chapter 8: Seouling

During their journey through the forest, Mina and Kai would hunt monsters and prepare them as food for the group whenever they were hungry.

Mina was always practicing her finger thread skills and when she and Kai fought the beast she would halt their movement and Kai would land a finishing blow.

After some time Mina got used to her finger thread skills and could use them as a weapon, she would release multiple threads in the air, and they were sharp enough to slash an animal to pieces. Her speed had increased and so did her battle prowess.

Luckily, during this time, Mina didn't feel any weird sensations, so she just focused on perfecting her skills and not having sex. So, she spent more time bonding and getting to know more about Kai, for some reason the guards were extremely strict and didn't budge with their formal behavior.

After a whole month and a few days, Mina looked out of a window to see extremely huge walls that were so high that one couldn't see what was inside unless they flew over it.

Mina watched as many people were entering the city and all were young people who said their goodbyes to the older ones with them.

"The walls are huge!" Kai exclaimed and Mina nodded in agreement. The sun was high in the sky, which gave the walls a dark aura.

"Young master, we've reached Seouling city," a male guard on a horse near the carriage announced.

All the guards stationed themselves before the carriage door, blocking the view of pedestrians who peered at the luxurious carriage from time to time.

"We can't come with you, young master because people above thirty years old aren't allowed inside," a female guard stated with a slightly disappointed tone.

"How come?" Kai asked as his face tensed up.

"It's just not allowed," she shook her head and Kai sighed.

"Guess we have to go through the trial ourselves," Kai turned to Mina

"Cultivation trial…," Mina mumbled as she remembered a past memory from when her mother was alive.

A man was a customer of her mother in the red-light district so after he was done with his activities with her mother, he was bragging about passing something called cultivation trials and entering a sect.

'Mr. cultivator, what are the cultivation trials like?" Little Mina asked the man.

The man had a pompous look as he explained, "People all around the continent, especially young people come together at one large city to compete in some trials to chase immortality. Those who complete the five trials get to be chosen to enter different powerful sects!"

"Mister, do people die in the trials? (⁠☆⁠▽⁠☆⁠)," Little Rachel asked with starry eyes.

The man held his chin and frowned, "Some do, but now they save people who are near death in the trials, so they are disqualified."

After that memory, Mina felt a horrible pain in her chest and frowned. The deaths of her mother and sister played in her mind, causing her to grip her palms, 'So that's what he meant.' Mina thought as she looked outside the window to see many other people with luxurious carriages stopping at the gates of the city.

"Mina!" Kai called out to her, causing her to jerk up.

"Oh sorry I was overthinking again," Mina scratched her head in embarrassment and got up from her seat.

"No worries, shall we get going," Kai held out his hand to her which she gently places her on.

"Yes," she replied with a smile.

"First of, before we go could you please wear this," Kai gave her a hanfu decorated with gems.

"Why?" Mina asked, raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms.

"Well your face is attracting a lot of attention you see," Kai said and Mina watched from the carriage door to see people gathering from afar to stare at her. And seeing those people, Kai shot a death glare at them causing them to scurry away.

"Hmm well, I don't mind then. I don't want people to be following me," Mina shrugged and took the hanfu face veil. She gently placed it on her ears and its pink color covered her nose to her neck perfectly. Despite that, it still couldn't hide how beautiful she is.

"Shall we go?" Mina asked Kai, who nodded, and they walked away from the carriage. They waved the guards one last goodbye before leaving for the city gates.

The line before them was long, but they had to join it anyway and wait for their turn. Kai and Mina would chat from time to time to ease their boredom. After an hour, they finally reached the registration point and before them was a grumpy middle-aged man who had a floating crystal tablet before him.

"Are you here to be participants of the sect trials?" He asked with a gruff voice.

"Yes!" They both chided at the same time.

"Confirm your names and your age," he said and tapped the stone tablet. A small cube floated out of it and a green light scanned their faces.

"Kai Cheowang, age 20," Kai stated, and the cube blinked twice.

"A young master from the Cheowang family, huh?" The middle-aged man mumbled with an amused expression. And the people around also began to murmur.

'Is he a big shot?' Mina's eyes looked at Kai as though they were gonna pop out of their sockets.

"Yes," Kai nodded firmly.

"And you Miss," the middle-aged man scanned Mina and his hardened gaze turned soft.

"An exquisite beauty!" He giggled and Kai shot him a glare which caused him to stop.

"My name is Mina, age 22," Mina said with an alluring voice and everyone around gasped.

"She sounds like an angel," a woman gasped.

"More like a seductive devil!" A man purred.

"No family name?" the middle-aged man before them asked.

"No just Mina," Mina shook her head.

'Probably a rich young lady trying to hide her family name due to family problems. I hope things work out for her,' the middle-aged man concluded in his heart, not knowing that was far from the truth.

"I see, well, I hope the two of you do well," the middle-aged man winked at them and Mina and Kai were given two cubes which turned into a bracelet on their wrists.

Mina and Kai walked into the city, and Mina gasped in shock at the marvelous sight before her.

Numerous young people could be seen walking on the streets of Seouling city

Mina admired the cobbled street she was standing on and constantly glanced at all the tall buildings all around her.

"The air smells fresh and clean; it feels like summer," Mina mumbled.

The buildings were spaced out from the street making it feel less clustered, but the number of people passing through the street made it hard for someone to navigate their way through the streets.

Kai pulled Mina closer to his side, and they walked side by side as they explored the city.

After a while of walking, Mina discovered a fountain where a large statue of a woman holding a scythe.

Kai turned to his left and saw a shop selling clothing and pulled Mina.

"Let's get you more clothes!" Kai beamed and Mina nodded in agreement.

"As long as you're paying, I don't mind ¯⁠\⁠_(⁠´⁠ε⁠｀⁠ ⁠)⁠⁠_⁠/⁠¯," Mina shrugged.