Molting the Mortal Coil

Sage stayed in the tomb for three months. He would have stayed even longer, but the solitude was wearing on him. He’d already been trapped in the mines for half a year against his will, and adding on another three months was already too much. The only reason he had was simply because the true Insect Immortal Index was just too engrossing. Partly because it was so powerful, but mainly because he already knew the basic technique. This advanced version felt like his eyes were being opened, a fog in his mind had lifted. The true potential of this technique was truly limitless.

I haven’t really seen any other techniques in this world, but this one is focused on growth and experimentation. That’s got to be the fastest right? Well, unless I can find one of those ones that make you train a hundred times faster.

Thankfully, Sage was able to just walk right out. He thanked the Great Ancestor again for his help before leaving and found that all he had to do was touch the door and it opened for him. Heading up the many flights of stairs and touching that door as well. The sunlight hitting his face was so very refreshing. Turning away from the main Lang Clan compound he headed towards Lionheart Town.

In Lionheart Town, a middle-aged man was drinking a cup of tea at a teahouse. The usual style for most restaurants here was based around many open air windows. The buildings had multiple floors and the walls usually only reached up to table height with pillars holding up the higher levels. Everyone enjoyed the open air dining with roofs to keep out the weather and the lack of modern technology meant it was a lot cooler in the summer. The middle-aged man blinked a few times as he noticed a passerby. It looked quite a lot like that person who had walked around the Lang Clan compound and then walked into their tomb.

Rising to his feet, he quickly left a coin on the table and rushed out. Passing another coin to someone near the door of the teahouse along with a few words before he stepped out onto the streets.

Walking down the street, Sage looked down and realized he looked like a homeless person. His only set of clothing had been continuously worn for nearly ten months now, it was barely more than threads in many places and had so many holes he felt every gust of wind. Remembering he had some money now from inside the storage ring he stopped at the first clothing store he saw and walked inside. Not familiar with buying clothing here, he was surprised to find out that most clothing really only came in a handful of sizes and most of them were for children! Pre-constructed clothing only really came in a small and large size, essentially for a normal or fat person and that was about the extent of it. Poor people just had to deal with it, trousers had a rope belt to tighten to most sizes, the shirt was loose, and the robes also tied with a belt. Those with money usually custom fit and tailored clothing or even had them custom made from fabrics of their choice.

Well, it’s not like I’m lacking money. Let’s try it!

First purchasing a set of generic cheap clothing, he then got his measurements taken and ordered a dozen sets of clothing for various purposes in various colors. He had a storage ring and all his old possessions burned down with the rest of the Lang Clan. There seemed to be nothing wrong with buying a whole wardrobe from the get go. Having no idea on what to pick he simply set a price with the Tailor and let him choose what to make. With the first errand out of the way, Sage stopped by a restaurant and had a meal. He’d been eating bugs for seven months and then eating the food stored in the ring for the last three, having something hot and fresh was exquisite.

A few hours later, Sage walked down the street with a slow gait. He’d gorged himself on all the things he’d been craving for months before leaving the restaurant and making his way to an Inn. He ordered the most expensive room and a hot bath, wasting far more money then he’d ever even seen before in this world, and indulging himself in bathing in real warm water with actual soap and hair care products. Wearing just a towel he climbed into the big bed and rolled around under the silk sheets.

Now this is the life! I swear I’m never going into another damn cave ever again!

For the next few days, Sage did all the things he had been so deprived of while in the Back Mine. Eating, sleeping, even drinking wine and making friends in a bar. He was careful not to reveal his name, only ever using his first name and chatting about inconsequential things. Remembering what had happened terrified him every time, and he planned to leave Lionheart Town as soon as possible. He had to wait a week for his clothing to be finished and there was also the matter of finding a safe way to travel. The roads between towns were quite long and he didn’t wish to run into bandits. In fact after his first nightmare he decided to start carrying his two valuables inside his clothing. Just like the advice people always gave about going to a foreign country he hid the beast bag under his shirt and the ring on a cord around his neck. He carried a small pouch on his waist and put all his change in there so if he was robbed they wouldn’t get much while at the same time avoiding suspicion for where he was keeping his money just like the concept of carrying two wallets from his old life.

Reaching a massive intersection of two roads, Sage looked around at the massive buildings that sat on each corner. This was the central square of the whole Lionheart Town and as such each of the corners of the square was taken up by four major businesses. One of the roads led directly towards the Mayor’s mansion along with the courthouse and other administrative buildings. Directly opposite the mayor’s mansion was the road leading to the main gate which was loaded with most of the more prestigious businesses. The other two roads led to the middle and upper class residential districts making this square the true hub of the city.

The four businesses are Iron Mountain, Thousand Treasures, Lotus Valley, and the Black Dog Company.

Iron Mountain is basically a bank. They have vaults to guard treasures and fortunes, give out loans, change money, and even offer protection services. They’re all from a super powerful sect that nobody dares to mess with even though nobody knows where they exactly come from. The Iron Mountain members are notoriously silent and no outsiders are ever hired or trusted by them.

Thousand Treasures runs not only an auction house but a massive business based on buying and selling magical items, natural treasures, and all sorts of other rare goods. If you want something out of the ordinary it’s the place to go.

Lotus Valley is the home of vices. They deal in all sorts of pleasures. Food, wine, drugs, women, gambling, you name it. Everything is high quality and high class, unless you don’t want it to be. Whatever you desire, they’ll give it to you… for a price.

Black Dog Company. The most famous mercenary organization in 10,000 Wave Province. Cultivators simply take a test and will get awarded a badge based on their rank. The badge level determines what missions they can take and they get paid based on their performance. There’s no guarantees with their services but they highly punish any member who betrays their employers and the badge system gives the employers a modicum of trust in the strength of those they hire.

These four major businesses were said to not only be present in the 10,000 Wave Province but many others. Sage wasn’t exactly sure as it wasn’t something the Lang Clan really cared about. They simply knew the four major businesses were not to be trifled with even by the Chong Clan! Getting on their bad side wasn’t even something the Lang Clan even imagined. Sage was here to join the Black Dog Company and sign up for a mission to take him to another city. Lionheart Town and even the whole Jade Spirit County was too dangerous for him as a member of the Lang Clan. He didn’t want to end up like the rest of the clan.