The central continent was united under the banner of the Chi Dynasty so it didn't take long for the guards to process the pair with their legitimate documents. Coupled with their identity plaques from the Ye Clan, they were treated with respect despite their current state of affairs. Ye Fan tossed a silver coin to each of the two guards who had checked their documents.

"For your diligence."

Although the coins were clean, they still had a funky smell. The closer guard wrapped the coin firmly with his fingers and held it behind his back. His expression was strange as he put on a forced smile and thanked the youth. As soon as the pair walked away, the guards walked in for the shift change early. Luckily for the guards, it was already close to the end of their shift and the supervisor didn't mind.

Ye Fan and Bai Hu emerged from the shadow of the towering black walls to the sight of a prosperous city. The streets were extremely wide. There were main roads that weaved throughout the city. These were for carriages and beast mounts. The middle of the main road could fit up to six standard-sized carriages and had traffic flowing in both directions. Beasts and carriages were both guided by a transmission crystal. Each crystal was a treasure refined by a Three Aspects expert who had reached the Peak in the Soul Aspect from the Chi Dynasty. They were present in all major cities. It would take over the consciousness of beasts and compatible carriages and navigate them according to their intended destination in the city. Only carriages and beasts that were given a seal of approval from the Dynasty could navigate the streets. This was to make sure that there wouldn't be any traffic jams as the transmission crystal was able to flawlessly direct traffic.

On either side of the main roads were sidewalks that could hold four people shoulder to shoulder. The sidewalks from the Eastern Gate were packed as the people who had just entered the city mixed in with the locals.

The pair followed the crowd of people through the outer city. The smooth cobblestone streets felt unpleasant to walk on but preferable to the dust cloud that would form if it were dirt or sand instead. Ye Fan saw smaller streets branching out from the main roads, but there were few shops. It seemed that they were still in a mainly residential zone. Most cities had the convention of putting their main commercial district in the center so that everyone would know where to head.

It would be a long walk, so the old servant began a conversation to help pass the time.

"I'm surprised you didn't insist on traveling back home, young master."

Although a few people had branched off into different areas in the outer city, the majority of the crowd that came from the Eastern Gate remained. There was about two inches of space in between people as they trudged forward. Ye Fan absentmindedly responded as his eyes continued to roam the city's architecture. He didn't hide his excitement in his gaze as he took the sights.

"Uncle Hu, I need to take master's orders seriously. We've been all over the Eastern Landmass for training… so the secrets we must discover should be in the Western Landmass."

A trace of doubt flickered in the old servant's eyes as he watched his young master's actions, but Bai Hu didn't push it. Instead, he pointed out a flaw in the youth's reasoning.

"The great Immortal said that your final trial would be one that you have to complete without his help. You can't discount the fact that there's a possibility that the contents of the trial could be solved in the Western Landmass."

Ye Fan's eyes stopped roaming for a second as he grew deep in thought. It took a full minute before he responded to the boatman's statements.

"It's better to search where we haven't already. We'll eventually return home anyway. Besides, it's too late for regrets now."

The youth coughed a few times into his fist as the tips of his ears grew red. Bai Hu gave his young master a side glance with no follow-up. The two walked the rest of the way in silence. Their eyes lit up as a series of inns came into sight. The first few were already full as the people in front of the pair had booked out all the rooms. Luckily, there was a cozy inn that had a room with two beds open. Bai Hu fished seven silver coins from his storage ring and placed them on the table. This amount was to pay for their lodging, hygiene, and three meals a day for the next week.

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The innkeeper handed the coins to a busboy for cleaning and handed over the keys to their room.

"Thank you for your patronage. Your bath will be brought up to your room very soon."

As soon as the pair entered the room, Ye Fan dashed for the bed and jumped. He could already feel the soft mattress on his skin in his mind as he closed his eyes. A sudden force jolted him back and he let out a surprised exclamation.

"Ack!"

Uncle Hu had grabbed the youth by the neck in a flash and placed him back on his feet. Ye Fan gave his old servant an aggrieved stare and questioned him with tired eyes.

"What was that for?"

"Don't get the sheets dirty. We didn't pay for laundry."

Ye Fan looked at the bed longingly and continued to try reasoning.

"It's just a little extra… We still have much money left."

"Even if we do, they'll only change the sheets in the morning. Are you sure you want to sleep in a filthy bed tonight?"

