This was not the first time Xia Yan had met a Heavenspan Realm powerhouse. He had encountered his second brother’s teacher, Master Yu, only six months ago. However, he had been disabled at that time, unable to feel the might of the spiritual Qi rushing inside that man’s body. But he could feel the power flowing in Master Bai. It was as if he was standing dangerously close to an active volcano which, if erupted, would shake the world.
Now, Xia Yan understood the meaning of the phrase, “Under the Heavenspan Realm all people are ants!” He understood why even the talent most blessed by Heaven could remain stuck in the Half-Step Heavenspan Realm, unable to progress for a lifetime, no matter how hard they tried.
“Perhaps, it won’t be long before I reach such a realm,” Xia Yan whispered, heart burning with fire.
“Your Highness, I received news of your future arrival, so I came to welcome you.”
“Moreover, I wanted to congratulate you ahead of time. I wish you and the Second Princess great happiness,” Master Bai said with a smile.
Master Bai’s arrival had not surprised Xia Yan. In fact, he was sure that Master Bai, as the overseer of Northern Wasteland City’s border, had several spies placed in the imperial city, slipping him news about the events in the palace. However, it seemed as if this Master Bai preferred to remain outside the bounds of palace intrigue.
“Many thanks, Master Bai,” he finally responded.
“Let’s first enter the city and get you settled. Then tomorrow, we can inform everyone you will are taking over as city lord,” Master Bai said.
“Master Bai, is it possible to delay revealing this news for a few more days?” Xia Yan’s vision sharpened as he continued. “Before coming, I heard tales of Northern Wasteland City’s Northern Wilderness, that it was a place of exile for evil cultivators. I want to go there and have a look.”
“You want to go to the Northern Wilderness.”
The smile faded from Master Bai’s face, and his eyebrows raised.
“First Prince Your Highness, do you know how dangerous the Northern Wilderness is? That place is at the intersection between the Fire, Rain, and Nether Kingdoms of the Heavenly Wolf Alliance and our Xia. Exiles from all four lands are there, including many powerful cultivators. If you go, you will be more unfortunate than fortunate.”
The most fearful area of Northern Wasteland City was the Northern Wilderness. The criminals in that place could be recognized by the banishment seal imprinted on each of their foreheads. It was a countermeasure that could only be removed if a cultivator entered the Heavenspan Realm and underwent the process of flesh and blood rebirth. But so long as the banishment seal marked their bodies, few dared leave because if they did they would instantly become everyone’s prey. The Xia and every surrounding kingdom offered a 1000 spirit stone reward for the head of escapees which, in this era, was enough reason for any ordinary cultivator to risk their life.
Therefore, regardless of where an exile fled, they would face the sorrow of life. As a result, most stayed within the bounds of the Northern Wilderness and maintained a feeble existence. However, the more vicious characters often spared no effort to escape. Once free from exile, they would slaughter entire villages, stealing food and women. Northern Wasteland City was usually the first place they targeted because of it’s proximity to the Northern Wilderness. It was why Master Bai’s presence was necessary.
But if the exiles were so ferocious, why weren’t they executed upon capture? Didn’t death end all troubles?
These doubts were held by many. Little did they know, however, the place of exile also served as the border connecting the four kingdoms, a natural stalwart barrier. If any enemy force intended to invade, they would have to pass through the Northern Wilderness. In this way, the exiled cultivators became the first line of defense.
Rather than immediate execution, the four kingdoms had found a way to make productive use of their waste.
This was the brutal truth of the Northern Wilderness’s existence.
“I am very aware of this Master Bai. I merely wish to explore the outer area,” Xia Yan smiled, eyes bright and reassuring.
“I can feel slightly relieved then, Your Highness,” Master Bai said, pressing no further. Xia Yan’s station was above his, and as the Imperial Tutor of Xia, he had done more than enough in trying to dissuade the First Prince from his decision. Now, no one could blame him, not even the Xia Emperor, if something did happen to Xia Yan. So, with a resigned nod, Master Bai led him through the heavily defended gates of Northern Wasteland City.
. . .
When evening arrived, Master Bai immediately gathered the city’s ten commanders and hosted a grand reception banquet for Xia Yan.
“Si~”
Xia Yan sucked in a frigid breath at the sight.
“Ten Grand Extremity Realm commanders with two already at the Half-Step Heavenspan Realm… really, only the most dangerous places can breed the strongest experts,” he whispered as he sized each of them up.
Under Grand Extremity, each realm was separated into nine stages. But after it, they were divided into initial-rank, top-rank, earth-rank, heaven-rank, and half-step.
The Xia imperial palace itself only had two Half-Step Heavenspan experts and Master Yu to oversee it. From this aspect, Northern Wasteland City’s level of protection could almost compare favorably to it.
However, Xia Yan did not find this strange as each of these commanders had to wander on the edge of life and death every day to protect this city. It was only natural that their cultivation breakthrough speed was more fearful than others. Perhaps, this was the reason even these Half-Step Heavenspan Realm experts were willing to remain. They could only achieve their lifelong dream to transcend Heaven in this kind of place.
“… What did you say, Your Highness? You want to go to the Northern Wilderness? If I didn’t hear you wrong then you must be extremely careful. There is a ferocious character currently in the middle of closed-door training. It is said that he is attempting to cross into the Heavenspan Realm. If he succeeds, none of us sitting here may keep him off, except Master Bai!”
“Hey! Don’t frighten Your Highness. You really think it is so easy to enter the Heavenspan Realm. You and I have spent close to a decade trying to accomplish such a feat. Yet we haven’t progressed a single inch. Why do you think a criminal exile might be able to do something we can’t?”
“Moreover, what does it matter even if he succeeds. Master Bai has been in the Heavenspan Realm for a long time. I don’t believe that he can’t handle a fledging.”
“Ha, why bother Master Bai? This Lao Tzu will butcher him if he dares come!”
“…”
A fine light flashed in Xia Yan’s eyes as he listened to the commanders and thought, ‘Perhaps that person’s cultivation base will soon become mine!’
