After another month of travel, Ryu had made his way to the Inner Ring. Luckily, thanks to Ailsa’s help, he wouldn’t have to travel a month once more to get back to the Death Worm Immortal Cave which was now currently resting in a corner of the Incubator.
It wasn’t long before Ryu found his way to a bustling city. The map Granny Miriam gave him didn’t have any details about the Inner Ring, but luckily, he managed to find multiple maps within the spatial rings of the adventurers. After all, how could they be adventurers without such a thing?
Though it was good news that he found a city so easily, this city unfortunately wasn’t as convenient to enter as Valor City had been. While the latter only asked for a fee, this city seemed to have quite a complicated process… Or else the line wouldn’t stretch for several hundred meters like it was now.
Ryu sighed. His life was really too different now. A Scion of the Tatsuya Clan, waiting in line like a commoner. He couldn’t help but smile bitterly as he obediently followed procedures.
‘I’m no longer a Scion… I need to remember this lest I cause myself problems in the future.’
Hearing these thoughts of her Life Partner, Ailsa giggled and shook her head. She knew that if push came to shove, Ryu would toss these words to the back of his mind without regard.
‘The Immortal Qi Stones you have no should be able to power the Death Worm for some time. What’s most necessary now is finding tools for fixing up its mechanisms. Most Immortal Caves have self-healing formations in place, so we just need a method to stimulate them.’ Ailsa explained.
Ryu raised an eyebrow. ‘How long could just three Inferior Immortal Qi Stones power such a large structure for?’
‘Immortal Caves focused on sustainability, so they’re usually quite efficient. Hecate’s Immortal Cave is also able to gather up energy for itself, it just needs qi stones to catalyze the reaction.’
‘… I see.’
Immortal Caves were mostly used by experts who lived their lives in seclusion. Though the Tatsuya Clan had a view, it had to be known that the primary function of Immortal Caves was to act as homes, some only had movement as a secondary ability. So, there were much more convenient treasures for travel, which was why Ryu didn’t have much experience with them.
“The daily entrance cap of our Looming City has almost been reached! Only ten more individuals will be allowed in! The rest of you, please find separate accommodations!”
The guards manning the city gates spoke in a booming voice, causing many to be dejected. Still, they didn’t dare to raise a fuss as the line slowly dispersed. Unlike the Valor Guards, the Looming Guards were much greater level experts, each being of the Spiritual Severing Realm at a minimum.
Quickly counting his place, Ryu sighed a breath of relief. After waiting for hours from dawn to now, he was currently in sixth place. It wouldn’t be much longer before he could enter.
Soon, it was Ryu’s turn.
“Name?” The guard’s eyes sharpened at Ryu’s appearance. He didn’t seem to be any older than eighteen, but his qi density matched his own. Any tiredness he had for the previous proceedings seemingly vanished.
“Ryu…”
“Last name?” The guard pressed.
Ryu inwardly grit his teeth. He felt a deep shame in his heart, one that suffocated him to the point he was unable to breathe. But, remembering Ailsa’s warning, he forced himself to push that feeling down.
“I have none.” He answered coldly.
Ailsa’s usually happy expression grew somber, knowing how hard this moment was for her Little Ryu. But, she could only silently support him, knowing that this was for the best.
The guard stood in shock. It wasn’t rare to find those without surnames, in fact, such people were everywhere. Inherited names held power, which was why only those who had established respectable Clans could pass on their names, the minimum requirement being a First Order Clan. Commoners had given names, but no surnames.
Seeing Ryu’s talent and reaction to his question, the guard’s eyes shifted with a bit of pity.
“No need to dwell on such useless things young man. You’re very talented, you’ll definitely have your own Inherited name one day. State your purpose please.”
“I have come to seek the treasures of the Looming City Auction House.”
The guard nodded. “Final question, how long will your stay be?”
“Is there a limit?” Ryu wondered.
“There is none, but there is a difference in fee depending on your answer. Those who have come seeking permanent residence must have a cultivation or talent of a certain caliber. As for those staying for various amounts of time, the entrance fee is one hundred gold which can last you three days. After three days, the price becomes one Inferior Mortal Qi Stone a day.
Ryu nodded. “I would like to stay for one month.”
“There’s a discount in this case for those who buy their time in bulk. Just ten Inferior Mortal Qi Sto –”
At that moment, a rushing wind whipped across the plain outside of Looming City.
Subconsciously, everyone looked up to see a speeding carriage hovering in the sky without wheels, pulled along by strong Fourth Order Wind Falcons. The carriage was a beautiful pristine white, completely unblemished. If one looked closely, it was possible to see three heart pounding beauties seated within, each with varying temperaments.
Soon, the carriage flew over what remained of the dispersing line and entered the city.
The guard looked toward the five remaining individuals with an awkward expression. “I’m sorry, it seems we’ll have to cut the remaining quota down. Since four entered, three women and one driver, this young man will have to be the final allowed guest…”
Dejected, the four individuals behind Ryu felt their faces redden with rage. But in the end, they could only swallow their hatred and bow their heads.
Ryu sighed a breath of relief once more, taking out ten qi stones and handing them over.
“BEAUTIFUL FAIRIES, WAIT! ALLOW THIS YOUNG MASTER TO TREAT YOU TO DINNER!”
Ryu’s eyes sharpened. He looked over his shoulder to see another streaking carriage, this time pulled by a crimson horse galloping in the air – A Fourth Order Bloodied Steed.
Rage he had pressed down came bubbling upward. He just spent three quarters of his day doing nothing but waiting in line. Then, he suffered the worst humiliation of his life, claiming that he had no Inherited name. He would rather die than lower his head again in such quick succession.
A glaive reflecting a beautiful violet light appeared in his hand.
“…! Young man, don’t act rashly! I can still help y -!”
It was already too late.
Ryu’s arm flexed and his glaive lashed out, shooting out a stream of qi that held his tempered down feelings.
In an instant, the driver was shocked silly as the reins in his hands and harness were perfectly sliced in half.
Losing the support of the crimson horse, the carriage crashed down from the skies under the shocked gazes of the spectators.
It skidded several hundred meters, only barely stopping before the city gates.
Having given the Looming Guard his qi stones, Ryu took his identification plaque and walked into the city without looking back, his expression fuming.