Uncle Hu closed the door behind him as he questioned the youth. Ye Fan nodded slowly before sitting on the wooden floor. The moment he sat down, a knock came from the door. Uncle Hu opened it. A young adult male carried in a wooden tub filled with water and placed it on the floor. He had short brown hair with matching soft brown eyes. Before the pair could give their thanks, he ran out the door and returned a few moments later with a second tub. A little girl accompanied him with a tray of aromatics and placed the tray on the floor. She placed down the tray quickly and bowed to the pair before darting back out the door. The brown-haired male smiled at the pair widely, used to the girl's actions.

"Enjoy your stay!"

Having done his part, the brown-haired male walked out the door. Ye Fan ran to the door and made sure to say his thanks. The brown-haired male was surprised at this and waved at him with a wider smile before continuing back downstairs. Ye Fan closed the door behind him and began undressing. Uncle Hu had already poured in the aromatics for both the tubs. As the youth and middle-aged man entered the tub of aromatic warm water, they let out a deep sigh of pleasure.

"That hits the spot."

The young master and old servant exchanged a glance before bursting into laughter.

* * *

Elsewhere in the city, a decorated carriage rolled through the main road. Its armed escorts kept pace along the sidewalks. The city residents gave a wide berth to the uniformed guards as they made their way to their destination. It wasn't too long until they made their way to a compound. Real estate next to main roads was in high demand so every inch of the land cost an absurd amount, but there was an entire compound that was built next to the main road. It was even larger than the City Lord's residence. It wasn't even the main clan compound but was just a secondary compound. This was the might of a giant in the Chu Dynasty, the Mo clan.

The carriage was unimpeded as it rolled into the compound. They had already been given advance notice so the gate opened once the carriage had come into line of sight. In front of some steps, the carriage rolled to a stop. The door was opened by a handsome youth with sleek black hair and striking purple eyes. He stood to the side as a young boy emerged from the dark interior of the carriage. The boy held an arrogant expression as he cast his gaze at the people who had come out to greet him.

"We greet Divine Child Liu."

Nearly forty servants spoke up in unison and bowed. The boy, Mo Liu, held a pleased expression at this display of respect.

"At ease."

At his words, they stood back up in unison. They were highly trained servants who were completely loyal to the Mo clan. An older man dressed in nice clothing stepped forward.

"Welcome to Great Divide, Divine Child. And… welcome back, young master Yi."

The older man greeted Mo Liu with the utmost etiquette, but his gaze grew conflicted as he greeted the handsome youth who stood behind the boy. His professionalism quickly took over once more as he guided the pair forward.

"The residence has prepared the finest room for the Divine Child and his followers accordingly."

"Where is my brother staying?"

"He is arranged to stay in his old residence."

The Chief Steward responded promptly. Mo Liu raised an eyebrow in displeasure and gave an ultimatum.

"He will be staying next to me."

"Divine Child-"

"Is there a problem?"

"But, the m-"

The young boy grew irritated and shot a fierce glare, cutting off the Chief Steward's words. His next words were firm and demanding.

"He is my brother and my assigned protector. No matter what I will take full responsibility."

Hearing these words, the Chief Steward stopped insisting.

"Then, it shall be done as the Divine Child instructs."

He waved away the servant at the side who was ready to show Mo Yi to his assigned residence with new orders. The servant dashed away in a hurry to make the preparations. The Chief Steward looked apologetic as he made some clarifications.

"Since these are last-minute arrangements, it'll take a while to prepare the room."

Mo Liu nodded seemingly satisfied. His arrogant expression disappeared as he turned to his older brother and spoke. His way of speaking and attitude shifted a hundred and eighty degrees.

"Elder brother! You can rest in my room while you wait!"

Mo Yi smiled gently and ruffled the young boy's hair. The Chief Steward couldn't hold back his surprise as he stared at the interaction. Although he knew they were close, this display of affection between the Divine Child and Young Master Yi completely exceeded his expectations.

"Thank you for your kind intentions, little Liu. But there's some business I need to take care of first. We can go explore Great Divide together later."

Mo Liu seemed a bit disappointed at first, but his face brightened up at the last sentence. Mo Yi turned toward the Chief Steward and asked a straightforward question.

"Is my mother still in the same residence?"

The tone of the handsome youth, expression, and mannerisms seemed the same as when he was speaking to the young boy, but the Chief Steward felt a strange chill at the youth's words. He made nothing of it and professionally replied.

"The Madam is indeed still in the same residence that she was before."

Mo Yi blinked once before dismissing the Chief Steward.

"That shall be all. Please take my brother to his quarters. I need to give my esteemed mother a visit."

The young boy continued waving at the handsome youth until he disappeared from sight. When Mo Yi was sure that his brother couldn't see him anymore, the handsome youth's smile disappeared. A solemn aura overcame him as began navigating the familiar halls of the clan compound.