In the Azure Alliance, each sovereign island had its own specialty. Just like Ironwood Island was renowned for its craftsmanship, Misty Rain Island was famous as a trade center.
And at the heart of Misty Rain Island was Misty Rain City — the second-largest city in the entire Azure Alliance. To efficiently manage the enormous trade networks and influx of cultivators, the city was divided into the inner city and the outer city.
Even though Bai Tian had left early to explore, the vastness of Misty Rain City quickly overwhelmed him. After wandering aimlessly for a while, he eventually found himself back at the harbor rather than the Azure Lantern Inn as planned.
...
Now, Bai Tian and Uncle Xiao were walking along the bustling streets of the inner city.
They had already bid farewell to Uncle Meng and Elder Jiang — After all each of them had their own matters to attend to.
As they roamed through Misty Rain City's lively streets, Uncle Xiao patiently explained the city's layout and history to Bai Tian.
After a while, he paused and casually added, "Actually, the daughter of the current Misty Rain Lord might be joining Greenwood Academy this year. She should be just a little older than you."
Bai Tian blinked in surprise. "Uncle Xiao, you know the Misty Rain Lord?"
"You little brat!" Uncle Xiao laughed, lightly smacking the back of Bai Tian's head. "Your grandfather was a ship commander for Misty Rain Isle, you forget so soon?"
Bai Tian scratched his head sheepishly. "Damn… I'm such an idiot."
"Furthermore," Uncle Xiao added with a chuckle, "I think your family even received an invitation when that little girl was born."
Chatting and laughing, the two made their way toward a massive building that stood out even amidst the grandeur of the inner city. The words 'Misty Rain Pavilion' were elegantly carved into its stone façade.
Bai Tian stared in awe. This was the largest building he had ever seen.
"Is this owned by the Zhao family?" he asked curiously.
Uncle Xiao raised an eyebrow, then chuckled. "Of course it is. Why do you think they're one of the four great legacy clans?"
The Zhao family was one of the Azure Alliance's four great legacy clans — it had existed long before the Alliance was even formed. For generations, it had held dominion over Misty Rain Island, with its influence woven into every corner of the thriving markets.
They stepped inside, and Bai Tian's eyes widened at the sight of countless treasures on display — gleaming swords, ornate sabers, radiant Monster cores, and a multitude of unfamiliar items that sparked his curiosity.
Just then, a beautiful young woman, around eighteen years old and wearing a formal robe embroidered with the Misty Rain crest, approached them.
"Little Bai, I've got some business to handle. Wait here for a while, alright?" Uncle Xiao said, exchanging a few brief words with the young woman before hurrying up the stairs toward the upper floors.
Bai Tian nodded, though he wasn't sure what to do next. The young woman offered a polite smile."Dear guest, if you have any questions, feel free to ask."
After a moment of hesitation, Bai Tian asked, "How many floors are there?"
"Five floors," she replied attentively. "The first floor is for receiving customers. The second for weapons and equipment. The third holds rare herbs and medicines. The fourth is reserved for cultivators' items. And the fifth floor is only accessible to cultivators at the late stage of Meridian Opening or higher."
Bai Tian's curiosity flared. 'What's on the fifth floor?' he wondered. But alas — he hadn't even begun cultivating yet.
Deciding to pass the time, he asked for a tour, and the young woman — whom he soon learned was called Sister Lu — patiently guided him through the pavilion, answering his endless questions.
By the time they reached the fourth floor, Bai Tian noticed something unusual. The crowd had thinned to barely fifty people, most of them only a little older than himself.
"Are they students from Greenwood Academy?" Bai Tian asked.
Sister Lu smiled softly. "Yes. At the end of each year, senior students are assigned missions on various islands. Many come here to purchase cultivation resources before departing."
Bai Tian nodded in understanding.
At that moment, a strikingly handsome young man approached. With long, dark hair framing delicate, almost feminine features, one might easily mistake him for a girl at first glance.
He came right up to them.
"Sister Lu," the young man greeted with a grin, "you look as radiant as the moon tonight."
Sister Lu blushed lightly but quickly composed herself. "Junior Chen, I'm on duty. Please don't cause trouble."
With a swish of his hair, the youth laughed."Haha… don't worry, I won't disturb you."
Leaning in close to Bai Tian, he whispered with a mischievous grin, "Listen, brat — Sister Lu is mine. Stay in your lane."
Straightening up, he turned back to Sister Lu with a carefree smile."Ah, thought this boy was someone I knew. Seems I was mistaken."
With that, he gave a casual wave and headed back downstairs.
Sister Lu sighed apologetically."Please don't mind him, guest. Junior Chen is a frequent visitor here. He's rather… eccentric, but he doesn't mean any harm."
