A New City: Arrival in Red Lotus City

The morning sun cast a golden glow over the Luo Clan's ancestral grounds. A soft breeze stirred the leaves, carrying with it a sense of change.

Luo Zheng stood before his small courtyard, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.

He had spent a year in seclusion, cultivating, and now, he was ready to embark on a journey to seek greater strength.

But before he left—

He had to meet someone.

Luo Zheng made his way toward the servants' quarters, where Uncle Fu, an old steward who had cared for him since childhood, resided.

The old man sat under a peach blossom tree, sipping tea. His white beard trembled as he smiled upon seeing Luo Zheng approach.

"Young Master Zheng, you've grown." Uncle Fu's voice was warm, yet there was a hint of sorrow in his eyes.

Luo Zheng bowed slightly.

"Uncle Fu, I wanted to see you before I left."

The old man sighed, placing his cup down.

"The world outside is vast and unpredictable. Have you truly decided to leave the clan?"

Luo Zheng nodded.

I have to grow stronger. Staying here won't help me anymore."

Uncle Fu studied him for a long moment before reaching inside his sleeve.

"Then take this," he said, handing Luo Zheng a small jade pendant.

Luo Zheng took it, feeling a faint warmth from the jade.

"This belonged to you. It might not seem like much, but it will guide you when the time is right."

Luo Zheng clenched the pendant tightly.

"Thank you, Uncle Fu. I'll return stronger."

Uncle Fu smiled but said nothing.

Somehow, he knew Luo Zheng's journey was only just beginning.

Before departing, Luo Zheng changed into a new set of clothes.

He wore a dark blue robe, embroidered with silver cloud patterns, a gift from Uncle Fu.

His once short hair had grown long over the year, and now, he tied it into a ponytail.

Looking at his reflection in a nearby water basin, Luo Zheng barely recognized himself.

He had always been called delicate and handsome as a child, but now, he looked even more refined.

His features were sharp and elegant, and his calm yet determined eyes held a depth beyond his years.

He reached for his sword—

The very one he had forged with his own hands.

The blade hummed softly as he secured it behind his back.

"This is the start of my journey."

With a deep breath, Luo Zheng turned and stepped out of the Luo Clan's gates.

Ahead lay the vast unknown.

Leaving the Luo Clan

Luo Zheng walked away from the Luo Clan's gates without looking back.

The wind carried the faint scent of earth and grass, and the road ahead stretched infinitely into the distance.

With his sword strapped to his back, Luo Zheng followed the stone-paved path leading away from the city of his birth.

For the first time, he was truly alone.

But there was no hesitation in his steps.

The world was vast, and he had much to learn.

After days of travel, Luo Zheng arrived at Red Lotus City, a place much larger and livelier than his hometown.

The streets were bustling with merchants, warriors, and commoners. The aroma of roasted meat filled the air as vendors shouted out their prices.

Towering pagodas, inns, and weapon shops lined the streets, while warriors in battle robes walked with pride, their weapons gleaming at their sides.

Luo Zheng found himself fascinated by the city's atmosphere.

This place is filled with strong people... I can learn a lot here."

He decided to stay in this city for a few days before continuing his journey.

But trouble always finds those who stand out.

On his first evening in Red Lotus City, Luo Zheng visited a weapon shop to check the prices of rare materials.

As he was leaving, he accidentally bumped into a young man wearing luxurious robes embroidered with a golden tiger emblem.

The man's face darkened.

"You dare walk into me, boy?"

Luo Zheng ignored him and stepped aside. He had no interest in unnecessary conflict.

But the young man grabbed his shoulder.

Don't ignore me, peasant!"

Luo Zheng turned his gaze toward him.

"I don't have time for your nonsense."

The man's expression twisted in anger.

"You think you can act arrogant in Red Lotus City? Do you even know who I am? I am Huang Shi, son of the city's second lord!"

The surrounding crowd whispered in fear.

