Three days later—
A carriage rolled steadily along a wide stone road, its wooden wheels creaking rhythmically against the ground.
The cold wind brushed past the curtains, carrying with it the faint scent of distant forests and untouched lands.
Inside the carriage—
Lin Shuan sat quietly.
His eyes were half-closed.
But his mind…
Was far from calm.
Memories surfaced.
Uninvited.
Unstoppable.
"Lin Shuan… Lin Sheng… that old man… and his granddaughter…"
They had once traveled like this.
Together.
Another carriage.
Another road.
Another time.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
But it didn't last long.
He muttered softly—
"Hmph… that hot-tempered girl…"
Her face appeared in his mind.
Sharp eyes.
Cold expression.
Yet strangely… alive.
Xuan Bing Li.
She was arrogant.
Blunt.
Always ready to argue.
And yet—
"She wasn't afraid of me…"
For a brief moment—
Something warm stirred inside him.
Then—
It disappeared.
The present pulled him back.
Suddenly—
CREAK—
The carriage came to a halt.
Lin Shuan opened his eyes.
The curtain lifted slightly—
And a man in green robes stepped forward.
He looked like a merchant.
Well-dressed.
Sharp eyes.
Calculating smile.
Luo Ming.
He spoke politely—
"Little friend… we've arrived."
"Starlight City."
Lin Shuan stepped out.
And the moment his feet touched the ground—
He froze.
Before him—
Stretched a city unlike anything he had ever seen.
Crowds filled the streets.
Voices echoed everywhere.
Merchants shouted loudly, displaying strange and exotic items.
Travelers from different lands walked past, their clothing and accents completely unfamiliar.
But that wasn't what caught his attention.
Slowly—
Lin Shuan raised his head.
And looked at the sky.
His breath stopped.
Above him—
The heavens shimmered.
Rivers of starlight flowed across the sky like glowing streams.
Floating lights drifted endlessly, forming patterns that seemed almost alive.
And far above—
Massive celestial bodies hovered.
Planets.
So close…
As if they could descend at any moment.
The entire sky looked like a living painting.
Lin Shuan's mouth remained slightly open.
"This…"
"…this is Starlight City…?"
His voice carried disbelief.
"It truly lives up to its name…"
Behind him—
Luo Ming watched silently.
A faint smile curved on his lips.
"Just a child…"
"Yet traveling alone…"
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"And his aura…"
He focused.
Carefully sensing Lin Shuan's energy.
And in that moment—
His expression changed.
"9-Star Luo Initiate Rank…?"
"At this age…?"
A spark lit in his eyes.
"Interesting…"
"Very interesting…"
Greed.
Opportunity.
Calculation.
All flashed through his mind.
"If I bring him into the Merchant Organization…"
"His future value could be immense…"
He stepped forward again.
His tone remained casual.
"Little friend… which sect do you belong to?"
Lin Shuan turned.
His expression calm.
Unreadable.
"Senior…"
"I don't belong to any sect."
For a moment—
Silence.
Then—
Luo Ming's smile deepened.
"Perfect."
"A lone talent…"
"No backing… no protection…"
"Easy to control."
He spoke again—
"What is your name?"
"Lin Shuan."
The moment he heard that—
Luo Ming paused.
His eyes sharpened.
"Lin…?"
He observed Lin Shuan carefully.
White robes.
Cold aura.
Composed demeanor.
"Could he be… from the Lin Clan?"
A brief flicker of doubt appeared.
"No…"
"Impossible."
"The Lin Clan was completely destroyed by the Yu Long Sect…"
"No one survived…"
"And this boy… is too young…"
He shook his thoughts away.
"Coincidence."
Then—
He smiled again.
"Lin Shuan…"
"Would you like to join a Merchant Organization?"
"You'll gain resources… protection… and better opportunities for cultivation."
Lin Shuan didn't hesitate.
"No."
A direct refusal.
"My apologies, Senior."
"I am heading toward the forest."
Luo Ming's eyes flickered.
"The forest…?"
