5 Banquet

<<<Shin Akagawa>>>

The power in the Northern wall of Glory city was divided between two clans/families, the Hong Yue who owned the greatest Auction House in Glory city and Xuan Spirit Merchant Hall who focused more on the selling and buying of demon spirit from the various Demon Spiritualists of Glory City.

'But neither of them interest us…'

While they were the most powerful in the northern section, only the Hong Yue Noble family could be said to have territories that could interest Shin as they held influence over the other five smaller noble families.

Fortunately even if they held influence over them these smaller families were free to make deals with whoever they wanted as they were required to only give a small part of their revenue to the Hong Yue family.

"Who is the first one that we will go see?"

As he asked, he averted his gaze from the window of the carriage he was riding as he looked at his personal guard.

Naoki was sitting in silence holding his sword with one hand and his divine sense scanning the surroundings to not get caught off guard but as he heard Shin his attention went to his Young Master as he thought for a moment before remembering the name of the family they were going to.

"The Heavenly Marks family, they are said to be one of the weakest with the patriarch only at the 1-Star Gold rank. Their history dates back to the founding of Glory city and because of that they have the largest and most fields that are used to grow medical herbs that sell independently to the alchemist association or the other families around."

Nodding his head Shin gave a small thanks before returning to look outside the carriage, with how much work he had these past days he didn't have the time to look around and appreciate the beauty of Glory city.

Green and vast fields, some used to grow herbs or vegetables while others were used to keep farm animals. This was something that with the limited space of Fire Lotus city wasn't possible.

'Even though it wasn't always like this…'

The original Fire Lotus City was said to be several times bigger than even a glory city full of life and potential but it all ended as the dark ages came bringing destruction and death, from then Fire Lotus City slowly but steadily lost more and more territories before they ended up with losing even the last defense walls they had.

Sighing emotionally Shin decided to stop thinking about the past as they started to think on how to approach the deal they wanted to make.

Arriving at the Heavenly mark territory they were immediately led to the main house before being brought to the main hall where they waited for the patriarch and as an elder accompanied them.

"It's an honor to receive the new Noble family of Glory City."

Shin looked at the person in front of them, he had long white hair with an equally long white beard, he presented himself as Nie Wei, the Enforcement Elder of the Heavenly Marks Family.

"May I ask, why have you paid us a visit?"

Giving his best smile at Shin, Nie Wei looked at the group trying his best to calm his nerves.

The Heavenly Marks Family was far from what it once was, during the founding of Glory City it was given to them the task of protecting the northern wall from any danger but right now they could barely protect their own field from the other smaller noble families that were just waiting for an opportunity to strike them down.

"It would be better to discuss it when your patriarch arrives so that we don't have to repeat ourselves."

Nie Wei nodded his head reluctantly, the group then made some small talks as Nie Wei kept on testing Shin with various questions along with trying to get any information he could.

"I'm sorry for the wait, my name is Nie Hai the current patriarch of the Heavenly Marks Family."

At that moment another old man entered the room, Nie Hai gaze studied the group that just arrived as his eyes went over Naoki and Eiko before focusing on Shin. Before entering the room he was already warned of who the actual patriarch was so that he would not make a mistake.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Shin Akagawa, the patriarch of the Akagawa clan."

Shin repeated the same introduction he gave to Nie Wei as he studied Nie Hai, with a cultivation of gold rank and his old age Shin expected him to have a great amount of knowledge and experience in these things.

"For starters I would like you to check these pills… They are just an example of the pills we can make from our recipes and herbs."

Letting Nie Hai check the pills, Shin waited a moment before continuing.

"We want to know if you're willing to sign a contract with us, we want you to grow some of our herbs in exchange you will be paid accordingly and you will even receive a discount when buying any pill or elixir from us. We know you are currently growing herbs to sell to various alchemist and the alchemy association but we also know that you aren't in any formal contract with any of them"

Seeing the surprised face of Nie Hai, Shin was once again awed by the ability to gather information of Yoru and her Nightmare Shadow Clan.

"Of what herb are we talking about here?"

At that question Shin smiled as he brought out a small book with some basic information of the types of herbs he was about to give them.

