Chapter 45 - Stone Ward

The Inner District was a massive piece of land. If a person could pick up the established districts in the rest of the Empire, almost all could fit inside the Inner District alone, not including the Noble Ward behind the inner wall.

Unlike the Southern District where it was divided up into quarters, there were wards assigned various names. There was one for each tier of the World Realm, but also some special wards like the previously mentioned Noble Ward. The majority of guilds that could afford to do so would aim for the Golden Ward or the Diamond Ward but a special few would enter the Sky Ward.

Lind had heard interesting rumors of what a cultivator could find in the Diamond or Sky Wards but they were far beyond his reach at this time. The Sand Ward was actually along the rivers that fed the main trading route by boat to the capitol so it was actually a vibrant if rough ward to live in. The various powers made sure their goods were delivered to the next step in the chain but graft was rampant from what Lind had heard.

Comparatively, the Stone Ward was notorious. It was not far from the docks but it was originally a warehouse district with a few businesses for low income cultivators to stay somewhere. Over time, however, it had grown into a shady and dark place. There were still warehouses but now almost all were the storage areas of unofficial guilds of criminals.

There was an oddity, however, in any ward of the capitol. An Academy student could walk unmolested through even the Stone Ward. Some were recognized as former members that were working their way up to enter powers for their criminal masters to have agents close to the inner circles of power.

It was an open secret, but talent was welcome everywhere. Talent with ready made blackmail was even more welcome by some powers. Lind felt nervous as he walked into the distinctly run down Stone Ward. Streets were generally kept clean in most wards by someone, but the clutter and debris down many of the streets in the Stone Ward looked almost deliberate to his eyes.

It clearly had colors and formations to his eyes to mark off territory borders but old blood stains were just as visible down some of the alleys to show such demarcations were hardly accepted by the residents.

The limited information of the slip was his only lead and his frustration had pushed Lind to barely prepare to enter this ward. He had a few protective talismans that only needed pure Qi to trigger. It limited the power he could use but it was better than nothing. He also had exchanged some gold for a protective chainmail.

This did not require Qi to infuse into it. He only had to bind it with his blood. He had noticed, thought, that if he tried to get a higher grade armor, his 6 elements would wear it out far faster than was normal.

All of this was the bare minimum Lind had prepared before setting out. Now, he walked by hovels and a mix of mortals wailing in pain next to reed thin cultivators. His Eyes revealed disturbing flows of Qi inside them and also substances that his instincts were wary of just looking at them.

Like all the wards, thankfully, the layout was similar and Lind quickly found the main road to lead him to the few official businesses there. A dark stone building that seemed like a good wind would push it over was somehow 3 storeys tall. A dark metal cauldron was hung where a sign should be, thus Lind believed he found his first landmark.

Rather than pass it by, he entered. The late afternoon was not unpleasant but the atmosphere of the ward was wearing on Lind's spirit. The Black Cauldron Tavern was already lively but not filled. Barely anyone even glanced at him overtly, but Lind noticed some lingering gazes and felt Qi try to flow over him.

He did nothing to stop it directly but used his Soul Touch to keep it away from his bags. The staff could not be stolen, and its nature would instantly cause any thief to lose interest. A weapon for a 6 elemental might be rare but there was 0 demand.

Lind approached the heavily scarred wooden bar and the boards creaked under his steps as if no one had tried to maintain them. He noticed some were different colors indicating they had been replaced for some reason. Given the rowdy exchanges, Lind could guess why they were replaced.

A rotund man with balding pale hair was pouring some kind of bubbling blue drink for a cloaked customer that did not reveal any features. A torn and heavily stitched leather apron covered his front with a rolled up shirt heavily stained beneath. Lind refrained from using his Eyes for now as he was afraid what he would see in this place.

"Ah, a fresh student at la–" The words froze in the large man's throat as he really looked at Lind. His odd reaction made the customers glance before some became wide eyed and quickly downed their drinks before rushing from the tavern.

Lind had seen many reactions at the Academy, but this was unexpected. Why were they acting like he was going to curse them? Lind continued forward and the barkeep looked like he swallowed a bug but said nothing as he approached Lind.

"What do you want?" Lind was stunned at the curt tone. Why was he being treated like this? Surely his status was not loathed on sight? His curiosity won out.

"I am looking for something but please explain what is going on here." Lind was calm and hoped that would get an answer but the barkeep simply frowned before slamming down a dark wooden mug and filled it with very cheap ale.

"Drink or leave." The barkeep then turned away and talked to other customers. Lind instantly used his Eyes and quickly decided not to touch that particular drink. The Qi was nonexistent but he could see the swirl of some kind of power that felt like poison. It was not lethal but he had no desire to learn what it did.

Lind conjured some water and formed an earthen cup. His new control made it possible to manifest elements far more easily so long as he kept it simple. It would not be good long term but for current purposes, it was fine.

Lind chose a table near the edge and was disappointed that all conversation stopped as he walked by. What in blazes was going on?!

"You are unpopular, Lind Frey." Lind nearly jumped as a voice came from in front of him where he swore no one had been a moment ago. The previously cloaked person was now sitting across from him. It was a demon.

