Settling

"I should keep a low profile here," Wu Chen thought.

He had already drawn enough attention back in Azure Flame Kingdom.

He just wanted to find a place for Li Wei to settle and quietly focus on his own path.

As they neared the capital, Wu Chen spoke calmly, "We'll settle here for now."

Li Wei nodded. "Teacher, what should we do first?"

Wu Chen glanced at him. "First, we get a proper residence."

He changed into plain robes, no longer resembling the youth who had shaken Azure Flame Kingdom.

Despite the impressive surroundings, Wu Chen remained casual, carrying himself like any ordinary traveler.

Dressed in plain robes with an unassuming demeanor, he looked no different from a wandering scholar or a merchant's apprentice.

Li Wei, walking beside him, was slightly more on edge.

"Teacher, where should we stay?" Li Wei asked.

Wu Chen thought for a moment. "A quiet place would be best."

They arrived at the more refined district, where large estates lined the streets, and property firms managed the renting of high-class residences.

Wu Chen approached a well-established real estate pavilion and calmly asked about renting a mansion.

The receptionist, a well-dressed man with a fake smile, took one glance at Wu Chen's plain robes and looked unimpressed.

"Are you sure you're in the right place?" the man asked. ."Mansions in this area start at 300,000 gold per year." The man smirked. "That's not counting the furnishing and servant expenses."

He leaned forward slightly. "If you're looking for an inn instead, there are cheaper places in the outer city."

The meaning was clear—he assumed Wu Chen couldn't afford it.

Wu Chen remained indifferent. "I'm not looking for an inn. Show me the available mansions."

The receptionist chuckled. "Sir, these residences are rented by nobles, high-ranking merchants, and alchemists of great standing. We don't offer tours for… casual inquiries."

Li Wei frowned. "Teacher, let's just go somewhere else."

Wu Chen nodded, unfazed. "Alright."

Just as they were about to leave, a group of young nobles entered the pavilion.

led by a wealthy-looking youth in lavish embroidered robes. He happened to overhear the conversation.

"Hah! This peasant wants to rent our mansions?" The noble sneered. "Why don't you just beg at the gates instead?"

His followers laughed.

Encouraged by the receptionist's dismissive attitude, the noble decided to mock Wu Chen further.

"Here, I'll be generous." He tossed a silver coin toward Wu Chen's feet. "Take this and buy yourself a meal. No need to embarrass yourself by asking for things you can't afford."

The crowd inside the pavilion watched with amusement.

Li Wei clenched his fists. "Teacher, let me—"

Wu Chen simply ignored the silver coin and calmly reached into his sleeve.

Then, with a casual motion, he placed a spatial pouch filled with gold coins on the table.

Clank!

The weight of the pouch silenced the entire room.

Even though no one could see inside, the unmistakable sound of heavy gold was enough.

The receptionist's smirk disappeared.

The noble's laughter froze.

The surrounding guests, who had been enjoying the spectacle, suddenly had different expressions.

Wu Chen's voice was as calm as ever. "Is this enough for a year's rent?"

The receptionist, who had been acting condescending just moments ago, immediately changed his tone.

"S-Sir! Please, forgive me! I-I didn't realize—"

He nervously wiped his forehead and bowed slightly. "We have the finest mansions available! Please allow me to personally show you—"

The noble, who had insulted Wu Chen, took a step back in disbelief.

"H-How can this nobody have so much gold?!"

His followers were equally stunned.

Wu Chen remained indifferent. "Forget it. I'll take my money elsewhere."

He turned to leave, and Li Wei followed, satisfied with the reaction.

Just as they stepped outside, a well-dressed property manager from a rival firm hurried over.

"Sir, I happened to overhear your conversation. Our firm has even better mansions, in a more private district. If you're interested, we would be honored to arrange a viewing immediately."

The first firm's receptionist turned pale.

Wu Chen glanced at Li Wei. "What do you think?"

Li Wei nodded. "This one looks better."

Wu Chen shrugged. "Alright."

And just like that, they walked away, leaving the first firm and the arrogant noble in bitter regret.

The new firm arranged a luxurious residence—an estate with vast courtyards, a serene lake, and multiple cultivation rooms.

After Wu Chen settled into his mansion—a dream he had long cherished—he couldn't help but marvel at his new reality.

For most of his life, he had never slept in a proper house, let alone a mansion, with the exception of his time in the village and the inn at the Azure Flame Kingdom.

But now, here he was, surrounded by luxury, attended to by servants, with multiple rooms and plush beds at his disposal.

"Ha! LG Life's good," he chuckled to himself, savoring the moment.

As he relaxed, his mind wandered back to the journey that had brought him here.

Particularly the dramatic events at the Azure Flame Kingdom.

He felt a deep sense of relief, knowing that the resentment that had festered in his heart for so long had finally been quelled.

This was one of the reasons he had eagerly accepted the deal offered by that mysterious organization, allowing him to confront and eliminate any enemies or obstacles in his path.

But there was another, even more compelling reason: his burning curiosity about the Trinity Palace, the enigmatic place where he had gained his extraordinary powers.

The mysteries surrounding it had haunted him ever since, and he was determined to uncover its secrets.

The scroll he now possessed seemed to hold the key, and it had taken every ounce of his willpower not to open it immediately after receiving it.

Knowing he was in public and that trouble was brewing, he had resisted the urge.

But now, with everything settled and no immediate threats looming, the time had finally come.

"Let's check this baby out," Wu Chen muttered to himself as he carefully retrieved the scroll.

He placed it on a nearby table and slowly, meticulously unrolled it.

A faint flash of light emanated from the parchment, and golden words began to materialize before his eyes.

The calligraphy was exquisite, almost hypnotic, and as he started reading, more words appeared, flowing seamlessly across the scroll.

It read: "THE RELIC OF POWER, GATHER THE OTHERS TO UNCOVER GREATNESS."