Chapter 22: Return to the City


    The city of Wildhaven wasn’t too far from the Valley of Death—just a two-day journey. During this time, Han Ming took the opportunity to thoroughly clean himself aboard the airship. From the ship’s storage, he picked out a set of ordinary clothes that fit him well. After all, the Dark Hall members couldn’t go around everywhere dressed in black. That would be far too conspicuous and risk exposing their identities. Finding a set of plain clothes was easy enough.


    On the first day of the flight, Han Ming did nothing but find a comfortable bed and sleep soundly for a full day and night.


    Some of the youths wanted to ask Han Ming about cultivation techniques, but seeing him asleep, no one dared disturb him. In their eyes, Han Ming’s incredible strength at such a young age was truly remarkable. From what they had overheard from the Dark Hall members, Han Ming had only been training for about two years. Perhaps he could teach them something useful.


    When Han Ming woke up on the second day, a few bold individuals approached him with food, hoping to curry favor.


    Han Ming smiled, finished the meal, wiped his mouth, and said, “Alright, what do you want to ask?”


    One of the youths gathered his courage and asked softly, “Can you tell us how you became so strong? Those Dark Hall members were already incredibly powerful. Most of them were second-tier warriors, but they were far stronger than ordinary second-tier warriors. Yet, in front of you, they seemed like helpless weaklings. It’s unbelievable! How did you do it?” By the end, the boy’s voice was trembling with excitement.


    Han Ming chuckled and replied, “Everyone has their own unique journey and growth process. My methods won’t work for you, and they can’t be replicated. But if you work hard, one day you might catch up to me, or even surpass me.”


    The truth was, Han Ming’s strength stemmed from the island deep underground. Most importantly, the island had the remnants of the Tree of Life and the miraculous pond water that could infinitely restore vitality. Additionally, there was the cave left behind by the ultimate water mage, the Elemental Master, which housed three levels of skeleton soldiers for training. These skeletons could infinitely respawn, allowing him to practice endlessly. Such an experience wasn’t something just anyone could have. Missing even one of these elements would have made it impossible for him to achieve his current strength.


    Thinking of the mysterious Water Elemental Master, Han Ming fell into deep thought. First of all, the old man must have died long ago. From the few words the old man had left behind, Han Ming knew that the Water God’s Scripture he had created was unique in this world. Aside from Han Ming himself, no one else should know it. Of course, Han Ming had only obtained the cultivation method so far. As for the primary requirement for cultivation—being a second-tier grand mage—Han Ming was still far from that level.


    Although his physical body was incredibly strong, possibly even nearing the level of a second-tier grand warrior, his water magic was still at the most basic stage. He didn’t even know how to cast a simple low-level healing spell. The only time he had used healing magic was by accident when he was on the verge of death.


    He didn’t even know how to further his magical training or where to learn magic. All he knew, from what Big Head had told him, was that every country had a Mage Guild. Was that where he needed to go?


    Han Ming lowered his head in thought. The only thing he knew for sure was that he could slowly increase his magical energy by absorbing water elemental magic crystals. However, this definitely wasn’t the only way to enhance magical energy. Magic crystals were far too precious, and it was impossible for every mage to rely on them for strength. The amount of magic crystals required would be astronomical.


    He had seen one of the Dark Hall members with a staff embedded with a small earth elemental magic crystal. It seemed that even for mages, magic crystals weren’t easy to come by. In his storage bag, Han Ming had various small magic crystals of different attributes, as well as a large water elemental crystal left behind by the mysterious Water Elemental Master. Obtaining these had been pure luck. He doubted that every mage could amass such a fortune in magic crystals.


    It seemed that after returning to Wildhaven, his first stop would be the auction house to see just how scarce magic crystals were. He could also trade his other elemental crystals for water elemental ones, as the fire, wood, earth, and wind crystals were useless to him.


    After that, he needed to find out where the Mage Guild was located. He had to go there to clear up some of his confusion about magic. After all, the contents of the Water God’s Scripture were far too profound for him. Without learning the relevant magical knowledge, he wouldn’t be able to cultivate it properly.


    The youths who had asked Han Ming for advice were visibly disappointed by his answer. Seeing Han Ming deep in thought, they realized he had no intention of continuing the conversation and dejectedly walked away.


    It wasn’t that Han Ming didn’t want to help them, but his experiences were truly unique. Even if he told them, it wouldn’t be of any use. It wasn’t like they could go searching the world for the Tree of Life. Even the powerful elves had been searching for it for years without success, let alone these youths.


    Two days passed in the blink of an eye.


    Han Ming disembarked from the airship early in the Wildhaven Forest, bidding farewell to the youths before heading into the woods.


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    When he had been kidnapped by the Dark Hall, Big Head hadn’t been aware of it. Han Ming wondered where Big Head was now. Had he returned to the Wildhaven Forest to continue experimenting with various plants?


    Thinking of Big Head’s resilience, Han Ming silently vowed to help him as much as possible. When he had left the underground island, a small white flower had grown from the withered remnants of the Tree of Life. Han Ming didn’t know if this flower was the so-called Miracle Flower that Big Head had mentioned. To him, the Miracle Flower seemed like nothing more than a beautiful lie.


    But since this small white flower had grown from something as powerful as the remnants of the Tree of Life, it must have its own unique properties. If it could grant rebirth and produce that miraculous pond water, the flower was likely extraordinary as well.


    To Han Ming’s disappointment, the tree hollow where he and Big Head had once lived had long been abandoned. It seemed Big Head hadn’t returned here in a long time.


    After searching the Wildhaven Forest for a day without success, Han Ming had no choice but to leave and head to Wildhaven the next day.


