After a long and arduous journey, a group of four—three adults and a child—finally arrived at the gates of Moonshadow City. Before them stood two ancient stones embedded in the city wall—one carved with a full moon, the other with a half moon. Their presence felt mysterious and almost sacred.
Old cultivators often whispered about the stones' origins, claiming they might be keys to a hidden Secret Realm. But throughout the city's long history, no one had ever managed to unlock their secrets.
As Li Chen's group approached the entrance, two city guards swiftly stepped forward. One of them barked, "Show your identity tokens! If you can't produce valid proof, turn back to where you came from!"
Li Chen tensed for a moment, unsure of how to respond.
Before he could speak, Yu Qingci calmly stepped forward and retrieved a silver token from her spatial ring. It gleamed with the unmistakable symbol of the Silvercloud Trade Hall.
The guards, who had spoken with arrogance just moments ago, froze in place. Their expressions shifted to shock. One of them took the token in trembling hands, while the other rushed off to fetch their supervisor.
Within minutes, a broad-shouldered figure clad in a heavy warrior outfit appeared. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the token, then at Yu Qingci.
"Miss… where did you get this token?" the head guard asked, clearly puzzled.
He had once accompanied the City Lord to a high-end auction at the Silvercloud Trade Hall and met the newly appointed branch manager there. Though her features had changed due to the Face Shifting Technique, he sensed something was off.
Yu Qingci smiled gently, "Oh, this? A friend gave it to me and told me to show it at the gate for entry."
Though still skeptical, the head guard didn't push further. He bowed slightly and handed back the token.
"No issue, Miss...?"
"Wang Xixi," she replied calmly.
"Miss Wang, if you encounter any trouble within Moonshadow City, please report to us. We'll handle it with the utmost care."
She nodded politely but said nothing more.
With the formalities out of the way, the group finally stepped into the city.
Li Chen's eyes widened in astonishment. Compared to the rustic simplicity of Liang Village, this place felt like a world apart. Most passersby were at least Golden Core or Nascent Soul cultivators. In his home village, a single Golden Core expert would have been revered as a living deity. Yet here, they seemed no more special than dogs or chickens.
Su Lingxue noticed his stunned expression and chuckled softly. "Husband, there's a lot more to the world than what you've seen."
Li Chen sighed, "I know… but I'll catch up. As my strength grows, the truth will become clearer."
Eventually, they arrived at their new home—a spacious courtyard residence arranged for them in advance.
The courtyard was both majestic and serene, exuding elegance without extravagance. Smooth white stone paths led through well-maintained lawns dotted with a wide variety of medicinal herbs, each radiating a soft spiritual glow. At the center lay a small pond, where crystal-scaled fish glided through the water, their movements so graceful they seemed to dance. A modest pavilion stood beside the pond, perfect for cultivating or sipping tea under the moonlight.
The air was fresh, infused with the fragrance of herbs and the tranquil sound of flowing water. It was a place where even the most restless mind could find peace.
---
As they explored their new residence, Yu Qingci pulled out a small ornate box from her spatial ring. Inside was a polished stone tablet, inscribed with glowing runes.
She handed it to Li Chen and said, "Husband, drip some blood on this tablet to bind the ownership. Only the true master of this formation can activate or alter it."
Li Chen looked puzzled. "Wait… I thought this courtyard was already yours?"
Yu Qingci shook her head with a smile. "The person who owns this tablet gave it to me just for auction purposes. Once it was sold, he promised to transfer the ownership fully."
"Oh, I understand now."
He bit his thumb and dripped a drop of blood onto the tablet. It glowed briefly and absorbed the blood.
Suddenly, a familiar system notification echoed in his mind.
> Ding!
Host has moved into a large courtyard.
Real Estate Expansion unlocked!
Li Chen's heart surged with excitement.
"Now I can start building my own territory… a perfect home for my wives and children."
His dreams of a peaceful yet powerful family life were finally beginning to take shape.
---
But while his heart was filled with hope, danger stirred elsewhere.
Far away in Liang Village, a dark and eerie mist shrouded the location where the assassins had been slain. The once lifeless corpses twitched. Cracks formed across their faces as dark energy reanimated their bodies.
Without any sound or heartbeat, they stood—alive, but no longer human.
Eyes glowing faintly with a demonic hue, they vanished into the night—resurrected puppets, guided by a darker will.
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