Zack soared through the sky on his flying sword, following behind Hallibur and Mia. The unlikely trio made an interesting sight - the stern middle-aged cultivator, his arrogant disciple, and the mysterious young man from 'distant lands'.

Mia kept twisting around on her sword to shoot probing glances at Zack. He pretended not to notice, keeping his gaze fixed ahead, lips curved in a hint of a knowing smile.

"So, Alfie..." Mia began, breaking the silence. "You never did mention where you're from. Some no-name backwater sect, I bet."

Zack offered the antagonistic girl a patient smile. "Just a small place in the Southern Region you probably haven't heard of. I'm afraid my origins aren't too exciting."

He had chosen the Southern Region as it was the furthest away from the North, he hoped his answers wouldn’t draw much suspicion even if there were inconsistencies.

Mia's lip curled in a smirk. "Hmph, just as I thought. Your sect probably kicked you out for having no talent. So, you came crawling to the Northern Wastes, hoping to scavenge some treasures or techniques to bring back as an offering so they'll take you back."

"Mia, restraint," Hallibur uttered softly, though his gaze remained fixed ahead.

The rebuke made the girl duck her head. "Yes, master." After a moment, she peered over at Zack again. "So, what made you leave your pathetic sect anyway?"

Zack maintained his cheerful facade. This girl seemed intent on riling him up, likely jealous over the perceived threat to her standing with her master or maybe this was her attempt at flirting.

With girls, one could never tell.

"Curiosity," he replied vaguely. "I wanted to see more of the world beyond my sect's lands. What better teacher than firsthand experience?"

Mia wrinkled her nose. "Why not just join a stronger sect then?"

"I considered it," Zack admitted. "But my elders always said easy strength leads to complacency. If I joined some powerful sect, I'd probably grow lazy and entitled like those arrogant young masters..."

"Hmph, spoken like someone born without any real talent," Mia muttered. But Zack noticed she seemed thoughtful now rather than antagonistic. His words had given her something to chew on.

Time to divert this conversation before she started questioning his backstory too closely.

"Enough about me," Zack said breezily. "I'd love to hear more about the Northern Region from you both. Are there many sects around here?"

Mia brightened at the chance to show off her knowledge. She launched into a lecture about the local sects, seeming to forget her suspicions for now.

"There are five major sects that control the Northern Region. The most powerful is the Moon God Sect, which rules over all the others from their capital city, Taiya. My master and I are from the Sun Palace Sect, the second strongest." She turned to give Zack a smirk.

Zack's brow furrowed thoughtfully. Interesting how freely she volunteered such information. Weren't they supposed to be wary of outsiders?

"What sets the Moon God Sect apart from the others?" he asked.

Mia preened, happy to play lecturer. "The Moon God Sect has nine Nascent Soul elders and three Origin Realm experts. The sect master is even rumoured to be at the Peak of the Origin Realm!"

Zack's eyes widened convincingly. "A Peak Origin Realm expert oversees the entire region?"

Inwardly he scoffed. His true body could crush any Origin Realm cultivator in this backwater place. Hell, even Ascendant cultivators weren’t safe from him. But keeping up appearances as a wonderstruck junior was paramount right now, especially since he didn’t have the System to back him up.

Mia nodded, thrilled to impress him with her knowledge. "That's right! So don't get any funny ideas about causing trouble."

She leaned closer on her sword, somehow looking even haughtier than before. "In fact, the only reason the other four sects can even survive is by paying huge tributes each month to the Moon God Sect."

Interesting, this place operates more like an empire, with the Moon God Sect extorting protection fees from the other players.

"That must be difficult for the other sects," Zack mused aloud. "Especially with Elder Hallibur and yourself to provide for."

He glanced at the silent man. "Generating enough resources to satisfy Nascent Soul cultivators can’t be easy."

For the first time, Hallibur spoke up. "The tributes are necessary for maintaining the balance of power. Without the Moon Sect's oversight, the Northern Wastes would collapse into chaos and infighting."

His tone brooked no argument. Clearly the man was a loyalist who supported the status quo. Zack filed that tidbit away as he continued his line of questioning.

"Are there many rogue cultivators here? Do they trouble the sects?"

This time Hallibur remained silent, so Mia answered again. "There are always drifters and wandering cultivators passing through the Northern Wastes. Most know not to make trouble."

Her lips curled up in a wicked smirk. "The foolish and desperate sometimes try raiding the sect caravans. But they don't last long against our enforcers!"

Zack laughed politely at the casual admission. "It seems quite a robust system you have here. Far more orderly than the chaotic southern regions that I came from. The Northern Region seems a much safer place for a lone cultivator trying to improve his strength. Perhaps I’ll stay here for a little while..."

Out the corner of his eye, Zack noticed Hallibur's gaze linger on him for a fraction longer than before.

"You plan to remain in the Northern Region?" Mia asked, a complicated expression on her face.

Zack sensed Mia still saw him as a rival for Hallibur's attention. But his praise for the regional stability had softened her. She likely enjoyed enlightening an ignorant outsider about how things worked here.

"I do," Zack said. "It's better than wandering lost. Thanks to you both, I feel my journey has led me somewhere promising." He smiled warmly.

Mia huffed but looked pleased. "Just don't forget your place, outsider."

