More than a dozen horses raced in the wide streets of the city. At a glance, one could tell that this group has a need for speed at the moment.

No carriage was brought but only big strong stallions in the fray.

​​

"THUD!"

"THUD!"

"THUD!" The party left scattered dust in the wind and not one bit sorry for the disturbance in their wake. Less than an hour later and they finally reached their destination.

The Zhang Ancestral Home.

"Good day, Young Master Ren Cao! Are you also here to register for the Heavenly Expedition?" A servant greeted the newly arrived group of men.

This servant was a middle aged man and was quite capable in his station. He has been in the Zhang clan for many many years already.

"Take me to Senior Du Feng. I need to see him." Ren Cao said to the good servant. The 3 visitors from abroad were here for several days already. Almost 1 week to be precise.

It did not need telling that not all people were as discreet as City Lord Zhang Yun. Maidservants that catered to the everyday needs of the 3 were much nosy in comparison indeed.

And so the rumors flowed like sweet candy about the names of these 3. The man was called Du Feng and the women's names were Cheng Huan and Li Yang.

"Are you sure, Young Master Ren Cao?" The servant asked but this time, there was caution in his voice. He lowered his tone as if afraid for someone else to hear of this discussion.

Although the 3 seniors had not abused their power during their stay in the city but that did not mean at all that everyone around them was comfortable by their presence.

Those 3 were Earth Realm Experts after all. Almost everyone was on their toes when dealing with the said big 3.

"I am." Ren Cao replied with full confidence of his actions.

"Very well. Please follow me, Young Master Ren Cao." The servant nodded and then guided the fellows from the Ren Clan deeper into the residence.

Not far away was a long line that ushered the eager participants unto the Heavenly Expedition.

* * *

No more than 20 minutes later and Ren Cao could be seen sweating large beads of sweat on his face.

He tried to erase the feeling of doom but he was not successful in the task especially when he would gaze at the frowning old man in the room.

This old man was of course none other than the City Lord of Aurora, Zhang Yun.

"A 1st Stage Innate Realm boy who may possess a top grade tier 4 weapon or perhaps a low grade tier 5 weapon."

"Why have you not told me of this sooner, City Lord?" Du Feng asked in a solemn voice. There was a flash of greed in his eyes for a second or two and he was not alone in this opinion.

The young women at his side were also very much excited at the knowledge of this kind of treasure. Weapon grades were divided into 3.

Low grade,

middle grade,

and top grade.

And the item tiers also corresponded to the cultivation base of its wielder.

1. Martial Realm

2. Innate Realm

3. Core Creation Realm

4. Soul Birth Realm

5. Earth Realm

6. Heaven Realm

7. Tribulation Realm

8. Enlightened Realm

9. Immortal Realm

10. God Realm

As Earth Realm Experts, the 3 of them should have been already wielding Earth Realm Artifacts also. At least a low grade tier 5 item. Alas, the reality was much harsher than their expectations.

Truth be told, they only had low grade tier 4 weapons on their bodies. It was easy to see that stronger artifacts in these desolated continents were much harder to come by.

And when something was created or put into auction, the price for such items usually generated a sky high sum.

Thus, Du Feng and the rest were indeed attracted by the news that Ren Cao has given him today.

"I would not trust the words of this boy Ren Cao, Senior Du Feng. At most, Master Clark's weapon would be a high grade tier 3 artifact and no higher.

I believe that no one could control a weapon that is several tiers above their own cultivation base. Please forgive Ren Cao's inexperience, Senior Du Feng!"

Zhang Yun bowed low but then threw a subtle poisonous look towards Ren Cao thereafter.

If looks could kill, there was no doubt that Ren Cao would have already turned into a lifeless corpse at this time.

"And yet this boy named Clark Colter could do that easily as shown in the results of his battles so far."

"I would like to see him today, City Lord. Kindly arrange it for me." Du Feng made his wishes known for everyone to hear.

"But Senior Du Feng, I really don't think that Mas..." Zhang Yun tried to avoid a catastrophe in the making.

He feared the mystical background of our bored gamer and he certainly did not want to see any confrontation to happen in his city.

"No one cares for what you think, City Lord." Du Feng cut Zhang Yun's words short. To this rebuke, the city lord could only sigh his frustrations away.

"I understand, Senior Du Feng. I shall invite Master Clark over." Zhang Yun bowed and left the unwanted scene behind him.

"I will also take my leave, Senior Du Feng. Thank you so much for your time." Ren Cao said and followed in the steps of the old city master.

"What reward do you want?" Du Feng asked. He was not dumb to not notice that there was more to this story.

Luckily for Ren Cao, this was only a trivial matter compared to the news that he brought to them.

"I require no reward whatsoever, Senior Du Feng." Ren Cao replied but he was met by a surprise in the next breath.

"TAP!" A ring came hurtling straight at Ren Cao's forehead at this time. Although there were 20,000 spirit stones contained inside but this much was nothing to this young master Ren Cao.

Nevertheless, he accepted the boon wisely.

"Thank you, Senior!" Ren Cao uttered in a lively voice and then immediately exited the halls in the next.

'I will finally have my revenge today!' Ren Cao smiled every step of the way.