Lee let out a cold laugh and called out to Shuro, "Young master, get on the horse!"

Shuro shot Lee a glare.

Although he had broken through to half-step scattered immortal, Lee's state of mind clearly lagged behind. It was unsurprising - how many could truly safeguard their inner heart amidst great turmoil?

"Alchemy and martial arts? A half-step scattered immortal from Tera?"

An elegant voice rang out as a handsome youth in purple robes emerged from the crowd, bearing and temperament noble. Behind him were nearly a hundred green-robed grooms, all at the grand expanse realm with top-grade Nether River steeds - clear signs of the youth's wealth.

Surveying Lee, interest kindled in the young man's eyes. "I've heard that in Tera, upon reaching half-step scattered immortal one can establish their own household. Yet you serve another despite your cultivation. A great talent wasted."

His tone shifted. "Your master doesn't seem that impressive either, reduced to three sharing one mount. Rather than follow him, you'd do better serving me. I appreciate talent and will treat you well. What say you?"

Before Lee could respond, the youth clapped and a groom brought over a money bag. "Eighty coins per horse, will you sell?"

"Sell, of course!" The guide beamed.

"A fine steed for a hero. This horse is my gift to you, sir." The young man clapped again. A groom on his right came forth holding a wooden box brimming with at least a thousand coins.

"A small token, hope you'll accept."

Greed shone in Lee's eyes as he stared fixedly at the box, practically drooling.

The young man's domineering air and efficient underlings quickly drew eyes from the pavilion and even those waiting by the river. Attendees of Warden City were either eminent figures from the mortal realm or scions of immortal families, with the occasional half-step or full scattered immortal. Naturally, they were not lacking money, yet still sucked in a breath at the casual display of over ten thousand gold ingots' worth of coins.

"It's him! Young master Apollo, disciple of Mount Bao's eighth peak and a junior branch descendant of the Ning clan." Someone recognized the young man.

"No wonder he tosses money around so freely, he's from the Nings!"

"Ning clan? Are they rich?"

"You must be newly down the mountain. The four cultivation essentials are master, location, wealth - can't do without any. In my Southern Heavens domain, two great money immortals reign, Eastern Ning and Western Luo. You must have heard of Luo, that's Mr. Luo. The Eastern Nings refer to the Ning immortal clan. Their riches rival the Seven Sects of the South!"

"Right, the Nings monopolize the mines and rivers across Wu, Chu Xia and Qi Yu's three minor countries. Legend says they hold over twenty ancient grottoes. When they travel, rare birds lead and tiger spirits pull their carriages - true luxury."

"This Apollo is only twenty-three but has reached the third level of Foundation Establishment. Not top ten to become heir apparent, but a formidable junior branch descendant.

"I hear he enters Warden City freely without needing an invitation. For us commoners it's a privilege."

A faint smile touched Apollo's lips as he listened. The moment Shuro's group appeared, he had observed them from the sidelines, or rather, focused on Lee. As a disciple of an immortal clan, even he only had grand expanse experts as servants. The half-step scattered immortal Lee naturally caught his interest.

The Southern cultivation orthodoxy encouraged disciples to experience the mortal world before transcending it. Thus it was common for clan disciples at the Foundation Establishment stage to mingle in secular society. A half-step scattered immortal was the apex of mortal martial artists, second only to the full realm. Having one as attendant would be tremendously prestigious.

"If you accept, I promise to treat you well and assist your breakthrough to scattered immortal with all I have," Apollo said, gazing at Lee with a smile.

Apollo had no doubt Lee would accept. Having studied physiognomy since childhood as a Ning clan member, he quickly discerned Lee's fickle and greedy nature. As for the teenage master, Apollo didn't spare a second glance. His utter lack of any immortal aura marked him as a mundane martial artist.

Anticipation shone in Apollo's eyes as Lee slowly looked up, pointing at the coin box. "All of it...really mine?" he asked tremulously.

The cultivators regarded Shuro with sympathy.

Triumph flashed through Apollo's eyes and he laughed loudly. "Of course! I keep my word, once said it cannot be chased even with racing steeds. May I have your name, sir?"

"Lee," he replied shortly, face flushed as he strode over to the groom and eagerly took the box, hugging it tight.

"Young lord, we're rich!" Lee cried happily, tossing the reins to Lewis.

