The Yellow City had two gates. The southern gate faced the Red Road Forest. The other was the northern gate, which faced the Lake of Oblivion. A few kilometers beyond the northern gate, a procession approached the city walls. Their carriages were not simple and plain like those of ordinary merchants. While not as ornate as a royal family's palanquins, the procession consisted of several dozen vehicles adorned with sculptures of various ancient beasts. They also possessed a ferocious aura. This aura likely protected them from wild beasts as they entered the city. Their bright, varied colors made them vulnerable to predators, but they had chosen these colors fearlessly. Perhaps this was foolishness. But perhaps these people were strong enough to afford a little foolishness. One of the vehicles in the middle had five people: three men and two women.
The eldest man, a young man in his mid-twenties, gazed out the window at the city walls. He looked tired, as if he hadn't slept in a while. He wore a cold expression, offering neither a smile nor a frown; however, his features were so relaxed that even this coldness made him seem warmer than most. On this expedition to the Yellow City, he was the oldest and most authoritative member of the younger generation of the convoy and had many duties to shoulder. Now that they were nearing the city, however, these supposedly intelligent and ambitious tiger cubs had begun to insist that he get some rest. It was as if Malehit didn't notice them trying to wear his skin. Still, Malehit couldn't do much to these noblemen. For now.
He had found time to rest in the carriage but chose to observe the city instead of sleeping. Many of these foolish nobles thought themselves no better than kings. Now that they were in his domain, he wondered if they could maintain their arrogance.
'I am the king here!'
He would ensure that these men never forgot their journey to the Yellow City.
"Are you thinking of your brother, Malehit?" the young woman next to her asked. She looked to be 19 or 20 years old. She had short black hair and eyes. Her small nose gave her a sweet air, and her tantalizingly open legs exuded confidence as she seduced the two young men sitting opposite her in the cramped space. Unfortunately for her, her seductive powers didn't work at all on Malehit. Yet he was the only one who needed to be seduced.
"He was only 10 years old when you left. Even if he didn't have great talent, I hear he's made quite a bit of progress with your support and maybe... your father's," said the man sitting directly across from the young woman who had just spoken. He had an enormous, muscular physique, and the seat he was sitting in took up enough space for three people. His head almost touched the roof of the vehicle. He wasn't as comfortable in the cramped space as everyone else, but he would rather be roasted alive inside the car than walk outside like a soldier. There was a shrewd and fiery look in his eyes. Even if the young woman before him did nothing, it was likely that this big, fiery young man would fall for her.
Malehit nodded and sighed. He truly wished his brother were more talented. But, to be honest, he knew he would live a much more peaceful life in his shadow. Furthermore, resources were limited in the capital, and the atmosphere was competitive. Sometimes things could get dangerous, even for talented geniuses. It wasn't like the Yellow City. After what had recently happened, he realized once again that it wasn't safe.
With these thoughts in mind, Malehit pulled his head back from the window and looked at the talented group with a serious expression.
"I'm telling you now: Don't cause trouble in the city. Don't assume that the city lord is just a rank 10 sage who can't do anything to you because of your background. He has powerful figures backing him, too. He's not just anyone."
The young geniuses in the car frowned at these words. They were rare geniuses who had reached the higher realms at a young age. It was difficult to ask them to be respectful. Many of them didn't live long anyway. When they ventured outside the capital, they immediately became brazen.
"There's also the City Lord's daughter in the city who is about the same age as Evra. Unlike Evra, she's much more talented. I know she's made progress in the Core Realm, but I don't know exactly how far. You might want to interact with her."
At that moment, the carriage passed over a rock, shaking everything inside. A young blonde girl looking out the other window grunted with an unhappy expression on her face. She didn't look a day older than Maria.
"How much longer before we go to the ruins, big brother?" she asked with a grunt.
"There are still a few months until the ruins open, Delia. Until then, you must be patient and reach the peak of the Core Realm as quickly as possible."
While all of the young people here were prodigies, they were not all of the same caliber. Malehit was a proven genius with the potential to participate in the Star Path Tournament. The other three were slightly younger and less talented. They were simply being cultivated as the next military or political force for the Gamma Clan. Unlike them, Delia was truly talented. Even compared to these slightly older youths, her cultivation base didn't appear weaker. Unfortunately, she was too young to compete in the Star Path Tournament this time. She would be too old for the next one. Nevertheless, given her current talent, some elders in the clan believed that she could still compete in the Star Path Tournament.
"I'll do my best," Delia said. She had to be determined and give it her all. She was determined not to disappoint her elders.
Malehit nodded in agreement, then answered her question.
"It's unclear when the ruins will open, but it's expected to be within a few months. During this period, we will remain in the Yellow City," he said. Then, he turned his head and continued to look out the window.
He was feeling quite tired. There were already people in the convoy who were stronger than him. Maybe he should get some sleep.