C5 In the Garden

Yu Yin stepped into the Guang Yuan Tavern as dusk settled in. Despite the late hour, the tavern was bustling with noise. Approaching the counter, he inquired about the room rates.

The proprietor, a wiry middle-aged man, gave Yu Yin a quick once-over before responding, "We have three tiers of rooms here: high-class, medium-class, and ordinary. The prices vary significantly. Which type are you interested in?"

"How much for an ordinary room?" Yu Yin asked.

"25 copper coins a night."

With less than 300 copper coins to his name and the cost of food and drink to consider, Yu Yin realized he might not last even ten days. Gritting his teeth, he acknowledged the harsh reality of survival in this place.

"I need a safe, private space to break through the Mortal Gate. Looks like I'll have to splurge on a night's stay," he muttered to himself. After a moment's hesitation, he reluctantly handed over the coins.

"Do you need a meal brought up?" the owner asked, as Yu Yin took the key and prepared to head upstairs.

"No, thank you. I've already eaten and am quite full," he replied, hiding his hunger. Given the steep prices, he dared not indulge in a meal.

Yu Yin entered a spartan room with four beds, a few potted plants, and a wooden basin stand. The floor was laid with worn wooden planks, all contributing to the room's simplicity.

With the method to breach the Mortal Gate etched in his mind, Yu Yin took a deep breath, removed his shoes, and settled into a cross-legged position on the bed.

"Concentrate your will and channel your Qi into the Mortal Gate until it feels like flames are consuming you. The pain will be excruciating, but if you endure, you'll become a true cultivator. However, falter, and you risk bloodline chaos and paralysis, or worse, instant death," the elder's warning echoed in his thoughts.

Time slipped away as Yu Yin's complexion flushed crimson, and his body began to quiver. He tried to scream, but no sound escaped his lips.

The pain was akin to being flayed and fried, and in that agonizing moment, Yu Yin truly understood why it was called the Mortal Gate of Life and Death. The pain was bone-deep, and even he contemplated surrendering to the relief of giving up.

"There's no secret to it; just remember one thing: 'perseverance'!" These were the parting words of advice from the old man to Yu Yin.

"Life..."

"What's the point of living? Why not just end it all..."

"Without Mother, what meaning does life hold..."

"I've lost my home..."

"I've lost everything!"

"..."

Sweat soaked the green scarf wrapped around his forehead, streaming down as Yu Yin's face twisted into a fearsome snarl. He was at a loss for what could possibly keep him going.

Buzz!

A sudden resonant hum echoed in his mind, and a voice abruptly filled his ears.

"Yu Yin! Take this to heart: in this world, there's no absolute right or wrong. If you don't fight for it, you'll end up with nothing!"

"Mother..." Silent tears rolled down his cheeks as he shook, trying to call out.

As the night gave way to dawn...

Sunlight crept through the cracks of the window, illuminating the room where Yu Yin sat paralyzed with his back against the bed's corner, deep in thought.

The events of the previous day haunted him like a relentless nightmare, a night he vowed never to forget.

"Am I a cultivator now?"

In the inn's main hall, two servers were tidying up tables in preparation for the day's business.

"Another five years have passed. It's going to get busy again," one server remarked cheerfully while arranging the furniture.

"Yes, five years indeed. Too bad we aren't that fortunate," the other server responded with a wistful smile.

"Out of the Wrathful Incantation Academy, the Beast Technique Academy, and the Sealing Academy, I've got to say, the Beast Technique Academy is my favorite. Just imagine, awakening a legendary beast right at the first level—wouldn't that make you unbeatable? Haha!"

"Only those who reach the ninth or tenth level of beast transformation have even a slight chance of awakening a legendary beast. Honestly, I hate to burst your bubble, but that's just how it is."

"Besides, there are only about twenty legendary beasts in existence. Most people would be doing well to obtain a high or intermediate-quality beast. Dreaming of a legendary one? You've really got your head in the clouds!"

"Most Beast Transformation practitioners awaken as low-quality beasts. I'm well aware of that, but there's no rule saying you can't dream big, right? Haha."

"Hehe! We're not practitioners, so discussing that seems a bit out of our league."

"The academies' recruitment happens every five years, and it's right around the corner. We're going to be quite busy during this time."

"Indeed, it's a gathering of the best and brightest. There's a lot to do."

At that moment, Yu Yin, who was finishing up packing, overheard the conversation. His heart stirred, and he felt an unexplainable surge of happiness.

"Starting today, I too am a cultivator. Mother, can you see me?" Yu Yin silently screamed with excitement.