The onlookers wore colorful expressions, though most clan disciples eyed Apollo enviously. A half-step scattered immortal attendant was equal to a third-level Foundation Establishment cultivator. He would lend tremendous prestige when they went out. The half-step and scattered immortals from the Southern Heavens looked upon Lee with disdain.

As for Lewis, fury was written across his beautiful features, eyes blazing as if ready to flay Lee alive on Shuro's command.

Before long, puzzlement descended upon the crowd.

They watched Lee lead the horse in one hand and carry the coin box in the other, ambling leisurely back the way he came.

"Why, what is the meaning of this?" Apollo demanded in shock.

Lee ignored him and took his place behind Shuro, head bowed in the very image of an obedient servant.

Realizing he had been played, storm clouds seemed to gather on Apollo's face.

"Lee, what are you playing at? That man gave you money so go with him," Shuro said coldly, face stern.

"Young lord, you misunderstand! Why would an immortal clan heir fancy someone like me?" Lee protested coyly.

"Oh? Pray tell, who goes around handing out money for no reason?"

"Well, there are two possibilities! First, he was captivated by the young lord's majestic looks and wants to get your attention through me! Second is...a bit inappropriate to say." Lee tapped his forehead.

"I see," Shuro said gravely with a sage nod, then turned to Apollo with a chuckle. "My humble attendant is honored by your esteem, even willing to spend a fortune to befriend him. I thank you on his behalf."

Shuro disliked trouble but would hardly back down if it came knocking. In the eyes of the mortal 'immortal clans', they had barely embarked on the true dao, still far from completing the metamorphosis of their lives.

"You... Very bold!" Apollo fixed Shuro with a glare, fury rising from their back and forth mockery.

With an icy laugh, Apollo clapped his hands. "Kill them!"

One of the green-robed servants stepped forth. His bulging eyes could see all directions while his arms dangled past his knees like an ape's.

"David!" Lee exclaimed in surprise.

"Blind to favor. This is your end, Fox Magistrate," said David in an effeminate voice. He looked around Lee's age.

"Young lord, he ranked top ten alongside me on Tera's Grand Expanse List years ago. A formidable master of hidden weapons," Lee explained to Shuro, then smirked. "Yet after all these years, he's still stuck at grand expanse. No improvement whatsoever."

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No sooner had Lee finished than David suddenly raised his arm, revealing an antique-looking bronze bracer on his right forearm. In a blink, a halo like a crescent moon flashed into being around the bracer, spinning and emanating faint roars and rumbles.

"A spirit artifact!"

"Albeit a low grade one, not even classified."

"No, look at those profound runes - could they be the work of a Rune Master?"

"Rune work of a Rune Master...but this is probably just a casual side project. Otherwise it wouldn't have ended up out here."

"Even so, it must be worth at least five thousand nether coins."

The discussions around Shuro faded into silence with a snap of his fingers, as if they had never been.

He understood it was the deafening roars and rumbles from the bronze bracer that drowned out the other sounds.

Profound runes...this was the third time Shuro had encountered them. The first was on the immortal sect coin talisman, then the nether coins of Warden City, and now before him.

Known as profound runes, they had the mystical ability to transform decay into wonders. Broadly applied, they could gather spirit veins and seal demons. More specifically, they could raise the grade of elixirs, reactivate pre-Calamity artifacts, even transform monkeys into men. Their profundities were endless.

Over the ages, profound runes had been deeply integrated into the daily lives of immortal clans.

Profound runes were divided into replicable, also called acquired, and non-replicable, or innate. As the name suggested, replicable runes like those on the coin talisman could be endlessly reproduced as long as one grasped the methods. Non-replicable runes were often the life's work of Rune Masters, too complex to duplicate.

Rune Master was the revered title for those of this vocation, like Pill Masters for alchemists and Demon Sealers. Of all the immortal vocations, becoming a Rune Master was nigh on impossible, for the first requirement was - Opening the Celestial Gate and cultivating a Profound Divine!

It was said that of the hundreds of millions of cultivators, barely one in a million succeeded in opening the gate and cultivating a Profound Divine.

Even in the sprawling Tynche continent with its billions of practitioners, Rune Masters numbered only a handful.

In the span of that finger snap, memories regarding profound runes flashed through Shuro's mind. At that moment, a short arrow covered in green rust but shimmering with azure light shot forth.

