Chapter 55: Blackstone City


    The Barbarian Forest, the most ancient and mysterious forest on the Northern Alliance Continent, sprawls across the northwestern part of the Monte Empire, covering roughly one-third of the continent''s landmass.


    Every year, countless adventurers and dreamers from all walks of life flock to this vast treasure trove. The forest is home to rare herbs and precious ores essential for crafting high-grade weapons, but the most coveted treasures are the magical crystals and beast cores produced by the countless magical beasts that inhabit the forest.


    However, the Barbarian Forest is also a massive graveyard for humans. Whether driven by the desire for sudden wealth or the pursuit of personal strength, many who enter never return.


    Over the past millennium, as human strength and knowledge have grown—from a time when the highest rank was only third-tier to the current era where fifth-tier experts are emerging—the mysteries of the Barbarian Forest have gradually begun to unravel.


    Blackstone City, a small settlement born from centuries of human exploration, lies about one-fifth of the way into the forest. Due to its strategic location, countless mercenaries and adventurers use it as a supply hub. Over the centuries, the city has developed renowned auction houses, weapon shops, and herbalists.


    Many adventurers, unwilling to leave the forest after acquiring treasures, sell their finds directly in Blackstone City. As a result, the city often hosts rare and exotic items that drive outsiders wild with desire.


    Here, there are no laws, no morals, no boundaries. If you have the strength, you can obtain anything you desire, things unimaginable in the outside world.


    After a month of travel, Han Ming finally arrived in Blackstone City, this unique settlement nestled deep within the Barbarian Forest.


    About ten days ago, while sleeping, Han Ming had suddenly felt an intense cold. Startled, he investigated and discovered a five-meter-wide path of ice cutting through the forest. The path, like a massive white serpent, had frozen everything in its wake—plants, animals, even magical beasts—into ice sculptures.


    Curious, Han Ming followed the icy trail but lost its trace near Blackstone City.


    What could it be? Was this the "thing" the Shadow Hall assassin had been investigating?


    If it was a magical beast, it was unlike anything Han Ming had ever heard of. He had never encountered a beast capable of freezing everything in its path.


    If it truly was a magical beast, and an ice-elemental one at that, it might be exactly what Han Ming was searching for. But why would such a powerful creature appear on the outskirts of the Barbarian Forest? Shouldn’t it be deep within the forest, in the Barbarian Ice Plains? What had driven it out? What was happening in the depths of the forest?


    With these questions swirling in his mind, Han Ming entered Blackstone City.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    The city was vast, comparable in size to a small human settlement, but its population was sparse, likely due to its remote location.


    The best place to gather information was a tavern.


    Blackstone City’s most iconic tavern, the Old Treehouse, was built inside a massive, ancient tree. The tree’s hollow was so large that it could easily accommodate over a hundred people.


    Han Ming sat quietly in a corner of the Old Treehouse, sipping their signature Fireleaf Wine. The drink was aromatic, with a spicy kick, and its flavor lingered long after each sip.


    "Did you hear? A bunch of powerful figures showed up in the city recently. They say some kind of rare beast has appeared. Do you think it’s true?"


    "Must be. A few days ago, a huge frozen path appeared outside the city. Everyone who saw it was shocked. No one knows what caused it, and no one’s ever heard of a beast with that kind of power."


    Han Ming listened intently, his head slightly lowered as he sipped his wine. It seemed the news of the beast’s appearance had spread quickly. The Shadow Hall assassin had tried to keep it secret, but within a month of his death, the entire city was abuzz with rumors. Even outsiders had caught wind of it.


    "Friend, our Flying Eagle Mercenary Group would like to invite you to join us in exploring this rare beast. Are you interested?"


    A burly man in rough-spun clothes approached Han Ming, extending a sincere invitation. He had been watching Han Ming since he entered the tavern.


    Han Ming’s slender frame stood out among the burly warriors and even the female mercenaries, who were more robust than him. The man guessed Han Ming was likely a powerful mage.


    "My name’s Reid, leader of the Flying Eagle Mercenary Group," the man introduced himself earnestly.


    Han Ming glanced up briefly, then returned to his wine, showing no interest in conversation.


    He could tell Reid was only at the early stages of being a Great Warrior, likely at the first-tier peak. If the leader was this weak, the rest of the group was probably even worse. Han Ming had no interest in teaming up with such a group.


    Reid, however, wasn’t deterred. If anything, he grew more excited. He was convinced Han Ming was a powerful and respected mage. If not for losing half his team in a recent battle with a second-tier magical beast, he wouldn’t be so desperate to recruit Han Ming.


    "Friend, think about it. We’re not aiming to capture the beast, just to track it. We’ll pay you handsomely, enough to satisfy you."


    Reid offered what he thought was a tempting deal.


    Han Ming didn’t even look up. "Not interested."


    He doubted this group had much wealth to offer. What Han Ming needed most was water elemental magic crystals. Even though water crystals were the cheapest, one crystal was still worth ten gold coins—a year’s income for an ordinary person. Han Ming, however, consumed at least two crystals a day even without active training. If he trained intensively, he could easily go through over a dozen crystals daily. This level of consumption was absurd even for most mages.


    The reward Reid was offering was likely insignificant to Han Ming, barely a drop in the bucket for his needs.


    Seeing Han Ming’s outright refusal, Reid was at a loss. He genuinely wanted Han Ming to join, but he couldn’t afford to meet a mage’s demands. He stood there awkwardly, unsure whether to stay or leave.


    One of Reid’s subordinates, unable to bear the humiliation, stepped forward. "Our leader’s offering you a chance to join us. You’re not only ungrateful but also downright rude. Aren’t you being a bit too arrogant?"


    The commotion drew the attention of other patrons, who eagerly watched the scene unfold, always ready for some entertainment.


    Han Ming remained unfazed, calmly eating a slice of meat and sipping his wine, completely ignoring the man.


    The would-be deputy leader grew angrier. "Hey, I’m talking to you!" He reached out to grab Han Ming’s arm.


    Han Ming didn’t resist. When the man’s hand touched his arm, Han Ming flicked his wrist, sending the man flying out of the tavern like a ragdoll. Han Ming had used just enough force to send him sprawling outside without causing injury.


    "That’s a warning. If you lay a hand on me again, I won’t be so gentle."


    Han Ming poured himself another glass of wine, his tone calm and unbothered.