Arya and Kane entered Bansi City and continued their journey toward Fisco City. During their twelve-hour stay in Bansi, Arya observed a variety of people—some good, some bad. However, wanting to avoid unnecessary trouble, he chose to keep to himself.

As they traveled, Arya noticed a commotion where a group of people surrounded three individuals. Though he wanted to step in and help, he knew he wasn't strong enough yet. The group seemed powerful, and with around twenty people involved, it was best to mind his own business.

Throughout the journey, they encountered stronger cultivators. Despite both Fallen Leaves and Bansi City being considered low-level, Bansi had a much more active cultivation scene. One major challenge they faced was the rising costs as they neared Fisco City. Prices for food and basic necessities increased significantly.

Upon reaching Fisco City's border, they paid another twenty white coins to enter. As soon as they stepped into the city, Arya felt as though he had entered a completely different world. The streets were far livelier than those in Fallen Leaves City, which now seemed barren in comparison. Cultivators filled the streets, and while mortals below level 10 were still present, there were significantly more cultivators than non-cultivators—quite the opposite of Fallen Leaves City.

Since they had taken only a short break in Bansi to avoid trouble, Arya decided to find an inn to rest and gather information about Finlet Academy. The main road leading to the academy was bustling with cultivators, vendors, and shops selling rare items, some of which Arya had only heard about before.

As they searched for an inn, a vendor suddenly blocked their path, halting their horses. The man enthusiastically tried to sell them a supposedly rare item capable of increasing cultivation by two levels for anyone below level 50, offering it for ten pink coins due to an "urgent need for money."

Arya's face darkened. Though they might appear like naive newcomers, they came from a reputable cultivation family with a long history. It was clear the vendor was attempting to scam them. Even the passersby shook their heads and ignored the scene, as it was common practice not to interfere in others' matters without knowing their background.

Thinking quickly, Arya responded, "Brother, your item truly sounds heavenly, but I am poor and only have a few white coins for necessities. I can't afford it right now. But don't worry, once I have enough money, I will surely buy from you. Please let us pass."

The vendor was caught off guard. He had expected either a gullible victim to fall for his ploy or an offended reaction leading to conflict. If a fight broke out, he could have claimed self-defense and looted them, as the law in Fisco City dictated that whoever initiated a fight was in the wrong, regardless of circumstances. Finlet Academy enforced this rule strictly, and no one wanted to get on the academy's bad side. With a forced smile, the vendor stepped aside, saying, "Of course, of course. Whenever brother has money, you can find me here."

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Arya encountered two more such attempts before finally asking a local about affordable inns. He learned that the main road had only expensive accommodations, so he followed the recommendation and found a modest inn in a quieter area.

Upon entering, the first thing Arya noticed was how old and poorly maintained the inn was. The dim lights barely illuminated the space, adding to its rundown atmosphere. He approached the counter and asked for a room for two.

The attendant, a man around 27 or 28 years old with an average cultivation level of 20, responded, "Do you need two separate rooms or one with two beds? The second option costs fifteen white coins per night, while two separate rooms cost forty white coins."

Arya glanced at Kane. Though they had earned some money, expenses in Fisco were much higher than expected. "We'll take one room with two beds," Arya decided.

"Good. A five-white-coin deposit now, and you can pay the rest when you check out. Or you can pay in advance. How many days will you be staying?"

"Just one day," Arya replied, handing over the deposit. After completing the process, the attendant led them to their room. It was average at best—while the beds were usable, the rest of the furniture was nearly worthless. Still, something was better than nothing, and they only planned to rest for a few hours. After taking a quick shower, Arya collapsed onto his bed and slept deeply for about three to four hours.

When he woke, Kane was still asleep. Not wanting to disturb him, Arya freshened up and headed downstairs. On his way, he noticed two people carrying trays of food toward a room but paid them little attention.

At the counter, he asked the attendant, "How can one find information here?"

The attendant replied, "Anything can be known—for a price."

Without hesitation, Arya placed two white coins on the counter. The attendant accepted them and asked, "Are you looking for general information, or do you want secrets? The latter costs more."

"I just need basic information," Arya said. "I want to know the power structure of this city, Finlet Academy's relationships with other academies, and where I can buy and sell cultivation resources outside the academy."

The attendant nodded. "In Fisco City, there are two main places for buying and selling. One is the Pill and Alchemist Association, which specializes in alchemical goods. If you have anything related to alchemy, you can sell it there for a fair price. The second is the Commerce of Merchants Branch, which deals in a variety of goods. Smaller shops are scattered around, but their credibility is uncertain, so I won't mention them.

"As for Finlet Academy, it mainly interacts with Pine Academy and Neon Academy because they are the closest to Fisco City. Other academies have little to no direct connection."

After receiving additional information, Arya handed over five white coins. The knowledge was valuable. Before leaving, he requested food for himself and Kane, which cost another five white coins. Despite the high price, he was satisfied when he saw the meal. The portions were generous—two meat dishes (chicken and fish), three vegetable dishes, and fresh salads.

After eating, Arya and Kane cultivated their energy until nightfall. The next morning, Arya woke to find Kane already up.

"I can't wait to see Finlet Academy!" Kane said excitedly.

Arya smiled. "Don't get too ahead of yourself. We still have to qualify. Finlet Academy is known for having the fewest students among all academies."

After freshening up and eating breakfast (which cost another two white coins), they checked out, paying the remaining ten white coins. Taking their horses, they set off toward Finlet Academy.

Two and a half hours later, they spotted the academy from a distance. Unlike grand, imposing institutions, Finlet Academy blended naturally with its surroundings, featuring lush trees and vibrant flowers. There were few shops or crowds nearby, creating a peaceful environment conducive to cultivation.

Upon reaching the entrance, they dismounted. Two figures stood at the gate—one was a middle-aged man sitting, while the other was a young man around sixteen or seventeen, standing as a guard. The elder man was clearly responsible for assessing newcomers.

Arya approached the seated man, bowed, and said, "Greetings, elder. We are here to qualify for admission into Finlet Academy."

The young guard glanced at them but quickly looked away, finding nothing remarkable about them.