Chapter 104: The Shen Family Training Squad

Shen Duo furrowed her pale brows. The two realms gave her a strange feeling—were they evolving toward opposite extremes? In her realm, swordsmen were in decline, while in this one, illusionists were scarce.

She turned to Qin Lietian and nodded in thanks, her tone calm. "It's getting late. I'll find an inn to rest."

Qin Lietian chuckled as he looked at the cold-faced girl, as if no matter how indifferent her expression, it could not dampen his enthusiasm for Shen Duo.

"You’re unfamiliar with Normans City. Come to the inn where I’m staying; I can look after you a bit."

"No need. You’ve already troubled yourself enough on this journey." Shen Duo said, then turned and bowed slightly to Qin Lietian in gratitude. For some reason, Qin Lietian gave her a sense of danger, and instinctively, she did not wish to become close to him. Besides, Feng Jun was still waiting for her in the other realm; she could not afford any more delay.

She found the same inn that existed in both realms and booked the identical room.

Without paying attention to Qin Lietian, who was still following behind, Shen Duo took the key and entered the room.

Qin Lietian folded his arms, staring at the slender, upright figure of the girl as she disappeared behind the door. His smile vanished instantly. His deep eyes narrowed before he turned and left the inn.

In a dark alley, Qin Lietian coldly ordered the person bowing respectfully before him, "Dispatch someone to monitor this inn. Find out her identity as quickly as possible. Report to me immediately if there’s any news."

"Yes, my lord. I shall not fail in this mission."

Moments later, the figure vanished into the shadows like a phantom.

Once inside the room, Shen Duo finally relaxed, picking up a drink from the table and taking several long sips.

Lou Jingbai jumped down from her shoulder and sat on the table, a gleam flashing through his fox-like eyes. "Little Duo, you did well. That Qin Lietian is unfathomable. We should avoid contact with him as much as possible."

Shen Duo nodded wearily.

Lou Jingbai hopped over to her side and crouched on her lap. "Little Duo, I didn’t expect the swordsman cultivation to be so prosperous here. Seems the memories of the ancestors in my bloodline aren’t lies after all."

Shen Duo smiled softly at him.

Even this divine beast felt a flush of embarrassment. He had been far too arrogant before, and now he realized he had been a frog in a well.

"Little Duo, are we going back tonight?" Lou Jingbai wagged his large tail as he asked.

Shen Duo agreed with a nod, leaning against the headboard to rest for a moment. "Qin Lietian definitely won’t let me off easily. If I stay here any longer, it will only arouse his suspicion. Besides, Feng Jun is still waiting for me there. We must hurry back and reunite."

After a brief half-hour rest, Shen Duo led Lou Jingbai back to the other realm. Only when dawn broke did she step outside.

After inquiring with the inn’s maid, she learned that Feng Jun was still in the guest room. Shen Duo took Lou Jingbai and set out.

There was still a day before the opening of the Nascent Gorge. She could use this time to gather some information. This realm’s Nascent Gorge was a place where danger and opportunity coexisted.

Today, Normans City was noticeably livelier than the past few days. Many wandering illusionists, dressed in peculiar attire from all over, had gathered. Among them, those wearing the same academy uniforms stood out.

Shen Duo did not know these academies, but judging by their strength—mostly grand illusionists or higher—she understood these were the elites of their respective academies.

Normans City was one of the largest ports in Tianqing River, connecting several nations for trade. The headquarters of the Duss Trading Guild, one of the continent’s three great merchant guilds, was located beside the city lord’s mansion.

The Nascent Gorge, opening only once every five years, was undoubtedly the city’s grand event.

The influx of wandering illusionists from all over further boosted Normans City’s commercial development. Even before the Nascent Gorge opened, the city had entered a prosperous trading period.

At this time, many powerful figures from across the continent had come to Normans City specifically to hunt for treasures.

Shen Duo watched the prematurely arrived festivities quietly, then strolled leisurely toward the auction house.

The auction house was packed. Because of the arrival of wandering illusionists from all directions, the original two daily auctions—morning and afternoon—had increased to three. Yet, tickets were still hard to come by these past few days.

Shen Duo glanced up at the grand statue of the Saintlight Goddess before the auction plaza, a symbol of fairness, then looked at the crowded crowd pressed against the auction board and shook her head. She casually set up a stall in the square to do business.

Most of what she sold were materials she had scavenged last night from the other realm.

The crowd here were seasoned wandering illusionists with sharp eyes; Shen Duo was not afraid they would fail to recognize quality. As expected, her modest, unassuming stall soon attracted the attention of many illusionists.

The materials sold quickly. Items from the other realm were resold at dozens of times their original price, finally offsetting some of Shen Duo’s huge expenses at the clothing shop.

What remained were some ordinary materials and a few adorable beast cubs. While tending her stall, Shen Duo observed the crowd in the plaza.

Suddenly, a voice of admiration arose nearby.

"Wow, who’s renting an entire griffon squadron like that?"

"Look at their aura! Each one must be at least the strength of a spirit illusionist!"

"Could it be a training squad from one of the Four Great Families?"

Soon, many people in the plaza were discussing excitedly.

Having lived in this foreign world for several months, Shen Duo had a rough understanding of the consumption levels in the Saintlight Continent.

For wandering illusionists, griffons remained a luxurious mode of transportation. Land mounts like unicorns were far more common.

When she rented a griffon to Shak City before, it was only because she earned money from concentrated spirit illusion potions. And the griffons used to Nevi City were paid for by the Shak City lord.

Renting one or two griffons was affordable for small families or minor nations, but to rent an entire griffon squadron in such a lavish manner—only influential academies, royal families, or one of the Four Great Families could afford that.

The griffon squadron lined up neatly, then suddenly turned and flew toward the auction plaza.

There was a small flying station near the auction square, but it was not accessible to ordinary folk.

This further confirmed the extraordinary status of this group.

The griffon squadron passed through the defensive illusionary barrier and one by one landed on the ground, causing the wandering illusionists nearby to erupt in shouts.

"This is the Shen family’s training squad from the Four Great Families! Are they coming to join the Nascent Gorge event? Will the other families send people as well?"