Arriving at Alten City

As they came close to the gates, a pair of guards stopped them, "Halt, state where you come from, and your cultivation,"

Puzzled by the sudden asking of cultivation, Ryker answered the guards, "We from the Frontier Town, and our cultivation are at the 5th Stage Genesis Formation and 6th Stage Genesis Gathering respectively,"

Hearing one of the travelers was a Genesis Formation expert, the guards a ruched his before telling them to wait. He grabbed a jade piece before doing something to it. Soon, a man appeared, his cultivation was also at the Genesis Formation, albeit at the 3rd Stage.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I'm the leader of one of the squads guarding this section of the wall. Please follow me so you can get registered and a permit," the leader said, motioning them to follow him.

As they walked past the gate, they saw several lines, each seemingly waiting for their turn. "Genesis Formation experts and above were given the privilege to skip the line, their families also included," he added as an afterthought.

As they passed the line and the second gate, the people in it looked displeased but didn't try to do anything. The leader led them to the registry, "You need to pay the entrance fee first at the gate checkpoint before you are allowed to enter. Because it will take too long, you can pay at the registry, while filling the form.

Don't worry, the form asked just the basic questions, nothing private mind you. After that, you will be allowed to go to the city. If you wish to ask more questions about the city, you can ask one of the guides in the area, though you need to pay them yourselves,"

After giving them several tips, the leader left them, Ryker and Ina heading towards the receptionist, paying the man 30 silver coins for 15 people. The man put down two forms for them to sign. After filling it out, the receptionist nodded before saying they were allowed to enter the city.

Ryker sighed, to enter the major city is such a tedious ordeal. If the major city is already this strict in its security, what else could be said about the capital city of the barony, or yet, the capital city of the kingdom itself?

They haven't left the area yet, looking around before spotting one of the guides the squad leader mentioned. Walking towards one of them, his eyes light up seeing them.

"Do you wish to learn about the city and every one of its attractions, I'm the man for the job, though my payment is-" Ryker threw him a pouch of silver coins, not wanting to deal with some incessant bragging.

Looking inside, the man nodded, before saying, "Follow me as I show you what Alten has to offer."

-x-

The children had looked at the city with awe. They had made some stops, even stopping at a big town, but comparing it to the city, it is not much. The sheer size of both the city and its buildings couldn't be compared.

True to his words, the man showed them every single place of relevance, from the biggest stores they would definitely visit, to some of the most famous inns, where they would be staying in one. Hiring the man is the right thing to do as he clearly knows the streets, showing several shortcuts as well as where each street and road leads.

He and the man also talk a lot, asking several questions regarding the city, from the power controlling it to the strength of the ruling faction. After getting the information, and when the sun is about to set, the man leaves them, though not after showing them the way to the biggest and most expensive inn in the city.

Finding the innkeeper and paying for a week's stay, the group heads to their room, which is like a small apartment, the 'room' has several bedrooms, bathrooms, a lounge area, and even a personal pool.

The children explore their room, the sheer size astounding the smaller children. Even Ina was speechless. Heck, even he was shocked. If it was a house then he could understand how big it could get but this was just an inn room, though it is the most expensive one, a single night stay requiring 5 gold coins.

Looking at the balcony, the room has one, Ryker let out a sigh of awe. Even at night, the city is still alive, with stores and stalls still open as people come and go.

"I never thought a city would be this... lively. The town couldn't even compare," Ina remarked, having walked to his side when he was looking at the city.

"Yeah, not to mention, our guide telling us that there were nearly 500 000 permanent residents, not counting visitors and merchants that come and go," he said, the two watching the sight in front of them.

The children, spotting their older brother and sister walked towards them before letting an awed sound. The family spent the rest of their time watching the happening in the city, only stopping when it was time for bed.

-x-

The next morning, Ryker thought of his course of action, one of which is for him to join the Adventure Guild. The other one is to go sell some of the spirit fruits and medicinal herbs he didn't use. Though he will keep half of it, the two of them needed some resources to practice.

They also have to see about finding someone to watch over their siblings. If not, they will need to do a rotation, or most likely, Ina had to stay while Ryker went out, being the stronger one of the two and not going to get harassed by some fools.

Ryker thought back on what the guide told them of the city. Alten is a city with a population of 500 000 permanent residents. The city lord is the ruler of the city, having a cultivation of the 5th major realm of Genesis Grand realm. Under him, he had two vice-city lords and one city commander at the 4th major realm.

He also has several subordinates in the same realm as the three though most of them are at the early minor stage. Of course, in the city were also several powers controlling a part of the city. One of the powers was the major families, with the powerful ones with at least 2 experts in the 4th major realm.

Then there were other families, not as powerful as the three but still holding significant power, the weaker ones not having 4th major realm experts but many 3rd major realm experts. The stronger one has one 4th major realm expert.

Besides the family, there was also the Adventure Guild. In terms of power, they were equal to the ruling faction, the only reason the city lord tolerated such existence was because the Adventure Guild played by the rules, even paying taxes and rents to occupy a piece of land in the city to build their branch building.

The city lord also didn't wish to anger the Adventure Guild by destroying one of their branches, the result would be disastrous. There had been a rumor of a power not only blocking the Adventure Guild's attempt to build their branches but also killing their people.

The retaliation was swift and painful for the forces, the ruler was tortured until he died, his nation was destroyed while his body was desecrated. Since then, no sane force would try to even touch the Adventure Guild.

The Adventure Guild has a branch leader of the same strength as the city lord, several vice-leaders, executives, staff, and of course, adventurers.

After getting some breakfast, he told his siblings to remain in their room. They nodded. Only by having such assurance did the two finally go to the Adventurer Guild.