Liam was taken aback by the man’s change in demeanor.
He was ushered and literally shooed away after asking his question.
‘Now I definitely need to ask about that. Why was he so afraid?’
Though, with the grave looks given to him by those who heard the conversation, Liam couldn’t ask the stall right next to him.
‘I need a map. That should help me locate the more sketchy areas of this country so I can ask the right questions.’
Liam set out once again, this time, muddling through the crowds and arriving at the hilltop.
Once again, a beautiful scene met his eyes.
From the somewhat high vantage point, Liam could see a vast night market, consisting of large, tall and loose tents with spacious walkways in between – bustling with all kinds of colors, people and sounds.
Here and there, towering white wisteria trees with purple, elephant ear-like leaves protruded from the ground and illuminated the regions with soft light.
Thick ‘Ora’ naturally oozed from those trees and spread a fragrant, relaxing aroma.
Multicolored orbs of light illuminated the countless walkways that spread like snakes in every direction, continuing up and down the hills.
Thankfully, there were places to stay. Spacious, natural-shaped inns made from the same wisterian wood.
Changing his appearance once more, he merged with the crowd.
‘I should stay inside for the rest of the night and train. I’ll pick up a ma— am I being followed?’
Liam cut his thoughts short as he felt a figure’s hidden gaze on his back.
It was there ever since his talk with the old man, but he figured it was just the crowd.
Just to be sure, he went thirty steps forward, then took a right, followed by a left.
He was being followed.
Liam’s gaze turned cold.
This was a Safe Zone.
He couldn’t kill anybody without the risk of getting killed or jailed himself, assuming there were jails and not outright execution.
The figure in question wasn’t looking at him with any bloodlust or ill intent, and it didn’t even seem like the man was a cultivator, but Liam didn’t want to take any chances.
As he was contemplating where to kill the figure, a hiss rang out behind him.
“Psst!”
Turning his head to the source of the voice, Liam’s eyes narrowed as he sensed the man waving at him from a dark alley.
‘Well, his grave.’
Approaching the alley, Liam was prepared to unsheath his blades when he realized his pursuer wasn’t even a cultivator.
He was a scrawny, weasley looking man wearing a large cloak.
“I heard you asking about any darkness exclusive Sects?” he asked with a mischievous grin.
Frowning, Liam remained silent.
“I can tell you about them for a price… 30 Stones.”
With a sigh, Liam took out 30 ‘Ora’ Stones and threw them to the man.
He accepted them with a smile, greedily storing them in his pockets before turning to Liam.
“There is one,” he whispered, anxiously checking his surroundings in case there was somebody listening.
“Long ago, they were exiled due to the Forbidden Arts they practiced. They weren’t so much as a darkness only Sect… but only those with a so-called “black heart” could join.”
Leaning forward to Liam, he uttered a name:
“The Temple of Shadow.”
Liam remained pensively silent, his gaze hard.
“What Forbidden Arts? Where are they now?”
The weasel shook his head.
“I don’t know… it was bad enough for them to get exiled by the Seven Clans, though, so it was pretty damn forbidden.”
“Rambling old timers say they’re still out there, planning something in secret, but it’s been so long I doubt most of the new generation even cares anymore.”
Noticing the confused look on Liam’s face, the man continued, his tone lowering in volume.
“See, our country has a long history with the Dual Empire and the Imperialists.”
“Way before my great-grandparents were born, they constantly attacked our Lands and tried to take over them.”
“With the birth of our powerhouse, we became stronger than ever and they stopped like the cowards they were.”
Liam wanted to ask who the powerhouse was, but the man shrugged. Locals only knew so much.
“Some factions split and wanted revenge, others wished for order and peace. The Temple of Shadow was the former… that’s all I know.”
With that, the weasel pulled his cloak over his head and scurried away. .
Liam hummed to himself in thought.
He didn’t know if his best interest would be searching for an exiled clan that may or may not exist anymore. If the locals didn’t find it, he sure as heck could not.
Even if it did exist, there was no guarantee of them being strong enough to provide resources for Liam to cultivate, forge and train with.
Though, the Forbidden Arts aspect certainly made him curious.
Not to mention, if they were in hiding, it was all the better for Liam… if they were to accept him, of course.
‘I should at least explore the other Sects and see if they suit my needs. If I can’t find anything, I’ll try and look for them.’
Liam left the alley and looked for a map stall.
Finding one, he quickly bought the biggest and most detailed map he saw, which named the regions of Ilali and vaguely described the sects they belonged to.
Ilali wasn’t nearly as vast as Echoria was, but he was still at its front door. The Main Lands were more than two million steps away.
Storing the map in his ring, Liam made his way to an inn with a changed appearance.
The interior was lit by orbs of violet light, filled with laughing, flush-faced men and women having a good time.
“One room, please,” Liam asked the plump lady wearing a martial arts robe behind the counter.
She smiled and asked for five Stones, which Liam quickly paid, receiving a glowing white token in response and directions to a room.
The room itself wasn’t much, but everything was made from natural wood and plants. Even the bed and light hanging from above.
Liam laid out his parchments around him and began studying, cultivating and training until morning.