The cart rolled steadily along the dirt road, its wooden wheels creaking under the weight of passengers and supplies. The scent of pine and damp earth drifted through the air as the forest began to thin, revealing distant foothills bathed in golden morning light.

Tian Lei sat quietly at first, his cloak drawn lightly over his shoulders, observing the chatter around him. The middle-aged driver hummed an old tune, while a few merchants discussed market prices in Misty Leaf City—apparently, spirit beast cores had risen in demand since the City Lord announced the Grand Tamer's Selection.

"So you're headed to the city for the selection too, young man?" one of the older passengers asked, eyeing Tian Lei's calm, confident demeanor.

He nodded slightly. "I heard that even commoners can participate, if they meet the conditions."

The man chuckled. "That's right. Anyone under thirty who owns a contracted beast can join. The top fifty get inducted into one of the city's minor sect branches—and the top ten? They're personally invited into the City Lord's household as direct disciples."

Another traveler, a woman with a red scarf and sharp eyes, leaned in. "They say one of the top ten will even earn a spot in the Misty Leaf Spirit Hall, under Master Ren himself. The man's a High Earth-tier Tamer!"

Gasps of admiration followed. Even the driver whistled. "Now that's something. To enter the Spirit Hall, you'd have to be blessed by fortune itself."

Tian Lei smiled faintly. "Sounds… competitive."

"Competitive?" The woman laughed. "Half the province's talents are flocking there! Even small sects from neighboring territories are sending their elites. They say this year's selection will decide the region's next generation of powerhouses."

He nodded again, keeping his expression mild. "Then I suppose it's worth watching."

The others laughed lightly, taking his calm tone as youthful arrogance. Soon the conversation shifted to local gossip—beast markets, travel routes, and rumors of bandits along the southern roads. Tian Lei let the chatter fade into the background, his gaze drifting to the horizon.

After a while, the young woman beside him—the one with the frost-furred fox—tilted her head curiously. "You haven't summoned your beast once," she said softly. "Most tamers show theirs off when traveling. Are you being cautious?"

Tian Lei blinked, then smiled politely. "Something like that."

Her fox tilted its head too, nose twitching. "What's your beast's element?" she asked.

He raised his hand slightly, channeling a faint illusionary weave—so subtle, not a trace of foreign mana could be sensed. A shimmer of golden light formed above his palm, swirling gently before taking shape.

A golden bird emerged—slender, radiant, and elegant, its feathers rippling like molten metal. The air hummed faintly around it, and the light it shed was warm yet commanding.

Gasps filled the cart.

"A Sun-class elemental beast!" the driver exclaimed. "No wonder you didn't summon it earlier—its aura alone would've scared every wild creature for miles!"

Tian Lei chuckled lightly, waving his hand as the illusion dissipated into motes of gold. "She's a little shy," he said casually. "Doesn't like being seen too often."

The young woman smiled knowingly. "So she's a female-type elemental. They say such beasts are rarer to bond with but twice as loyal. You must be talented."

He simply nodded. "I was lucky."

Lucky enough to weave illusionary magic that this world mistook for reality.

As the cart continued along the winding trail, conversation resumed—softer this time, with a trace of awe in the air.

The cart rolled on for several more hours, the forest giving way to open plains streaked with golden reeds swaying in the wind. The sun hung low, painting everything in a warm, amber glow. Conversation had dwindled to quiet murmurs, most passengers lost in their own thoughts as the road climbed a gentle hill.

The driver suddenly straightened, his voice carrying a note of cheer. "Hold tight, folks! We're almost there!"

Heads turned. The crest of the hill revealed a breathtaking view—Misty Leaf City stretched across the valley below like a jewel set in green silk. Its walls gleamed a faint silver-white under the sun, etched with faint runic lines that pulsed softly, as though breathing. Beyond the gates, three vast lakes shimmered—each one reflecting the city's light like mirrors of liquid glass.

Tian Lei's eyes narrowed slightly, the faint hum of spiritual resonance reaching even from this distance. The lakes weren't natural—they pulsed with contained essence, forming part of a defensive formation that blanketed the entire city.

The driver grinned proudly. "Ain't she something? Misty Leaf City—the jewel of the East River Province. They say even the City Lord himself spends fortunes keeping those spirit lakes pure."

The woman beside Tian Lei leaned forward, awe glimmering in her eyes. "It's beautiful… I've never seen spirit lakes that clear before."

Tian Lei nodded slightly, his golden eyes reflecting the distant shimmer. "Neither have I," he said quietly.

As the cart began its descent toward the city, the hum of energy grew stronger, and faint ripples of spirit beasts' auras brushed against them—some soaring above, others moving in disciplined formations along the outskirts. The closer they drew, the more the air itself seemed to vibrate with restrained vitality.

For Tian Lei, it was his first city in this world.

As the cart rumbled to a stop just outside the city gates, the passengers stirred from their daze. The sprawling view of Misty Leaf City up close was even more impressive—towering gates of pale jade metal stood open, guarded by armored sentinels whose spirit beasts rested calmly beside them. Streams of travelers, merchants, and tamers flowed in and out like a living current.

The driver clapped his hands together. "End of the line, folks! Welcome to Misty Leaf City—may fortune favor you all!"

Tian Lei stood, adjusting his cloak. The young woman with the frost fox offered him a polite smile. "If fate allows, perhaps we'll meet again during the Grand Selection."

"Perhaps," he said evenly, inclining his head. "May your bond grow strong."

The merchants waved him off cheerfully, already diving into conversation about stall locations and auction permits. Tian Lei offered a brief nod to the driver. "Thank you for the ride."

"Bah, don't thank me, lad. Just remember to eat something good while you're here," the driver laughed, flicking the reins. "You've got that hungry look about you!"

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