Apricot Village wasn’t far from Peach Town.
By dawn, John and his group arrived.
The journey wasn’t without its challenges-there were occasional beast attacks, but John easily dealt with them.
A sizable town appeared before them, with wide roads where a few pedestrians could be seen here and there.
These were adventurers from Peach Town, many of whom had once resisted The Heaven and had been imprisoned because of their family connections to powerful rebels.
However, the townspeople here were far stronger than the hunters in Apricot Village. According to the old village chief, Jackey, they were all at the Body Refining Realm.
The cultivation system in this world was completely different from the one John came from. The stages were: Body Refining Realm, Spirit Body Realm, and Awakened Ones.
The Body Refining Realm corresponded to beast-level power and was divided into three stages: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
The Spirit Body Realm corresponded to spirit beast-level power, also split into beginner, intermediate, and advanced stages.
Above these stages were the Awakened Ones, who were classified from one to nine stars, corresponding to the strength of one to nine-star demon beasts.
However, normal people could only reach the Body Refining Realm at best. To break into the Spirit Body Realm, one had to comprehend the laws. The power of laws in this world was sealed, and without special means, it was impossible to awaken.
John had been trying to restore the power of laws but had not been successful so far.
“John,” Jackey pulled him aside and whispered, “The guards in the town are quite strong. You mustn’t reveal your true strength, and definitely not your identity. It would be dangerous.”
“I know what to do,” John nodded.
He observed that most of the city’s guards were at the Spirit Body Realm. To ordinary people, they seemed quite formidable.
But to him, they were no threat.
His four core attributes had recovered to nearly 200,000 points, and his strength attribute had reached 230,000 points. Even without mastering the laws, these guards posed no danger to him.
Jackey glanced at the three hunters accompanying them and warned, “You all should know what you can and can’t say, right?”
The three men nodded seriously and responded, “Don’t worry, village chief. We won’t reveal anything about Lord John.”
Jackey nodded in satisfaction and led the way toward the town.
“Halt!” Two guards stopped them at the city gate, the lead guard sizing them up before coldly speaking, “Where are you from, and what is your purpose in Peach Town?”
“Honored sirs,” Jackey stepped forward, subtly slipping two low-tier crystal cores into the lead guard’s hand as he spoke, “We’re from Apricot Village, here to deliver this month’s tribute. We hope you’ll allow us entry.”
The guard glanced at the two crystal cores in his hand, clearly pleased.
It was customary for all outsiders to pay an entry fee to the town.
He nodded, but his gaze fell on John, standing behind Jackey. His brows furrowed in suspicion. “This guy isn’t a legal resident, is he? He doesn’t have the mark.”
The guards in these towns had special methods to sense the marks on people.
Those without the mark were either homeless or escaped criminals from The Heaven prison. “Yes, yes,” Jackey quickly nodded in agreement and explained, “My lord, this is a refugee I saved. He wants to join Apricot Village, so we came here to request the Lady’s blessing for the mark.”
“Is that so?” The guard rubbed his hands together, making his intentions quite clear. Jackey, feeling helpless, quickly took out four low-tier crystal cores from his pocket, offering them with a smile. “My lord, please show some mercy.”
“You’re sensible,” the guard said with satisfaction, stepping aside to let them pass.
“Thank you, my lords, thank you,” Jackey breathed a sigh of relief and repeatedly expressed his gratitude, leading the group into the town.
The town was bustling, with shops lining the streets and people moving about.
However, John noticed fresh bloodstains on the ground, still not fully dried. Several servants in plain clothes were cleaning the area.
It seemed there had been a recent battle here.
Noticing John’s curiosity, Jackey lowered his voice and said, “There are no laws here to bind the strong. Those with power hold absolute rights over life and death, so conflicts are common. As long as we’re careful, we’ll be fine.”
John nodded, understanding.
Once they entered the town, the group split up.
The three hunters went to sell fur and materials and exchange them for weapons and other essential survival supplies.
John followed the old village chief to the center of the town, where a large manor stood.
This was the City Lord’s Manor.
The soldiers guarding the manor gate stopped them for another round of questioning. Jackey handed over two low-tier crystal cores before they were allowed to enter.
Inside the grand hall of the City Lord’s Manor, a large tiger-skin couch stretched out before them, with a portly middle-aged man slouched on it. He resembled a mountain, his eyes half-closed as he lazily leaned back, still waking up.
Beside him, six young girls, scantily dressed, knelt on the floor. They were massaging his shoulders and back, trembling with fear and careful not to make a sound as they served him. These girls looked in poor condition, their spirits drained and their faces gaunt from abuse. Jackey immediately tugged at John’s sleeve, signaling him to lower his head.
“City Lord, this is Jackey from Apricot Village. We’ve come to deliver this month’s tribute,” Jackey said, bowing respectfully, then handed over a package.
A soldier stepped forward to accept the package and checked its contents before nodding at the obese man.
The fat man opened his mouth, and one of the girls quickly placed a blood-red, unknown fruit
into his hands.
Crunch.
The blood-red juice splashed out, staining his luxurious robe.
“Slap!” A sharp, crisp slap rang through the room.