He had incredible pressure and Lind noticed he could not perceive the dantian elements. It was a World Realm demon. Given the pressure, he was likely a peak Sand or low Stone Tier. Lind sipped at his drink as the demon quietly drank his blue alcohol.

Lind's Eyes revealed that the drink would flatten him if he tried to drink it. The World Realm constitution was not messing around. The 2 men sat quietly but Lind knew he could not speak without permission.

"I will not bite, young man. Etiquette may be necessary in the high halls of the Academy or the Imperial Palace, but not here." The mocking tone was not missed by Lind but still, he stuck to being polite as he bowed to the demon like a junior to a senior. A feeling of gratification was instantly felt.

"I do not presume to be familiar with the capitol after a few months but why am I suddenly so annoying when no one reacted to me in the street." This was not entirely correct, but Lind only saw students react in public like this tavern was currently reacting. A snort of laughter was followed by a cough as the demon had snorted his drink.

"You are very ignorant of how far the powers above you have made sure to circulate your image and name. I suggest whatever business you have here to be quick as certain powers in the Stone Ward will want you gone. You are the wrong kind of trouble for this place." Lind felt his anger spike. His status was not simply known in the Academy but had been spread to all the powers of the Lotus Empire.

"I seek a location that may have an elixir master near a–" LInd's words froze in his throat. Why was he asking this demon? Why was this demon even speaking to him? Darkmoor had basically declared him persona non grata inside the Lotus Empire. So why was a World Realm demon talking to him?

"Wisdom is in there it seems. You still gave away your goal but you wasted your time.

The witch still lives there but you will never find what you seek." The demon rose and pointed to the back wall of the tavern. "Go right out the door and you will find a sign board with a ribbon cut by scissors indicating the brothel. After that, you are on your own." The demon smirked as reptilian golden eyes looked out of the hood. Lind felt like a predator was toying with him but he bowed and quickly moved off.

Lind noticed that not a moment after he left the tavern, several large groups headed inside looking like they were rumbling for a fight. He wasted no time moving down the debris filled streets until there was a change.

The once cluttered streets were cleared and a strange scent entered his nose. Lind quickly used his Soul Touch to keep the pervasive material outside of his body. It was a good move as his body started to react from the small part he had inhaled. His body felt warm and flush with blood as his heart rate increased.

"I suppose that is one way to drum up business." Lind noticed the sudden lack of hollowed out mortals and cultivators that had once been so prevalent in the rest of the ward. It was clear that he had crossed into an area under much more strict control.

Lind then saw several barely clothed women and men standing in front of a very well built 5 storey building. It stood out starkly with how pristine white it looked compared to the dirty gray short stacks that surrounded it. Lind noticed that the individuals were drugged as much as he would have been if he did not keep the perfume out of his body.

Even so, the group looked right at Lind as he got close and began to move smoothly despite the lack of life in their eyes. Lind felt sick looking at them even without his Eyes. These people had no control and had been trained to please.

Emerald fire surrounded his staff as thunder rumbled in the air. The group froze that came close to him but he did not touch them in any way. Lind looked on before slowly moving past them. He controlled his rage but flashes of what had happened to these cultivators beyond their choice stoked his personal grudge.

"I am sorry." Lind could only move on as he was weaker than most of the group here. Only a handful were at tier 4 but most were at tier 6 or 7 from what he could tell. It spoke volumes of the power behind this place, thus Lind could only walk by. He had no power to stand up to this unknown force.

"Interesting. Your Talent is a rare one, young man. A pity you do not want to indulge but you would be barred anyway." A voice floated near his ears and it made Lind's skin crawl. He knew only a World Realm at the Stone Tier could project like this. Such a powerful cultivator ran his place?! He moved on and heard snide laughter in his wake.

His Soul Eyes finally found an oddity past the brothel. Most of the buildings had broken formations or crudely built, but there was a small shop not far from the brothel that had the most elegant formation he had seen so far in his life.

"This should not be here." Lind mumbled as he carefully observed the small shop. This formation reminded him of the Ruins in the desert. That made no sense as Immortal Realm cultivators could not be in the mortal realms.

Lind looked up and down the street but noticed the prostitutes would not come close to the shop. Lind was unsure but an instinct told him not to knock on that dark wooden door. Instead, he set out a vial holding his broths that were successful before starting a fire.

He began to cook them in the pot he brought with him and watched as the solution became crystal clear and more profound. He quickly put it into a jade vial and stoppered it. Without pause, Lind repeated the process he used in the Ruin but as had happened every time since, the essence would not blend together and instead became sludge. Lind stoppered a sample of this as well.

Lind then sat and cultivated while he waited. This was his only lead and hopefully it was not too late. Lind had just begun tempering his elements when an impossible pressure filled the street. The men and women instantly regained clarity but fear filled their faces as they rushed into the brothel. Lind remained seated.

"Divine cores, 6 elements, and most importantly, you are a born elixir master boy. Come in." An androgynous voice filled Lind's mind. He quickly stood up and noticed the door of the shop was now open. He collected his material and walked inside. Once the door slammed closed the street returned to normal as if nothing odd had happened.