Setting off

The following battle ended quickly without suspense. The two clans head's cultivation was both at the 8th realm of foundation establishment and they were not abnormal like Light.

The Bai clan head killed himself by explosion to avoid being captured while the Li clan head directly surrendered.

With the Li clan head's cultivation sealed he was tied up and taken away to be imprisoned.

While all that was happening, Light was seated in a lotus position cultivating while going over his gains. Through the battle with the evil cultivator he got an understanding of where his strength was at. He was also able to gain experience using several techniques and he was currently thinking about what his next steps were to be.

'I need information' was the thought that all the pondering came to. He had too little information on everything in this world. For cultivation methods and techniques, he had the Radiant Virtue sword so he didn't need to worry about them. What he really lacked was an understanding of where he should go next, what to look out for, cultivation treasures, and all other essential information to his journey.

While he was thinking, the Huo siblings reunited with their father and grandfather. The Huo clan head talked with his daughter and son for a little while before sending them and his father away. The Huo clan head approached Light alone as he opened his eyes.

"My name is Huo Zun, as you probably know I am the head of the Huo family. I understand a gist of your background from my children. I must first thank you for saving the two of them and I must also thank you for saving my clan through this disastrous day."

The Huo clan head gave a deep bow as a sign of respect.

"Save the formalities. I wanted to talk because I have something to ask of you. I want access to all your records and documents about this world. I don't care about techniques or cultivation manuals. I just want information." Light responded impatiently.

"Of course. Although our estate was damaged the library was left intact. The invaders likely wanted to keep it for their own use. When would you like to go?"

"Right now." 

Following their quick conversation Light followed him until they ended up by a pavilion that was relatively undamaged compared to the rest of the Huo clans estate.

Light also asked for the Huo clan to bring him meals everyday as well as a place to stay as he planned to spend a few weeks here at least.

Eating in the sacred library was strictly forbidden. Though considering Light had not only saved his clan, but was also much more powerful than he was, he could only helplessly agree.

Just like that, one man spent three weeks in a library reading information about the world. 

Light was currently sitting down in the library eating a tangerine. The most important information could be divided into a few parts. 

Firstly, the power structure of the world. The most powerful sects were all located in the central continent. This was also because it had the best cultivation resources and the purest energy in the air. This was Light's next destination. He didn't want to waste more time in this eastern province if he had to eventually go to the central province either way.

Second was the power division in this world. In the eastern province late stage foundation establishment cultivators were considered strong with golden core cultivators representing the pinnacle, but in the central province they were considered only second tier above qi condensation.

In the central province golden core cultivators were middle level strength, while nascent soul and spirit severing cultivators were elder and sect leader level powers. 

Not much other information regarding the sects of the central region was noted as this was a backwater area in the world.

Third was related to talent. As an 18 year old second layer foundation establishment cultivator he could already be said to be amongst the top of the talent in the eastern province even amongst the strongest power the imperial Ye family.

Though in this eastern region fighting one layer above was a talent and two layers above was a great talent. 10 levels above was otherworldly, this might not even be present in the central region.

Information on the central region's talent wasn't present but there were some passages of information that wrote of rumors that the central region had nascent soul cultivators in their 20s.

Lastly, was information related to the status of dark and light cultivators. The difference between the two was like night and day. Dark cultivators were considered lower class evil cultivators that earned nothing but ire from the rest of the cultivation world. Light cultivators on the other hand were highly respected not only because of their healing capabilities but because of the absolute power of 'annihilation'. They were also the rarest form of elemental cultivators.

Unfortunately there was no information on sects with a yin yang symbol on their uniform. Though this was to be expected.

Light let out a sigh. While he had decided on his next steps, he was constantly reminded that he had a long way to go. He could not afford to worry about offending enemies in the eastern region or even the central region as his true enemies were likely far more powerful than them.

Finishing his tangerine, Light let out a breath of air. " It's time to make my way to the central region."

Light spoke with the Huo clan head and he arranged for a carriage to send him to the capital of the eastern province where he could then board a ferry that would reach the central regions. Though one could arrive there through land, it would take far more time, thus the method of ferry travel was a popular choice.

The carriage soon arrived and Light boarded it. As he left the city he looked back to see the two siblings, old man Tong and Huo Zen who sent him off. The two siblings gave him light bows and sent him off with a smile. Remembering their kindness he returned a smile and then headed into the carriage as he made his way to the capital.

The carriage he was in was no ordinary carriage. It was an imperial transport carriage marked with an image of a dragon made from gold. Gently caressing the sapphire ring hanging from his neck, he sat in silence as the long golden carriage traveled through plains, through mountains, passing rivers and all sights one could think of.

Imperial carriages were not just for fancy appearances. They represented the might of the imperial army, a symbol of absolute power in the eastern region. Enemies? They had none worthy of being called enemies. The last King in power rounded up all his enemies and killed their families generations to the roots. It was a vicious execution known as the culling in the east to those from outside the province, and known as judgment day for those within.

Though the imperial family had a vicious reputation, Light was unbothered. The only thing keeping Light alive was his desire to see his revenge through, to fight against the fate bestowed upon him. Should he gain additional enemies, it would just make the list of those he needed to cull longer.