"That elder mentioned that the Academy's registration doesn't open for another half a month. To learn the sealing techniques, it seems I'll have to wait a little longer." He calmed his eager heart, mulling over his next steps.

The sound of footsteps descending the stairs caused the waiters to fall silent.

Yu Yin set the room key on the counter and said, "Here's the key. Please take it."

"Just one moment, please." Upon hearing this, the waiters exchanged glances. One of them grabbed the key and hurried upstairs.

It was standard procedure at the inn to inspect the rooms upon guest departure to ensure no intentional damage had been done to the property.

With the room number on the key, the waiter was back shortly.

"Sorry for the delay. Have a safe journey," they said courteously.

Yu Yin nodded and left the inn, his hunger pangs reminding him that he had only eaten two buns the day before. He desperately needed to find something to eat.

Time flew by, and before he knew it, more than ten days had passed, with less than two days until the Academy opened.

In the meantime, Yu Yin returned to the temple, sustaining himself on just a few buns. Somehow, he had managed to make it this far.

He had considered finding a job to get by, but the employers he encountered were only looking for long-term commitments, not someone just for a few weeks. With no other options, he had to return to the small temple for shelter.

"If I enroll at the Academy to learn the ways of the cultivator, it's bound to set me back. For now, I can only play it by ear." Having left the modest temple, Yu Yin meandered through the streets, deep in thought.

"Hey, kid with the green headscarf, come here."

The sound came from behind. Instinctively, Yu Yin turned around. His mother had made that green scarf for him as a child, worried she might lose him in a crowd. He had grown so accustomed to wearing it that he never took it off.

Now that his mother had passed, it had become his most cherished possession.

"Green scarf" was a term of endearment his mother used, which is why he turned around upon hearing it.

Surveying the scene, he noticed a carriage amid the throng. A well-dressed middle-aged man stood by it, scrutinizing him.

"How can he bear such a resemblance!" the man wondered, staring in amazement.

"Are you talking to me?" Yu Yin asked, his brow furrowed as he approached.

"Young man, might I inquire your name?"

Yu Yin shook his head and turned to walk away, with no intention of engaging further.

"Hey! Wait a moment!"

"Uncle Gao, what's the matter?" At that moment, the carriage curtain was drawn back, and a strikingly handsome young man with a distinguished air peeked out.

"It must be my eyes playing tricks on me. Never mind—your registration is what matters. Let's head to the Seal Academy." The man sighed as Yu Yin walked away.

"We don't register until the day after tomorrow. Uncle Gao, have you not woken up yet?" the young man said with a frown.

"Oh! Well then, let's find a place to stay in the meantime."

The young man watched Yu Yin's retreating figure, lost in thought.

Leaving the young man aside, Yu Yin continued his leisurely stroll. His striking looks drew the attention of many highborn ladies along the way.

In the city, beside a stately mansion, there was a garden with an open-air well. Next to the well was the square pool where Yu Yin came to freshen up every morning, and today was no different.

Splash! Splash!

The sound of water was refreshing.

"What are you up to?"

Startled, Yu Yin quickly stood up.

Before him stood a man in blue brocade with a neatly trimmed mustache, frowning at him.

"I assumed no one would mind, so—"

The man cut him off with a stern rebuke, "What did you assume? What do you even matter? Get out of here now. If I catch you here again, I'll break your legs."

"You! I'll just come back again!" Yu Yin retorted, his youthful temper flaring up in response to the man's provocation.

"You're asking for trouble!" The man roared in anger.

The man was imposing and muscular, subscribing to the philosophy of avoiding a fight when at a disadvantage. Yu Yin turned on his heel and bolted.

Meanwhile, in a pavilion within the garden, a young woman with an icy demeanor sat by the window, observing. She had seen Yu Yin come here to wash up every morning.

"Idiot," the man muttered under his breath as he watched Yu Yin escape. He approached the base of the pavilion.

Upon seeing the woman at the window, the man bowed deeply and said with respect, "Your Highness, the Academy will officially begin enrollment the day after tomorrow. I've come to notify you."

"The matter of registration is something I will handle myself. Surely, as the lord of this city, you have more pressing matters than to be so leisurely every day," she replied, her face devoid of emotion.

"Your Highness, I cannot rest easy knowing you are here alone. I dare not neglect you, not even for a moment," the man replied with a wry smile.

"Take heed, this is the last time. If I see you again, you can forget about being the City Lord."

Huang Jia Ting's pupils constricted as his face paled.

"Dismissed!"

"I... I shall comply!" With his heart pounding, Huang Jia Ting hurried away from the pavilion, now fully aware that the most gifted princess in a millennium had grown thoroughly weary of his frequent visits.