Liu Xing began to walk, trying to appear nonchalant. However, everyone he passed, whether on foot or in a carriage, whether dirty and sweaty or dressed in elegant clothes, stared at him with wide-eyed stares. As he walked on, people would shy away, forming a corridor as if he were a terrifying threat best avoided. He was not surprised by this reaction. Most of the townspeople had probably never encountered a cultivator before, and even those who had known better than to interfere with one..

The bustling market abruptly quieted as Liu Xing walked through the streets. The fragrant spices and vibrant fabrics of the stalls receded to the periphery as hushed whispers began to circulate.

"A-a cultivator," a man in blue clothes with white trim murmured, his voice trembling with awe.

"He descended from the sky. I've heard they could fly, but to witness it…" another voice added, filled with wonder.

"I believe he used a treasure for flight. I've seen cultivators from the Xia clan before, and they soar on swords!"

The whispers spread rapidly. Men and women, elders and children, all murmured and occasionally pointed, their fingers quivering with excitement or apprehension.

"Is he from the Xia clan?"

"No, the Xia clan always wears yellow robes. He is wearing purple."

"Could he be from the Purple Moon Sect?"

Someone scoffed. "The Purple Moon Sect is a powerful sect. There's no chance a cultivator from such a sect would come here. Even if they visited our empire, they would only go to the capital. This city is far too insignificant."

Liu Xing was indeed from the Purple Moon Sect. However, he decided not to correct them and continued to walk straight ahead. The situation was undeniably embarrassing. He felt like a monkey being paraded through the streets with pointing fingers and gaping mouths. The urge to flee surged through him, but he knew that such an action would only increase the attention. Besides, since he needed to inquire about a landmark he sought, maintaining a normal pace was the wiser course.

Moments later, as Liu Xing entered a narrower and more crowded section of the market, forcing people to push against stalls to clear a path, two figures resembling guards emerged from the crowd. They wore armor with intricate tiger carvings that shimmered in the sunlight.

"Who dares to enter this city without permission? Even a cultivator must present himself to us, the city guards, upon arrival!" bellowed the tanned, muscular guard with piercing eyes. His voice echoed over the muffled murmur of the market.

"Indeed! Furthermore, flying over the city is strictly forbidden! Violators will be punished!" the younger guard, who appeared to be Liu Xing's age, but towered over him, added. His slender frame cast a long shadow over the crowded dirt road.

Sensing the escalating tension, the surrounding crowd pressed back further, attempting to distance themselves. The air grew thick with anticipation.

Liu Xing wondered if he had stumbled into trouble. Perhaps it had been unwise to land in the heart of the market. However, there was nothing he could do about it now. Besides, after meeting the city guards, he could ask about the specific stone he needed to find.

"My apologies," Liu Xing stated, his tone calm and measured. "My name is Liu Xing, and I am a disciple of the Purple Moon Sect. I was unaware of such regulations in this city. I assure you, I will not violate this law again."

"He says he's from the Purple Moon Sect," someone in the crowd whispered, their voice laced with awe.

"That legendary sect? They say that every student there is a genius! Every year, our Twelve Sun Empire competes fiercely for just five spots for our young talents to even attend their entrance ceremony!"

"I heard that this year, no one from our empire passed the trials. Not even the prince!"

As the whispers intensified, Liu Xing observed the two guards before him. He had subtly invoked the Purple Moon Sect's name in hopes to intimidate them. As the crowd's murmurs indicated, the Purple Moon Sect held immense prestige. Most would hesitate to offend a disciple. He also maintained a polite demeanor to de-escalate the situation. Surely, now that the guards knew his identity and sect, and he had pledged to abide by their laws, they would permit him to proceed.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

The tall, slender guard glanced at his companion, his eyes wavering, while the tanned man licked his lips, appearing intimidated, yet a glint of shrewdness remained in his gaze.

"Let him go! Do you want to provoke him?" an elderly man shouted from the crowd, his wrinkled face etched with worry.

"Yes, he is from the mighty Purple Moon Sect. Surely an exception can be made," a plump woman in yellow robes called out, her voice carrying over the murmurs.

The crowd voiced further agreement, and Liu Xing offered a slight nod to them all, his expression composed.

"Silence!" the tanned guard roared, his voice cutting through the rising noise. "I am a city guard. My duty is to uphold the law. There are no exceptions. What if he is a demonic cultivator? What if he is lying? Wearing a purple robe does not automatically signify Purple Moon Sect affiliation."

