There was no command for people to move away or any kind of warning for the packed crowd.
The scarlet chariot simply mowed down whatever was on its path.
'This is different from powers back in Sevenford City. At least, they had bothered to uphold a certain reputation in front of mortals, but here they take disregarding the weak to the next level. Is this the mindset of those who use humans as a cultivation resource?'
Wade coldly gazed at the chariot, trying to peer into the steel behemoth's inside. However, he felt a cold shiver travel up his spine the moment he thought about it.
He quickly urged the horse to move away along with the dispersing crowd.
The threatening gaze shifted away from his back, letting him breathe a sigh of relief.
———
Inside the chariot.
Two middle-aged women and one young lady similar to Wade's age sat around a sculptured ruby table.
The trio leisurely rested on the soft fluffy fur of the rarest spirit beasts, sipping tea and laughing about insignificant stuff.
"It is nice to see you around here, Alice."
"Indeed, It is not every day that the heiress of Blood Temple appears here."
The two older women endlessly flattered the young lady, trying to appear as familiar as possible.
Alice was one of a kind. With crimson hair that went past her shoulders and blood-colored gem-like eyes that exuded a mysterious charm. Yet, there was an unmistakable deadliness within as even these much more powerful women didn't dare to cross the line.
"My mother ordered me to take a look at the examinees and maybe find someone worthy of becoming my Blood Companion."
Alice spoke while sipping on fine wine.
"But how is it possible to find someone worthy of you among piles of trash? Why didn't the Matriarch allow you to stay in Blood Valley and observe from there? There is a higher chance of meeting wealthier and far more talented youths."
The older women looked quite confused.
"Aunties, we all know that talent doesn't really matter in Blood Temple. What I am after is a character. A carefree yet opportunistic, indifferent yet scheming, cold but loyal."
"However, the human heart can't really be categorized into qualities. Only actions can speak for a man."
Alice spoke with grandeur. Clearly, she wanted to find an ideal partner for herself.
"B-But Alice…these kinds of traits transcend a mere blood companion. That's more like a Dao Companion for life. How are you even going to find someone like that? All young men nowadays are selfish to the core!"
The women tried to talk some sense into the young girl, but Alice merely looked at them with a confident smile.
"I have my methods."
———
Wade stared at the scarlet chariot as it entered the city. Rows of guards in shining bronze armor lined up to greet. However, the chariot simply sped past them, leaving them to bite the dust.
That was quite hilarious to him but he soon saw one of the guards straight up kill a rude man who he was previously tolerating.
'Their temper got shorter, huh.'
It was soon his turn to enter the city. He was forced to pay a painful sum of ten silvers to purchase a permit for ten days.
'There are still two weeks left before the examination. I need to get my money up. Can't squander the remaining coins I had taken from the clan.'
Wade was given a simple stone token and let into the city.
'This is just ordinary rock. Yet, the word Radan imbued with Qi proves its authenticity. This is the power of the Inscriber.'
Wade walked on the busy streets. The place was incredibly orderly despite the nature of the behemoth that governed it.
'How am I supposed to find the examination place?'
He tried to ask the bystanders but only got a cold shoulder in response.
'If I were a Blood Elder, I would have burned alive whoever promoted such bad tourism.'
Wade grumbled as he entered a tavern. The place was filled with drunkards and easy women, making for a debaucherous atmosphere.
'Haah~, I miss my maids.'
He sat in the corner and ordered some juice.
Suddenly, a loud burp came from the back as Wade turned around to find a long-bearded midget.
"Ehh, young one, still not grown hairs down there to drink real beer?"
Wade was stunned speechless.
"What?! Don't stare at me like that! I am not a goddamn dwarf for your knowledge! This is just genetics…"
The drunk midget tried to balance on the edge of his chair but fell face-first nonetheless.
Wade wanted to ignore him, but his eyes widened the moment he saw the muddied badge that he wore on his chest.
'Forger Haven.'
That was an organization that had immeasurable roots across all nations. Nobody dared to go against them as this was the place where the best weapon smiths originated from.
"What kid? Are you frightened now? Hehe…"
The midget chuckled, but still failed to get up as he lay sprawled on the floor.
Wade was shocked to say the least. Even Blood Temple was nothing in front of this behemoth. The fact that he didn't have his own entourage was already concerning!
"Brat, drink the booth like a real man and I might tell you the location of the upcoming examination…"
The midget tried to coax him. However, Wade simply stood up and turned to leave.
"Hey! Hey! I admit defeat! Just help me get up and I will tell you the location!"
Wade narrowed his eyes.
"Location fir-"
Suddenly, an enormous pressure descended on him, almost making him kneel.
"Don't. Get. Ahead. Of. Yourself."
The pressure disappeared as soon as it appeared, making Wade feel a strange sense of deja wú.
"Anyways, just get me up."
The drunken voice and tipsy mood returned as if nothing happened, bewildering Wade quite a bit.