Chapter 16: Necrotic City

Trekking through the dreary Darkness of the Necropolis Woods, Darcel and Aniela strode down a specific route. They walked carefully, not wanting to cause any more hell than they needed to.

After their breakthrough, the duo decided to slowly walk towards the city. This is to not only familiarize themselves with their new prowess but also to let their minds clear.

Neither of the two feared any strong Wrathful Clansman coming after them. And if they decided to do so, the duo both held the utmost confidence in running away if that group is simply too strong.

Currently, a comfortable silence permeated Darcel and Aniela. They both walked close to each other, having their minds on various subjects. Though Darcel had more straightforward thoughts.

All he was thinking about was just about his abilities in black flame manipulation. With Profound Qi, if one is born with a unique type of Law, it gets much easier to control that Law in the Qi Formation sea realm.

And Darcel was sure with his mutated kind of Profound Qi, he can go far beyond what any average genius could do in this realm. But this would require some testing, something he was preparing to do.

Aniela, on the other hand, had slightly more complicated thoughts. Upon reaching a point, she silently tugged at Darcel's sleeves, getting him to look at her.

In her eyes now, Darcel could tell there was some slight confusion. He couldn't tell where this puzzlement could come from, but he was glad that Aniela, in her own way, was straightforward.

"Darcy...uhm...have you ever thought of, well...some sort of goal?" Unlike the usually cheery Aniela, she was now more unsure and hesitant.

Her mind was focused on one central question that spawned all kinds of ideas.

Seeing her like this, Darcel somewhat gathered what she was trying to say. "Like a goal aspiring to rise in cultivation like most others have? What's bringing this up?"

"Because...because I don't want our adventure to be hollow! Everyone always has the same generic goal about cultivation, but I want us to have something unique to work towards. That way, we won't drift apart and can always have a shared interest!"

Towards the end, Aniela's face got a bit bashful, yet she still held on to her cheerful smile. Going to a new City as a fresh start leads her to think down their inevitable long future.

And she couldn't help it but reflect upon this aspect. Her black eyes held a fiery determination as she stared right into Darcel's. But even with this confident bravado, silently, she was still slightly nervous on the inside.

Her nervousness, though, began to quickly slip away once Darcel just gained a wry smile towards her. Furthermore, her head suddenly felt incomparably warm once Darcel's hand came on top of it.

"Is that what this is about? Even for an airhead like you, you still fall prey to everyday problems."

"Muuu…"

The most adorable noises Darcel ever heard came out from Aniela as her face morphed into a cute pout. Here she was trying to be serious, and yet Darcel was being crude again!

Finding this look of her incredibly cute, Darcel just cracked an even wider smile, telling her,

"Relax...realistically thinking about it. Wouldn't it be foolish for either of us to drift apart since we only have each other? And about those goals...we don't need to create a grandiose one now. With time I'm sure we'll eventually find ours together. Besides, where's your bubbling enthusiasm for adventure?"

"Ah...ah! Hehehe~! It's still right here, Darcy~! And your warm emphatic side is showing again cause you just filled me up with hope!" All at once, Aniela's usual chipper energy returned to her.

She had the sweetest of smiles and felt a burst of warmth and joy from Darcel's words. Always with times like this, Darcel just seemed to mostly have the right words to say.

Liking the usual bubbling Aniela better, Darcel smiled himself and grabbed her hand. The same soothing warmth spread throughout both of their bodies as Darcel told her,

"Oh, and about our rela-" Words were caught in Darcel's throat when Aniela had swiftly lunged up to his face.

'Chu~'

Quick but sweet soft lips graced his cheeks, bringing about immense warmth and pleasure. Aniela's always lovely, scented fragrance made Darcel a little daze from her angelic cheek kiss.

"I know, it'll be better to settle down in the city first...but seeing your little dazed face is so cute~!" Aniela took fantastic enjoyment in finally making Darcel falter a bit.

Even if it was only for a little bit, having the tables turned around felt incredibly sweet!

"Hmmm, I can admit it. Your lips felt soft and...nice. Thanks for the preview." In a not so romantic way, Darcel complemented the kiss with a straight face.

Sighing a bit to herself, Aniela couldn't stop her smile as she told him, "I'm going to have to fix your useless romantic side, hehehe~. But for now, let's go! Our grand city awaits us!"

Taking the lead, Aniela pulled Darcel along with her. From this short conversation, the duo felt some doubts in their minds alleviate and found their adventure all the brighter…

….

From a few miles away from the Necropolis Woods, two distinct rustlings of grass could be heard. Walking upon this field of land were two youths in shabby-looking clothes.

After what seemed like hours of walking, Darcel and Aniela had finally made it out the woods! And at their own leisurely pace, the two finally came upon a grand city.

"This...this is Necrotic City!" Aniela informed Darcel as the two eyes observed a magnificent sight. For the first time in a long time, the duo felt a slightly refreshing feeling looking over to the city.

