John stayed in his room for the night, consolidating his gains and improving on them slightly. His gains had been immense and would take time to fully digest, but John was more than happy with his progress.
After finishing his cultivation session, John walked out into the main area of his lodging, which was quite spacious and luxurious. A massive window overlooked the sprawling city, which looked more like an empire than a city. Towering buildings, shimmering lakes, bustling market districts, and flying beasts filled his view, which made the city feel alive and vibrant, like an empire in its prime.
After taking in the picturesque view, John cleaned himself off, taking the rare opportunity to do so properly. While cultivators could use their Qi to clean their bodies at any time, nothing substituted for or relaxed as much as taking a warm bath. The draconic armor that had been worn for the last few weeks was put away, while John soaked himself in the massive bathtub.
“Ahhhh,” John sighed out deeply, falling into a completely relaxed state. “Even the water is more refreshing than normal, as if it has been infused with the Dao of Relaxation. I’m not sure what they did, but I could definitely get used to this,” he joked as he relaxed and then washed up thoroughly.
Steam flowed from the washroom as John left it, when all of a sudden knocking came from his door. His Qi flared as he dried himself off and put his on his Heavenly Lightning Sect War Hall robes, while favored him color wise, but had become too weak to withstand his battle levels.
“I suppose I’ll have to get some stronger clothes,” John mused as he walked to the door and opened it.
“Greetings, Young Master John,” a middle-aged man greeted with a small bow on the other side. The man had two long sideburns, a thin mustache, and wore a butler like outfit, making him look quite unique in the cultivation world.
“Can I help you?” John asked, as he had never seen this man in his life before.
“Young Master Caz from our Mystic Trade Hall has instructed me to inform you that he is in Five-River Freeport, and has business to discuss with you once you can make your way there,” the middle-aged man replied.
‘Caz? Ah, I suppose I did make that tea leaf deal with him some time back. It must be about the profits regarding that. If he sent someone like this with this much urgency, it must have sold pretty well,’ John mused internally.
“Five-River Freeport? What..or where is that?” John asked, as he had never heard of the place before.
“Five-River Freeport is a neutral city located roughly forty thousand miles away from here, where traders all over the continent gather” the middle-aged man replied as a scroll appeared in his hand.
John took the scroll and unfurled it, which contained a detailed map of the land surrounding Alliance City, and how to navigate towards the city. John inspected it for a moment before putting it away.
“Thanks. I’ll be sure to visit soon,” John replied, at which the man bowed his head slightly again before leaving. John watched the man leave down the hallway before he closed the door once more. For the man to get access to a building such as the Alliance headquarters, he, or Caz, must have a few connections.
“I suppose I can go there after I finish up here,” John mused as he prepared to leave the room. “Getting the spirit crystals from the tea leaf sale should help me obtain more cultivation resources and battle arts, which are always needed. Not only that, but I need to get a new scythe, and a city specialized in trade sounds like a good place to get a high-quality one.”
While getting ready to leave, another knock at his door appeared, and a familiar set of auras lingered on the other side, telling him immediately who it was.
“John! So this is where you’ve been hiding the last day!” Miko boomed out as he quickly entered the room once the door was opened. Chase and Adam followed behind as well as they entered the room, inspecting it as well.
“Not fair! We had to sleep in shitholes, while you stayed in this luxurious oasis? The Honorable Alliance really isn’t fair!” Miko exclaimed with great displeasure, making sure to huff once or twice.
“Miko…you’re not even part of the Honorable Alliance,” John replied, as Miko had clearly forgotten this fact.
“Ah…you’re right!” Miko replied as he remembered this, but frowned once more as he continued his ramblings. “Still, we’re honored guests of the Alliance, guests that saved the lives of your weak disciples. Surely we deserve better treatment!”
John rolled his eyes at Miko’s familiar antics, as he was clearly over exaggerating. There was no way the Alliance would house honored guests who had helped out so greatly in ‘shitholes,’ as Miko had put it.
“So…what brings you guys here?” John asked curiously, as he could tell the three had come for him for a specific reason.
“Oh yeah, come with us. We’ve reserved the finest restaurant in the city to eat and celebrate!” Miko explained, clearly excited to taste fine foods and drinks. “Let’s go!”
John was not expecting that to be the reason they had come for him, but didn’t see a reason to decline. After going through such perilous dangers with his friends, a celebration seemed natural.
“Sure, lead the way,” John replied as he followed them out of the room. The three walked through the massive Alliance headquarter building, winding through hallways and massive chambers, finally arriving at the front entrance.
As they were leaving, he received a mental sound transmission from a familiar source.
“Feel free to return here whenever you wish. As the number one youth of the Honorable Alliance, you are always welcomed here. And as for the Prime Disciple position, it is yours for the taking should you ever wish to take it,” the Alliance Head’s voice sounded in his mind.
John couldn’t see the Alliance Head anywhere, and so he was unable to reply in kind, but he turned around and bowed his head ever so slightly, showing his respect and appreciation towards the Honorable Alliance and the Alliance Head.
The group stopped as they saw John do this, but didn’t ask questions as he quickly rejoined them and left the building.
Hovering far above the building, two figures floated in the air, watching as John and the rest left.
“Should we have someone follow him, just to be sure of his safety?” Elder Clearheart asked.
“No, the child is more than capable of taking care of himself. Besides, he has someone quite capable already watching over him closely,” the Alliance Head replied as he watched John leave the Alliance Headquarter grounds.