Tinalynge [Tinalynge] - Tainted Blood

Chapter 1 - Cloudsoar City

The suns fiery red rays were cast down upon the clouded sky, turning the evening crimson. Half the sun had sunk down below the horizon line, and as the shadow of night crept over Cloudsoar City, the buildings reflected their shapes in beautiful red light.

Queues of people stood outside the entrance of Cloudsoar City. The guards inspected every person, so it took some time to enter the city.

Cloudsoar City was the largest city in the Chengzi Kingdom. It was known as a haven for those seeking spiritual fruits. Merchants from the center of the continent often came here to stock up on goods.

Young cultivators also often made their way to Cloudsoar City to buy fruits at a cheaper price. This was a place full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons.

There was a group consisting of two men and a boy in the queue outside the gates. One was a handsome young man who seemed to be around eighteen years old, the second seemed to be at the same age albeit with possibly the most plain appearance you could have, and the third, a child, appeared to be no more than ten years old.

Strangely, when they spoke to each other, it was with the tone of equals. The two older ones seemed to treat the ten-year-old boy as their equal. Though it made sense when one looked closer into the eyes of the child, should they get the chance to make eye contactthe boys eyes were anything but naive and soft like most children his age, gleaming with wisdom and age.

These three were none other than Xue Wei, Hei Gou, and Bai Tianyi. They had left the border between the two countries and entered the Chengzi Kingdom on the way to the center of the continent.

I never expected you to still be this cheerful after Xiaoyun left you, Bai Tianyi said. The name Wang Xiaoyun had been a taboo and no one had mentioned it after Xue Wei awoke, but now Bai Tianyi could not stop himself.

Hei Gou glanced at Bai Tianyi with a warning glare, but the sword spirit pretended that he had not seen the glare and continued on.

You also accepted your identity so easily. Tell me, are you in shock? Is it because you dont believe me?

Bai Tianyi was curious by nature. If there was something he did not know or understand, he would seek to unearth it.

While Bai Tianyi was extremely casual about it, Hei Gou was careful and worried about hurting his good friend. Even if he seemed okay, he had to be keeping up a strong appearance.

Xue Wei laughed out loud when he saw their tentative expressions.

Im really okay, he said reassuringly with a laugh and shook his head. I know what my emotions are like and I will be true to them. One day, Ill make her understand my emotions. Then shell know that we were meant to be.

Also, it does not matter what I am. Humans hate me no matter what I do, so I might as well be a beast, right?

Xue Wei clearly did not care about this whole thing. Had this been before the Azure Dragon Spirit had hatched, he would have most likely panicked and despaired. But now he was all carefree and straightforward.

He had complete faith in himself and his ability to reach his goals. There was a bone-deep pride in his body that told him he could have anything he wanted. However, it did not mean he had forgotten that he was merely a one layer Heavenly Warrior. He had a long way to go before he could truly make a difference with his fist alone, but he definitely had the potential.

There are still a few confusing things though. He sighed. Elder Wan seemed to know of my true identity, Xue Wei continued, but what is it he and the beasts want from me? My uncle and Chu Huiyin also know what I really am.

I have a feeling that they are the ones I need to watch out for. The humans are troublesome, but they just want to kill me. The other side is different.

Bai Tianyi nodded his head. He was a human cultivator back in his prime, so he was not too privy to the connection between Sovereign Beasts and Primordial Beasts or what sort of rituals existed between them.

The Sovereign Beasts are the monarchs, Bai Tianyi said pensively. They should be the most beloved entities to the beasts, but I imagine that they arent all satisfied with this kind of hierarchy.

I think its best if we avoid any interaction with both humans and beasts until we are stronger, Hei Gou said after careful consideration.

Xue Wei nodded his head, and Bai Tianyi agreed. They did not want to be caught up in the fights between humans and beasts before they had the strength to dictate what happened.

By the time they were done discussing this through compressed voice communication, they reached the gates of Cloudsoar City.

The price of entry is fifty silver per person, a guard said while looking over their group. Xue Wei quickly forked out the money, but the guard did not take the pouch right away.

Instead, he stared intently at Xue Weis face. State your name, he demanded. Xue Wei, who felt that something was amiss, narrowed his eyes.

I am Ye Xiao, he said carefully. The guard suddenly nodded his head as if he had recognized him.

I was told by the Cerulean Starlight Sect to contact you. The guards face was stoic.

There is a branch of the Cerulean Starlight Sect here in Cloudsoar City. The sect elder told us to keep an eye out for you half a year ago. Though Im not sure if the order still stands.

Xue Wei was incredibly relieved after hearing this. He nodded his head and flicked a gold coin to the guard. Thank you for telling me..

The guard cleared them and they entered the city, moving inside in a steady stream of people.

The streets were bursting with life, people walked back and forth, and noisy voices could be heard from every direction.

Lets go get some information, Xue Wei decided. Weve been out of the loop for half a year. Its probably best we catch up on the recent changes, yeah?

The other two agreed. They went to the closest tavern to get some food, and some information as they ate.

Although more sensitive subjects were likely to be discussed through sound transmission, most people would not go through the effort to conceal more well-known topics.

They had found a rather typical tavern. It had food and drinks and a few rooms up for rent, but Xue Weis team was not there to stay the night. Instead, they found a table in the middle and sat down.

This place was perfect for their aim. When they sat down they ordered a few dishes and drinks.

A servant rushed to prepare their order. Soon after, they sat in silence and paid attention to the conversations going on in the tavern.

Did you hear about the beast horde that appeared in the southern area of the Chengzi Empire? It was so massive that eleven Primordial Beasts appeared.

Did you hear that a new clue has been found in the mysterious murder that happened outside Golden Crow City half a year ago?

The new faction of that Wayfarer girl is growing bigger by the day. During the last beast horde, she slaughtered four primordial Beasts, and now even members of the three great sects are following her.

Have you heard that the guards said that formation master Ye Xiao entered the city? He must have a lot of valuables on his person, if you know what I mean.

The medicinal pill workshop has announced that they will sell their shop to the Golden Chambers. It seems that the Golden Chambers are rather aggressive in their quest to take over all the major shops of the continent.

Soon, the Cloudsoar Trade Fair will commence. I earned a lot of money to spend on a medicinal pill for my son.

Xue Wei listened intently. His face was completely straight, but he was inwardly surprised.

Wang Xiaoyun was likely to be the Wayfarer girl that they were talking about. To think that she went and founded a faction. It was clear that she was moving forward with her revenge.