The short arrow flew with blinding speed, wavering the air with the formidable energy contained within. Though an unranked spirit artifact, its power was around the first level of Foundation Establishment. But the profound rune granted an increase, boosting its might to nearly third level.

Apollo didn't even glance at the fired arrow. As a scion of the Moreno immortal clan, killing a mundane youth was no different than crushing an ant in his eyes.

Shuro considered at least ten ways to respond as the arrow neared.

Before he could act, a figure darted forth. "I won't let you harm my young lord!"

The beautiful youth moved so swiftly he seemed to flicker, stirring violent gales and shaking the earth - an impact no weaker than the rusty crossbow bolt.

Exclamations rang out among the crowd. Shuro too wore an expression of astonishment, mirrored by Lee beside him. But unlike the onlookers, Shuro and Lee were astonished by one thing only: the once stuttering Lewis spoke fluidly!

That fleeting realization was tinged with regret. Lewis hadn't reached Foundation Establishment. His Cauldron Alchemy realm cultivation ranked dead last here. In every observer's eyes, the reckless youth blocking the arrow was courting death.

"Foolish," Apollo said, eyes flashing with envy as he gazed upon Lewis. He envied how this plain mortal boy commanded the devotion of a half-step scattered immortal and inspired a gifted youth to disregard life and death for him. Though Apollo had many grand expanse experts coerced into service, none would loyally stake their lives at the crucial moment. Not a single one.

In the span of a blink, the emerald bolt spun like a meteor towards Lewis' heart.

If you're so eager to die, then die! Apollo's face contorted maliciously as he laughed coldly.

Then his jaws dropped in the next moment. "What...how is this possible?"

The azure glow had halted docilely in Lewis' palm. A mere Cauldron Alchemy cultivator actually withstood the strength of a spirit artifact powered by profound runes at the half-step scattered immortal level!

Not just Apollo, but the entire audience was dumbfounded.

Bearing the heavy impact, Lewis' eyes turned grey, covered in dense cracking patterns like fractured earth. Rings of archaic tortoiseshell runes flickered around him - glyphs and armor in one, emanating a desolate, ancient aura.

With a casual flick, the verdigris arrow crumbled to dust.

Only now did the crowd realize that beneath the harmless, beautiful exterior, this youthful attendant concealed flesh tough enough to contend with a low-grade artifact and nearly monstrous defensive power.

Apollo stared at Shuro, expression shifting as jealousy burned in his eyes. A half-step scattered immortal retainer was shocking enough, but one who could defend beyond his level too... Just who was he? Where had he sprung from? What virtues and capabilities allowed him to possess two such extraordinary followers!

Flushing under the sea of eyes, Lewis exhaled lightly and returned to stand behind Shuro.

"Were you hurt?" Shuro asked in concern.

"N-n-no," Lewis stammered, head lowered.

Clenching his fists, Lewis avoided Shuro's gaze lest he shed tears. He was no fool despite his stutter and honest nature.

To withstand an immortal clan's attack with his bare palms, the "Alchemy and Martial Arts" he had struggled desperately to cultivate was clearly the fabled arts of the immortal clans!

How many royal scions in Caelius Capital had exhausted their fortunes yet still failed to obtain this fortune?

Shuro and Lee exchanged helpless looks - it seemed Lewis' fluency was fleeting.

"Could it be...a Runic Prodigy Body!"

"Blocking a runic artifact without Foundation Establishment, just with the flesh. It's the only possibility."

"Among the younger generation in my Southern Heavens, those with Runic Prodigy Bodies number less than five. Combined training of Primordial Spirit and Divine Soul in the future will leave few peers."

"I hear Elder Kong on Kunlun Mountain is taking disciples and will only accept those with Runic Prodigy Bodies. Refer one and receive thirty thousand nether coins."

"Elder Kong? You'd suffer greatly giving him over. Haven't you heard the Rune Master is recruiting a prodigy as assistant? Tip them off and get a free innate profound rune engraved."

At first the chatter didn't faze Shuro. But gradually, disquiet filled him.

The common half-step and full scattered immortals were fine, but the robed orthodox disciples looked upon Lewis with burning gazes, like having spotted a treasure to claim for themselves.

"Don't even understand the danger of flaunting wealth. Truly foolish," came a mocking laugh.