"Even better."
A subtle glint appeared in his gaze.
He leaned slightly closer.
"Little friend…"
"You wish to enter the forest…?"
Lin Shuan frowned slightly.
"Yes."
"Why?"
Luo Ming chuckled.
Then—
He slowly took out something from his sleeve.
A jade token.
Green.
Smooth.
Engraved with intricate symbols.
"To enter…"
"You need this."
Lin Shuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Identification."
"Without it…"
"The guards won't let you pass."
For a moment—
Lin Shuan was surprised.
"Restrictions…?"
In Myriad Frost City—
There had never been such rules.
Anyone could come and go freely.
"The outside world…"
"is truly different…"
He reached out.
But—
Luo Ming pulled his hand back.
"Hey… hey…"
A sly smile appeared.
"Nothing comes for free."
"If you want this…"
"You must join the Merchant Organization."
Silence.
Lin Shuan stared at the token.
Then—
At Luo Ming.
"So this is your intention…"
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"Trying to bind me?"
"Then let's see…"
He spoke calmly—
"Fine."
"I'll join."
Luo Ming's eyes lit up.
But before he could speak—
Lin Shuan continued—
"On one condition."
The merchant froze slightly.
"Condition…?"
"This kid…"
He forced a smile.
"What condition?"
Lin Shuan's gaze was steady.
"I want a 45% discount."
"On any item."
Silence.
Luo Ming's expression stiffened.
"45%…!?"
"This brat…"
"He's negotiating with me?"
His fists clenched slightly.
"Clever…"
"Too clever for his age…"
For a moment—
He considered refusing.
But then—
"No…"
"A talent like this is worth it."
He smiled.
Forced.
"Fine."
"You'll get a 45% discount."
"But—"
"It only applies to my company."
"Elsewhere… you pay full price."
Lin Shuan nodded casually.
"Alright."
The token was handed over.
And just like that—
The deal was complete.
Without another word—
Lin Shuan turned.
And walked toward the northern gate.
Behind him—
Luo Ming watched.
His expression dark.
"You think you outsmarted me…?"
"Let's see how long you survive… in that forest."
The northern gate stood tall.
Massive.
Ancient.
Stone pillars rose like giants.
Guards stood at every point—above and below.
Their gazes sharp.
Unforgiving.
A long line had formed.
Hunters.
Adventurers.
Warriors.
All waiting.
To enter the forest.
Lin Shuan joined the line.
Silently.
Observing.
Listening.
"This place…"
"Feels different…"
"Dangerous."
One by one—
People were checked.
Some were allowed in.
Others—
Turned away.
Finally—
It was his turn.
A guard stepped forward.
His eyes scanned Lin Shuan from head to toe.
Suspicion.
Judgment.
"Identification."
Lin Shuan raised his hand.
The green jade token shimmered faintly.
The guard froze.
His expression changed instantly.
Respect.
He stepped aside.
"You may pass."
No further questions.
No resistance.
Lin Shuan walked forward.
Crossing the gate.
And as he did—
A strange feeling washed over him.
As if—
He had just stepped into a different world.
Behind him—
Civilization.
Order.
Safety.
Ahead—
The unknown.
The wind grew colder.
The sky darkened slightly.
And in the distance—
A vast forest stretched endlessly.
Silent.
Ancient.
Alive.
The Eastern Ancient Forest.
A place where countless warriors had fallen.
A place filled with hidden dangers…
…and unimaginable opportunities.
Lin Shuan tightened his grip on the map.
His eyes—
Turned sharp.
"This is where it begins…"
Not revenge.
Not power.
But survival.
And as he took his first step toward the forest—
Far behind him—
Inside Starlight City—
Luo Ming stood atop a building.
Watching.
His lips curled into a cold smile.
"Let's see…"
"…how long you last."**
And deep within the forest—
Something stirred.
As if—
It had sensed his arrival.
What awaits Lin Shuan in the depths of the Eastern Ancient Forest…?
Will he survive… or be swallowed by it like countless others?