Zack bowed his head. "Of course, I'm in your debt for…educating me."

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

They continued traveling for some time, Zack asking a few more probing questions here and there about the various cities and strongholds that dotted the Northern Region.

As they flew, the scenery gradually transitioned from endless snowy plains to towering cliffs and labyrinthine canyons blanketed in fog.

Perfect terrain for an ambush, Zack noted warily.

But the journey continued uneventfully until a sprawling city carved into the mountainside came into view up ahead.

"There it is, Xairen, the Northern Realm's greatest city," Mia declared proudly.

Xairen's towers and pagodas looked like giant icicles jutting out from the granite cliffs. Even from a distance, Zack sensed thousands of powerful cultivators living within.

"Magnificent," he whispered truthfully. It was the first honest thing he'd said all day.

Mia preened under the praise. "Just wait until you see the inside! My master knows all the best—"

"Mia," Hallibur interrupted, speaking for the first time in over an hour. "Go on ahead to the guest quarters and let the attendants know we will be having a guest joining us."

Mia whipped her head toward her master in surprise.

"What? But Master, I wanted to show our new friend around the markets and arena."

Though she tried to keep her tone even, Zack heard the reluctant whine creeping in. Clearly, she had looked forward to playing tour guide.

Hallibur's expression softened, though his eyes remained stern.

"I'm sure you can do so later, but for now, go and make the arrangements."

Mia bit her lip, a crease forming between her brow. She shot a quick sideways glare at Zack as if this were somehow his fault. But under her master's expectant gaze, she stifled any further complaints.

"Yes, Master," Mia said with a bow before shooting forward toward the city on her sword.

"Is something wrong, senior?" Zack raised an eyebrow.

Hallibur studied him for a long moment before responding.

"Not at all. I merely wished to speak with you privately before bringing you into the city."

Zack tensed imperceptibly. Here it comes.

Hallibur's eyes bored into him. "I admit, when we first crossed paths, I did believe your story but now...not so much."

Zack's eyebrows shot up in feigned surprise.

"Oh? Was my acting that poor?" He let out an awkward chuckle.

Hallibur's lips quirked upward for a split second. "Not bad, but I've cultivated long enough to notice certain inconsistencies."

Zack sighed. "I see. So, what gave me away?"

Hallibur ticked off points on his fingers.

"First, while you might show off the aura of an Early Core Formation cultivator, your reactions during the battle against the dragon were too quick, too refined. You were clearly holding back."

Zack shrugged, not bothering to deny it. No point maintaining a flimsy charade under this level of scrutiny.

"Second, while your spiritual pressure could pass for Core Formation, your actual qi flow patterns do not match. You are likely at the Nascent Soul stage."

Qi flow patterns? That’s the first I’m hearing of this…

Hallibur eyed him meaningfully.

"And finally, you show no indications of originating from any of the great sects within the Sealed Realm, nevermind the Southern Region. That could only mean one thing—"

"That I'm an Outsider," Zack finished. He sighed and gave a small, resigned smile. "You have me figured out it seems."

Hallibur studied him silently for a long moment before responding.

"I understand why one in your position would be inclined towards discretion." His voice turned grave. "However, Xairen is dangerous for Outsiders."

Zack's eyes narrowed warily. "How so?"

"The king has placed a substantial bounty on any Outsiders, they must be brought before him, dead or alive," Hallibur revealed bluntly.

So, this was what it meant that they don’t like Outsiders…Zack stroked his chin thoughtfully. But who is this king? And what’s his problem with Outsiders?

"I see. Thank you for the warning, senior." He clasped his hands together respectfully. "If you would still let me in your city, I promise not to cause you any trouble."

Hallibur studied him for a long moment before responding. "As much as I would like to, I cannot allow you entry into Xairen."

Zack's back stiffened. He kept his tone measured. "Why?"

Hallibur looked regretful yet resolute. "If anyone found out I assisted an Outsider, the King would have my head. Even my own Sect would not defend me." He spread his hands apologetically. "I wish things were different, but you just being here endangers us all."

Zack's lips pressed into a thin line as he processed this new information, mind racing to re-calibrate his plans. Getting driven away from the nearest major city was an annoying setback. And who knew what danger awaited him out here…

Hallibur eyed him warily, likely prepared to take action at the first sign of resistance.

Zack exhaled slowly. As much as he disliked this, provoking unnecessary conflict over access to one city would be short-sighted. This changed nothing about his overarching goals.

"You make a fair point," Zack conceded diplomatically. "I’ll continue my travels elsewhere."

He gave a deep bow which Hallibur returned.

"You show wisdom beyond your years, my friend," Hallibur said, relaxing his posture. "I wish you safe journeys. Perhaps our paths will cross again."

Zack smiled. "I hope so. Farewell for now, senior."

He pivoted his sword around, preparing to look for somewhere else to stay the night. But before he could leave, Hallibur suddenly thrust his sword forward, impaling Zack through the heart from behind.

"My apologies. But I'm afraid this is the end of your journey," Hallibur said coldly.

Zack froze, coughing up blood. But then he smirked. "Too predictable."

His form blurred, dissolving into wisps of black smoke.

"What?" Hallibur's eyes widened in shock.

The smoke came back together behind him, solidifying into Zack with his sword already mid-swing for Hallibur's back.