Like this the first contract with the Heavenly Marks family was signed, in exchange for the herbs they'll be growing they will receive a small discount and priority for any order of pills and elixirs of any type as long as they were made by the Akagawa clan and to make sure all herbs were protected a group of two black gold rank and several gold rank belonging to the Akagawa clan would be stationed in their clan territory and in the future Shin will send some people to make some inscription array to protect not only the fields but the territory all together.

Shin didn't immediately return home after that as he went to the other small noble family and to his surprise in some of them he wasn't even allowed the entrance as they gave some small excuses that they couldn't welcome him at that moment.

Taking note of those family Shin returned home after making only another contract with the Tian Kui noble family, while they didn't have fields as big as the Heavenly Marks Family they still held a couple of them so he made a similar contract with them that will start a couple of month later since they had just planted the next batch of medical herb of glory city.

<<<Shin Akagawa>>>

A couple of months passed as Shin got accustomed to life in the city of glory. In this time the relation between the Akagawa Clan and the Heavenly Marks clan got closer thanks to the contract.

Not only that but the City Lord even announced the Akagawa clan position and background to Glory city and while the White ranks and Bronze rank who weren't part of any family accepted their position even welcoming them warmly some of the bigger noble families were still rather cautious about them while the rest were mostly neutral.

The inscription Association also came to negotiate with them but the negotiation went far more smoothly than with the Alchemy Association, most of the inscription patterns and arrays in Glory city were either a secret guarded by a family where only a couple of people would know of or were so low level that only Bronze rank would even think of buy such think.

'But even then the price they previously gave was so expensive that no one almost bought them or ordered for an array to be placed in their family territory…'

Other than stabilizing the situation in the clan, Shin was also cultivating his soul realm, he was aiming to reach 1-Star Bronze rank before he entered the Holy Orchid Institute, the problem was that every time he was about to reach the 100 soul point the red star inside his soul realm would absorb the soul force and leave him with nothing more than thirty to fifty soul points.

'The Fighter Apprentice class of the Holy Orchid Institute will start in just a couple of months…'

While he was reluctant at first the other elders convinced him to, just like his peer, enter the Fighter Apprentice class for the first year before the yearly examination where the various students would then be divided based on their own talent.

The only reason he accepted was that it would do him good to make some connection with the younger generation of the noble families as they would all be sent in that class.

Hearing the door open Shin looked up from the papers he was reading as he saw Naoki entering the room with a small letter in his hand.

"What now…"

Already from his expression Shin could tell that it would be something troublesome so he could only sigh as he asked that as Naoki gave a wry smile to him before answering.

"The City Lord wants to make a welcoming banquet for us…"

Hearing that Shin thought for a moment, while they already had most of the information about the various powers in Glory City, no one knew much about them so it was only right that they would prepare a banquet to present them to the Noble Families of Glory city.

"Alright, Send someone to inform the other patriarch, I want all of them to participate. When is it?"

"It's in two weeks."

Nodding his head he gave one last glance at the paper in his hand before putting it down.

"Alright send this to Taishiro, I'll be cultivating."

Entering the room behind his office he closed the door after giving the paper to Naoki as he sat down in the middle of the room before closing his eyes, Feeling the soul force move around him he once again felt the already familiar sensation of his soul points reaching the hundreds as they would soon form the 1-Star making his officially enter the Bronze rank he also felt an overbearing pressure coming from the star as it started to absorb the Soul points he painstakingly gathered.

Gritting his teeth he pushed his body to the limit as the soul force converged inside the star, the seven rings of lights slowly became nine before converging into the star.

Shin's soul realm trembled, the lake under the star boiled over as Soul energy suddenly erupted from him giving him a burning sensation. The Crimson Star in the middle of his soul realm slowly floats upwards before exploding in a brilliant light.

Grimacing Shin controlled the berserker energy flowing through his body but as it calmed down he could barely contain his excitement, he officially entered the 1-Star Bronze rank!

"It was about time…"

Opening and closing his hands he saw the azure soul energy easily flow through it, the main difference between White rank and Bronze rank was the ability to easily move around one's own soul energy and while the control would be just barely acceptable it was only the start of his journey.

Coming down from his excitement he went to check his soul realm and to his surprise the changes were far more than what he imagined.

