NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 8: Windy city
After breakfast, William decided to take a stroll outside. It's his first time visiting the Windy City after transmigration, so everyone decided to tag along with him.
As it is the first time for William to come into contact with the outside world, Mia and Anna took turns to introduce him to the various stores that came into their view while Seina silently protected them like a shadow.
"Look at the right side; that's the 'Bodhi pill house,' one of the branches of the Sacred Pill Association, and the medium-size shop, and beside that is an antique shop." Mia pointed towards a very big, majestic-looking three-story building.
"Yup! Qi refining pill, flesh tempering pill, bone strengthening pill, minor detoxification pill. You can buy any 1st or 2nd tier medicinal pills from this store, but they don't sell any 3rd tier or higher medicinal pills." Anna informed William with an envious and bitter expression. In her prime, Anna doesn't possess much talent in cultivation; that's why she failed to join any cultivation sect. She often ate pills to compensate for her lack of talent, but after leaving the Royal Capital City, there are no pills in this windy city to support her.
"Don't worry, very soon I will take everyone out of this city. I wouldn't let you or any of our little family suffer again." William said resolutely after watching her bitter expression. His determination made Mia and Anna smile. They knew that currently William is just a baby bird taking his first step, but he has determination to become a great man someday.
As they wandered around the city, William became more and more amazed by this fantasy world. He had never seen such a beautiful city. Compared to his previous world, where people were always running to attend their jobs or very busy with their work, here people can do whatever they want, as long as it doesn't harm others. Pill house, weapon store, formation shop, medicinal shop, William looked at every shop as they walked. He only ever imagined such a beautiful, free world while reading all those fantasy novels.
Of course one thing that you couldn't avoid with an eye-catching team is the crowd that talks in your back. Gossiping and insulting are the inherited abilities of the human race. They also like throwing rocks at you while you are down.
"Hey look, it's the concubine of the Rosewood family."
"What!! Wasn't she banished from the Rosewood family? What is she doing here?"
"Aiya! You are new in this city, right? She was thrown out of the royal capital one year ago. She has been living here for one year."
"Hmph!! Serves her right. She couldn't even raise her own child properly, causing him to die because of his arrogance."
"You know shit!! I was fortunate enough to hear what royal guards were saying when they banished her here one year ago. She was once a princess of the heavenly Fire Kingdom. She is basically a war prisoner or a slave."
"Who is that handsome boy with them? He looks new to the city."
"No, I don't recognize this boy. Must be a boy toy or slave they got."
The gossip of the locals is like needles stabbing his skin. Even with his thick skin, his hands are getting itchy enough to slap them to death. But William swallowed his rage because he knew that he couldn't cause commotion right now. They need to get out of the Saint Kingdom.
Suddenly William felt attracted towards a small stall on the left side of the road.
"What kind of thing does that shop sell?" William asked while pointing towards the shop.
"Hmm! That's a loose cultivator shop. You know loose cultivators hang around any places for resources and exchange them for the money or any resources they need." Mia informed him after looking at his interested expression. 'Couldn't he look at other big shops if he needed any weapons or resources? What can he find in this little shop?' she thought.
"Hey brother, how much does that red color ginseng cost?" William asked the owner of the shop.
"You have good eyes for things, young master. It's a 2nd tire fire ginseng. It only costs 500 small spirit crystals." The shop owner said enthusiastically after looking at his clear interest.
"Chi! William, don't fall for his trap. This ordinary 2nd tire fire ginseng only sells for 200 spirit crystals. Let's go to the medicinal store; we can buy it from there." Anna quickly informed William.
"Hahaha! Don't worry, I was just joking with the young master. You just need to pay 100 spirit crystals for this ginseng." The shop owner started sweating. He thought, as a cultivator of the 9th level bone-strengthening realm, he could swindle the flesh-tempering kid easily, but his thoughts diminished after seeing the three women in the core formation realm.
"Hey! I will buy it with 1000 spirit crystals. Give it to me." Just as William bought the ginseng with the money he got from Mia, a rather nasty-looking boy approached them and demanded the ginseng from them.
William was just about to reject him outright when Anna whispered into his ears, "He is Samual, the only son of the mayor of Windy City. He always lusted after Miss Mia's beauty, even though she rejected him many times."
Looking at his laughing face, William felt his rage boiling. Samual is still looking at Mia's private parts lustfully.
Slap*
"I don't need your money; I have plenty. If you need any ginseng, just go to the medicinal store." William slapped him hard on the cheeks.
"You! You!..." Samual couldn't believe himself. Someone slapped him? And William is 4 small levels below him!!
"Impudent child."
Shock impact first!!
His two bodyguards stepped out to attack William but couldn't take action because Seina stopped them. They were surprised because their attack didn't do any damage to Seina.
"Haha! It's going to be quite a show. It's the first time Samual got slapped."
"You bet!! He has been misusing his power for many months. It was bound to happen someday."
Their conflict attracted few people walking on the road.
"You!! I will make you pay for this humiliation." Samual said while running away from the place.
"Thank you, my baby." Mia thanked William in a meek voice. It's been twenty years since someone stood up for her.
"Hey, let's go quickly. Don't you want to sign up for the test?"
" What!! The Star Sword Sect is coming."
"Let's go!! I can definitely join their sect this time."
"Oh! I just remembered now. Every three year Star Sword sect selects a new batch of disciples. They must have come here for that. Let's go; it's your chance, William. If you get selected in their sect, we can get out of this kingdom." Mia suddenly remembered the selection date of the Star Sword Sect. The disciple selection process was being held at City Square.
When they reached the place, it was already packed with a massive amount of people. William quickly stood at the end of the line while Mia, Anna, and Seina decided to watch the show.
"Ahh! Let me join the sect, please. I am just 22 years old. I will definitely work hard."
"Noo!! I was unable to cultivate because of the lack of resources."
"This machine is faulty here!! I am telling the truth."
"Let me try one more time. Just one more time. I will definitely pass this time."
"Guards throw this trash away."
William heard all kinds of shouts and roars from the end of the line.
"Mom, What is the criteria for joining the Star Sword sect?" William asked Mia nervously.
"It's nothing much; your age just needs to be less than 21. And for other things, you will find out by yourself." Mia gave him a teasing smile. "While it's good to tell you everything, but the cultivation world is full of unknowns, you have to be prepared for anything. Even before cultivation, you have to cultivate your own will."
Uhh!!..
William could only sigh at her mother's reminder and wait for his turn.
Minutes turned into hours, and after waiting for 3 hours, William could finally see the testing side. There are only two participants in front of him.
"State your information." The examiner said.
"Sid Firestone, age 18, 6th level flesh tempering." the boy with a medium figure said.
"Go and try to cut that rope by swinging a sword." The instructor pointed toward a long rope that was hanging from a pole in the center of the square.
"Haha!! I was practicing my swordsmanship from the age of 10. It's like butter to me." Sid laughed heartedly and swung his sword with all his power.
Vertical cut!!
The rope is like a slippery eel who avoided his sword like a professional athlete. Just a slight cut mark on the rope—that's all he could do with his sword.
"Sid Firestone, you pass the first trial; 3 days later, a few elders from the sect will come to pick you up. You can either come with your family or alone."
"Next"
"Wait!! I will swing one more time. This doesn't count. I can definitely cut it in the next try." Sid cried out in panic. He was sure that with his training he could easily cut a rope and become an official disciple.
"Sid Firestone, while I appreciate your dedication to swordsmanship, everyone is permitted to strike only once. You can fight for your position again on the 2nd trial, 3 days later. If you disturb me one more time, you will be disqualified." The examiner warned Sid sternly.