Chapter 26 : Arrival at the City

The city gates loomed ahead, tall and imposing. Built of thick stone reinforced with qi-infused metal, they served as a clear barrier between the untamed wilderness and civilization.

Snow and Lian approached the entrance, blending into the steady flow of travelers—merchants leading caravans, wandering cultivators, and common folk seeking refuge or trade.

Two guards in uniformed armor stood at the checkpoint, inspecting those who entered. Their cultivation was decent—both at the Qi Manifestation Realm

As Snow and Lian stepped forward, one of the guards, a man with a scar running down his cheek, held out his hand.

"Entrance fee. Ten silver per person."

Lian sighed, reaching into her pouch without hesitation. Snow remained still, his expression unreadable.

The truth was simple—he had no money.

After spending so much time in the wilderness, he had gathered plenty of resources, spirit herbs, and monster cores, but none of it was in a form he could use here.

Lian handed over twenty silver, and the guard inspected the coins before nodding. "You're clear. Welcome to Red Lotus City."

Snow glanced at Lian as they passed through the gates.

"You didn't have to pay for me," he said flatly.

Lian smirked. "And let you stand outside like some homeless rogue? Think of it as a repayment for helping me survive."

Snow didn't argue.

As they stepped into the city, the air shifted. The wilderness was behind them.

Snow's gaze swept across the bustling streets of Red Lotus City. Unlike the quiet danger of the wilderness, this place was alive with energy. Vendors shouted to passing customers, the scent of roasting meat and medicinal herbs filled the air, and cultivators of varying strengths moved through the crowd with purpose.

The city was a world of its own—a place where power and wealth dictated one's standing.

Snow turned to Lian. "I need money."

Lian arched an eyebrow. "Figured as much. You have something to sell?"

"Spirit herbs, beast cores," Snow replied. "Nothing too rare, but enough to get started."

Lian smirked. "Then I know just the place."

She led him through the crowded streets, weaving between merchants and travelers with ease. Snow followed silently, his sharp eyes taking in every detail. Pickpockets lurked in the shadows, street performers gathered small crowds, and powerful cultivators strode through the roads, their mere presence causing others to step aside.

After several turns, they arrived at a large, imposing building. The Merchant Guild.

It was a grand structure made of polished stone and reinforced wood, with elegant carvings of dragons and phoenixes adorning the entrance. A golden plaque above the doors read:

Merchant Guild – Trade Without Limits

Lian gestured toward it. "This is where you want to be. They buy and sell almost everything—herbs, weapons, beast cores, even cultivation techniques. Prices are fair, and it's safer than dealing with shady street vendors."

Snow gave a short nod before stepping inside.

The interior was just as grand as the outside. Rows of counters lined the hall, each staffed by clerks handling transactions. Merchants and cultivators stood in groups, negotiating trades or discussing business. A separate area displayed high-value treasures, guarded by armored cultivators with sharp, watchful eyes.

Lian nudged him. "Come on. Let's find someone to sell your goods "

Snow and Lian made their way deeper into the Merchant Guild, a sprawling establishment filled with cultivators buying, selling, and bargaining. The scent of medicinal herbs and ink filled the air, mixing with the occasional metallic tang of spirit weapons being appraised.

At the main counter, a middle-aged clerk in fine robes sat behind stacks of ledgers, his sharp eyes scanning each customer with a practiced air of calculation.

As they stepped forward, the clerk barely glanced up. "Buying or selling?"

"Selling," Snow said.

He placed a small pouch on the counter, then another. The first held common spirit herbs and beast cores, while the second contained higher-grade spirit herbs he had found in the wolf den and the core of the Alpha wolf—a beast that had been far stronger than the others.

The clerk's gaze sharpened when he saw the second pouch. He pulled out a jade magnifier, carefully inspecting the spirit herbs first. The faint golden glow of the rare herbs reflected in his eyes.

"These aren't common," he murmured. "Where did you find them?"

Snow didn't answer.

The clerk smirked but didn't push further. Instead, he moved on to the beast cores, picking up the Alpha's core last. The moment he touched it, his expression shifted.

"This… a Qi Manifestation realm core?" His tone was no longer indifferent. "A mid-tier one at that."

Lian smirked. "Told you we weren't selling junk."

The clerk tapped his abacus quickly, scribbling down calculations on a jade slip. After a moment, he looked up.

"For everything—your common spirit herbs and cores, the rare spirit herbs, and this mid-tier beast core—I'll offer… four hundred and seventy silver."

Lian's brows lifted slightly. That was a significant jump from their earlier expectations.

Snow remained impassive. "Can't go higher?"

The clerk chuckled. "That's the fair market price. If you tried selling the rare herbs and beast core individually, you might get more, but it would take time… and attract attention."

Snow considered it, then nodded. "Deal."

The clerk smiled, counting out the silver coins into a pouch before sliding it across the counter.

As Snow pocketed the money, Lian exhaled. "Now we're talking. So, what's next?"

Snow glanced around, mind already working.

He had money now.

With the transaction complete, Snow finally had money in his possession. But his next step was clear—he needed a place to stay.

He turned to Lian. "You're more familiar with the city. Find us an inn."

Lian smirked. "Giving me orders now?"

Snow didn't respond. He simply stared at her, his expression unreadable but firm.

Lian rolled her eyes. "Fine, fine. But don't expect luxury—we're going somewhere practical, not extravagant."

She led the way out of the Merchant Guild, back into the bustling streets of Red Lotus City. The sun was already starting to dip toward the horizon, casting long shadows across the roads. The city's energy remained high, but the flow of people had shifted. Merchants began closing their stalls, while taverns and inns lit their lanterns, preparing for the night's customers.

As they walked, Lian spoke over her shoulder. "There are plenty of inns in the city, but most fall into three types—cheap but dangerous, average but overpriced, or high-class and heavily guarded."

Snow frowned. "No middle ground?"

"Not really." Lian shrugged. "If you go too cheap, you'll probably wake up with a knife at your throat. If you go too expensive, you'll attract attention. Best to stay somewhere decent but low-profile."

Snow nodded. That was fine with him.

After a few more turns through the city streets, they arrived at a modest-looking inn. A wooden sign with faded lettering hung above the entrance: The Iron Willow Inn.

"This should work," Lian said. "It's clean, safe enough, and not too expensive."

They stepped inside. The inn's interior was simple but well-kept. A few travelers and low-level cultivators sat at wooden tables, drinking and chatting. A stout woman with sharp eyes, likely the innkeeper, stood behind the counter.

Lian approached first. "Two rooms, one night."

The innkeeper glanced at them, then named the price. "Fifteen silver per room. Meals included."

Lian turned to Snow with a smirk. "Since you're rich now, you can pay for yourself."

Snow handed over the silver without hesitation. He valued money, but only as a means to an end.

The innkeeper took the coins and handed them two wooden keys. "Rooms are upstairs, second floor. No fighting inside the inn."

Snow took the key, already heading toward the stairs.

Lian called after him, "You're just going to sleep?"

Snow paused but didn't turn around. "I need to rest.you can't imagine how long its been since i had a good bath and slept on a bed"