•••

Within a clearing, a figure of immortal beauty sat in a lotus stance; multiple gigantic beast bodies lay around him.

Lines of blood were pulled from the beasts bodies and gently floated in the air before they entered the handsome youth’s body. The thorny rose tattoos on the left flank of the man shone intermittently to the volume of the blood entering him, his heartbeats becoming stronger over time.

Beautiful red roses had grown throughout the clearing, and centred around the youth, almost prostrating themselves to the immoral enchanter before them. The youth’s tanned skin rippled with aesthetic muscle culture, his muscles containing the power to sunder mountains. He wore tight black leather pants that barely did enough to hide his skin, the definition of his legs exposing itself.

Wiggling his toes in his formal black shoes, Astrallis stood up with a smile on his face.

“It took me four months to reach the small completion stage for the first level of the Sanguinary Felicity Body-Art, although I can’t compare to Enyo in regards to physical cultivation, I’m pleased with my results,” Astrallis said, as he placed the beast corpses inside his spacial ring.

“Indeed, your results are adequate, you have reached minor-grade World-Wandering Realm as well,” Bataar said as he materialised on Astrallis’ shoulder.

“Good thing you’ve learnt how to retract your wings, it would’ve been a bit too difficult to explain that once we go into cities.” Bataar chuckled

The tattoos of wings on Astrallis’ back suddenly came to life, and obsidian six-meter wings spread out from behind him.

The shirtless youth soared into the sky and pulled his sword from the sheath on his back.

He began striking out elegantly, sending waves of emerald blade-intent out around him.

Once one reaches an adequate comprehension of their chosen weapon, they will be able to agglomerate their Qi into their weapon and release it in an attack. There are seven levels to blade-intent, many immortals never manage to break through the seventh level.

Currently, Astrallis had only touched the fringes of the first level, which was an achievement in itself, many sects from the Blade Realm would instantly make him a core-disciple of their sect.

Astrallis continued his sword-play regime for the rest of the day. He had noticed the level of his Felicity Blade Art correlated with his comprehension of blade-intent; therefore he would hit two birds with one stone and only practice his blade art.

Throughout the training session Bataar would closely inspect Astrallis, and whenever his bloodlust would start expanding Bataar would command him to practice his Way of Buddha, all to counteract the Way of Devil taking over.

This practice regime had carried on for the past four months, with Astrallis attempting to balance the Way of Buddha and the Way of Devil. Currently, the Way of Buddha was favoured in this balance, but all of this could change once Astrallis’ level in the Sanguinary Felicity Body Art increases…

‘He’s lucky that Dharma Qi does not need a benevolent mind to use it. Dharma Qi has just taken the unfettered nature of both Astral Qi and Buddha Qi to form; at the same time, Devil Qi also has this nature. He may be able to succeed in creating the most balanced mind, the amalgamation of Devil and Buddha.’ Bataar thought as he watched Astrallis practice.

•••

“Alright, let’s head to the capital city,” Astrallis said anticipation is his eyes, as he looked the map he just retrieved from a cultivator’s body who met his untimely fate within the jungle.

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His wings beating the air around him, he flew towards the city, leaving an emerald glow in his wake.

After two weeks of intermittent flight he eventually made his way out of the jungle and onto open plains. “According to the map, the Seven Dawns Imperial City is just past this plain,” Astrallis murmured.

“Let’s get there fast! I haven’t been able to feast upon any luxurious food since leaving the Religion; one can only last so long on that garbage from the jungle,” Bataar complained from Astrallis’ shoulder.

With a deep laugh, Astrallis rushed across the plains, a speed much faster than the average World-Wandering Realm cultivator. Along the way, the duo finally began to see signs of life, with airships both private and merchant flying both towards and away from the city; along with a few travellers, like Astrallis, who did not possess any vehicles of motion.

“Astrallis, you may want to put on some other clothing; your looks are just too imposing, we don’t want any girls following you around,” Bataar said while chuckling.

“Seems I must, although I’m not against attracting trouble. Just not of that kind,” Astrallis inwardly shivered, memories of his time in the Religion appeared in his mind.

“It seems my ladies were aware such a situation would arise, they’ve left me a fitting robe and mask,” he said as he took out items of clothing from his spacial ring, which he quickly donned.

The robe was black with golden trimmings; barbed roses made up the etchings around the clothing; an exquisite artisanship, only the elite would be able to wear such clothing. Astrallis mask matched the mask in colour, as well as having flirtatious roses on the left side of the mask.

Donning these new clothes Astrallis bearing attributed a hint of mystery.

“Good, you’re now like a mysterious imperial prince. A perfect target for those elusive creatures called ‘Young Masters’,” solemnly said Bataar.

“Indeed, I’ve heard all about those ‘Young Masters’ from my sisters. If you kill or even offend, one of them, hordes of their family members will be unleashed; I’d rather not get myself into that situation, it sounds tedious.” Astrallis replied sternly.

The two then exchanged glances and burst into raucous laughter, and sped towards Seven Dawns Imperial City.

“I think you should get yourself one of those fatties; all imminent figures have had a sworn-brother that is a fatty.” Bataar’s voice followed in the wind.

Later that day there were sightings, on the plains, of a masked man chasing after a palm-sized green cat.

•••

At sunset the Seven Dawns Imperial City came into sight, akin to a sleeping dragon. Even with Astrallis excellent vision, he couldn’t see the end of the city; it sprawled on indefinitely into the horizon.

Astrallis stared in amazement at the scene. Millions of people and vessels were going to and throw from the city; the paroxysm of excitement left the inexperienced boy stunned. Luckily he was wearing a mask, or passers-by would have accused him of being a country-bumpkin.

He moved towards one of the multiple lines used to enter the city.

“I never thought lining up would be so exciting; there is a novelty to it all,” Astrallis said in a mental message to Bataar.

“Hmph, they should all be bowing before you, not making you line up,” Bataar, not known for his patience, grovelled.

Astrallis had converged his aura, so apart from his noble clothing, one wouldn’t think his cultivation was anything noteworthy; even if one did notice Astrallis standing there as long as they were below him in cultivation, he would soon be a distant memory to them.

A group of youths stood before him, all wearing matching uniforms animatedly discussing the happenings of the city.

“Did you hear? The once in a millennia Sevens Dawn Grand Auction is in a couple of weeks time; the Royal Court and the two great sects will most likely be emptying their treasures of currency in order to buy the best the auction has to offer," a girl at the head of the group asked.

"Indeed, of course, we have. It's been the talk of the city for the past decade. Apart from the Young Masters and Mistresses of the sects, there will also be the Royal Princes and Princesses; such an event leaves one just tingling in excitement," An average looking man replied.

"Within the past couple of decades numerous geniuses, unlike ever before, have been born. But that's not the most exciting part; I wouldn't be surprised if some old ancestors join the auction; at their age, there is little that can excite them, so I'm sure they'll join the festivities." The girl said excitedly.

Astrallis' interest was peaked listening to the conversation of the group.

"Bataar looks like we arrived just in time; good thing grandmother gave me a bunch of wealth," Astrallis chuckled.

"Indeed. Your grandmother didn't want you to have problems with money. It's not like in those idiotic cultivation novels, that are so popular within the universe, where the protagonist always lacks funds and has to come up with numerous ways to get it," Bataar said in disdain.

"Your grandmother and mother, want you to get every chance you can get. Even though you are the Young Master of the Religion and a Holy Land, more often than not some rare items slip through the cracks, and one can only find them at events such as this auction," Bataar informed Astrallis.

"I'm looking forward to it." A sly smile spread underneath the mask.

All of a sudden a commotion occurred in the line.

•••