Necrotic City, the first thing anyone would notice about is how massive and luxurious it looked. For miles, this city ran along, looking almost endless. It was far more expansive than say, the Wrathful Clan.

In contrast to the woods' dreary darkness, this city was under a bright clear blue sky. Moreover, the buildings here were all more colorful and distinct in designs.

And many structures ran up into the skies. Or were long enough to even run along for a whole mile!

At the entrance of this colossal city was a simple open gate. There weren't any powerful guards there or really any sign of tight defense. And the duo notices numerous people walking in and out of this gate.

Focusing their attention a bit more on the gate, the duo did sense something suspicious about this open gate.

"Certainly not so shabby. Let's get a move on." Darcel said, prompting Aniela to start walking first. He followed close behind her as they took a route with no one else on it.

But, they, of course, couldn't avoid other people forever and slowly started to see others walking a few feet or meters around them. And the people varied far more than the ones in the woods.

Nearly all here were dressed in more orderly standard clothing. Some were wearing specific uniforms, others wore special robes, or just wore sleek designer clothing.

And the most significant thing the duo noticed was the lack of attention everyone gave them. Perhaps it was amplified by their shabby appearances, but nobody seemed to regard the two existence.

This was more than alright considering their current thoughts of staying a low profile. Seamlessly they blended into the crowd staying close to each other as they came upon the vast open gate.

Subconsciously both Darcel and Aniela's body began to tense. There was something about this gate that sensed like someone was peering into them. With each step, they arrived closer to the entrance until…

Nothing. Besides a slight feeling of getting washed with some sort of strange energy. Nothing happens to the duo when walking through the gate. The two even felt a bit ludicrous then.

"Fuu, talk about anticlimactic. Now that we're here, should we just head to the Zakira academy first?" Aniela asked Darcel as the two wandered off to a secluded spot among the crowds of people.

Thankfully for this city, everything was wide enough that allowed hundreds of people to walk secludedly from each other.

Looking to the ground, Darcel noticed they walked upon this shiny glossy blue floor. Everything here really went for this fancy vibe, and Darcel had several thoughts regarding this.

"We have no currency, nor anything to sell. About that academy, will we need anything for that?" Fishing out the map, Aniela looked at a specific portion, just where the academy was located.

"Hmm, according to this, all younger generations can take the academy test for free! Mnn, but it seems like you have to be very talented and smart since their tests are apparently challenging. Which is just suitable for us."

Aniela proclaimed with a confident smile. While the two could go out and farm some wild Spirit Monsters, the process would just be too troublesome for them. And the academy looked to be a major shortcut.

"Might as well be a free platter for us. Lead the way, airhead." Taking a position in front after Darcel spoke, Aniela exaggeratedly pointed off to a random direction saying,

"Stay right behind me. I wouldn't want you getting lost in this extravagant city."

Promptly, the two took off, heading towards the prestigious Zakira academy. And while walking, the two took the time and obverse the city more closely.

Their eyes encountered many wide ranges of stores, hotels, regular homes, or any other miscellaneous shops.

Weapon shops, armor shops, pill shops, talisman shops, and other such cultivation related things sprouted all over the city. This fits in naturally with the small sects or small clans situated in the city.

Though the duo remarked them being small, those clans and sects were all established in decently big acres of land.

For more of the average side of things, there were restaurants, places that seemed to sell antique items or objects that could be used for fun. And there was one type of business that caught the duo's eyes the most.

This building read, "Mages Teleportation" on it. And numerous people were strutting the place, signifying its a heavily popular business.

"Mages...those people are so...unique. One day we have to read more about how those people's powers work." Aniela remarked while just being fascinated about the mere sign of their buildings.

As far as these two know, Mages are this other mysterious side of power that can directly match Martial Cultivators! Although Mages are not known for their combat prowess.

They were more known for unique special powers that made life far more convenient for all.

"Surely for this prestigious academy, they will have plenty of books about these Mages." Darcel also commented since the way of Mages did pique his interest.

Focusing back on their route, the duo kept their casual pace. They were in no need to rush to the place though they did have quite the distance to walk.

After some time of walking, their eyes could finally see in the distance massively expansive buildings. These buildings were all interconnected and all uniquely designed.

The central theme of this place was a bluish-purple mix design. And right on the walls, this vast place were markings anyone can read from a mile away.

This was the 'Zakira Academy.'

"How big! It always seems like these places must go for the most extravagant as possible." Aniela was talking, but her eyes were noticing some strange glances directed towards them.

"If they have the power to do it, then, of course, they would go as flashy as possible. Just like the people here." Darcel said the last part quietly for only Aniela to hear.

He as well was noticing the odd glances passed towards them. As they walked towards the academy, Darcel was able to tell their kind of glances.

The mocking glance of disdain. Smiling, the duo couldn't really say they were shocked given their appearances though they did find it a bit funny.

Already, the duo could tell they're going to have to make some noise here if they want a low profile...