Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 245

Chapter 245: Burning Heaven Worlds II

Aiden shook off the memories of past events and focused on the journey ahead. Their destination was the Burning Heaven World, a place that lived up to its fiery name. To get there, they would first travel to the main city on this island, where an inter-world teleportation circle awaited them.

The Burning Heaven World, as the name suggested, was a realm dominated by flames and fire-related powers. Those who ruled it were cultivators with Martial Spirits connected to the element of fire. At the top of this hierarchy stood the Burning Heaven Sect, a powerful and ancient sect whose influence was so vast that the entire world had been renamed after them.

In this world, the Burning Heaven Sect’s dominance was absolute. Their control over the world was so complete that they had the power to rename it after their sect, a privilege reserved for only the most powerful and revered sects in the vast Immortal Realm.

After a half-day journey, Aiden and his companions finally arrived at Lumian City, the main city on the island. As they approached, the sheer magnitude of the city became increasingly apparent. Lumian City was a sprawling metropolis, far more impressive than Skyfire City, which they had visited previously. In comparison, Lumian City was a behemoth, its grandeur and scale easily surpassing Skyfire by tenfold.

The city was a marvel of architectural brilliance, with towering spires and colossal buildings that seemed to reach the heavens. The structures were crafted from materials that shimmered in the sunlight, their surfaces adorned with intricate carvings and mystical runes that glowed faintly with ancient power. Each building exuded an aura of history and strength, suggesting that they had stood for millennia, bearing witness to the rise and fall of countless cultivators.

The streets of Lumian City were broad and bustling with life, filled with cultivators from all walks of life. However, unlike lesser cities, the average level of cultivation here was incredibly high. The air was thick with the energy of powerful beings, creating an oppressive atmosphere that would be overwhelming for anyone not accustomed to such intensity. Aiden could sense the formidable presence of many Immortal Realm cultivators as they went about their business, their auras a testament to the city’s significance in the Immortal Realm.

What caught Aiden’s attention most, however, were the city guards. Unlike the guards in other cities who were often at the Foundation or Nascent Soul stages, the guards of Lumian City were all Immortal Kings. These were individuals who had ascended to one of the higher tiers of cultivation, their power leagues above what was typically seen in other parts of the realm. Clad in ornate armor that glimmered with protective enchantments, these guards stood with an air of absolute authority, their mere presence a reminder of the city’s strength.

The fact that even the guards were Immortal Kings spoke volumes about the level of power required to govern such a city. If these were merely the sentinels, Aiden could only imagine the unimaginable strength of those who ruled over Lumian City. The rulers here were undoubtedly some of the most powerful beings in the Immortal Realm, and their influence stretched far beyond the city’s walls.

As they ventured deeper into the city, Aiden couldn’t help but marvel at the city’s prosperity and the sheer number of powerful cultivators who called it home. The marketplace was alive with activity, stalls selling rare and exotic materials, powerful artifacts, and treasures that would be impossible to find in lesser cities. Cultivators haggled over prices for rare elixirs, ancient texts, and other items that could help them ascend to even greater heights.

As they reached the center of Lumian City, Aiden, Nexus, and Myne took in the bustling scene around them. The heart of the city was alive with activity, and the energy was almost palpable. To avoid any unnecessary trouble, Nexus and Myne had altered their appearances to look more average, masking their usual beauty. They didn’t want a repeat of the young master incident.

Aiden looked around, assessing the area. “Let’s split up. The World Teleportation schedule isn’t until over a week later, so we have time to explore,” he suggested.

Nexus and Myne exchanged glances, a spark of rivalry flashing between them. It was clear they both had the same idea in mind—how to make the most of their time with Aiden.

“Why don’t we go there?” Nexus quickly locked her arm with Aiden’s, pointing toward a grand-looking restaurant. It had a canopy roof and was adorned in red, exuding an air of luxury. The aroma of food wafted through the air, enticing them, while beautiful waitresses greeted customers with warm smiles.

Before Aiden could respond, Myne wasn’t about to let Nexus have her way. She grabbed Aiden’s other hand and pointed toward a bustling market. “Or we could check out the market instead. It’s packed with vendors selling all kinds of goods. Who knows? We might even find some hidden treasures.”

The market was a vibrant scene, with rows of shops lining the streets, each filled with exotic wares. The buzz of bargaining and the sight of rare items were enough to draw anyone’s interest.

Caught between the two, Aiden found himself at the center of their tug-of-war. Both places had their appeal—one offering the comfort of fine dining and the other the thrill of discovering something valuable.

Nexus tightened her grip slightly, leaning closer to Aiden. “The restaurant seems like the perfect place to relax and enjoy ourselves, don’t you think?”

Myne, not backing down, pulled Aiden gently toward her direction. “But the market is full of opportunities! We might find something that could really benefit us on our journey.”

Aiden, amused by their competitive spirits, chuckled. “Alright, how about we visit both? We can start with the market and then head to the restaurant later.”

As Nexus and Myne nodded in agreement, Aiden sighed in relief, thinking to himself, ‘I really wonder how those harem protagonists manage their harem.’ He then led them into the bustling market with Nexus and Myne in tow.

‘Though, I think the chance of acquiring a treasure is great here,’ Aiden mused as he scanned the market. Places like this often held hidden treasures just waiting to be discovered by a lucky protagonist. Activating his Akashic Insight, Aiden began to look around more intently, searching for anything of value.

As they walked through the market, Aiden’s eyes caught sight of a small shop tucked away between two larger stalls. Something about it drew his attention, so he decided to investigate.

“Hello, young man! How about buying something nice for your companions?” The shop owner, an old lady with a warm smile, greeted them as they approached. Her stall was filled with various women’s accessories—jewelry, hairpins, and trinkets of all kinds.

Nexus and Myne’s eyes lit up at the sight of the accessories, and they immediately began browsing the shop, excitedly looking through the items.

‘I’ll let them decide,’ Aiden thought, not paying much attention to the accessories. However, his gaze was soon drawn to a particular item—a ring with a red, ruby-like gem set in a golden band. At first glance, it appeared to be a simple accessory, but Aiden knew better. There was something more to it, something hidden beneath its ordinary appearance.

The ring seemed to pulse with a faint energy, almost imperceptible to anyone without a keen sense for such things. Aiden’s Akashic Insight confirmed his suspicion—this was no ordinary ring. It was concealing something powerful, something ancient.

“How much for this ring?” Aiden asked, his voice calm as he picked up the item, examining it closely.

The old lady’s eyes sparkled as she noticed his interest. “Ah, that ring? It’s been in my family for generations, though I never knew its true value. For you, young man, I’ll offer it at a fair price.”

Aiden knew that she was likely unaware of the ring’s true nature, but he also realized that haggling might draw too much attention. He decided to agree to her price without too much negotiation.

“Deal,” Aiden said, handing over the required amount. As he took the ring, he felt a strange sensation run through his fingers, confirming that he had indeed found something valuable.

Nexus and Myne finished browsing and noticed Aiden holding the ring. “What did you find?” Myne asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Just something small,” Aiden replied with a sly smile, choosing to keep the ring’s true nature a secret for now.

They both shrugged, content with their purchases. Myne bought a hairpin that fit perfectly into her hair bun, accentuating her beauty like the final piece of a puzzle. Nexus also chose a hairpin, a golden one shaped like a bird, which adorned her hair like a crown.

“You both look stunning with those,” the old shopkeeper remarked as Aiden nodded and paid the price.

After Aiden paid for the items, the old lady smiled warmly at them, her eyes twinkling with a hint of wisdom. “These accessories suit you both perfectly. May they bring you fortune and protection on your journey.”