The city of Iroh loomed before us, its towering walls etched with intricate formations that pulsed faintly with Qi. It was an intimidating sight, but I couldn’t help but wonder how much of a defense it truly was. After all, it would only take one powerful cultivator to reduce it all to rubble. Still, as we drew closer, I realized the sheer scale of the formation was impressive, even if it wasn’t the most efficient. The city’s defenses were bolstered by small crystals carried by the guards, designed to detect artificial boosts in Qi. Fortunately, our situation was the opposite. We were suppressing our power, not enhancing it, so we slipped through unnoticed.

  I had never been tasked with gathering information in a new world before. Where does one even begin? Taverns, I decided, were as good a place as any. Drunk people love to talk, and a single pint could buy you a whole new friend, or at least a little information.

  As we wandered through Iroh, the city’s vibrant atmosphere struck me. The buildings here were taller, sturdier, and more ornate than those in the outer city. The color palette had shifted too; businesses were no longer confined to the stark reds of the outer districts, and homes boasted a kaleidoscope of hues. It was a refreshing change, though the sight of Nascent Soul cultivators strutting through the streets reminded me that this place was far from peaceful.

  The weaker cultivators, draped in expensive materials, were hard to miss. They reeked of wealth, their personalities seemingly defined by the weight of their purse. Likely the spoiled scions of merchants or powerful cultivators, who had either failed to cultivate their talent or chosen to hire strength rather than earn it for themselves.

  Our search for a tavern led us to a quaint teahouse nestled in a small park. The structure was a circular pagoda, its dark brown wood tinged with a faint green hue from the Qi that seemed to gather at its center. It was a most curious sight. Was there a gathering array hidden within? If so, why? Or was it merely for aesthetic purposes?

  We walked up and took a seat, a servant swiftly approached with a small wooden box. She opened it with practiced grace, and the sheer amount of Qi emanating from the tea leaves inside had left me momentarily stunned.

  “Welcome honoured guests. Our selection is limited,” she said with a practiced smile, “but every tea we serve is fit for an emperor.” She gestured grandly to the leaves, their aroma filling the air. “These are our prized Golden Horizon leaves, favored by the governor himself. If you’d prefer something else, I can fetch a few others.”

  The tea smelled divine, but the price was beyond our means. “I’m afraid we don’t have the taels to pay for such luxury,” I admitted, my regret genuine.

  The servant’s smile turned into a cheshire grin. “Taels? Hah! You’re amusing. But we do accept other forms of payment. Spirit stones, for instance. Two would suffice.”

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  I hesitated. I had pills and monster cores from the Void Reality, which would probably work as currency, but using them here could draw unwanted attention. “I’m afraid we’ve fallen on hard times,” I said finally.

  Her demeanor shifted instantly. No trace of a smile to be found on her expression, now a dismissive sneer. “Tch.”

  “You two don’t look familiar,” she then stated, her tone sharp. “If you’ve entered Iroh without money, you must at least be at the Nascent Soul stage, no? If so, the Generous Grass Garden is always hiring. If you're Nascent Souls, you should get off your asses and do something with that power.”

  “We are at the Nascent Soul level,” I confirmed, “and we could use the money. What kind of work are we talking about?”

  “Nothing too demanding. Hunting overgrown ironbulls, clearing goblin infestations, gathering rare herbs, that sort of thing. Surely it’s within your capabilities?” She said with a casual wave of her hand, almost as if issuing a challenge at the end.

  “And where would we accept these missions?”

  “The Green Square in central Iroh houses the 3G Headquarters—that’s the Generous Grass Garden. You can’t miss it, it’s marked by three golden G’s. That’s where you’ll find missions and collect your rewards.”

  “Sounds fairly straightforward,” I said. “We’ll look into it.”

  The servant, Yue, as she introduced herself, clasped her hands together, her smile returning. “Excellent! Mention that Yue from Yue’s Teahouse sent you.”

  “We will. I’m Henry, by the way, and this is Gerard.”

  “May fortune favor your journey, uhm, Heng Lee, and ... Jie La De.” she said with a slight bow, forcing a confused smile. We returned the gesture, not wanting to offend. I chuckled inwardly, Heng Lee and Jie La De? I suppose these are our cultivator names now.

  As we left, I couldn’t help but wonder if mentioning Yue’s name would earn her some kind of referral bonus. The Generous Grass Garden seemed like a good place to start, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that a dozen Nascent Soul cultivators, who all knew each other, appearing out of nowhere might raise suspicions. Perhaps it would be wise to split up our group once the others get here.

  Or perhaps I was being too careful? It is better to be safe than sorry however.

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  At the 3G Headquarters, we approached a clerk with a mission paper in hand. “Hello, we are Heng Lee, and Jie La De. We’d like to take this mission.”

  The clerk glanced at the paper. “A wolf extermination request, hmm? First mission?” His tone was bored, as if he’d had this conversation a thousand times before.

  “Yes, we’re new in town and looking to make some money.”

  “Welcome to 3G, then. Just remember to bring proof of your kills. The right front paw for wolves. Also, have you worked with any other associations or sects?”

  “Not in this area. Does that matter?”

  “Not really, but we’re required to run background checks. If you’ve worked with others, it’s easier to confirm you won't cause trouble.”

  “I'm afraid we come from faraway lands.”

  “A different kingdom?”

  I respond with a nod "A teleportation technique went wrong, and we ended up here by accident.”

  The clerk sighed. “That complicates things," He cupped his chin as if deep in though, "But what do I care, you can accept basic missions. Just try to stay out of trouble."

  “Thanks for the advice,” I said, tipping him a copper coin.