[Floating Cloud City]
(3rd Person Pov)
Acnologia followed the group of men from Floating Cloud City back, his steps unhurried and relaxed even with all the whispers spoken about him by the other men present. Many of whom found him extremely suspicious and he understood why.
Not only did he look like he came from some backwards ancient tribe, or some homeless hobo, but he was also somehow involved with a young girl, who looked like she was attacked viciously especially with the dried blood staining her clothes.
He looked so foreign there's no doubt some of them might believe he was somehow manipulating or blackmailing the young girl into letting him stay with the Xia family. Then his excuse that he didn't remember where he was from was also very suspicious, add that to the fact the crater where they had appeared out of thin air was massive because he was in a fight with another unknown "expert", and that just screamed suspicion.
'They must be a surprisingly tight knit and deeply caring community if so many people came to help search for just one little girl. They might probably be the kindest people I've ever seen in a Xianxia setting.'
Yet unaware of it, the only reason they even showed up wasn't because of Xia Qing Yue since even they didn't know that she had gone missing until seeing her with Acnologia right at that very moment, and hearing that she herself willingly left the city last night for an evening walk.
But there was also massive irritation because this homeless looking man had been so close to the city's greatest treasure, and the one considered the most beautiful woman in all of Floating Cloud City. And she even convinced her father to invite him to stay at the Xia family home as if she wanted him to be near her.
—(Break!)—
Soon enough, they reached the entrance to the city. Acnologia took in the sights around him as he spoke.
"I must admit, the city looks really good. No rubbish littered around the streets, beautiful architecture, and everything here looks incredible. I may not remember much of where I'm from, but many cities I do remember are nowhere near as clean as this floating cloud city. Even the atmosphere is much cleaner."
Acnologia's words weren't flattery, it was sincerity from someone who's lived in modern cities. Overflowing trash cans, homeless people, people in a constant state of rush. Though it probably had to do with the large population, machines everywhere, poor government, seeing this city was like moving to the countryside where motorised vehicles don't exist.
Xiao Lie, Xia Hongyi, Xia Qing Yue and all the other men with them hearing Acnologia's praise made them feel immense pride. Though they called it a city, they were actually the smallest city of the Blue Wind Empire, it was so small that it wasn't even suitable to be called a city. But hearing a complete stranger praising their city, calling it clean and beautiful filled them with immense pride.
As they continued their journey they certainly brought everyone's attention on them for two major reasons. One being Xia Qing Yue's clothes being stained with dried blood, and the other being Acnologia himself. Whispers and murmurs spread as some pointed their fingers at them both.
Xia Hongyi questioned Acnologia curious of the city he mentioned during his comparison.
"If you don't mind me asking, the city's you do recall having visited. Could you please share with us what they are like?"
Xia Hongyi's question certainly earned careful attention as Acnologia shrugged and he answered.
"It is a multiple cities classified by their population sizes. Small cities with the average population anywhere between fifty thousand to two hundred thousand, mid size cities anywhere between two hundred to five hundred thousand and large cities where it could go as high as one and a half million or larger people. But they were all common for having lots of rubbish thrown everywhere, overflowing public trash cans, homelessness, and people rushing to places they had to be at."
Acnologia's words shocked those who heard it. That bad were the cities he had previously visited? But the sheer scale of residents in various cities surprised them greatly. A small city was still anywhere between fifty to two hundred thousand residents? If that's what it took to be considered a "small" city, then they doubted their Floating Cloud City could even be considered anything but a village.
Xiao Lie also curious questioned.
"And based off your own experience and wisdom, what was the main reasons for such things happening?"
Acnologia hummed as he answered.
"Personally? I am of the belief that it is both the neglect of the higher authorities who govern the city's, and of the people's own slothfulness and struggles. With poor governance, it would obviously lead to poor management of the city they must manage, and because of the many issues ordinary people face like making money, affording houses, drug abuse, it inevitably leads to people in poverty. But that's just my personal belief anyways. I've never had to manage an entire city so I can't speak as if my methods would fix all issues."
Xiao Lie nodded in agreement.
"A wise statement indeed. Running an entire city isn't so simple as some might believe. Politics is a delicate matter that regardless of intent could lead to greater problems. May I ask for your age? You must be quite the worldly person to have such wisdom."
