Hey guys, as promised. The second chapter of the day! This one might have some stuff in it that isn't boring. Lets go!

________________________________________________________________________________________________

The group sped up and reached the city gates in less than an hour. They appeared much taller than they had when they were five miles away, towering above them like gods. The green light emitted from them was much more shiny and pure, drawing enchanted gazes toward it. Feng Yun had already experienced the grandeur of a Second Class City but he still marveled at it.

Ahead were a large cluster of people with numerous carriages and animals, most of them being traders or merchants. A few of them bore the insignias of infamous thousand year old merchant clans that had very distinguishable statuses. Although Feng Yun and Xia Qing had been unable to identify them, the sight of those symbols caused shocked looks to appear on the faces of the elder generation mercenaries. They had obviously been around the continent much more than Feng Yun had and collected a lot of knowledge regarding the great powers of the continent. Compared to them, Feng Yun and Xia Qing had relatively no experience.

"That's...the Black Sun Merchant Clan! They are famous for having monopolized a large majority of the sales for spiritual weapons!"

"Heavens....even the Devil's Deal guild is here as well! They are famous in the criminal underworld. There is practically no one in the underworld who hasn't heard of these guys. For their members to appear here, truly amazing!"

The Death Singer mercenaries constantly called out the names of the merchant guilds that were passing through. Each time they spotted one, their expression would turn as shocked as the last one. It was quite comical to Feng Yun, who had not heard of the vast majority of the people. Looking at it closely, he noticed the large, bulky city guards standing grim faced nodding their heads as more people arrived. They seemed to be completely fine with the situation despite the infamous names coming into their heads. It was likely that they had already experienced such shock in their life too many times and had grown accustomed to it. What kind of Second Class City was this to accept such high profile people? Dong Fuzhen suddenly felt a jolt in his head as he recalled something.

"Wait...I didn't realize before but...this is called Twin...Viper City right? Don't tell me this is that city?" He stuttered to himself and appeared shocked out of his mind. Feng Yun heard this and said,

"What do you mean by 'that city' Dong Fuzhen?" Dong Fuzhen hurriedly snapped out of his trance and cleared his voice to answer Feng Yun's question.

"This city...Twin Viper City is actually the most famous of all Second Class Cities! It is known to have attracted many of the continent's wealthy people and powerful cultivators alike. It is a heaven for economy and auctions. This Second Class City's popularity is comparable to a First Class City! This is why no one dares to slight it." Feng Yun was shocked. A Second Class City that was comparable to a First Class City? How extraordinary! So many people of high individual status gathering in a Second Class City is simply unfathomable.

But people of this high of a status should normally be going to First Class Cities! Why would they come to a mere Second Class City? Almost as if sensing Feng Yun's question, Dong Fuzhen cleared his throat and said,

"This city is actually situated on a very popular trading route that has been used for thousands of years! Merchants would use this to transport very popular goods secretly and effectively and sell them at the respective locations. Some of these products included Green Fanged Eagle blood, high level demonic beast carcasses and medicines for improving cultivation!"

"This trading route was actually kept secret for a very long time and people wished to monopolize its great effect for themselves so they brought very few people with them. Bandits would hardly appear on the trail and there were smooth lands that enabled high speed travel." Dong Fuzhen took a breath after speaking and looked at Feng Yun. Feng Yun was very interested. A secret merchant route. How intriguing! Feng Yun asked him,

"So what changed?"

"Well, a very powerful young noble had just become a Truth realm cultivator at the time and his talent was recognized by one of the Asuras of the two countries, either the Tian Ming Empire or the Xu Dynasty. I don't remember which one it was." Dong Fuzhen paused to ponder for a moment and then shook his head, giving up. "Anyways, because of this recognition, he was given a territory to rule over. Since he had just become a Truth realm cultivator, he could only form a Second Class City with the funding of the respective country."

"When you cross into the higher realms, you can gain territory from the Asuras?" Feng Yun had not known about this fact. The notion that your status could upgrade so high just for becoming a Tyrant or Truth realm cultivator astounded him. Dong Fuzhen looked at him, puzzled that he had not known this.

"Why of course! Do you know how hard it is to become a Truth or Tyrant realm cultivator?! Not many can do it and thus, those who can, are treated with high regard. The Asuras respect such talent and thus bestow territory upon these young nobles to win favor towards their country. They give the newly made noble a piece of land and money to build a certain level of a city, based on their strength and talent. You are only a formal noble if you have entered the Tyrant and Truth realm. If you have not entered it, then you are merely a heir and not a noble at all."

"What about sects? If they house multiple Truth or Tyrant realm cultivators, how does that reflect on their land?" Feng Yun's Cloudscale Sect housed approximately thirteen elders of the higher realms. He wanted to know what would happen to the territory if more higher realms cultivators arose. Dong Fuzhen smiled and nodded his head in understanding. He knew that Feng Yun was clearly someone from a distinguished sect and the reason he was asking about sects was to better understand his own.