“Dammit, can’t you see? You’ve ruined my new robe! Do you think you can afford to pay for this?” The fat man stood up angrily and kicked the girl, sending her crashing to the ground.
“My lord, I’m sorry! I… I’ll clean it for you. Please, don’t kill me…” The girl was terrified, scrambling to crawl and kneel at his feet, pleading.
The other girls immediately dropped to their knees, lowering their heads deeply, frozen in fear and silent as if their lives depended on their obedience.
“Get out!” The fat man sneered with contempt, his voice cold. “Take her away, feed her to the
lions!”
“No, no, my lord, please…” The girl screamed and struggled, but two soldiers dragged her away like a mere animal.
John’s brow furrowed as he was about to act, but Jackey gripped his arm tightly, preventing
him from moving.
Jackey shook his head, his eyes pleading.
John was powerful, but he was no match for the obese city lord.
If he acted rashly, not only would he jeopardize himself, but it could also bring disaster to
their entire village.
John furrowed his brow, took a deep breath, and forced himself to calm down.
At that moment, the fat man noticed John. He remained lazily slouched on the couch, then casually spoke, “Jackey, right? It seems this young man isn’t from your village.”
“Yes, yes, my lord,” Jackey hurriedly replied. “He’s a refugee whom I saved. He is grateful for my help and wishes to join Apricot Village, seeking the Lady’s blessing.”
“Oh?” The fat man furrowed his brow, sitting up straight. His eyes began sizing up John with
curiosity.
For some reason, looking at the young man in front of him, he felt uncomfortable.
He spoke in a tone of indifference, “Jackey, I rather like this one. Leave him with me as a
slave.”
“My lord…” Jackey was shocked. He knew full well the fat city lord’s methods-slaves under him either ended up dead or horribly mutilated.
He opened his mouth to protest but was interrupted by John. “My lord, if I were to become your slave, would I gain legal status?” John asked, his tone calm.
“Of course,” the fat lord smiled coldly, the corners of his lips curling into a cruel grin. “As long as you behave, no one in this town would dare touch you.”
“Is that so? I accept,” John replied with a smile, but a cold, murderous intent flickered in his
eyes.
“Ha! Good. You, take him to receive the Lady’s blessing,” the fat man said with a much lighter tone, now in a much better mood. He looked at one of the soldiers nearby and gave the
command.
The soldier nodded and led John and Jackey away.
“John, you’re too impulsive,” Jackey said, his face filled with worry. He glanced at the soldier
in front of them, clearly hesitant to speak.
He knew all too well what the obese city lord was capable of. Becoming his slave meant not only losing freedom but also enduring all kinds of abuse.
“Village Chief, I know what I’m doing.” John had already realized that the mark given after receiving the Goddess’s blessing would indicate which village he belonged to.
If things got out of hand later, it could drag Apricot Village into trouble. It was better to gain
the mark of this town instead.
The fat city lord was strong, but he was no match for John. Worst-case scenario, he could kill
the man and escape.
“You stay here,” the soldier said as the three of them reached a bell tower. The soldier
blocked Jackey’s path.
“My lord,” Jackey took out a few mid-tier crystal cores from his pouch and pleaded, “Could
you make an exception? Please don’t let John become the city lord’s slave.”
“What do you think?” The soldier’s eyes lit up. He snatched the crystal cores from Jackey’s
hand and roughly shoved him aside.
This man had no shame-accepting bribes while refusing to help.
Ignoring Jackey, the soldier led John into the bell tower.
The bell tower was solemn and imposing, and John could faintly sense the fluctuating energy
of The Law of Light emanating from within.
John was intrigued; it seemed someone here could cultivate The Law of Light.
The soldier stopped in front of a door, knocked, and respectfully said, “Lady Goddess, the city
lord has captured a refugee and wishes for you to bless him.”
The soldier’s attitude was respectful, and it seemed the Goddess held a higher status than the
city lord.
“Come in,” a soft feminine voice responded from inside after a brief pause.
The soldier stepped back, glaring at John. “Boy, go in. Do as the Goddess says.”
John ignored the soldier and simply pushed open the door.
Inside, the room was neat and simple. A woman in a white gown, holding a staff, sat high on a
throne-like chair.
John couldn’t help but be curious about her. She appeared to be around twenty-five or
twenty-six, with an outstanding appearance. She radiated a noble elegance and an air of superiority, as though she considered herself above others.
“What a handsome man!” the Goddess thought to herself, somewhat surprised. She raised her
delicate brows slightly, but quickly dismissed her thoughts. It was a pity-becoming the city lord’s slave, he probably wouldn’t live long.
She composed herself, regaining her aloof demeanor. “Place your hand on the crystal ball on
the table. I will bless you.”
John, intrigued by the crystal ball on the table, could clearly feel the power of The Law of
Light emanating from it.
It seemed that the power of The Law of Light in the bell tower was radiating from this very
crystal ball.
He did as instructed, placing his hand on the crystal ball.
Buzz!
Instantly, the light around them surged.
“Huh?” The Goddess’s eyes widened in shock as she stood up abruptly. “Y-You… you’re a
convict from The Heaven!”