Acnologia chuckled lightly as he answered.
"You might find it hard to believe, but I'm actually still in my teens. I'm currently only eighteen years old."
Acnologia's words earned him quite the amusing expressions.
"You are so young yet you posses such maturity and wisdom? Were your parents perhaps profound scholars?"
Acnologia shook his head.
"I do not recall who my parents were. Snippets of my past I do recall, but not all of it."
Xiao Lie hummed in understanding.
"I see. I apologise for the insensitivity of my question."
Acnologia just nodded.
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure with time my memories will return, but pointlessly latching onto the past wondering where I come from isn't something I would do. I have so much waiting for me in the future, to cling onto what's already happened is to hold yourself back pointlessly."
Acnologia's words surprised many of the men ahead of him. Especially Xia Qing Yue who's fists clenched at Acnologia's words. After all, her purpose in growing stronger wasn't just to be able to protect her family, but to find her mother who abandoned her family when both herself and Xia Yuanba her younger brother was still so young.
Soon enough they all reached the Xia Manor before everyone in the group realised they were so engrossed in the conversation they forgot that they had other things to do so they all left even Xiao Lie.
"Please Acnologia. Follow me. We have several spare guest rooms you may pick for your temporary residence."
Xia Hongyi spoke kindly as he entered the manor. Acnologia too took a step inside.
"Pardon the intrusion."
Xia Hongyi smiled, pleasantly surprised by Acnologia's mannerisms.
"You're surprisingly well etiquetted. Perhaps you came from a noble family?"
Acnologia just shrugged as he was shown his guest room. It wasn't anything grand. A bed, a cupboard, a desk. Fairly modest. Xia Hongyi then spoke up.
"I'll have one of the servants show you where the baths are, and help you better acquaint yourself with the place."
Acnologia nodded appreciative.
"Thank you."
Xia Hongyi nodded back as he walked away. Xia Qing Yue locked eyes with him for a few seconds, her expression unreadable behind the ice cold gaze she wore before she followed her father. Only after they had left Acnologia called out.
"Miss Chu Yueli. I had thought you said you would head back to your sect after we returned to the city?"
Chu Yueli manifested in the same room, her expression as ice cold as her disciple as she answered coolly.
"So you could sense me after all."
Acnologia shrugged.
"Yeah, is there such a big deal? With how great the difference in strength between us is this likely means my cultivation far surpasses your own, naturally that would translate to me finding you more easily no?"
"A fair assessment. I was merely indulging and fulfilling a personal curiosity. Nothing quite as grand as you would expect."
Chu Yueli nodded her head.
"And has that curiosity been satisfied?"
Acnologia replied dryly only for Chu Yueli to shake her head.
"Quite the opposite. The more I learn of you the more curious I find myself. You don't speak the local language, you don't know a single thing about this world, you don't even know a single thing about cultivation, your past experiences are strange, and at such a young age, your prowess exist on a plane of existence that shouldn't have been achievable without aid from a major sect, yet not once have I heard anything of yourself.
You even have mastery over some of the most powerful laws in existence being Time and Space, yet you don't seem all that aware of the sheer astronomical power you possess. If you would allow me, I would like to check your cultivation realm, and how many of your profound spiritual veins are open. Of course, I would require physically touching you, but just your wrists should be enough."
Acnologia shook his head.
"With all due respect, even I doubt if you were in my position you would allow someone of the opposite sex to physically touch you after you just met them, and got into a fight.
While I won't deny my curiosity, I don't really care for what my rank is. After I learn at the very least some basic information of how this world works, and I then learn what my cultivation realm is, I see no issues with revealing it, but for you to take a look at something like my cultivation and these "profound veins" feels a little to private for me to let you pry. And I don't even know what I'm fully capable of, it would be such a pain and a hassle if you ended up dying after seeing something you might not have been allowed to."
Chu Yueli nodded in understanding. Acnologia was powerful that was no doubt, but he was still someone with some sort of amnesia. If she did try to check his cultivation level and the number of profound veins opened, and she sees or does something that led to her dead, because Acnologia has no idea what the full extent of his might is it's one great trouble for everyone.
"I understand. I apologise for overstepping. My curiosity was simply far too great that it wouldn't let me go without getting an answer to all the questions I have."
Acnologia waved an arm dismissively.
