After more than ten minutes, a town appeared in the distance, coming into view for Holden, Violet, and the others.
“Leo, is that Clearwind Town?” Violet asked.
“Yes,” Leo nodded.
At this moment, many streaks of light passed by them. Some Cultivators were riding flying mounts, while others were traveling through the air. On the ground, more people were riding beast mounts, traveling in small groups, with carriages and Cultivators speeding along the roads.
“It’s quite lively,” Christian remarked.
“This town is huge. The gates must be fifty or sixty meters high,” Aimee couldn’t help but say.
“I’ll take you to the streets first,” Leo said, leading the group to descend from the sky and land outside the town gate.
Outside the massive town gate stood nine Black Armored Guards, holding long spears.
The guard in the center was a rough-looking middle-aged man with a full beard. His black spear glimmered faintly.
“Please pay the entrance fee,” the middle-aged Black Armored Guard said, glancing at Leo and the others.
Leo nodded and waved his right hand. Seven Low-Quality Spirit Stones appeared and floated towards the middle-aged Black Armored Guard.
“The entrance fee is five Low-Quality Spirit Stones per person,” the middle-aged Black Armored Guard said after taking the seven stones.
Leo raised an eyebrow. He knew that in the Awakened Continent, except for some special cities, the entrance fee for most towns was just one Low-Quality Spirit Stone. Moreover, the last time he came to Clearwind Town, the fee was also one stone.
“When did the entrance fee change to five Low-Quality Spirit Stones?” Leo frowned and asked.
He didn’t care about a few Spirit Stones, but being overcharged was annoying. Leo hated arbitrary fees the most.
“This is an order from My Lord. If you want to enter, pay up quickly; there’s a line behind you,” a young Black Armored Guard beside the middle-aged one said impatiently.
Violet’s face changed slightly at the young guard’s words. Wasn’t Leo the new lord? When did they get a new lord?
Leo’s gaze turned cold, and a hint of his aura leaked out as he looked at the young guard. Under Leo’s stare, the young guard shivered, feeling as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, and stood frozen in place.
The middle-aged guard’s expression changed upon sensing Leo’s aura. “Sir, please don’t be angry. I apologize on his behalf.”
In this Cultivator’s World, strength was respected. The middle-aged guard had some sense and quickly spoke up.
Leo’s expression softened as he withdrew his aura.
“Th-thank you,” the young guard stammered before stepping aside.
“What is going on? When did the entrance fee change to five Low-Quality Spirit Stones? And what about this new lord?” Leo asked the middle-aged guard with a frown.
“The new lord hasn’t arrived yet. The fee increase wasn’t our decision,” the middle-aged guard replied respectfully. “We were ordered by Vice Lord Duffy, who said it was a decree from the new lord to raise the fee to five Low-Quality Spirit Stones. This has been in effect for over a month.”
“What?” Leo’s frown deepened. He only knew Lucas Collins; he had never heard of Vice Lord Duffy or issued such a decree. Moreover, this decree had been in effect for over a month, likely shortly after he acquired the lordship of Clearwind Town.
“The new lord must be quite pompous, raising the entrance fee before even arriving.”
“Yeah, paying five Low-Quality Spirit Stones each time is too much.”
“If it weren’t for needing Spirit Herbs and a place to rest, I wouldn’t come to Clearwind Town.”
“Even Zratol only charges one Low-Quality Spirit Stone. Is this new lord out of his mind?”
“Shh, keep it down. The Black Armored Guards are right here. If word gets to the new lord, we’ll be in trouble.”
Behind Leo and his group, Cultivators waiting to enter the town couldn’t help but complain after hearing Leo’s conversation with the guards.
Hearing their complaints, Leo’s face darkened further.
“Leo, what’s going on?” Violet asked quietly.
“Someone must have falsely issued my orders to raise the entrance fee to five Low-Quality Spirit Stones,” Leo speculated. In this Cultivator’s World, most Cultivators were lower-tier. Don’t underestimate a five-stone entrance fee; over time, lower-tier Cultivators would avoid Clearwind Town, and even stronger ones would resent it.
What annoyed Leo most was that Vice Lord Duffy dared to falsely issue his orders. He hadn’t even taken office yet, and his reputation was already tarnished.
“Sir, we don’t agree with raising the fee either. Fewer Cultivators are coming to rest or buy Spirit Herbs these days. But orders are orders,” the middle-aged guard added helplessly upon seeing Leo’s displeased expression.
“It seems I need to meet this Vice Lord Duffy. Let’s go!” Leo’s eyes flashed coldly as he led his group into Clearwind Town.
Violet, Holden, and the others followed closely behind.
Inside Clearwind Town, both sides of the main street were lined with stalls and shops. Vendors sold various items from beasts, as well as ores, magical artifacts, spiritual weapons, Spirit Fruits, Spirit Herbs, and various accessories.
However, Leo could clearly feel that there were fewer people on the streets compared to his last visit.
Violet looked around curiously with wide eyes as she walked beside Leo.
Led by Leo, they soon arrived at the Lord’s Manor in the town center. Eight Black Armored Guards were on duty outside its gates.
“Stop! This is Clearwind Town Lord’s Manor. No unauthorized entry,” one of the guards stepped forward and said coldly as Leo’s group approached.
Without speaking, Leo flipped his right hand to reveal a silver token.
Seeing the token, all eight guards’ expressions changed simultaneously.
“That’s… the Lord’s Token! You… you are…” The guard captain was first shocked but then quickly knelt on one knee before Leo. “Greetings to our lord!”
The other seven guards immediately followed suit and knelt down as well.
“Rise,” Leo said calmly before leading Violet and the others into the manor.
“Captain, isn’t this new lord too young?” one of the guards whispered after Leo’s group entered the manor.