The scores of bandits that had attacked Adam on his journey were a big nuisance to him. But on the bright side, they provided him with a lot of money to spend.

Individually, the amount of money they had on themselves was very pitiful. But the total money all of them combined had was more than enough for Adam to lavishly spend for the rest of his journey.

That was why he was able to spend the night at a very decent tavern. Of course, since he was pretending to be a mute, he couldn't bargain all that much with the proprietors. Still, it was well worth it.

After resting peacefully the previous night after nearly two months of travel, the youth was full of vigor.

Jingyun City was one of the most popular cities on this continent. Being the base of one of the Nine Great Sects and Clans, it naturally attracted people from all corners of the land. Needless to say, trade and commerce thrived here.

Additionally, because of the safety provided by the Baihua Sect, many people called this city their home. A rough estimate would put the population of this grand city in the millions. It was no less thriving than Ravenfell.

Considering how he was drawing a lot of attention from the locals in the city yesterday, despite covering most of his burned skin, Adam decided to completely cover his body before he stepped out of his private chamber today.

His hands were wrapped in thin strips of white cloth, as were his chest, neck, and head. A small slit below his nostrils and a gap between his lips allowed him to breathe and eat or drink. Additionally, he also bought a plain white mask with faint red markings from a local vendor and put in on.

He wore a simple beige tunic, black trousers, and knee-high leather boots, with the Stealth Cloak draped over his upper body. Gege was in its rucksack form and was specifically instructed not to move. With everything prepared, he was finally ready to explore the city.

Now, he looked just like any other adventurer—albeit a little eccentric, considering he had covered every inch of his body. Still, that was far better than drawing attention to his charred, disfigured skin.

Adam stepped onto the stone-paved streets of Jingyun City, where purple paper lanterns floated gently overhead. Vendors crowded the avenues, steam curling from the bamboo baskets and the spicy aroma of roasted buns mingling with the sweetness of sliced pears.

"Auhh!" The youth ate a piece of meat dumpling with great relish as he observed his surroundings with fascination.

He noticed swordsmiths displaying their handiwork beneath makeshift awnings, polished blades glinting beneath the morning sun.

Magi, wearing the robes of the Baihua Sect, discussed martial arts outside the biggest public library in the city, known as the Whispering Ink Pavilion. Their voices were punctuated by bursts of laughter and clinks of teacups.

Many locals and wandering adventurers had gathered around them—including Adam—trying to glean a thing or two from their discussions.

"Auhh!" Adam muttered innocently, but inwardly, he was sneering.

Bunch of Mana Liquefaction Magi pretending to be big shots, he thought loudly, trying to drown the other voices inside his mind.

The people nearby, who noticed his strange appearance and speech, looked at him and nodded with faint smiles. The disciples of the Baihua Sect, too, were polite with not just him but every other person around them.

Their temperament is… not bad, he thought with a faint smile.

"Auhh!" With that said, he continued his journey. From time to time, he would eat a piece of steamed dumpling, then wash it down with sake.

Cherry blossoms drifted from tiled rooftops, settling on the shoulders of passersby who walked the crowded streets.

Jingyun City was truly beautiful and mesmerizing.

City guards, most of whom were disciples of the Baihua Sect, patrolled the streets and alleys, warmly nodding to elders and gently steering children from the thoroughfare.

A group of youngsters clustered around an old storyteller, mimicking martial poses while listening to tales of legendary duels.

Intrigued by these tales, Adam approached the elderly man and listened to his story.

"…and then the Sword Saint and the Fist Demon took their battle to the skies. The clouds scattered, and lightning tore through the firmament. Then, the Sword Saint swung his sword, creating what we know today as the Kong Valley…"

Adam chuckled. "Auhh."

Then, without disturbing the elderly man, he continued to explore the city.

Sword Saint and Fist Demon? Very fascinating names, he thought.

A swing of the sword creating a valley? Sounds like the work of a Mana Core Magus. Or… it could just be the geezer's drunken imagination.

He then burst into a loud fit of laughter, causing the people nearby to flinch in response.

Right at that moment, a group of Magi from the Baihua Sect passed him by. When they heard him laugh, they had mixed reactions.

"Huh? Who even laughs like that? How strange."

"Why is he dressed like that? Is he afraid of the sun?"

"Hmm, I think it looks interesting."

The three Mana Liquefaction-level discplies—two boys and one girl—had mixed opinions. They only thought of him for a moment before ignoring him.

However, the two Mana Vortex Magi walking behind the disciples—one elderly man and a strikingly beautiful woman—were thinking about something else entriely.

The elderly man, Bai Xu Zhenren, was an Elder of the Baihua Sect. He stroked his long white beard and asked seemingly casually, "Elder Ge, what do you think?"

Bai Ge, the youngest Mana Vortex Magus in the history of the Baihua Sect and a stunning prodigy known as the Sword Phoenix, paused for a moment, then said softly:

"Although I feel no mana fluctuations from him, my instincts tell me he is not someone to be trifled with."

"Hoho," Elder Xu Zhenren chuckled lightly, stroking his long white beard. "Good, good, very good. You must never underestimate anyone, despite their outer appearances. The Magus world is full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons."

"Yes, Elder, I will keep that in mind." Elder Ge politely nodded.

She turned around to catch another glimpse of the strange masked man.

But he was nowhere to be seen. Even her senses could not detect his presence.

He had disappeared…

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