The crimson star that once was in the middle of his soul realm disappeared as it seemingly dispersed in the soul realm covering the 'sky' in a red hue reminding him of a sunset while the lake expanded covering almost half of the whole soul realm's 'floor'.

Looking up he saw soul energy slowly converging as it created a palm sized orb that was still absorbing energy constantly growing but this time he was far calmer as he knew exactly what it was.

The Seizing Moon Cultivation Technique, copied from the strange dreams he had after sitting in the throne, was a special technique that would cultivate the Soul realm instead of any other aspect changing its form and sometimes even the attributes.

What he was seeing right now was the first stage of that technique, the condensing realm stage, this was the only reason why if one wanted to practice this cultivation technique one would need to start from the very beginning because if one would not condensate their own realm before reaching the bronze rank one would fail to reach the higher stages.

"Now I just need to form the first moon but first i have to increase the soul energy in my soul realm…"

With him reaching the Bronze rank he could finally calm down and slowly stabilize his cultivation while also starting to practice the various special techniques he had prepared.

Going to his desk he saw the book where he wrote the Prime Titan Body Technique, he already started practicing this technique at every chance he got and right now he was infinitely close to reaching the first stage.

<<<Lord City's Mansion, Shin Akagawa>>>

A couple of weeks passed after Shin reached the Bronze rank after some thought he decided to keep this information only to the various patriarchs as they had to need to reveal it to the public.

They also started producing various low level equipment with the various enchanting patterns of the various clans while they also started to sell the first batch of pills and elixirs they made from the fields of the Heavenly Marks family.

To make sure that they would sell, Shin decided to send a couple of small samples of the pills and elixirs to the bigger noble family in Glory city and this resulted in the first batch being sold out on the first day and them having to take orders as they would not be able to produce as much as the other families asked.

Reaching the City Lord's Mansion Shin followed the servant in charge to lead them to the banquet along with the other patriarch minus Katashi as he was still stationed in Fire Lotus City.

Reaching the main hall he was immediately flooded by the inquiring gaze of the other families as they studied him and the people at his side carefully, looking around Shin saw the patriarch of the Heavenly Marks family seated all the way at the end of the hall together with all the other smaller family of the Northern section of Glory City.

As they were the honored guest of this banquet they obviously had a seat near the City Lord's.

"Shin, it's good to see you healthy!"

Turning toward the voice he could see Ye Mo walking toward him with a smile on his face, from what Yoru gather Ye Mo would normally not attend such banquets as he would either be cultivating or out of the city exploring but for some reason since he returned with Shin he never made a single step outside as he spent his day following behind Ye Zong or looking after his granddaughter.

"It's been a while, I'm sorry that I wasn't able to come visit but I was busy with work."

He just needed to say that for Ye Mo to understand what he meant after all his numerous expeditions were most probably to escape from the possible paperwork he would have to do if he stayed in the city.

Taking a seat Ye Mo personally presented them to Glory City as he excitedly told them about how they were able to defend from the Demon Beast Horde and how they saved his life, it wasn't that strange for Shin and his people as he was getting accustomed to seeing him always friendly but the people of Glory City this was a rare sight as most of the people present never even saw him smile let alone being that friendly, this was a shock as big as when he told them that before the demon beast attack they had three Legend rank in their city.

For Glory city the Legend rank was something that, just its name, one could only dream to even encounter let alone reach it, most of the patriarchs present had trouble getting in the Black Gold rank!

Shin ignored most of the speech as he looked at the various patriarchs and members of the family of Glory City as this was the first and possibly last time he could see all of them in a single place.

To his surprises he saw that most of the families brought one or two kids one about seventeen to eighteen years old while the other thirteen to fourteen years old, form their age gap Shin could see that they most probably they bought with them the genius of their family as the older one would be one of the guys that were about to leave the Holy Nordic Institute while the younger one would be one that just entered and were about to have their yearly examination test.

As Ye Mo finished his speech it was time to greet the patriarchs as Shin steadied himself to receive them all head on, and just as he predicted he would spend the next hours greet all the old geezer as he would have a fake smile plastered on his face trying to make a good impression to them an hopefully raise the people who would place orders on the Pills and Elixirs.

