Jin kept looking around as he advanced. He could see a few men and women dressed in a similar fashion, with black battle robes. On those, there was a very prominent 'G' embroidered in gold. Seeing that there was quite the high-level of security, he did not dare make use of any spiritual energy. Even though he knew he was walking to his doom, it was only a financial kind of doom.

He might leave this place penniless but he would still be alive.

Of course, these thoughts were nothing but his own hopes.

As he arrived at the tower, he saw how it was guarded by dozens and dozens of people wearing that black robe. He wanted to stop himself but could not control his movements. It felt different from 'greed'. There was something else at play. It was impossible for him to walk to this tower without any previous knowledge of the place.

He was feeling the greed to make money but it did not seem to affect where he went. As he reached the tower, he did not feel any different. This was the reason why he believed there was something else at play.

Once one of the men in black walked out of the tower and up to him, he confirmed his guess. The man bowed slightly as he stated matter-of-factly: "The owner has been expecting you, Sir Jin"

Jin hesitated no more. If he was to be apprehended or killed here, it wouldn't be without a struggle. He quickly began to revolve his spiritual energy. As soon as he tried to make a move, the man had already did so. He was obviously at a far higher realm. Before Jin could even start using any energy, a hand was on his shoulder. It was firm and he could feel some kind of elemental energy permeating it.

The man spoke before Jin could react: "Please, follow us. Struggling is meaningless"

Jin pondered for a moment. Then, he tried to activate his energy regardless. He was fucked anyways.

The man used his own and, through it, he forced Jin's own energy back inside his soul sea and sealed it. Jin was incapacitated in a mere instant. The man in black robe sighed before he motioned once more for Jin to move towards the tower.

Jin moved to the tower accompanied by the man. His only options were to follow or die. He did not want to die. So, he walked along. Even if there was only a very slim chance of him surviving this...He needed a miracle. He wanted to believe that he could survive once more.

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

The tower that reached the ceiling was not decorated in any flashy ways. It was simply there, towering over everything else. There was a single door that led to its inside. A woman in black robe opened the door to let Jin and the man in black inside.

As they walked in, Jin was surprised to find out that there was nothing. Only emptiness. He looked up and he realized that the tower was hollow. Its insides were empty. Was he going to be killed here? He stood on guard though it was meaningless.

The man in black made a few hand seals and the ground shook. It destabilized Jin slightly. He was no longer used to being without any spiritual energy. Even when not consciously used, it was always ever-present within his body. Now, due to the mysterious man's seal, he could not feel any of it.

Fortunately, the shake was only that much and not enough to make him fall. As he regained his footing, he noticed that he was going up.

This was not a tower but an elevator!

Jin was already considering himself captive by now and, adopting such a mentality, decided to glean as much information as he could: "How did you find me?"

The man answered: "The owner did and led you to us. He will tell you what you need to know later on, please be patient"

Jin frowned. The owner was the one to find him? Was he someone he knew? It was quite unlikely since he did not really know that many people... Well, he met many people for sure but knowing them was a different story. He continued questioning the man: "Who is the owner?"

The man smirked but did not answer.

Since he could not get this answer then he would ask something else: "How did he find me? How did he lead me to you?"

The man remained silent with nothing but a sly smile as an answer to Jin's questions. Regardless of what else Jin asked, he received nothing but silence in return.

It only took a few minutes for the elevator to reach the top of the tower and stop. It quaked a bit but Jin expected it this time. A door opened and beyond it was a pathway between rocks. The man motioned for Jin to move and they both began to walk upon it.

As he looked down, Jin realized that those were no ordinary stones but spiritual stones. They were stones containing spiritual energy... How wealthy did one had to be to use such precious treasures as mere stones?

As he walked further, the sights kept humbling him. Stairways made of rare crystals, lamps in pure gold and jade, incredible pieces of arts displayed here and there...

And finally, after walking for a dozen minutes, the two reached the peak of the island and Jin could finally see the place where the owner stayed at. It was a palace completely made out of black stones that were shining under the sun.

As they reached the doors, servants opened them diligently. Those were no regular servants though. Judging by their youthful features, they were definitely cultivators beyond the 30th stage. Jin only required a glance to notice that fact. People could not be so beautiful without being cultivators.

It made him realize how futile resistance truly was.

He cursed himself for having been so stupid this time. He let his guard down, he believed it would all be alright, he relaxed... He...He failed...

And he could only resign himself to pay the price for his foolishness and arrogance.