Cultivation System: Elder Edition

Chapter 210

The Sight of Silver (IV)

We didn't stand on ceremony any further, taking one of the descending pathways to the valley. Within moments, we found ourselves trekking through a forest with a rather thick canopy of trees--but I was far too in awe of their shape and color to think of much else.

This was what I was missing, in a way--though I've seen some fantastic sights, they were usually made up of ordinary elements. Or, well, 'ordinary' for this world, at least.

But this was my first time seeing something that was decidedly alien--the trunks of the trees weren't straight but rather curved like one half of a helix, spinning out into hanging branches that held writhing and luminescent coral-colored leaves. Whenever a breeze would blow by, they'd shake and almost hum in concert, pulsing with color for a moment.

The scent, too, was rather tantalizing; it didn't smell like a forest but rather a cinnamon factory.

As we walked, we actually came upon another group of people, but they ignored us, acting as though we weren't there. I quickly figured out why: because we came upon a lot of groups soon after. Since we were walking down one of the main, marked paths, which was really just a ton of smaller paths converging into the central one, there was seldom a moment of silence.

Before long, we shared a rather wide road with nearly twenty other people, and we finally broke out of the forest and into the last leg of the journey--the trees hid it, but we were now below the city itself, and I realized my original estimate was off.

Rather than a hundred yards, it looked to be closer to fifty. Nonetheless, looking up at the floating leviathan was awe-inspiring.

The city didn't have any walls, allowing a direct view to its many buildings that seemed to be stacked on top of each other. I imagine that, with the finite area, the real estate prices were about as high as Central London, if not higher.

"Wow!" the kids exclaimed, and, honestly, I envied them. I wanted to exclaim and gawk at it, too, but I had to endure the bearings of being a Master.

Aah, woe is me.

"Tsk, even more country bumpkins?" a voice spoke out behind us, eliciting a frown. Hey now. Make fun of me as much as you want, but you are literally making fun of a fourteen-year-old girl. "I don't know why the Lady doesn't kick them all out. They're just taking up space."

I glanced back, as did everyone else with me--though, I'm the only one who didn't stop. The speaker turned out to be a rather young boy, perhaps sixteen or seventeen, with your standard-fare look of disregard plastered all over his face. He was accompanied by an assortment of similarly aged figures, with a slightly older one walking behind them. Ignoring the boys, I inspected the elderly man, who turned out to actually be at the peak of the Spirit Manifestation Realm.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

If the system is to be believed, they were all part of one of the sects within the Silvercrest City, as inspecting a couple of the kids, too, revealed that they were using the same cultivation method.

"What are you looking at? Never seen a handsome man before?"

"Master--"

"--no," I quickly said. "Just ignore them."

"But--"

"Think of it as training," I said. "Training your mental fortitude. In life, you will meet a lot of people like him--if you lose your mind every time somebody insignificant taunts you, you will never achieve anything." I purposefully spoke just loudly enough to be heard, with my words quickly changing their expressions.

"What did you say, old man? Do you want to die?" Honestly... I feel happy.

I can't deal with many things in this world--so, oh so many things. But walking cliches?

That's my home ground, baby.

Ugh. I'm forty. I should never say that again.

Oh no!

Shit!

I was kind of too taken in by his words to realize... he insulted me.

A flash of light later, I saw Xi Zhao holding a sword against the boy's neck, pressing into it until a trail of blood appeared.

"Apologize immediately." Hey, hey, aren't you supposed to be the level-headed one?!! "Or die."

His words cooled the atmosphere further as I sighed, shaking my head invisibly and walking over slowly. I mean, the kids all froze up, and even the old man seemed uncertain as to what to do. They probably didn't expect to be attacked--but expected even less that some kid who looked like he didn't even grow any pubes yet could move so fast.

"You," I grabbed Xi Zhao by the ear and dragged him away. "What are you doing?"

"M-Master...?" The hardened and cold expression melted into one of... fear? No, it's not fear. He more so looked like a kid who was caught doing something bad.

"I talk and I talk, but it must be that the space between your ears is completely empty since you never listen."

"Pfft." Oh, that was Long Tao. For sure.

"I apologize." I turned toward the young boys and the old man, though my 'apology'... well, let's just say I didn't really put any effort into it and didn't bother hiding it. "My Disciple is young and doesn't have any manners. But I'll make sure to teach him properly." I could feel Xi Zhao shudder under my fingers. "I hope this small gift is enough for the offense." I tossed them some spirit stones and a healing pill. I don't want to immediately start fighting against someone from day one--

"THAT WAS AMAZING!!" the boy who was just cursing me out suddenly beamed out like a fangirl meeting her idol.

... hey. Dude.

"HOW DID YOU DO THAT?!" He completely ignored me, grabbing Xi Zhao's hand and almost pressing his forehead into the latter's with how close he was. Others quickly joined in, surrounding the kid like... well, like fangirls would surround their idol...

"You were over there and then immediately here! Wow!"

"Can you teach us?!"

"Of course he can't! He's probably learned some secret Martial Arts that only someone as talented as him can!"

"Aah, of course... no, wait, is that why you came here? To participate in the Gathering?! Of course! No wonder! He he, I can't believe we met someone who can possibly win it. Our luck is amazing!"

... hey.

What is happening right now?

I looked over at the old guy, who looked back at me, and we both stared at each other for a moment before sighing in concert.

A kindred spirit, at last!

"They... they mean well..." he said. "I think..."

"Mine don't, I'm pretty sure."

"Ha ha. If you don't mind, can we join you? Though the kids might be annoying, the process of entering the city right now is a bit... annoying, too. But we can help you speed it along."

"Oh, it'd be much appreciated."

"Are all of you as strong as he is?" There go the fangirls. "That's amazing! Where are you guys from? One of those legendary Ancient Clans?"

"No, no, they have to be from one of the Holy Lands."

"Ooh! Of course!"

"Hey, hey, what's your name?"

"My name is Gu Hai; this is..."

Hmm.

I want my clichés back, goddammit.