"Well, if you have multiple elders of the Tyrant or Truth realms, then the territory stacks. This means that the territory of that particular sect will increase, adding new territory to it and making it much more powerful than it was before." Feng Yun heard this and nodded. He suddenly recalled that his Cloudscale Sect main headquarters where he lived wasn't overly large. However, he had heard from his parents that there were much more branches scattered throughout the Xu Dynasty. Thinking about it now, the only way this was possible was through the combined efforts of all thirteen of the elders and sect master Feng Lei. Feng Yun wondered how much territory the Blood Demon Sect had. His eyes darkened as he thought about the bastards who had tried to assassinate him numerous times. He clenched his fists unconsciously and some cracking sounds emitted from it. He continued to listen as Dong Fuzhen further explained.

"Heading back to the earlier topic, the young noble set up his city on the trail. At the time, not even the Asuras had known that the trail was being used for such purposes. If they had, they would have constructed a First Class City there instead. Or, they would have just moved the young noble somewhere else and replaced him with one of their imperial clansmen. Anyways, the young noble established a city and it started out poorly. There were no people residing there at the time except some of his family and a few businesses he had contracted with."

"However, in a short time period, a change began to appear. Many people were secretly passing through and bringing cargo along. They had all been traveling for long periods of time and required rest. Coincidentally, the young noble had many lodging spots available for visitors. After he let the visitors stay, they were very grateful to him and said that they would return the favor. At the time, the young noble hadn't thought much of it and sent them off. Who would have thought that weeks later, a much larger crowd of people arrived in Twin Viper City and settling and starting businesses there? It turns out that the young noble had helped out an extremely influential merchant clan that was ranked within the top five in the continent and possessed extraordinary influence. That clan had lasted for tens of thousands of years and was too wealthy."

"Soon after, business was booming in Twin Viper City and many influential people in the continent went here for opportunity and trade. The young noble, now a city lord, became someone of incredible status and was held in respect by far too many people. The city lord had never forgotten the favor that those first visitors had shown him and had gone back to thank them. To this day, the merchant clan and Twin Viper City share a great and friendly relationship with each other, that akin to brothers. Even people from First Class Cities come here with pride in their hearts. It is said that occasionally, people from Imperial Class Cities will come here for a business excursion." Feng Yun had been fascinated with this tale and now held a deep regard towards this city. He still wanted to know however,

"What was the noble's name?"

"Well actually, it is not 'was'. It should be is! The young noble still lives even after thousands of years have passed. Although his longevity has shortened significantly, make no mistake, he still lives. As for his name, many have forgotten his real name. However, all know the name he is famous for. Have you heard the terms used to describe those who have achieved Tyrant or Truth realm?" Feng Yun nodded his head. He had familiarized himself with this term many times when he was reading books in the library.

"Those who have achieved Tyrant realm are called Bloodfiends and those who have achieved Truth realm are called Seekers!" Dong Fuzhen nodded with satisfaction at the answer and proceeded to answer Feng Yun's earlier question.

"Good. The young noble had achieved Truth realm and the city was named after his Seeker name. Therefore, his name was known to most of the continent as Seeker Twin Viper!"

"Seeker Twin Viper..." Feng Yun whispered the name to himself and decided that he should remember it well. He pondered what he would be called he reached the higher realms. Would be known throughout the continent as a truth desiring Seeker....or as a blood soaked Bloodfiend? He was anxious to know what it would be. Dong Fuzhen shook him out of his thoughts as they walked towards the gate.

"We will have to pass through the guards of the city. We should be good enough to enter in."

The group of fifty entered the line of wealthy people waiting for them to be eligible to enter through the city. The line passed very quickly and they did not pay attention to the method of admission that the people were using to access the city. Feng Yun did not realize it until the last moment but the people who were allowed to enter the city had all showed a card that was distinguishable symbol that represented their faction. When he finally noticed it, there was only one group in front of them left. Feng Yun glanced at the card that one of the members of the group in front of him was producing for the guard to inspect and a dark expression surfaced onto his face. A card? A card was required in order to enter the city? He whispered to Dong Fuzhen,

"You wouldn't happen to have a distinguishable card for entering the city right?"

"Hm, what do you mean?" Dong Fuzhen looked confused. "Cards are only required for First Class Cities! Second Class Cities do not require the use of status!"

"Well then, ho do you explain the fact that the guards are inspecting that and letting them in?!" Feng Yun was a bit frantic. He pointed towards the representative of the group's card that was being inspected. Dong Fuzhen followed his finger and a pale expression ashed onto his face.

"Shit, this city requires a card? What the hell is wrong with that?" Dong Fuzhen was gritting his teeth in anger. Feng Yun's face turned ugly. What hell you old bastard? You didn't even know about this little detail of information?!

The group in front of them was guided towards the gate by another guard and entered through. Now, it was the Death Singer Mercenaries' turn to check in. The grim faced guard stared at the clothing of the whole group and a faint surprise appeared on his face. The clothing on the people was actually not fancy at all. Rather, it seemed to be made out of commoner clothing. A common mercenary group? A common mercenary group does not have the qualifications to enter the city! The only thing that drew his attention was the thirteen year old boy in front of him with the snow white jacket that looked as if it was fashioned out of the clouds themselves. Aside from that, the group was completely ordinary. His expression lost all traces of respect and a faint coldness could be seen. He held out his hand and the question both Dong Fuzhen and Feng Yun were dreading came.

"May I verify your badge?"