Shuro looked up to see Apollo's gloating face.

"Brother Fang, what is the meaning of this?"

"Friend Kong, if you step aside and give me the boy, I'll be eternally grateful."

"Worthy Junior, you know my ancestors were related to Elder Kong three centuries ago. If I leave now, he definitely won't spare me."

"Gentlemen, grant Apollo this favor! I only want the half-step immortal, and will richly repay you after."

The once calm crossroads grew rowdy as a marketplace, to Lee's amusement and Lewis' deepening frown. Amidst it all, Shuro remained tranquil, silently observing everything with inscrutable thoughts.

"Brother, what do you make of this?"

"Rumors breed rumors. The usual way things go."

"These lowly immortal disciples are truly ignorant. Runic prodigies tend to be heralded by cosmic anomalies, not casually discovered. Still, Junior Sister wonders about those runes on the boy - what could they be?"

"Three chances in ten it's some pill formula he consumed. The remaining seven, that he cultivates an exceedingly high level art."

On the murky banks of the Black Water River, a cultivated young man and woman watched the commotion at the crossroads, conversing softly.

Their fluttering daoist robes and jade hairpins marked their immortal lineage, the man sternly handsome with an air of the dao, the woman spirited with clear eyes. At their waists hung wooden plaques engraved simply with "Xu", an identity that would shock if recognized.

Seeming to avoid notice, they kept the plaques tucked out of sight.

"Brother, which one do you think will claim the boy in the end?"

"Hard to say. Other than Apollo, six remain who could vie for him, all at third level Foundation Establishment."

The daoist nun nodded. To them, the scuffle was mere entertainment. But when her gaze happened to fall on Shuro, she froze. "What's with that one? His retainers got snatched yet he's still smiling?"

At her words, the man also looked at Shuro.

Like everyone else at the crossroads, these mysterious immortals dismissed Shuro outright.

Just then, Shuro spoke.

"Ten thousand nether coins."

The youth's abrupt voice puzzled the arguing disciples.

"Ten thousand nether coins," Shuro repeated.

Shuro peered through the crowd, meeting Apollo's eyes as he extended his hand. "You attacked unprompted. Cough up ten thousand coins in compensation or don't even think about leaving."

Gasps rippled through the onlookers followed by raucous laughter. Even the daoist nun by the river chuckled. She didn't notice her companion's gaze sharpen at Shuro's words.

"The Tera martial world sure has all sorts. A living legend like Marco, and dimwits like this who can't assess the situation," the nun remarked with amusement.

She gave voice to what all were thinking.

"Compensate?" Apollo guffawed as if hearing the funniest joke.

When his mirth finally subsided, Apollo picked his ear and tilted his chin at Shuro. "A mere grand expanse cultivator, relying on a half-step scattered immortal at your back to even attend Warden City. Yet you dare threaten me... Ignorant mortal, are you seeking death?"

"Are you going to pay or not?" Shuro repeated doggedly despite the taunts, hand outstretched.

"In your dreams!"

"Well, are you?" No matter Apollo's scorn, Shuro persisted in demanding payment like a creditor.

Apollo gave an icy laugh. "On what grounds do you say this? Has your brain rotted?"

He turned to Lee, eyes flashing coldly. "Why deign to offer him loyalty? Offending me, offending the mighty Moreno clan you know not the extent of - is it worth it for his sake?"

"Absolutely worth it," Lee declared without hesitation, drawing himself up proudly. "You ask my grounds? Then listen - because my young lord is the Scion of Caelius!"

The Scion of Caelius?

The daoist nun froze first before her gaze sharpened, robes stirring over her chest as surprise flitted across her delicate features.

Beside her, the cultivator she called "Elder Brother" also started, but after the brief shock, an intrigued smile crossed his face.

Among the crowd at the crossroads, some had notable reactions as well - the scattered immortals and half-step ones from the Southern Heavens lands. They responded even more intensely than the riverside nun.

Marco's heaven-defying transformation despite rejection by the Southern immortal sects was miraculous. Though not widely known, some with keen ears had caught wind, like these wandering cultivators and some immortal sects seeking geniuses.

In these rumors, much attention centered around the "Scion of Caelius" mentioned by Marco. But after over twenty days with no sign of this vaunted figure, and Marco's own silence on the matter, tales of his gateway to immortality gradually became laughingstocks.