth attracts trouble too?"
Yuan Feng chuckled. "Indeed, young master. Bandits, rival merchants, even spies—there's no shortage of danger. But the guards are skilled, and the city's leaders are wise. They keep things under control."
I couldn't help but think back to the journey we had just completed. The caravan had been attacked multiple times by bandits. Desperate men hoping to take what wasn't theirs. Most of them scattered the moment I released my cultivator aura, the pressure of it enough to send them fleeing. Those who stayed were dealt with swiftly.
The caravan's guards, led by Old Luo, had fought with practiced skill, their blades flashing in the sunlight. But I'd used those moments as chances to train. Xiao Yin had moved through the chaos with deadly grace, its strikes sharp and precise. Each skirmish had been a chance to grow, for both the caravan and for me.
As we passed through the city gates, the guards gave me respectful nods, their eyes lingering on the aura of power that surrounded me. The city streets were busy, full of life. Merchants shouted their wares, children ran between the stalls, and the scent of spices mixed with the salty breeze from the river.
That evening, after we settled into an inn near the docks, I found myself seated at a large wooden table with Yuan Feng, Mei Ling, and Old Luo. Plates of roasted meat and fragrant rice were passed around, and cups of sweet, spiced wine filled the air.
"Young master," Yuan Feng began, his tone full of respect, "I must thank you again for your help on the road. Without you, our journey would have been far more dangerous."
Mei Ling nodded in agreement. "The way you made those bandits run was impressive. And your beast—it's incredible. I've never seen anything like it."
I gave a small nod in response. "The journey was useful for me too. Xiao Yin needs real combat to grow stronger, and the bandits provided that."
Old Luo chuckled, raising his cup in a toast. "A cultivator who values practicality—impressive. You've earned our respect, young master."
The conversation turned to Redwater City. Yuan Feng spoke about the city's booming trade and the political power that shaped it. Mei Ling shared stories about the exotic goods brought by foreign merchants, while Old Luo told tales of skirmishes along the river's borders. I listened closely, taking in every detail.
As the evening went on and the inn began to quiet, I felt a familiar chime in my mind.
[Sign-In Completed]
Location: Redwater City
Reward: Primal Qi Formation Manual (Beast Path)
A translucent scroll appeared in my mind, its symbols and diagrams glowing softly. The manual radiated a primal energy, its contents offering advanced techniques for refining and controlling qi in the Beast Path. I smiled faintly. This was exactly what I needed to take my cultivation further.
As the inn grew quieter and the night deepened, I retreated to my room. Sitting cross-legged on the wooden floor, I summoned the manual. The scroll unraveled before me, its symbols glowing in the dim light as I began to study its contents.