After finally escaping the main hall he found himself taking a breather outside on a small garden that would be normally closed to the public but was generously open for him by Ye Mo.

Walking under the full moon he looked at the small ponds and stream of water where some colorful fish calmly swam free of any worries.

Hearing some small footsteps coming from behind him he turned, his red eyes met with purple eyes as he looked at a girl about his age as she seemingly was sneaking around, she let out an 'ah' as she acted like a kid that was found out doing something bad, her long violet hair flutter with the wind as he moved her hand to stop a strand of it that was about to cover her face.

"You are…?"

As he asked that to the girl in front of him, she opened her mouth to answer but stopped as she seemingly realized something. She covered her mouth with her right hand before suppressing a grin that Shin couldn't see.

"I'm someone from the Huyan family…"

'With those purple colored hair!?'

As far as he knew only the people coming from the Snow Wind family had those violet hair while the Huyan had mostly red/pink hair because of that he hardly believed her.

"Oh? As far as I know the young miss of the Hyuan Clan should be just about fifteen to sixteen years… And to enter here you should at the very least be someone from the Snow Wind family…"

As he said that he could see her smile fade as she started pouting at him, stomping the ground lightly with her foot she turned her head away. Holding back the amused smile that threatened to come out Shin decided to let her off as he didn't really need to know her name.

"If you already knew that, why would you ask…"

"No, I think that's normal etiquette?"

Said that Shin held back a laugh but to his surprise she recovered almost instantly as she approached him.

"Say, you are from the noble family right?"

Not seeing why he should lie he nodded his head as she continued.

"Then can you tell me!?"

"Tell you what?"

As Shin was confused she didn't back down as she looked at him with stars in her eyes.

"I want to know what's life outside the city! You certainly would have a lot of stories about that right?"

Shin thought for a moment as he looked toward the banquet, the lights and sound coming from there barely reached their place and as far as he knew he should have almost an hour before having to return as they would still spend some time talking and doing all sorts of political games.

"Sure, I have some time anyway."

Deciding it was far better to spend some time here than being there he gave one last prayer to the person that was taking his place in the banquet as he started to walk more into the garden as he saw the girl start walking with him with an expectant gaze waiting for him to start, seeing that he couldn't help but find the situation amusing.

"Well where to start… My, I mean The City where we come from is called Fire Lotus City…"

Since she didn't ask he didn't plan on telling her his position even though she may have already guessed it, Like this he spent the next hour or so talking with her telling all sort of story from his city for him who spent these last couple of month only worrying over his people this was almost therapeutic as for the first time he was able to calmly talk with someone his age without worrying about anything else.

As they were talking Shin could hear the sounds from the banquet becoming louder and as he turned to them he noticed that they unknowingly walked closer to the main hall, there he saw the people move as they moved from the main hall toward a stage that was placed outside with tables and food already prepared for them.

Seeing as he was answering her question Ye Ziyun turned to Shin with a small pout but stopped as she saw him looking at the stage, from their position they could clearly see the stage while the people there would not be able to see them.

"That's the martial art stage, I think they got tired of drinking and want to start the main event."

Shin nodded as he understood, it was normal for Demon Spiritualists to do these sorts of things during banquets and it was also at this moment that he now understood why the families bought the students and other kids his age.

'They want to see them spar to show the other family their own power…'

It was always like this, after all the various families always wanted to show their might one way or another.

"It was fun walking with you but I think I really need to go back now."

Turning to the girl he gave a smile as he planned to make his way back, he already spent way too much time talking with her and if such an event was starting he should at least show his face.

"En, are you going to take part in the spars?"

As he heard her question he thought for a moment, while there was no chance for him to fight the sixteen/seventeen years old that were already silver rank he could definitely spar with a couple of those that just reached the bronze rank after all in these weeks he almost completed the first stage of the Prime Titan Body Technique while his cultivation was almost at the second star, he was confident enough in his sword skill to at least put a fight against normal 2 star bronze rank especially if they were only people of his age.

Unlike glory city the people of Fire Lotus City had an advantage that they didn't have, the people of Glory city wouldn't be able to choose their own demon spirit as they had no knowledge on how to extract one or what the talents and bloodline of demon spirits were and because of that they would not train in many martial arts until they reached the silver rank as their fighting style would change based on the demon spirit that they would get their hand to.