"If I ever learn what rank I am I'll tell you. Now, if that's all, I'm off to go explore this city."
Acnologia stretched his body before he left the room leaving Chu Yueli alone watching him leave. She would need to report this to the other fairies. And travelling back at full speed would still take her at least 2 days if she doesn't stop to rest. With the pearl of frozen deception in hand and her surprising her aura, she faded into nothingness.
She was tempted to ask Acnologia to just teleport her straight to the sect, but Acnologia was right, they have barely just got to know each other, and she almost died to him. And giving him the coordinates straight to the Frozen Cloud Asgard was far too great of a security risk. It's better to just travel on her own after all.
—(Break!)—
Acnologia walked through the city, and everywhere he went people stared at him. Of course, there were those arrogant kids who tried to pick a fight with him, but he just ignored them even when they tried to forcefully stop him, he just kept walking taking in the scenery. He raised his hand as a butterfly came resting on his index finger as he stared at it for a few seconds before it flew away.
As Acnologia continued his walk, elsewhere, Chu Yueli was speeding through the skies, traveling at speeds faster than sound. The world was a blur of colour and locations as she sped up even faster.
'I have several recovery pills I can use to replenish my energy. Alright. I'll speed up even faster. This news must reach the other Fairies as soon as possible.'
And so she poured more profound energy into her flight technique, leaving multiple sonic booms wherever she went. Her mind could just barely process the sheer volume of images it was forced to process as Chu Yueli traveled even faster navigating through desolate and dangerous territories, including flying over a major mountain range and the frozen lands.
—(Break)—
[Blue Wind Empire: Snow Region Of Extreme Ice]
(Frozen Cloud Asgard)
Chi Yueli arrived before the {Ice Gate} of the Frozen Cloud Asgard, her breath haggard and her looks exhausted. She had shortened what would have been a two to three day trip down to just one day and she's spent almost all her profound energy.
The Gate opened itself and the person who emerged was the First Fairy of the Frozen Cloud Seven Fairies and her sister Chu Yuechan. She wears the snowy attire of the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace along with an ice silk veil that masked her appearance, only revealing a pair of ice-cold beautiful eyes.
Even though her appearance was hidden, just her temperament and figure alone was extremely beautiful.
Her features were all absolutely exquisite. Her eyebrows were clear and slender, her skin was pearly, and although her lips and face were as white as paper, this was unable to cover up the cold, arrogant nobility which was bone-deep.
"Chu Yueli. Why have you returned so soon? Did you not say you were going to meet your disciple? The one with the 21 opened Profound Veins?"
Chu Yueli cupped her fist and bowed as she spoke.
"Lady Chu Yuechan. I must request a meeting of all Seven Fairies and the palace Master. When I went to meet my disciple, I came to meet another individual, his name is Acnologia, and his presence is great enough for me to request such a meeting immediately."
Chu Yuechan, the Vice Palace Master of the Frozen Cloud Asgard and first of the Seven Fairies frowned at Chu Yueli's request.
"And is this young man truly so dangerous that you would ask for something as absurd as a gathering of not just all seven fairies, but the palace master as well?"
Chu Yueli kept her head bowed, her fist cupped in front of her as she answered without hesitation.
"Yes. For I have reason to believe he is a "Monarch" (Sovereign Profound Realm), and he has demonstrated mastery of both the laws of time and the laws of space."
Hearing the seriousness of Chu Yueli's words, Chu Yuechan turned her back to her sister and fellow disciple.
"Go wait in the Main Hall. I will gather the others."
Chu Yueli nodded her head as she entered the Frozen Cloud Asgard and headed straight to main hall as the doors to the sect closed behind her, Chu Yueli knew with Acnologia's existence, things are about to become extraordinarily complicated. If Acnologia truly was a (Monarch) without a shadow of a doubt, every sect on this planet will do everything in their power to acquire him, even more so when they learn he has mastery of both the laws of Time and Space.
"If all goes well, The Frozen Cloud Asgard will have made a most valuable ally, but if things don't go well, I pray we never stand before Acnologia as foes."
—(End….)—
(An: Man, I'm just now realising how hard it is to write an op mc. I can't put him in a fight every few chapters because I made him the strongest, and so many chapters are mundane slice of life. But it's manageable at the very least)