Even Old Ti's eyes narrowed from within the city, his amusement replaced by cautious curiosity.
"Could he be... the heir of a hidden clan?"Old Ti murmured to himself.
The two guards panicked. They had clearly misjudged the boy—and worse, they might have just offended someone important.
One of them quickly grabbed the pouch of Spirit Coins and rushed after Xiao Wei.
"Young master, please wait!"the guard called out as he chased the boy through the crowd just inside the gate.
Xiao Wei turned his head slightly, eyes narrowing as the guard caught up and extended the pouch toward him.
"Young master, please—this was just a misunderstanding. A little... test, you could say. Please take your Spirit Coins back!"the guard said hastily, his tone dripping with fear.
Xiao Wei silently took the pouch, eyes locked onto the guard's trembling expression. He said nothing, but the cold indifference in his gaze made the man break out in a cold sweat.
The boy gave off no overt pressure, no threatening aura—yet something about his calm silence felt more dangerous than any Martial Master's rage.
Without another word, Xiao Wei turned and walked into the depths of Kin City.
The guard let out a long breath of relief, while the second one stared after the boy, still stunned.
"We might've just kicked a hornet's nest..."he muttered.
From the distance, laughter and chatter resumed among the Dan Clan workers, who were now even more intrigued by the youth they had seen as nothing but a curious vagabond.
But Xiao Wei didn't look back. His mind was calm, his steps light, and his path—finally—clear.
That 100,000 Spirit Coins did not belong to Xiao Wei but Shi Ming.
Aside from the countless pills and rare materials inside his Storege Ring, there was a pouch that alone held five million Spirit Coins. A fortune large enough to fund a clan for years, or even establish a new one.
After days of travel and monster meat roasted over a crude fire, Xiao Wei's stomach craved something fresh, something cooked with real spices and care. He wandered for a few blocks until his eyes landed on an elegant, three-story building adorned with red lanterns and golden calligraphy, 'Drunken Restaurant'.
Its design was refined—polished mahogany pillars, jade-tiled roofing. The aroma drifting from inside made Xiao Wei's mouth water.
Just as he stepped toward the entrance—
Thud!
A sudden force shoved him to the side, nearly knocking him off balance.
"Watch where you're going, begger!"a sharp voice barked.
Xiao Wei turned calmly. A bulky man in embroidered clothing—clearly a bodyguard—stood before him, arms crossed. Behind him, a pampered youth in silk robes with a jade ornament hanging from his waist stepped out of the restaurant with a smug grin.
The young boy glanced at Xiao Wei, then burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Since when did beggars start frequenting the Drunken Restaurant? What's next, rats drinking Immortal Wine?"he mocked, loud enough for nearby patrons to hear.
Several diners near the entrance turned to glance, some chuckling, others shaking their heads in pity.
Xiao Wei glanced down at himself. His white robe, now faded and dirt-stained from days of travel, bore faint claw marks across the sleeves. His hair was slightly disheveled, and his boots were worn. He looked no different from a wandering Cultivator—or perhaps even a beggar, in the eyes of city dwellers.
The young noble chuckled again and, with a flick of his fingers, tossed a single Spirit Coin toward Xiao Wei like a bone to a stray dog.
"Here, beggar. Buy yourself a bowl of rice"he said with mock generosity.
The coin flipped through the air.
Xiao Wei caught it effortlessly between two fingers. His expression remained unchanged.
In his previous world, he had never cared about his appearance. Because his life had been a daily battle for survival, and in this world, strength was what truly mattered. But now, he understood something crucial—wealth brought influence, and appearance commanded respect.
He had no desire to flaunt either, but the disdain in people's eyes made one thing clear:
In this world, even before your strength is recognized, your presentation can define your worth in others eyes.
He looked at the coin for a moment, then flicked it back toward the young noble. The coin spun through the air and hit the ground right in front of the young man with a metallic clink.
"Keep your coin, I'm not hungry enough to beg."Xiao Wei said, his tone calm.