"I don't know yet but it certainly sounds interesting!"

He heard a small laugh come from his side as he saw her cover her mouth as she stifled her laugh at his words.

"What? You don't think I can do it?"

"No no it's not that I just found it surprising that you could also make that type of face."

Lifting a hand to his face he touched the smile that adorned it, it's true that he always heard that he should be more expressive as he always tried to keep a neutral face so he was surprised he brought his guard down so much to even show such emotion.

"But are you sure you want to participate? The people there are at least Bronze rank you know."

Scoffing he started to walk toward the place.

"Don't worry I will never take the fight , I have no chance of winning."

Saying that he waved his hand as he planned to part ways after all it would be bad if he were to be seen together with her as he could already see Ye Zong coming at him while fusing with his demon spirit.

But as he was walking he heard another set of footsteps behind him and as he turned he saw her following him. The moment he turned and looked at her she stopped as she tilted her head before smiling as if she wasn't doing anything.

"I'll be going…"

"Sure?"

He looked at her for some more seconds before starting to walk again but he didn't make it far as he could still see her footsteps behind him. Turning around he saw her abruptly stop as she smiled at him once again.

"Where are you going?"

"Aren't we going to the banquet?"

Looking at her with a deadpan face he was speechless.

"No listen, it will be very bad for me if we return together, not only for me, even for you as some rumors may even start. It's far better to go separately…"

As he saw her opening her mouth ready to protest she stopped and to his surprise she nodded her head.

"...You're right I'll be returning from another path, you're going to the Holy Orchid Institute right? See you there!"

Shin didn't know what she realized but was glad nonetheless as she waved her hands and went the other way.

As he saw her disappear he sighed before turning around and making his way to the martial stage.

Reaching the place he quickly made his way to the table where the rest of his clan was.

"Oh, young master just on time, did you enjoy your walk~?"

Shin was momentarily stunned as he wondered if somehow Yoru knew who he was till now, shaking his head he answered her calmly.

"Yes it was quite relaxing, anyway what is happening here."

He tried to change the topic of the conversation as he saw her looking at him with a teasing smile.

"Mh~ Isn't that right~?"

Turning to Naoki he ignored her as he heard a whisper coming from her saying 'Ah it's good to be young indeed~'.

"They are preparing a martial stage for the younger generation to fight."

Seeing as he was ignoring her, Yoru pouted before another smile made its way on her face.

"That's right, young master! Do you want to participate?"

Hearing her question he turned to the martial stage as he saw some of the bronze rank starting to prepare to fight each other while the silver rank were still seated calmly as they would fight later on.

Seeing his lack of denial Yoru quickly glanced at Daisuke who was currently talking with what seemed to be the referee, giving a big thumbs up he turned excitedly to the referee as he said something.

"Wait Yoru I haven't said anything yet."

"Mh? But didn't you already make a promise to participate?"

Turning to Shin she lifted a finger to her mouth as she looked at him with a questioning gaze.

"I didn't promise, I only said that I would think of i- Ah!"

Realizing his mistake he looked at Yoru whose smile only grew as she looked at him.

"... One Fight, I'll just do one fight."

Seeing as he lost on every front he gave up while still leaving a quick way out for himself, fortunately the first battle would be between the 1-Star Bronze rank before gradually sending stronger people.

And as Shin was getting ready to stand up and quickly finish this Yoru stopped him.

"Wait a moment, young master, your opponent hasn't entered the stage yet. Or are you so eager to show yourself~"

Sitting down he ignored her teasing as he tilted her head.

"My opponent?"

"Just wait and you'll see~"

Deciding to do so he sighed as he looked at the martial stage looking some people of the smaller clans as they sent their people with cultivation of 1-Star Bronze rank, looking at them he noted that his early assumption were right as none of them seemed too familiar with martial arts fighting mostly using their cultivation.

Contrary to them he started training in sword and halberd arts far before he started cultivating as his uncle thought it was necessary.

Just as he was about to die of boredom he felt Yoru nudge him.

"Here, that's your opponent."