Huang Shi was known for bullying newcomers and weaker cultivators.

But Luo Zheng was unfazed.

"I don't care who you are. Let go."

Huang Shi gritted his teeth. No one had dared to speak to him like that before.

"You'll regret this!"

But before he could attack, a hand stopped him.

"Enough, Huang Shi. Picking fights in the city will only bring you trouble."

A tall young man with raven-black hair and sharp eyes stepped forward. He wore a dark blue martial robe with a sword emblem on his sleeve.

Huang Shi's expression changed.

"Tian Feng... Why are you interfering?"

The new arrival, Tian Feng, glanced at Luo Zheng with interest.

"This kid didn't offend you. You're just looking for trouble. Leave him be."

Huang Shi snorted but didn't dare go against Tian Feng. He threw Luo Zheng a cold glare.

"Watch yourself, brat. This isn't over."

Then he stormed off.

Luo Zheng turned toward Tian Feng.

"I didn't need your help."

Tian Feng smirked.

"I know. But I wanted to see how you'd react."

There was something dangerous yet intriguing about Tian Feng.

Luo Zheng had made one enemy and encountered someone unpredictable.

His days in Red Lotus City were going to be far from peaceful.

After leaving Red lotus City, Luo Zheng continued his journey toward the unknown. The road stretched before him, winding through lush forests and quiet plains. His thoughts were steady, his mind focused. He had learned much in the city, but he needed more than just battle experience—he needed knowledge, strength, and techniques to truly elevate himself.

As he walked into the next bustling town, he found himself in front of a grand shop. Its wooden sign creaked slightly in the wind, displaying three ancient characters: "Mystic Emporium." Luo Zheng's sharp eyes scanned the shop's front—rows of potions, weapons, scrolls, and strange trinkets were displayed on shelves behind large glass windows.

Curious, he stepped inside.

The moment he entered, a faint herbal fragrance greeted him. Shelves lined the walls, holding all manner of items—refining materials, rare herbs, cultivation techniques, and mystical potions. Customers walked in and out, some inspecting weapons, others bargaining over pills.

A middle-aged shopkeeper with graying hair sat behind the counter, eyeing Luo Zheng with mild curiosity. "Young one, looking for something specific?" he asked with a practiced smile.

Luo Zheng nodded slightly. "I'm looking for something useful for my cultivation… something rare, if possible."

The shopkeeper chuckled. "Rare, you say? That depends on how much you're willing to spend. We have high-grade pills, elemental cultivation techniques, and even ancient scrolls left behind by long-forgotten experts."

Luo Zheng's gaze drifted toward the many shelves. He carefully examined the items—glowing jade bottles containing liquid with swirling energy, swords humming with faint spiritual resonance, and numerous books detailing different martial arts techniques.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, something caught his attention.

On a dusty shelf in the far corner, among forgotten and unsorted items, there lay a simple, unremarkable piece of paper. Unlike the grand scrolls or gilded tomes, this paper had no visible writing or markings. However, Luo Zheng sensed something peculiar—an eerie, almost ancient energy radiating faintly from it.

He stepped closer and reached out, picking it up gently. The moment his fingers brushed against the paper, a slight tingling sensation ran up his arm. It was subtle, but undeniable.

The shopkeeper noticed his interest and waved dismissively. "That old scrap? It's been sitting there for years. No one knows what it is, and no one's been able to activate it. Might as well be a useless piece of parchment."

Luo Zheng remained silent, his instincts telling him otherwise. He had learned to trust his intuition—if something seemed off, it was worth investigating.

"How much?" he asked calmly.

The shopkeeper smirked. "You really want it? I was thinking of tossing it out… but since you're interested, I'll let it go for five soul coins."

Luo Zheng hesitated for only a moment before nodding. He handed over the coins and placed the mysterious paper in his bag.

Before leaving, Luo Zheng walked toward another section of the shop where medicinal pills were displayed. After his recent fights and cultivation, he knew he needed recovery pills to strengthen his foundation.