"T-that's right!" the tall guard stammered in agreement, his voice less assertive now. "No exceptions."

Liu Xing reached into his spatial bag and took out a wooden token shaped like a cloud and presented it to them. "Would this suffice?"

Both guards fixed their gaze on the token. The tall guard then murmured to his companion, "What if he truly is a Purple Moon Sect disciple?"

The tanned guard remained silent. Instead, he approached Liu Xing and scrutinized the wooden token intently, his eyes narrowing as he examined every detail. Finally, he nodded. "The token appears genuine."

"Then I take it this matter is concluded?"

"Yes, but you are still subject to a fine. After all, the law is the law. No exceptions. And to set an example to discourage other cultivators from breaking the law, we have decided to make an example of you. Your fine will be tenfold. A hundred gold coins!"

The crowd gasped as if they had heard that Liu Xing was going to be chopped into pieces. But for Liu Xing, a hundred gold coins was nothing. He had no such currency, only spirit stones he had acquired from the Shadow Wolf Gang, each of which was worth about one thousand gold coins.

However, Liu Xing began to suspect that these guards' motivations extended beyond mere duty. Extortion seemed a distinct possibility. While a hundred gold coins was insignificant, he disliked being bullied.

"Very well. I will pay." He retrieved a spirit stone and flicked it towards the tall guard. The spirit stone arced through the air, catching the sunlight and sparkling brilliantly. The tall guard fumbled to catch it, and upon succeeding, he opened his hand and blinked repeatedly at the round blue stone that radiated a soft glow.

"Are you mocking us? My colleague said a hundred gold coins, not some shiny rock!"

The tanned guard's eyes widened at the sight of the spirit stone, as if they were going to pop out of their sockets. His lips trembled and beads of sweat formed on his forehead. Then, as if meeting an emperor, he dropped to his knees and bowed his head.

"That city guard was wrong! I sincerely apologize for offending you, esteemed cultivator. This Gao Yangdou humbly asks for your forgiveness," the guard continued. "When I heard that you were from the Purple Moon Clan, my judgment was clouded with doubt. The Purple Moon Sect is a great sect, and impostors are common. Seeing your token dispelled half of my doubts, and seeing you offer a spirit stone worth one thousand gold coins for a paltry fine of one hundred coins dispelled the rest! No impostor would willingly pay a fine, let alone use such a valuable spirit stone! You are definitely a disciple of the Purple Moon Sect!"

At his words, the crowd erupted in commotion. Every person present widened their eyes in astonishment.

"Have I lost my mind? Did the guard just say that stone is worth a thousand gold coins?!" someone exclaimed.

"I've never even seen a hundred gold coins before. How much is a thousand gold coins worth?" another voice chimed in.

"You could purchase quarter a city with that sum!" declared a man with a bushy mustache. He promptly dropped to his knees, prompting the younger individuals beside him to follow suit. A ripple effect ensued, and soon everyone had knelt, as if in the presence of the most revered emperor imaginable.

"Very well, then, please give me my change," Liu Xing said to the guard, a little smirk on his lips. He knew they didn't have the change, and despite it being technically obtained through less-than-legitimate means, he wasn't going to let them keep it.

At his words, the city guard snapped his head up so abruptly his eyes widened to an almost comical size. The tall guard beside him began counting on his fingers, his face contorted in concentration.

"That would be… nine hundred gold coins in change," the tall guard mumbled, his face paling. He glanced at his companion. "Brother Gao, do we even possess that much in the city treasury?"

Gao Yangdo's mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air. He darted his gaze from the spirit stone in his partner's hand to Liu Xing, and then back to the stone. Finally, with trembling hands, he gestured for his companion to return the spirit stone.

"This humble guard begs your pardon, but we… we are unable to make change for such a priceless item," Gao said, bowing even lower. "Please, accept your spirit stone back. Consider the fine… waived. Yes, waived! In honor of such an esteemed cultivator gracing our insignificant city with your presence!"

Liu Xing accepted the spirit stone with a subtle nod. He inwardly smiled. It was a small ploy that could have gone either way, and he was pleased with the favorable outcome.

"Since I am no longer required to pay the fine, may I proceed?" Liu Xing asked politely.

"Of course! Absolutely!" the tanned guard exclaimed.

"Very well. Before I depart, do you know the location of a large stone shaped like an inverted triangle? My purpose in visiting this city is to see that rock."

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