'What a weirdo…' Bai Tian thought, realizing that Greenwood Academy students weren't all as noble as the stories made them seem.
He continued browsing the cultivation items — many of which he didn't even recognize. Only with Sister Lu's explanations did he begin to grasp their names and uses.
As he examined a peculiar jade pendant, Bai Tian noticed someone descending from the fifth floor. It was Uncle Xiao.
"Do you still want to stay a while longer?" Uncle Xiao asked as he approached.
"I've already seen everything on these floors. Nothing else to do," Bai Tian replied.
"Good. Let's head to the inn."
After thanking Sister Lu, Bai Tian followed Uncle Xiao out of the pavilion.
The streets outside were livelier than ever, especially on the outskirts of Misty Rain City. Bai Tian noticed groups of youths around his age flooding the streets. The farther they walked, the denser the crowd became — it felt like there were thousands.
"Uncle Xiao, why are there so many people? Misty Rain Island doesn't accept this many disciples, does it?"
"Little Bai, you've still got a lot to learn. Greenwood Academy holds its disciple induction on the first day of the second month. And when that happens, every martial arts dojo, city guard, navy division — they all recruit at the same time," Uncle Xiao explained. "Most of these young people are staying in the inns around this area. Once the Azure Festival ends in three days, everyone will head for their respective destinations."
Before long, they arrived in front of an old-looking inn. Unlike the bustling taverns they'd passed earlier, this one was quiet and understated.
Uncle Xiao glanced at Bai Tian and smiled."This inn was established by an old friend of your grandfather — a Foundation Establishment cultivator in his prime. Now, his son runs the place."
Bai Tian was surprised to hear that. Then, both of them went inside the inn.
Inside, people were drinking and chatting. Bai Tian noticed a young girl, only a little older than Xiao Ya, pouring wine for the guests.
How is that little girl doing? Bai Tian wondered inwardly with a sigh.
The young girl spotted Uncle Xiao and quickly made her way over.
"Father isn't around. I'll go call my mother, Uncle Xiao," she said sweetly after greeting them.
"Oh, no worries. It's been nearly a year since I've seen you. It seems you've grown up quite a bit," Uncle Xiao replied with a warm smile.
The young girl blushed slightly and answered, "It's just that Father isn't around, so I'm helping my mother."
Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed through the room as a middle-aged lady entered. She was very beautiful, though there were slight marks of time upon her face.
She approached Bai Tian and Uncle Xiao, and they began to chat.
"This is Bai Tian, Senior Bai's grandson. He'll be joining Greenwood Academy," Uncle Xiao said, placing a hand on Bai Tian's shoulder.
"He does look like Senior Bai," the lady murmured, looking Bai Tian up and down. "Sigh… It feels like just yesterday he was a little boy, and now he's all grown up."
She and her husband had once visited Mist Veil Island after Bai Tian's mother passed away, so she had seen him once before.
"I have to leave tomorrow," Uncle Xiao continued. "But since there are still three days before Greenwood Academy's disciple induction, I planned to leave Little Bai here."
"Don't worry — I'll take good care of him," the middle-aged lady assured him with a smile.
The young girl from earlier hurried to bring them tea, her movements nimble despite her youth. Bai Tian noticed the faint weariness in her eyes, but her smile never faded.
As they sipped the fragrant tea, Uncle Xiao glanced outside at the darkening sky. "It's getting late. I'll be leaving at dawn tomorrow, so this might be the last time I see you for a while, Little Bai."
Bai Tian nodded, a mix of reluctance and resolve in his heart.
After a bit more idle conversation, Uncle Xiao stood up. "I'll turn in for the night. You should get some rest too, Little Bai. Big day tomorrow."
"Uncle Xiao…" Bai Tian called out softly.
The older man turned back, one brow raised.
"Thank you… for everything."
Uncle Xiao's face softened. He chuckled, waving his hand. "Your father and I were brothers in arms. This is what family does. Now — don't get too sentimental, brat. Sleep early."
With a final nod, Uncle Xiao left, leaving Bai Tian sitting quietly in the lamplit room.
The middle-aged lady came over and placed a gentle hand on Bai Tian's shoulder. "Your room's ready. It's on the second floor, last room on the left. Sleep well, child."
"Thank you, Auntie," Bai Tian murmured.
As he made his way upstairs, he glanced out the window at the city's flickering lanterns. Somewhere out there, countless others his age were likely feeling the same mix of excitement and anxiety about the days to come.
Three days to the disciple induction.Bai Tian tightened his grip on the jade token and silently made a vow to himself.
No matter what it takes… I'll carve my own path in Greenwood Academy.
And with that thought, he entered his room, quietly shutting the door behind him.