After nearly another hour of gliding, the group finally arrived in front of a towering pagoda.
The area was noticeably quieter, and the only disciples present were those wearing robes marked with the character for "Discipline."
Along the way, Yu Xuan had passed through both crowded districts and deserted alleys, experiencing the full range of the city’s landscape.
The glide disk’s speed impressed him and the ride was swift and smooth.
Even if he sprinted at full speed, he doubted he could cover that distance without collapsing. This device, though simple looking, could take him incredibly far without draining any of his energy.
They dismounted near the pagoda and handed the disks to the Nascent Soul leader for collection. Yu Xuan was slightly reluctant to part with the ride.
Still, practicality won out.
These disks only worked well on smooth, flat surfaces.
For travel in untad wilderness or mountainous regions, he figured different models — maybe the ones which could fly at small heights, would be available in the market. He ntally noted to check that out later.
Now that he thought about it, this device could trigger a full blown existential crisis for anyone who rents spirit beasts for travel.
But he hadn’t seen many ordinary disciples using glide disks. Perhaps they were restricted to official sect operations.
There was a beast rental service in the small town he had stayed in... but looking back, it suddenly felt primitive.
As they stepped into the pagoda, Yu Xuan overheard so casual chatter among the stationed disciples. One of them approached the leader of their group.
"So early in the morning?" the newcor said with a raised brow. He had a perfectly square face and, oddly enough, the rest of his body also seed... rectangular. It wasn’t a figure of speech either.
Yu Xuan squinted, ’What the hell is his race? He looks like soone straight out of Minecraft.’
He made the conscious decision not to wonder if everything about the man was rectangular.
"It was a headache," the Nascent Soul leader said, rubbing his temple.
Yu Xuan gave him a side eye. What the hell had he done to cause a Nascent Soul expert a headache? He barely resisted the urge to defend himself.
"So when are you presenting him to court?" the square man asked, glancing at Yu Xuan.
"After the procedures are done," the leader replied.
"Haha, old age must be catching up to you," the square faced disciple said, grinning. "Or maybe you’re just that hardworking. You do know what day it is, right?"
"What?" the leader said, frowning. He closed his eyes briefly, then sighed. "Don’t tell ..."
"It’s the thirteenth day of the week."
The leader groaned. "I want to go ho early now."
The square faced man chuckled. "Who even works on a holiday? It’s a scheduled day off, you know."
"Yeah, yeah. I hardly keep track anymore," the leader muttered.
Yu Xuan, listening to this, couldn’t help but interject, "Wait. There’s a holiday?!"
Several nearby disciples turned to give him odd looks. One of them scoffed, "Don’t mind him. He’s clearly from so backwater place."
"That’s not it," Yu Xuan countered. "I just thought the sect didn’t give holidays."
He wasn’t lying.
He knew holidays existed here, his clan had similar customs.
Elders and disciples alike were given leave occasionally to ’enjoy life’ or ’avoid going senile,’ as his father had said.
But he hadn’t checked the Celestial Calendar of this sect yet. For all he knew, his ho planet’s was slightly aligned with Earth’s system, but just slightly not everything was sa.
"What’s his cri, anyway?" the square faced disciple asked, finally turning his full attention to Yu Xuan.
The Nascent Soul leader sighed again and started explaining the case.
After listening carefully, the square faced disciple clicked his tongue and said, "Tsk. These days, people are killing each other over the smallest reasons."
Yu Xuan blinked, then furrowed his brows.
Small reason?
What small reason?
Why don’t I know the reason?
’I don’t even know the reason you are talking about!’
He resisted the powerful urge to say that out loud.
"I was told we were going to court," Yu Xuan said, glancing toward the Nascent Soul cultivator with clear irritation.
"Ah, yes. Well, there’s been a change of plans," the leader replied casually, as if talking about the weather.
"...What?" Yu Xuan said, his patience hanging by a thread.
"Today’s a public holiday," the Nascent Soul leader added with a shrug. "The court’s closed. No hearings. So," he turned to two other disciples, "you two, toss him in a holding cell for now."
Yu Xuan’s face went blank.
He was being treated like luggage. Not even given a chance to argue. His opinion apparently held less value than a random small talk.
Still, he exhaled and said nothing. He didn’t want to make things worse. Not yet.
But deep inside, he couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if he just contacted his master right now and asked to be rescued.
Just for fun.
Still, he held himself back.
He wouldn’t forget this injustice.
The day would co when he’d take his revenge and it would be petty as hell.
Two disciples lightly escorted him toward the holding cells, though their firm grip reminded him he wasn’t exactly a guest.
They led him underground, down a quiet stone corridor, until they reached a single door.
Yu Xuan looked around, frowning, "Where’s the cell?"
The disciple beside him sneered. "Did you think you were getting special treatnt?"
"You’ll be staying with the others until tomorrow," the second one added. "Your trial will be conducted then."
Yu Xuan clicked his tongue. "What about breakfast?"
"You’ll find it inside, just make sure you’ve got so points left in your dallion," the first disciple said, clearly done with this conversation.
With a hum, the heavy door slid open, revealing the interior of the so called jail.
Yu Xuan stepped in.
His stomach growled, he was hungry.
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