Eternity Starts From His Seed

Chapter 2: Casual Cultivator City

Fang Bubai's weary steps echoed in the dimly lit inn room, its wooden floor creaking beneath the weight of his exhausted body. The room was suffused with a hushed stillness, interrupted only by the hum of the city's boisterous streets seeping in through the shabby windows.

As he set down his travel-worn belongings on the scarred wooden table, Bubai's gaze was drawn towards the open window.

Advancing forward, his senses were tickled by a waft of warm city air mingled with the scent of incense.

Peering down at the labyrinthine streets, the lively city of cultivators sprawled before him, bustling with mortals and cultivators alike.

"After a rough journey, I finally safely made it to Ling City..." The soft murmur was lost in the mixed city sounds, highlighting his insignificance, yet his eyes, still alight with a hint of anticipation, scanned the panorama before him.

In the distance, a hill rose, crowned by the mansion of the city owner, a foundation establishment cultivator.

Surrounding it were the mountain caves rented to other casual cultivators.

This was Ling City, a haven mainly geared towards casual cultivators.

Though it only stood in the shadow of the Cloud Sword Sect, it was rumored there was a Golden Core casual cultivator in charge here... Well, it wasn't something a mortal like Fang Bubai could confirm.

Bubai only knew this place embraced both mortals and cultivators, a melting pot where their destinies intertwined. This was normal because many cultivators still enjoy the servitude of mortals.

Mixed within these mortals, there were those seeking the immortal path, merchants, nobles, and even martial artists mingling with the everyday hustle of the city. This was a place filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers.

With a sigh, Bubai closed the window, shutting out the vibrant cityscape. The room plunged into semi-darkness, illuminated only by the feeble sunlight filtering through worn paper window screens.

With a heavy weariness hung on his shoulders, he moved towards the table.

In the dimness, Bubai carefully unwrapped his worn travel bundle, revealing an extra set of shabby, yet clean handymen disciple clothes, each fold bearing the marks of his journey, evidence of the hardships faced along the way.

Unfolding the final layer of clothes, the faint sunlight painted a gentle glow on the fabric, allowing Bubai to count the remnants of his belongings – a pair of tattered shoes, a small portion of mortal silver ingots and copper coins sitting quietly, a half-eaten steam bun, and...

Tearing open the hidden pocket sewed into the inner fabric of the outfit, a handful of grains, slightly glimmering like precious gems, spilled forth. This was Spirit Rice, the currency and staple food for low-level cultivators.

"Pathetic! Even after scrimping and saving all these years, this is all that remained! Had I not purchased that spirit stone to pay to be escorted out from the dangerous forest..." Bubai's voice held a bitter edge, the weight of his impoverished state settling in his chest like a leaden anchor.

Over the years, he had diligently allocated a good portion of his resources to cultivation, while still cleverly amassing a modest savings despite the many layers of exploitation.

However, the visible depletion of his belongings spoke of the recent sacrifice.

Right before leaving the Cloud Sword Sect, he had succumbed to paying an exorbitant price in exchange for a spirit stone, despite knowing the price screamed that it was a blatant rip-off.