Cultivation Nerd

We flew above the clouds for hours, passing over farms, towns, fields, forests, and even barren lands of rock and sand. Occasionally, we dipped below the clouds, and at other times, we ascended above them when a storm seemed to be brewing.

Our flight continued until we finally glimpsed a city sculpted from ruby and gold. Even from such a distance, the view was awe-inspiring. Broad avenues and sprawling plazas were intricately woven into the city’s fabric. The city was a testament to extravagance, encircled by towering walls that gleamed like solid gold in the sunlight. Its harbors were so clear and blue they seemed to be a slice of the sky themselves. As we drew closer, the surface sparkled under the sun, revealing pearls scattered across the seabed. The sight was beautiful.

It was one of the largest cities I had ever seen in this world, like a jewel nestled amidst the landscape below.

“We must descend. Prepare for landing,” said one of the Core Elders. Though he spoke softly, and the wind made it hard to hear, his command came through clearly.

Like a large flock, the disciples followed the Core Elders as we descended. As we drew closer to the ground, I could see more details below. In front of the city gates was a long line of people trying to enter. Some were turned away, dejected, while others were allowed through. There seemed to be no clear pattern as to who was permitted entry.

The Core Elders bypassed the line, and we followed. Some non-cultivators frowned at this, but none dared voice their displeasure.

A tall man wearing intricate golden armor stood at the gate. He had wavy golden hair that reached his shoulders, and his eyes were brighter than any diamond. To top it all off, he was handsome, with no blemishes or imperfections on his face.

But what caught my attention was that he was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, seemingly unaffiliated with any Sect, and he regarded us indifferently. He stood solemnly, even before the five Core Elders, who were far more powerful than he.

“You must be from the Blazing Sun Sect,” he stated. “Welcome to Goldwatch, the City of Dreams.”

Despite his words, all of the Core Elders stayed put. Instead, they waited as the man in golden armor produced a twenty-sided die of crimson ruby.

“If you’re unfamiliar with the rules, anything above ten allows you entry. A roll below ten means you’ll have to camp outside,” the guard explained, rubbing his hand along his pencil-thin mustache before tossing the die. “The Azure Frost Sect and the Void Piercing Sect have been allowed in. Unfortunately, the Titanic Blade Sect rolled a four and had to camp near the city. As a gesture of fairness, we provided them with tents. Goldwatch City remains neutral in Sect matters, so we’ll extend the same courtesy to you.”

The ruby die landed on the pearly-white floor, bounced a few times, and settled on two.

It seemed we would be sleeping in tents. I never thought there would be a place that would treat members of one of the four great sects like this.

“I would wish you luck in your future endeavors, but it seems luck is not on your side today,” the guard said, shaking his head. He took a silver ring from his pocket and handed it to one of the Core Elders. “Here are the tents. If any of your disciples wish to enter the city, they can try again tomorrow. As long as they respect the choice of the dice. May the dice be with you, honorable cultivators.”

Some of the inner sect disciples looked displeased, but since the Core Elders didn’t complain, they also held their tongues.

“Thank you for your generosity,” the five Core Elders politely bowed their heads and moved back. Though a few of them wore frowns, they seemed more concerned than offended.

Once we were far enough away, I asked Song Song, “What was that about?”

“That was us almost dying,” Song Song chuckled.

“What?” I raised an eyebrow, puzzled. My cousins and a few other disciples around us also looked curious.

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“If you roll a twenty on the dice, you become an honored guest in Goldwatch for the rest of your life. You can get anything without paying; they’ll support your cultivation journey and do their best to help you in any way they can. Even if the four great sects wanted you dead, Goldwatch City would protect you if you rolled a twenty,” Song Song explained, an entertained smirk playing on her lips. “On the other hand, if you roll a one, they’ll do their best to kill you. Even if we were from the Blazing Sun Sect, they would have killed us if we’d rolled one number lower.”

They let everything be decided by a dice roll? What was this, DnD?

At least this explained how they let some people in and some were not allowed randomly.

“What? That’s crazy,” Liu Bo exclaimed, and several disciples who overheard Song Song agreed.

“It might be, but that craziness has worked really well for them,” Song Song shrugged. “If I’m not mistaken, that city has been around longer than any of the great sects. They even have a Nascent Soul Cultivator leading them as governor.”

“How did a place like this even come to exist?” I asked.

Song Song shrugged again. “I have no idea. Some powerful cultivator probably just wanted it and made their own laws. The only reason I even know of this place is because my father and mother met here. My grandfather, the previous Song Clan Leader, is actually one of the honored guests. He was a lucky bastard.”

I had rarely gone outside the Blazing Sun Sect and never outside its territory. But this world was quite a sight to explore.

This was such a beautiful world!

I quickly reined in my excitement before it became noticeable, but my mind was already in the clouds. What other wondrous sights did this world have to offer? Were there more weird cities like this?

We arrived at a sprawling, verdant field, its expanse dotted with countless white tents that gleamed under the afternoon sun. Everywhere, people clad in crisp green uniforms bustled about with a sense of urgency.

“We will camp next to the Titanic Blade Sect,” said the elder with the beak-like nose, warning us, “I will say this once and only once. I want no conflict between us and them. If you cause any trouble, I don’t care who is at fault. I will send you back to the Sect on foot and take away your flying sword.”

The green uniforms must have been the inner sect uniforms of the Titanic Blade Sect. Some of the eldest among them wore silver uniforms, exuding a dangerous aura, which likely meant they were the Core Elders of the Titanic Blade Sect.

The beak-nosed Core Elder slipped on the storage ring given to him by the guard in golden armor and waved his hand. Fifty green tents popped into existence, perfectly camouflaged to meld seamlessly with the lush grass around them.

"Everyone, choose your own tent. There are enough for each of you to have your own private space. If I catch anyone fighting over a tent, I will break your fingers," the beak-nosed Core Elder stated without a hint of concern.

As the others began selecting their tents, Song Song and my cousins found theirs quickly and reserved one for me. I, however, wasn't too concerned about where I slept, though it seemed the tents closest to the Titanic Blade Sect's camp were less popular.

I sat on the grassy field, with a clear view of the golden city. Taking out a black charcoal pencil and an empty notebook—the large kind, with pages as big as the span from the tip of my middle finger to my elbow—I began to draw.

I placed the notebook on my lap and opened it to the first page, a pure white canvas. Slowly and carefully, I started sketching, capturing the golden city and a bit of its glory on paper.

My drawing turned out rough around the edges, showing that even high cultivation couldn't substitute for a lack of artistic talent. But it wasn't too bad, either.

By the time I added some details I had seen from above, the sun was setting, and the light glistened off the city walls.

I stood up and walked toward the tent my cousins and Song Song had saved for me. It was between Song Song's tent on the left and Liu Bo's on the right. The tents had been arranged around a small wooden pile, where Liu Bo rubbed two wet sticks together, trying to start a fire.

Song Song used the back of her hand to hide an amused smirk while Liu Qian chuckled under her breath.

On the other hand, Liu Heng yelled words of encouragement, "Don't give up; you can do it!"

It was hard to tell whether he was in on the joke or absolutely serious.

"I saw one of my cousins do it like this. He's a hunter and taught me a lot when we were younger! I'm a professional at this, but it takes a while!" Liu Bo said, full of confidence.

I joined them and sat by the sidelines, smiling.

After a while, Song Song grew bored of watching Liu Bo struggle and finally told him the truth. That was our unspoken signal to head to our tents and get some rest. It had been a long day.

As sleep claimed me, I thought about trying to enter the golden city tomorrow.

What wonders would a place like that hold inside? I was also curious how a place like this came to be.