    If Big Head wasn’t at the tree hollow, there were only two possibilities: either he was in Wildhaven, or he had ventured deeper into the forest in search of the Miracle Flower. Han Ming hoped it was the former.


    Arriving at the gates of Wildhaven, Han Ming took a deep breath as he gazed at the massive city entrance.


    Wildhaven, I’ve returned.


    First, he asked around at the city gates about Big Head’s whereabouts, but no one had any information. A passing mercenary squad suggested he try the mercenary inn in the city, as almost all mercenaries in Wildhaven stayed there. With people coming and going from all directions, someone might have seen the person he was looking for.


    After thanking them, Han Ming entered the city and easily found the mercenary inn based on their directions. Although Wildhaven was vast, mercenaries were always on the move, often operating in the Wildhaven Forest. For their convenience, the inn was located close to the city gates.


    Even though he had some idea of what to expect, Han Ming was still taken aback by the sheer size of the mercenary inn. The building was nearly 200 meters tall, almost twice the height of Wildhaven’s city walls. He also noticed that there were quite a few buildings in the city that were even taller.


    This was truly a major city! The inn, built from massive stones, was more like a mercenary palace than a simple lodging.


    Han Ming’s appearance attracted quite a bit of attention from the mercenaries coming and going. Standing in front of such a colossal building, his slender frame of 1.8 meters was a stark contrast. His fair skin and handsome face stood out even more among the burly, scar-covered mercenaries who were often over two meters tall. Their muscular builds, rough laughter, and imposing presence made Han Ming’s delicate appearance all the more noticeable.


    As Han Ming entered the inn’s lobby, he drew even more stares. Many people curiously eyed this “pretty boy,” wondering what someone who looked so out of place was doing here.


    Some even whistled and called out, “Hey! Which family’s girl is this? So delicate! You should go home. This place is dangerous and not for you.”


    The comment sparked a wave of laughter. Even the tall beauty behind the counter, handling check-ins and mission assignments, glanced over curiously at the young man.


    Han Ming simply smiled and shook his head, choosing not to engage with the rough crowd. He didn’t need to stoop to their level.


    Of course, this was just his own perspective. If these mercenaries had seen Han Ming wielding a three-meter-long giant battle axe, they wouldn’t have dared to mock him. Rough? Hell, you’re rougher than any of us! The axe, forged from the remnants of the Tree of Life, was terrifyingly heavy. Just placing it on the ground would make it impossible for any ordinary mercenary to lift.


    Han Ming wasn’t sure who to ask for information. The lobby was filled with stone tables, and the place was bustling with rowdy mercenaries drinking and shouting—what Han Ming considered “rough people.” He decided to head straight for the counter.


    “Hello, I’d like to ask… um, where should I go to inquire about someone’s whereabouts?” Han Ming approached the counter and realized that even the woman handling the transactions was as tall as he was.


    The woman blinked her large eyes curiously, scrutinizing Han Ming for a moment before replying, “You can ask any of the mercenaries in the lobby. We also sell information here, but it’ll cost you. And even if you ask the mercenaries, they probably won’t bother answering without some incentive. Oh, and our lodging fee is ten silver coins per night.” She finished her answer by casually mentioning the inn’s rates.


    Han Ming suddenly realized with embarrassment that he didn’t have a single coin on him. And… ten silver coins? Are you kidding me? No wonder the mercenary inn was so large. With so many mercenaries in Wildhaven, there was no way the inn could accommodate all of them. The exorbitant prices likely meant that most mercenaries only came here to exchange information or take on missions, with few actually staying overnight. Although Han Ming wasn’t entirely clear on the value of currency in this world, he knew that the average person earned about ten gold coins a year. Ten silver coins equaled one gold coin, which was roughly equivalent to 10,000 RMB. What a rip-off!


    “Hey, Liv! Flirting with the pretty boy, huh? You’ve got quite the taste!” A passing mercenary teased, pinching the woman’s cheek and eliciting a round of laughter.


    The woman, named Liv, didn’t seem bothered. Working in a place like this had made her tough.


    “Yeah, so what? You interested too? I’ll let you have him. You’ve got even weirder tastes than me,” Liv shot back, causing even more laughter. The commotion drew the attention of others in the lobby who hadn’t noticed Han Ming before.


    The mercenary wasn’t offended. “I’ve never tried that flavor, but this kid’s got such soft skin and a pretty face. I wouldn’t mind giving it a shot!” He laughed and reached out to slap Han Ming’s backside. The entire lobby erupted in laughter, some people doubling over with tears in their eyes.


    Han Ming’s eyelid twitched. He grabbed the mercenary’s hand, twisted his body slightly, and with a flick of his wrist, sent the two-meter-tall man flying. The mercenary had no idea what hit him before he crashed into the center of the lobby, skidding across the floor and rolling out the entrance onto the street.


    The laughter died instantly. The packed lobby, filled with hundreds of mercenaries, fell silent. Not a single breath could be heard. Everyone stared at Han Ming in disbelief, their jaws hanging open. The lobby was nearly 100 meters long, and this slender, delicate-looking youth had just casually tossed a burly man that far. Where did that strength come from? Everyone present was stunned, thinking that even they couldn’t have thrown the man a third of that distance.


    And this was just Han Ming’s casual throw. If he had wanted to, he could have sent the man flying onto the inn’s roof.


    “Talk is fine, but keep your hands to yourself. I’m a civilized man, and I don’t like being touched, especially by men,” Han Ming said elegantly, brushing off his hands and straightening his clothes. He then turned to Liv and said, “Thank you for your help. I have some business to attend to, but I’ll be back tonight to check in.”


    Without waiting for Liv, whose jaw had nearly hit the counter, to respond, Han Ming turned and left the inn under the stunned gazes of everyone in the lobby.