He selected a few:

Three Minor Vitality Pills – to restore stamina and help recover from injuries faster.

One Essence Nourishing Pill – to refine his internal energy, allowing for more stable cultivation.

One Spirit Cleansing Elixir – an expensive item that could purify impurities within his body, making his progress smoother.

Altogether, these cost him a decent amount of soul coins, leaving his funds nearly depleted.

With the mysterious paper and the essential medicines secured, Luo Zheng left the shop, stepping back into the open world, ready for whatever awaited him next.

With his new acquisitions, Luo Zheng's curiosity burned—what was the true nature of the strange piece of paper? Was it really just a scrap, or was it hiding something powerful?

As he continued his journey, night began to fall, and Luo Zheng found a quiet place to rest. Sitting beneath a large tree, he pulled out the paper once again. The cool night breeze rustled his hair as he carefully examined it under the moonlight.

Then, as his fingers brushed against the surface again, a faint glow pulsed from within the parchment. His eyes widened.

This was no ordinary paper.

Something was hidden inside, waiting to be unlocked…

The moon hung high, casting a pale glow over the forest clearing where Luo Zheng sat cross-legged beneath a towering tree. He held the strange parchment between his fingers, his brows furrowed in deep thought.

For the past hour, he had examined it from every angle, infused it with his spiritual energy, and even traced its surface with his fingertips—yet, nothing happened.

"Is it really just a useless scrap of paper?"

His instincts screamed otherwise. The faint pulse of energy he had sensed upon first touching it was real. But for now, its secrets remained locked away.

Sighing, Luo Zheng carefully stored the parchment back into his bag.

There will be a time to uncover its mystery… but not today."

With that thought, he closed his eyes and focused on restoring his energy for the journey ahead.

Dawn broke, and Luo Zheng wasted no time setting off. He had heard rumors of a vast untamed forest nearby, one teeming with spirit beasts.

Stronger opponents meant faster growth. If he wanted to temper his skills, this was the perfect place.

After traveling deep into the woods, he soon encountered his first challenger—a Steel-Clawed Panther.

It was a fearsome creature, nearly the size of a small horse, with pitch-black fur and glowing yellow eyes. Its steel-like claws gleamed in the morning light as it prowled forward, muscles tensed for the kill.

The moment Luo Zheng stepped into its territory, the beast sprang at him with terrifying speed.

Battle Against the Steel-Clawed Panther

Luo Zheng reacted instantly, sidestepping the initial lunge as the panther's claws tore through the air mere inches from his throat. The sheer force of its movement sent a gust of wind blasting past him.

"Fast!" Luo Zheng thought, barely having time to adjust his stance before the panther spun mid-air and came at him again.

He ducked low, avoiding a swipe aimed at his chest, and thrust his sword toward the beast's exposed underbelly.

Clang!

His blade scraped against its fur but barely left a scratch.

The beast's natural defenses were far stronger than expected.

The panther let out a deep growl, its tail flicking with irritation before it launched a flurry of attacks—each strike faster and deadlier than the last.

Luo Zheng deflected the first two with his sword, but the third strike came from an angle he hadn't anticipated.

Slash!

A sharp claw raked across his left arm, sending a burst of pain through his body.

Blood trickled down his sleeve, but Luo Zheng didn't falter.

"I can't let it dictate the fight."

Gritting his teeth, he changed tactics. Instead of retreating, he charged forward.

His sudden movement caught the beast off guard. Just as it swung its claws again, Luo Zheng twisted his body and delivered a powerful slash to its hind leg.

This time, his blade sank in.

The panther let out an enraged roar, its wounded leg trembling under its weight.

Taking advantage of the opening, Luo Zheng launched into a spinning strike, slashing directly across its neck.

The beast let out a final snarl before collapsing onto the forest floor.

Luo Zheng exhaled heavily, wiping the blood off his sword.

The battle had been much harder than he expected.

And it was only the beginning.