Chapter 68: The Adventurers' Association's

Just as Dixiya said.

When Luo De came to her door saying he wanted to ask Kantisi for help.

This guardian showed no annoyance at having to take on extra work beyond her daily duties; instead, she readily agreed.

After that, there was nothing else to arrange.

With Kantisi's help, Ke Lai and A De Ba Yi could handle everything.

The only thing to watch out for.

Namely, Luo De specifically asked Kantisi to look after Ke Lai more before he left.

Ever since the last time someone from the Atia Mercenary Group stole from his home, it proved Dixiya's words: 'A Ru Cun is indeed a pure land, but that doesn't mean everyone in the village is good.'

Luo De then dared not trust the villagers casually anymore.

To be frank.

Luo De had guessed that losing his Vision would surely draw attention.

After all, someone without a Vision sees their strength plummet dramatically.

Moreover, when Luo De returned to the village, he spent money lavishly all day, clearly having plenty of spare cash.

In many people's eyes, that made him the perfect target.

If not for the village's rules, someone would have acted long ago.

But Luo De never imagined that the person eyeing him and daring to act would be a former comrade-in-arms.

They say life has four irons.

Having fought side by side with a gun is one of them.

So Luo De racked his brains, but he never imagined his former comrade would turn against him.

Furthermore, according to Ke Lai and A De Ba Yi's account.

Those three thugs were all armed, and their attack was brutal—clearly intent on killing anyone who discovered them to silence witnesses.

It was truly fortunate that Ke Lai could summon the Black Flame Snake.

Otherwise,

Luo De couldn't even imagine what would happen.

Therefore,

Given that Ke Lai can no longer use the Black Flame Snake, Luo De must find someone to protect her and the physically weak A De Ba Yi.

Kantisi likewise agreed readily to this.

Once everything was arranged,

Amid Ke Lai's reluctant waving farewell, Luo De and Dixiya mounted their pack beasts and set off toward Sumeru Cheng.

This time,

Their goal was clear; aside from punishing the bandits who blocked the road, they basically didn't waste any time.

It was just when they passed Zen Garden.

Originally, Luo De wanted to stop by to visit Tighnari and thank the scholar who had helped him.

Unfortunately,

Tighnari wasn't there this time.

It was said that a massive Dead Zone outbreak occurred near the Transformed City Wall, which he was guarding, so he wouldn't come to Zen Garden to give an academic report for a while.

Speaking of Dead Zones,

This is a unique anomalous phenomenon found in the Sumeru Rainforest Region.

Within a Dead Zone, not only do plants wither, but the lives of any animals or people who intrude are also taken—except for those who can wield elemental energy and bear a Vision; ordinary people must never approach rashly.

Faced with such a terrible disaster, Tighnari, who possesses a Vision, had no time to come to Zen Garden for an academic report, and no one would blame him for that.

Not having seen Tighnari,

Luo De could only leave a letter for the Life Theory School's members here to forward on his behalf.

The letter's content was basically to first thank Tighnari for his help, then mention that he had already decided to apply to the Academy.

Last time, Tighnari had said that if Luo De could pass the Academy, he would recommend him to the Sage Nafis.

Luo De remembered that clearly.

After leaving Zen Garden, the road to Sumeru Cheng became much smoother, with no more perilous unknown stretches like the Water Heaven Jungle.

They walked for about two days.

Luo De then saw the capital of Sumeru, which, by convention, is named Sumeru Cheng after the country.

Gazing off into the distance,

What stood out most were the towering trees that suddenly rose from the horizon and the splendid palace built around them.

That place is the Sumeru Cheng's highest academy and administrative center, the Academy.

Luo De stood there, gazing for a long time.

"How is it?"

"Not bad, right?"

Knowing what Luo De was looking at, Dixiya didn't urge him on; instead, when he finally withdrew his gaze, she teased, "From now on you'll be studying here."

"Hehe—"

Luo De chuckled, offering no comment on the matter.

Dixiya has recently been teasing him about this all the time, and he's long grown used to it.

Passing through the outskirts of Sumeru Cheng,

a green-roofed archway appeared before Luo De and Dixiya.

This is the gate of Sumeru Cheng.

Unlike the gate of Kawanyi, which is garrisoned by a large force of thirty‑person units to prevent smuggling, disturbances, or carrying contraband.

Here there are no guards at all.

There are.

Just a patrol squad led by an Orderly Officer.

When they saw Dixiya, they didn't do anything.

But when they saw Luo De, they stepped forward and stopped the two of them.

The leading Orderly Officer was very polite: 'Sir, this must be your first time coming to Sumeru Cheng, right?'

Luo De nodded: 'Yes.'

'Hello, my name is Bo Na, I am the Orderly Officer responsible for registering the identity information of travelers coming to Sumeru Cheng.'

'Could you please truthfully report your name, native place, and what you came to Sumeru Cheng for?'

'Don't worry, it's just a simple registration; we won't leak your personal information.'

After saying that, Bo Na placed his left hand on the virtual terminal by his ear, ready to submit Luo De's information at any moment.

'Luo De, from A Ru Cun, came to Sumeru Cheng to participate in the Flower God's Birth Festival.'

Luo De truthfully reported this information.

'Participating in the Flower God's Birth Festival?'

The earlier part was fine, but upon hearing this sentence, Bo Na's brows furrowed slightly.

However he didn't say anything, still earnestly registering this information into the virtual, then made way, with a standard official demeanor saying: 'Mr. Luo De, welcome to Sumeru Cheng; may the wisdom of the Dendro Archon always be with you.'

Completed the city entry registration.

Just as he stepped into Sumeru Cheng.

Instantly, the sounds of vendors calling surrounded his ears; as far as the eye could see, there was a constant flow of carriages and horses, people coming and going.

Luo De's feet paused; he stopped to look ahead.

Until someone urged him not to block the road, he then moved again.

'Seeing such a big city for the first time, you must be shocked, right?'

Dixiya said matter‑of‑factly: 'Everyone who comes from the desert, when they first see Sumeru Cheng, will be like you.'

However Luo De's answer was not what Dixiya expected.

Seeing him lightly shake his head and scoff, he said: 'My hometown is a hundred times more prosperous than this, and cities like this are too many to count; how could I possibly be shocked by this so‑called prosperity?'

'A hundred times more prosperous. Too many to count.'

Dixiya's mouth twitched, and she was instantly left speechless by Luo De's words.

'What else can be said?'

Everyone said, the prosperity of Sumeru Cheng is completely incomparable to their hometown.

Continue praising Sumeru Cheng's prosperity?

After a moment, Dixiya finally reacted.

'Then what were you just looking at?'

Since it wasn't being shocked by Sumeru Cheng's prosperity, what is Luo De doing, stopping here with a careful observation demeanor?

'Nothing.'

'Just saw a face that looked very much like an acquaintance.'

Luo De looked again toward that direction, smiled: 'I suppose I mistook someone.'

'There.'

A figure just walked out of the crowd and returned to his/her work post.

That familiar set of clothes.

Although he didn't see the front face, Luo De could still recognize that person's identity.

The receptionist of the Adventurers' Guild, Kaiselin.

Hmm, probably 'her'?

(End of chapter)