[SYSTEM WINDOW]
Name: Vaen of Dravidian
Affiliation: Captain, Special Corp, Eastern Field Army, Unification Army || Member, House of Dravidian
Cultivation Technique: Tenebris Energy Path
Cultivation Rank: Peak Umbral Initiate (Rank 1)
Energy Reserve: Stabilized Umbral Repository (Rank 1)
Energy Mastery: Initiate
Skills: Void Absorption, Shadow Veil, Tenebris Reinforcement
Weapon: Tenebris‑Infused Sword (Enhanced)
Merit Points: 195
[Store]
[Massage]
[Mission]
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Vaen stumbled out of the Great Desolate Forest, blinking in the hot afternoon sun. 2 months of nonstop trekking through impassable undergrowth and fog‑shrouded pathways had spat him out onto endless dunes. His shoes sank into dry sand, but relief flooded through him—at least here, he could see where he was going.
After a half day's walking, he saw it: a vast desert village that looked like a small town. "What the hell?" he said. A simple desert village wouldn't have this many huts—and not a big inn, for sure.
When he was traveling in the woods he spotted some cultivators and from their conversation he had known a few days earlier of an ancient ruin hidden in these dunes. Treasure hunters, cultivators, mercenaries, noble families—all were flocking to the region, each wanting to lay claim to whatever lay buried. The rush explained the crowds and the massive tent city.
Vaen followed a band of travelers into the settlement. Dust curled around him as dozens of robed individuals passed, each shrouded in scarves and several layers of robes.
There were many with cultivation auras—strong ones at that. "Peak Foundation Establishment everywhere," he noted. Not typical of a desert encampment.
He approached a robed female at a makeshift stall. "Where's the inn?" he asked.
She pointed to a cluster of large, reinforced tents surrounding a central pavilion. "That's the Oasis Tent. Inn and pub in one. You're looking for a room, and bargain with the barkeep."
Vaen stepped in. The big tent was huge—big enough to hold a dozen wagons inside. Lanterns were suspended from wooden beams, and laughter spilled out in waves. He ducked inside and arrived at a long table where a broad man with a scarred face took his order.
" A tent for a month," Vaen said.
"5 Origin Stone." The barkeep said.
"Isn't that a little expensive?" Vaen insisted.
"You get to keep your room private. Moreover, no killing is allowed in this area. There's a Stage 3 Golden Core cultivator guarding this place."
Hearing this Vaen nodded and paid the barkeep total 5 Origin Stones. Life is expensive isn't it.
Even so, the Su Clan with their all reserves had a total of 1000 origin stones as their yearly income. Though that didn't bother him because before running he took about 500 origin stones which was his mom's accumulated riches which she gathered in her entire life.
He accepted the number 120 engraved token the barkeep handed him and asked, "Why's it so big here?"
The barkeep grinned. "Whisper of ruins. Everyone here is treasure hunting. They need beds, food, and equipment. Business booming."
Vaen nodded. "Logical."
He navigated by a map to Tent 120—one of the hundreds set up on the fringe.
At first, when he tried to enter he couldn't open the path to enter the tent at all. Only when he used his token then he was able to enter.
It contained a bare cot and a low table. He stowed his pack, changed into clean clothes, and went back to the Oasis Tent to dine.
Inside, cultivators gathered in every niche: merchants haggling over graphs, mercenaries trading tales of combat, and academics comparing rune‑inscribed slivers.
Vaen was in his element. He sat down at the bar and ordered a stew. The bartender served him without a question—cloaks hid identities, after all.
While he ate, Vaen's Dimensional Perception hummed quietly. He picked out dozens of Foundation Establishment signatures, all elderly men. No threat there. He relaxed back in his chair, feeling the warmth of broth in his bones.
He knocked on his jade. Brief message to Mortis: "Booked in Oasis Tent. Bizarre place. Rumor of ruins." Two‑day delay, as always.
Vaen sipped tea. "Delicious than some ferocious creatures," he thought. Still, he was wary. This place is like a volcano. It will burst at any moment. After all this place has the rumoured ancient ruins.
An ancient ruin is the perfect place for newbies to gain experience and older cultivators to gather some riches so that he may have the chance to break through. These places have ancient techniques which was lost and herbs because no one went there for centuries even thousands of years.
Suddenly, the tent flap moved. Vaen's senses heightened. Strong presence—above Foundation Establishment, below Half‑Step Golden Core. He glanced up.
A cloaked figure stepped in, every head turning. Vaen's heart twitched. He noticed how the guest moved with confident grace— Qi ripples in its trail.
The figure paused at the bar, turned, and caught Vaen's eye. Then, turned her eyes again. His breath caught.
"Not here for treasure," Vaen thought. "This one is for making trouble."
Vaen set his bowl down.