Looking at where she was looking he saw a brown haired guy making his way to the stage as he proudly showed his 2-Star Bronze cultivation. Reaching the middle of the stage he cupped his hand and bowed lightly as he faced Shin.

"Shen Fenyu ask for a spar!"

Saying so in loud voice he declared as he hid his grin as he was bowed down, the people of other family were shocked and while most of them wanted to protest at how a 2-Star Bronze rank would ask for a spar at someone that hasn't even started to cultivate they kept quiet as they were also curious at what Shin would answer.

Momentarily glancing at Yoru wondering how she planned this, he thought for a moment before standing up.

"I don't see the problem in that!"

As he said that he stood up and made his way to the stage while also making sure his soul force was hidden inside his soul realm, he discovered that he could hide his presence like this easily as the lake would gladly take in the soul force in his soul realm and thankfully would as easily give it back already changed to its purer form because of that only the peak black gold rank would be able to sense some of the soul force in him but it was such small amount that they would think that he would have yet to reach the Bronze rank.

As the two stood one in front of the other the referee seemed to want to say something but Shin stopped him.

"It's just a spar so there is no need to worry. How about we begin?"

Taking out a sword from his spatial ring he placed it on his hips as he looked at his opponent, Shen Fenyu took out a pair of metal gauntlets as he tied them around his arm with a small smile.

"Since I'm older, how abo-... *Ehm* I'll show you my first hit, don't worry I'll hold back so be prepared."

It was obvious to all people present that he was about to say something completely different but stopped as he received a transmission message that only he heard.

Inhaling and exhaling an azure glow appeared around his fist as he gritted his fist, seeing that contrary to his words he didn't have any intention of holding back Shin also got ready.

Shen Fenyu opened his eyes as he made his first step trying to to close the distance, Shin looked at his approaching form as he saw him take big steps with his left arm in front of him while the right one was backing up, obviously he wound then proceed with a punch to Shin face with his right hand.

Time seemed to slow down to a halt for Shin as he disappointingly looked at his opponent's attack.

'He's full of weak spots and his attack has no presence or anything…'

One of the first lessons from his uncle was that no matter what, each attack should have their own momentum and presence as that would already be almost half the battle.

Deciding to end this quickly he grabbed the sword on his hip as he took it out of it's scabbard, all sound seemed to die down as the people only heard the *Shiii* of the sword coming out of the scabbard, Shen Fenyu slowed down as he faltered.

Lifting his sword Shin positioned it horizontally to the ground as he took a step forward while the other went back taking a familiar stance, the sound of his foot reverberated in Shen Fenyu head like the clapping of thunder and just as he blinked he felt a rush of wind hitting his face completely stopping on his track, opening his eyes didn't saw Shin but a simple glance to his left he found him standing there a little to his left while his sword was place on his neck sending him a cold shiver through his very bone a small crimson petal floated in front of his face but as he blinked the petal disappeared making question whenever he imagine it or it was real.

The people's chatter stopped as they looked at the scene, first Shin took out his sword and in a surprising burst of speed he seemingly appeared at Shen Fenyu side with his sword already at his neck while Shen Fenyu stood there with his right fist stupidly pointing at the air.

Letting out a breath Shin withdrew his sword as he placed it back into its scabbard before looking at the referee who recovered from his daze before he declared him the victor.

Bowing lightly to the referee and Shen Fenyu he returned to his table he ignored Yoru smile as he sat down disappointed at his opponent, since he was young he never had the chance to spar with people of his age so he was looking forward for once to fight someone at his age but he ended even more disappointed.

With his mood falling a little he wasn't interest it the next fight as he looked around, the people gaze changed as they now looked at him with new-founded respect and expectation, especially after Ye Mo told how both his parents were Legend rank, but even then he didn't really care about their emotion as they were stranger to him.

As he was about to return watching the fights he stopped as Crimson met Orange, a familiar warm feeling bubbled from his heart as if he found something precious to him but that feeling stopped just as it started as his line of sight was obstructed by a random guy positioning himself in between.

Just as he was about to continue searching for the owner of those eyes, he was distracted by Naoki asking him something.

After answering him he started his search once again but no matter how hard he tried he couldn't find them anywhere.

Sighing he decided to think about it at a later date as he returned his attention to the fights.