We have arrived sir. The voice of the old butler holding the reins to the horses spoke up. Light opened the curtains to take a look outside the carriage windows. Before he realized it he was now present in front of a grand black steel gate with matching walls 20 meters high. The carriage continued forward towards two guards dressed in pitch black metal armor covering the chest, head, shoulders and forearms. There was also a little armor on the legs but only on the knees, feet and shins, seemingly to maintain some degree of mobility.

The carriage slowly continued forward, briefly stopping with the guards who after confirming the butler's identity as a carriage driver, let them into the city without checking anything. A treatment that was exclusive to drivers of imperial carriages and their customers.

The carriage continued to travel deeper and deeper into the city. Light could see some carriages made of metal, and some even made from wood traveling on the broad roads. The streets were bustling with business. Selling and buying anything from food, to weapons, to clothes, to medicine. Anything one wanted could be found, he even caught sight of a few brothels.

As the carriage carried on, the time soon passed and it was nearing the evening sunset. The carriage shortly came to a stop. Stepping out of the carriage, in front of Light was a decently sized manor made of fine crafted bricks. It resembled a small noble's house.

The driver turned the carriage around and left him alone at the entrance of the house. This was the place the Huo Clans head had rented for him. It was only rented for a day as the ferry to the central continent would leave the very next day. Still it cost nearly half the fortune of the Huo Clan. Of course he didn't do it all for gratitude. Part of it was his fear of Light. He didn't know his age but he looked very young, that coupled with the fact that his strength was far scarier than any of his previous enemies was enough.

Light walked forward and neared the manor, holding out a metal key tag near the door. It looked like a rectangular piece of sheet metal with some fine gold engravings. The door soon glowed a blue light before unlocking and opening up.

Entering the house, there was lavish furniture everywhere. A large chandelier hung from the ceiling near the entrance and below was the spiral staircase leading to the second floor. Light walked towards the living room ignoring the second floor and headed towards the biggest couch before laying down with his feet on the furniture without any care for manners.

Before he lost everything, he was the prince of the world. Image and reputation were the biggest of his concerns. But now he realized how ridiculous it all was. If he had known his and his world's fate, he would have lived his days trying to find a way to save everyone. Or at the very least he would have lived everyday to the fullest. Though all of that was hindsight, he can only look forward to what he needs to do now.

The enemies before him were definitely strong and most likely in incredibly large numbers. Whoever was leading them was obviously very intelligent, no idiot makes it to the top of the food chain. He was very clear about his position. It was one vs all. For he knew nothing about them, and they most likely held such power that they didn't even care about his existence.

But it was exactly this that irritated him, that anger fueling his dwindling will to live. Why accept things such as being fated to be weak and insignificant? If he was fated to die, then he would overturn fate. If the heavens looked down on him, he would turnover the world. It's not about teaching his enemies a lesson. It is about principle.

One day he would set everything from the heavens to hell all ablaze in glorious horror.

He closed his eyes and rested, the yin yang scripture passively cultivating for him.

A long while passed. The sun had long set and was beginning to rise again.

Light rested on the couch with his hands crossed over his stomach. His eyelids fluttered as they slowly opened revealing drowsy obsidian eyes which slowly turned indifferent as they regained clarity.

He could hear the sound of a carriage approaching, which slowly stopped. A light knock on the door followed.

Light got up from the couch and lightly fixed his robes before walking towards the entrance. Opening the door, there was a butler waiting, different from the one from the previous day.

"I am here to guide you to the ferry headed to the central province sir."

---

In a different location a handsome young man dressed in black imperial robes with a golden five clawed dragon pattern sat in a grand carriage. A masked well built man sat across from him.

"Young lord, according to my investigations the other princes will send assassins to intercept you on your journey."

"Can you handle them?"

"There should be no problem sir."

"Then there is nothing to worry about. Continue acting like we are oblivious. Those stupid brothers of mine can't see the bigger picture. What is good about having power in a small empire? Who cares about the throne, the central province is where the real power is at!"

Flames of desire could be seen in the young man's eyes.

"We have arrived sir."

---

Light once again traveled through the city in a carriage before arriving at the harbor. Leaving his carriage he joined a long line for the ferry. Everyone here needed to have their names booked or they wouldn't be permitted entry. There was no stealing tickets as the right to travel had to be purchased directly from the empire.

As Light joined the line his looks attracted a few stares, but they quickly stopped when they realized he didn't have status. To many, status was everything in this world. Those with power could skip the line, lining up was a declaration of inferiority.

Within this line Light could feel dense murderous auras. 'It seems this trip will be lively.' If one looked closely they could see a dark shadow faintly dancing within his eyes.

After around five minutes of waiting a commotion occurred.

"It's a prince!"

Followed by the shouts of a few excited individuals a loud voice overpowered the rest.

"MAKE WAY FOR SECOND PRINCE."

A large black carriage covered in golden dragon patterns made its way past everyone in the line heading towards the ferry. Princes were amongst the top of those with status, skipping a line was nothing to them.

Soon, one after another other carriages belonging to lords and aristocrats began to appear, skipping the line.

Around the time the sun had set everyone had boarded the ferry. It was a large boat about three hundred meters long and 40 meters wide. The boat was entirely made of black metal in the exterior. It was like a large black warship. There were about 1000 guests onboard. Each guest had their own room as the travels would take around a week. 

Light was currently seated in his room, sensing the murderous aura outside his room. Someone was waiting there.