Chapter 10- Enjoying Meal

A moment later, the shopkeeper waved his hand.

A young servant scurried out from the kitchen and bowed. "One Dragon Fire Chicken Soup platter, four servings."

The shopkeeper added with a smirk, "Bring out the good wine too. They look like they can afford it."

Alex simply smiled and said nothing.

Soon, the table filled with steaming dishes. The Dragon Fire Chicken Soup came in black ceramic bowls etched with silver runes. The broth shimmered with a deep crimson hue, glowing faintly with spiritual energy. Chunks of golden chicken meat floated in the soup, releasing a rich, fiery aroma that teased the senses. Alongside it came fragrant spirit rice, glazed lotus roots, and fire-roasted phoenix mushrooms.

Alex picked up his chopsticks with unfamiliar grace. In truth, he hadn't eaten like this in decades. The food of the Demonic Realm was... functional. Meats dripping with malevolent energy, corpses charred for rituals, and beasts roasted over infernal flames.

This—this was different.

He took a bite.

A burst of flavor exploded across his tongue. The chicken was impossibly tender, the spice just sharp enough to awaken his dormant senses, and the broth held a warmth that settled deep into his bones. It was unlike anything he'd tasted before.

For the first time in years, Alex found himself pausing—not to scheme, not to fight, but to savor.

Yan Zhuo, already halfway through his own bowl, gave a pleased nod. "This really is the best in the city."

Fen Hao, quieter than usual, muttered while eating, "Didn't think you'd have good taste, Brother Dan."

Su Qin, ever composed, took slow, deliberate bites. Her eyes flicked to Alex every so often, as if trying to unravel a mystery she couldn't name.

Alex glanced at her, then at the others. "You all eat like this often?"

Yan Zhuo chuckled. "Well, it's not every day we get a proper meal, especially with the competition coming up."

Alex sipped from his soup and leaned back. "I envy this. You all live so simply... freely."

Fen Hao raised a brow. "Freely? What kind of place do you come from where eating soup is a luxury?"

Alex smiled faintly, his gaze drifting to the sky beyond the shop's window.

"A place," he said quietly, "where the only flavors are blood and ash."

The words hung in the air like smoke.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Even Su Qin's chopsticks paused midair.

Yan Zhuo laughed awkwardly to break the silence. "Well, I'm glad you're here now. Central Realm might not be perfect, but it's home. And during the competition, you'll get to see its true heart."

Alex nodded, swirling the last bit of broth in his bowl.

I've seen many realms… and broken most of them. But maybe—just maybe—there's something here I haven't seen before.

After the meal, the group stepped out of the food shop and back into the lively streets of Central City. The sun had begun to dip behind the tall pagodas, casting long golden shadows across the stone-paved roads. The air had changed. It was still warm, but now carried the buzz of anticipation—the city was preparing.

Lanterns lit up overhead, glowing with gentle light. Floating notices moved through the air, announcing the start of the Heavenly Path Competition in glowing letters.

Yan Zhuo looked up at one of the passing announcements. "Two days left. We should go register early tomorrow—lines get absurd by the last day."

Fen Hao cracked his knuckles. "I'm ready. I've been preparing for this all year."

Alex walked alongside them, silent, observing.

All around, cultivators were training in open courtyards, sparring on floating platforms, and studying ancient scrolls by candlelight. The competition was more than a tournament—it was a chance for fame, status, and celestial opportunities. To win was to step into the ranks of legends.

They reached a wide stone bridge that stretched over a flowing river of spiritual essence. On the other side stood the massive Central Pavilion, a towering palace-like structure glowing with protective arrays. The Pavilion was the heart of the competition—it held the arena, the registration hall, and the judges' tower.

Su Qin stopped at the bridge, her gaze calm but firm. "We'll meet here tomorrow at dawn. Bring only what you need for battle. This year's competition won't be easy."

Fen Hao scoffed. "It never is."

Yan Zhuo smiled at Alex. "You're going to enter too, right, Brother Dan?"

Alex nodded. "Of course."

I need to see what they're capable of. And I need more demon points. If killing righteous cultivators grants me power... then this is the perfect battlefield.

Su Qin glanced at him one last time, as if trying to read beneath his skin, then turned and walked away without a word.

Fen Hao yawned. "I'm going to go cultivate. If I don't, Su Qin will beat me again."

Yan Zhuo chuckled. "I'm heading back to the inn. Need rest before the storm."

They parted ways at the end of the bridge.

Alex stood alone, gazing at the Central Pavilion in the distance. Its spires gleamed like swords against the twilight.

The Heavenly Path Competition... Let's see what your righteous realm has to offer. And let's see how long I can wear this mask before the cracks begin to show.

The wind blew gently past him, carrying the distant sounds of chanting and steel clashing.

The Next Morning — Central Pavilion, Outer Courtyard

Golden rays of dawn stretched across the polished stone plaza as hundreds of cultivators gathered before the towering gates of the Central Pavilion. Most were young geniuses from various sects and great families, their robes emblazoned with clan symbols, their auras proud and defiant.

Alex stood at the edge of the crowd, draped in a simple white and blue robe that disguised both his power and origin. His false identity—Dan Qing, the mysterious rogue cultivator—had already started to spread among the disciples like wildfire.

"Who is that guy? I've never seen him before."

"I heard he appeared out of nowhere and joined Su Qin's group."

"I couldn't sense his cultivation level. Maybe he's hiding it?"

Alex ignored the whispers, eyes fixed on the enormous gate ahead, where golden inscriptions floated midair.