With that, he turned and walked away without looking back.
The young noble's smirk vanished, replaced by a deep frown.
"Young master, should I teach that brat a lesson?"the bodyguard asked, his fists tightening.
The boy hesitated, then shook his head.
"Forget it. I'm in a good mood today. Not worth dirtying my hands."he sneered, adjusting his robe as he walked away with his entourage.
As for Xiao Wei, he disappeared into the crowd, his thoughts unbothered. But inwardly, a quiet determination settled within him. This incident was small, almost laughable—but it reminded him that power alone wasn't enough in this world. Status, appearance, and influence all played their role.
After leaving the Drunken Restaurant, Xiao Wei made his way through the busy streets of Kin City. Though he had just arrived, he had no intention of wandering aimlessly. His first priority was to find a proper inn—one with a clean room and a hot bath. The journey through Tiger Mountain, surviving off roasted monster meat and sleeping in the wild, had left him with tattered robes, tangled hair, and a layer of dust that clung stubbornly to his skin.
Soon, he arrived at a modest but well-kept inn on a quieter street. It wasn't grand, but it radiated the calm of a well-run establishment. Xiao Wei entered, paid the necessary Spirit Coins without a word, and received a key to a room on the second floor. The innkeeper, an older man with kind eyes, said nothing about his worn appearance—only gave a nod.
In his room, Xiao Wei immediately drew a bath. The moment the warm water touched his skin, he let out a deep breath. The fatigue of the journey, the tension of battle, the countless hours of Cultivation—all began to melt away. He scrubbed away the dirt and blood, cleansing himself until his fair skin glowed once again.
Once finished, he dried off and walked to the window where a soft breeze blew through the wooden shutters. With a thought, he summoned a clean set of clothing from the Storage Ring—a fine deep blue robe embroidered with silver cloud patterns. It fit him perfectly, both elegant and understated.
Xiao Wei stood before the mirror. For the first time in a while, he studied his reflection closely.
His face was sharp yet delicate, with well-defined features. Clear, sword-like eyebrows sat above deep black eyes, and his skin, now clean, had a natural glow. His long black hair was tied neatly with a silver band, completing his transformation. In truth, his current appearance would have made women in his previous world go wild—but here, he knew better.
In this world, a handsome face may earn a glance. But without strength, you're just another insect to step on.
Still, he admitted to himself—it felt good to walk into the world dressed like this.
Confident. Composed.
When Xiao Wei stepped out of the inn and back onto the bustling streets, the reaction was immediate. Passersby paused to glance at him. Conversations halted mid-sentence. Some women blushed and looked away shyly. Even a few young men watched with envy. He exuded a quiet elegance, the kind that made people assume he belonged to a powerful clan.
Xiao Wei didn't pay them much attention.
He adjusted his sleeves and made his way once again toward the Drunken Restaurant. This time, he wouldn't be brushed aside.
Upon arriving, he stepped through the grand entrance. The servers and guards glanced up—and did a double-take. Was this the same boy from earlier? The one who looked like a beggar just few hours ago?
Inside, the rich aroma of grilled meats and potent wine filled the air. Elegant tables lined the ground floor, with finely dressed guests engaged in lively conversation. It was a far cry from the wilderness he had endured for so long.
Before he could take a step further, a pretty young server in a red qipao approached him with a sweet smile.
"Young master, welcome. Which floor would you like to go to?"she asked politely.
Xiao Wei raised a brow.
"What's the difference?"Xiao Wei asked.
The girl's smile deepened, clearly used to the question.
"Each floor has its own menu. The higher the floor, the better the quality—and the higher the price. The third floor is only reserved for influential guests. First and second floors are open to the public, depending on their spending ability."the girl explained.
"I see, then let me ask you something. When I entered this restaurant, I smelled a particularly rich and fragrant wine. Strong, yet refined. Can I have a cup of that?"Xiao Wei said thoughtfully.