Shower.

Alex got close to Hong Feng's body to check out the loot he dropped.

"Alright... let's see... wait." Alex turned the guy over and over again, but he couldn't find any pockets or belongings on him. Even his shirt had been destroyed by the force of Alex's attack.

Growing anxious, Alex couldn't believe that Hong Feng hadn't dropped anything. How could that be?

"AAAAGHHGG... YOU MOTHERFUCKER, YOU WERE SO STRONG, BUT YOU DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A DAMN GOLD COIN ON YOU???!! WHAT A SCAM."

Just as he was about to give up, Alex spotted a ring on Hong Feng's finger.

Curiosity piqued, he took the ring and inspected it. The ring was intricately carved and exquisite, one of the most beautiful he had ever seen. But Alex's disappointment was palpable.

"Fuck, man, just one ring? What do I even do with this... Well, it's better than nothing. I hope it sells for a bit."

Grumbling to himself, he pocketed the ring without even taking a proper look at it.

As he turned to walk away, Alex felt a sudden tremor beneath his feet.

ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR!!!

An enormous roar reverberated through the forest, shaking the ground and causing trees to fall one by one.

"OH SHIT!!! OUR FIGHT AWAKENED SOMETHING." Alex's face paled in realization, and he immediately turned and bolted away.

--

In the Sect, on the highest peak of the largest mountain.

A meeting was in progress among the top tiers of the sect. A group of old men were gathered around a small table, engaged in a heated discussion.

Red Robed Elder sat at the highest seat, calmly observing the exchanges among the elders. He finally spoke up, saying, "Silence."

Everyone ceased talking, turning their attention to Red Robed Elder.

The elder looked at a burly, blond-haired old man and asked, "Share your thoughts, Grand Elder Xuan."

The man was Xuan Wuji, one of the most influential figures on the continent, known as the God of Slaughter. Yet here he was, sitting peacefully with his eyes closed.

Grand Elder Xuan opened his eyes, revealing golden pupils. He looked at Red Robed Elder and responded, "I believe we should consider accepting it, Sect Master Lin. Avoiding a war if possible is a more prudent choice than unnecessary bloodshed."

His words left the other elders visibly agitated.

BANG!!

An elder slammed his hand on the table, standing up with a fierce expression. "UNACCEPTABLE! WE'VE BEEN ATTACKED COUNTLESS TIMES IN THE PAST 30 YEARS! IF WE BOW DOWN NOW, HOW CAN WE RETAIN OUR TITLE AS THE STRONGEST SECT? WE NEED TO FIGHT!"

"NO, WE NEED TO COMPROMISE!"

"I AGREE WITH THAT!"

"FIGHT!"

The elders erupted into shouting once more, torn between those advocating for war and those suggesting compromise.

Sect Master Lin stood up and commanded, "SILENCE! I have made my decision. We will agree to the compromise and proceed with the tournament among the younger generation. Prepare your disciples for the intense training I will devise."

"But Sect Master Lin, this generation's strongest disciples have only reached the Soul Awakening Realm. We stand little chance if we engage in actual combat," a skinny elder voiced his concerns, fearing that their disciples were too weak.

Sect Master Lin considered the situation and then ordered, "Open the Crimson Battle Gate."

"WHAT?!"

"SECT MASTER, NO!"

"THAT—"

The elders were taken aback by this unexpected decision. The very mention of the Crimson Battle Gate struck fear into their hearts, reminding them of its terrifying reputation.

"This is my decision. You are dismissed," Sect Master Lin declared before he vanished with a powerful burst of energy.

The elders were left in silence.

--

"Aghhh... finally, I've arrived." Alex stood before a massive wall enclosing an enormous city. Carriages lined up in front of the main gate, being checked by guards one by one.

Joining the line, Alex patiently waited for his turn.

"Hey, boy, you're taking my spot," a massive man interrupted, claiming his place.

Alex glanced behind him, finding no one there. He then looked at the man, who was grinning creepily. Sighing, Alex said, "Sure, big guy, go ahead and take your spot."

He moved behind, knowing that one person wouldn't make much difference.

The big guy grinned arrogantly and took Alex's spot.

"Hey, boy, you're taking my spot," a raspy, snake-like voice followed, and Alex saw an ugly middle-aged man with rabbit-like front teeth.

Gritting his teeth, Alex replied, "Yes, senior, go ahead."

The old man cackled creepily, "Shihihihi... thank you."

Alex sighed and moved further back. Two people wouldn't change the outcome, and he didn't want to invite trouble.

"Hey, boy, you're taking my pl—"

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

"GAHHH!!!" A small old man was sent hurtling through the air, his face battered and broken.

Alex stood there, his hand still raised, glaring at the old man. He was done with being taken advantage of. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me; fool me three times, shame on both of us. He stopped pretending to be a pushover and revealed his true cultivation.

The front row of the line

fell into silence. They watched as Alex calmly stood his ground.

Both the big guy and the ugly old man were sweating profusely.

"Hahahaha, expert! It seems I've encountered an expert. Please, sir, go ahead."

"Yes, yes, yes, please, please."

"Yes, go ahead, good sir."

People in the front row offered their place to Alex.

Nodding his thanks, Alex walked toward the two guards who were checking people.

They greeted Alex respectfully, recognizing his strength, but not showing fear. This city, too, had its share of experts.

"Please pass, senior," one of the guards said, recognizing Alex's cultivation level. "(Looks like this senior is a hermit cultivator.)" he thought to himself, based on Alex's attire.

"Pass? What pass?" Alex frowned, confused.

"Uhmm... Senior, everyone entering the city requires a pass or needs to pay a fee of 300 bronze coins," the guard explained. Before he could finish his explanation, he was interrupted by Alex.

Realization dawned on Alex, and he pulled out a talisman. "Yes, my apologies, I forgot about this. Here you go." He handed the talisman to the guard, a bit embarrassed.

The guard nodded, smiling. "No problem at all. Alright, you have 7 days in the city, senior. If you're found staying longer, you'll need to pay extra."

He marked something on the talisman and returned it to Alex.

Thanking the guard, Alex entered the city.

--

"HOLY SHIT." Alex's eyes widened in amazement as he entered the enormous city. The bustling scene was filled with carriages, people selling various goods on the streets, and a lively atmosphere.

Stopping a passerby, Alex inquired, "Hey, big brother, can you tell me where the waterfalls are?"

"Sure, north a few miles ahead, behind the castle," the pedestrian replied quickly before hurrying off.

"Thank you, big brother," Alex said with a nod before making his way north.

--

"Woow," he marveled as he arrived at a large inn named "Waterfalls" and entered.

Inside, he saw that it was a bathhouse.

Using some of the silver coins he had obtained from the sect, Alex paid the entrance fee and entered the bathhouse.

"Oh my god... finally!!!"

SPLASH!!

He jumped into an enormous bath, marveling at the intricately carved lion's head that adorned it.

"Haaah... this is so comfortable." Alex leaned against the bath's edge, closed his eyes, and let out a contented sigh. After all the fighting and stress, this was like a slice of heaven.

Unbeknownst to him, someone was secretly watching.

End Of Chapter.