Nagung City – Guandu Realm
An area as vast as a football field stretched wide, with the Multi-Space Portal standing tall in the center of a platform made of pristine, gleaming white stone. Surrounding it, a bustling crowd moved back and forth, busy entering and exiting the portal. The sound of footsteps mingled with lively chatter, creating an atmosphere full of energy and life.
Lein and his group emerged from the portal, stepping out calmly one by one. They surveyed their surroundings, ensuring everything appeared normal. Before transferring to this place, Lein, Laras, and Bagus had sealed their powers, ensuring their aura wouldn't attract unwanted attention.
"Wow... it's so crowded," Bagus said, his voice reflecting both admiration and slight amazement.
The sky was transitioning into the evening, but the golden light radiating from the horizon created a panorama as beautiful as midday. Soft orange hues blended with purples and blues, painting a serene natural canvas.
"Yes, this city is full of color," Laras remarked while observing the buildings made of luminous materials. Their walls were brightly colored, some adorned with intricate patterns reminiscent of traditional art. Even the residents' clothing reflected a taste for vibrant colors, with lively motifs adding to the city's cheerful ambiance.
Lein, standing at the forefront, remained calm. He said little, but his awareness expanded like ripples on water, enveloping Nagung City. Within seconds, he had pinpointed the location of the nearest seed shop. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he glanced in a particular direction.
"Let's go," he said briefly to his group.
Without further questions, they followed Lein's lead, walking through the main street's bustling crowd. Passersby glanced at them momentarily but refrained from approaching. Lein's composed aura seemed to suggest that they were no ordinary group.
After passing through the portal platform's archway, they stopped in front of a rental stable. Along the road stood rows of white horses, neatly lined up. Their bodies were large and muscular, their coats immaculate, almost glistening. Each horse was tethered to a post to ensure they remained calm.
A middle-aged man in a brown robe appeared from behind a large cart. His voice boomed as he offered his services to anyone passing by.
"Gentlemen, cloud horses for rent, only 10 energy crystals per day," he said with a friendly smile.
Seeing Lein and his group approach, the man quickly stepped forward with brisk strides, holding a small notebook in his hand. His face lit up with enthusiasm, likely sensing potential customers in the group.
"Ten energy crystals for one day, or one hundred crystals for a carriage with a five-person capacity," he said, eagerly promoting his packages.
Lein gazed at the man briefly, then spoke in a serious tone, "Do you have five carriages?"
The man froze for a moment before breaking into a wide smile. His eyes sparkled, clearly seeing a big opportunity. "Of course, sir. Would you prefer standard carriages or premium ones?" he asked, his voice a touch more cheerful than before.
The stable owner enthusiastically offered various packages. From the attire Lein and his group wore, he deduced they were wealthy outsiders. A small smile played on his lips as he tried to make his offers even more convincing.
"Premium," Lein replied curtly, his eyes narrowing slightly as if considering something. Beyond fulfilling their transportation needs, he saw this as an opportunity to experience something different. For him, it could be seen as a brief vacation in another realm.
"Understood, sir! Please wait three minutes; I'll have everything ready shortly," the man responded enthusiastically.
Without wasting time, the middle-aged man jogged into his shop and returned with several men who appeared to be carriage drivers. He gave them quick instructions before heading down a narrow alley across the street. Moments later, he emerged with five luxurious carriages pulled by majestic white horses.
Laras, who had been quietly observing, widened her eyes as the line of white horses approached. The evening sun reflected off their immaculate coats, creating a soft satin-like sheen. "They're so beautiful... what kind of horses are these?" she asked softly, her voice filled with awe.
"These are sky cloud horses, Miss," the stable owner explained while busily arranging the carriages to avoid blocking the main road.
Not only Laras but also some female attendants accompanying Madam Fatmawati were mesmerized. Their gazes lingered on the horses, and whispers of admiration began to circulate among them. Some even pulled out small cameras and started snapping photos discreetly.
"Did you get a picture?" one attendant asked her friend quietly.
"Just one," her friend replied with a small smile.
"Take more, a few more shots," she urged.
"Shh... Lord Lein will notice!" she whispered back, lowering her voice further.
Lein, standing not far from them, observed everything from the corner of his eye. He simply shook his head, though a faint smile tugged at his lips.
The stable owner finally finished preparing the five carriages, complete with drivers seated atop the horses. Each man appeared experienced, sitting calmly while holding the reins.
"Excuse me, sir, may I know your name?" the stable owner asked politely, approaching Lein.
"Just call me Lein. How much for these five carriages?" Lein replied directly, his tone firm but not harsh.
The man rubbed his hands together, trying to appear friendly despite a hint of nervousness. "Five carriages typically cost 10,000 energy crystals, sir. However, since you're my first customer today, I'm offering a 50 percent discount," he explained with a hopeful smile, raising five fingers to emphasize the discount.
"So, Lord Lein only needs to pay 5,000 energy crystals," he added after a brief pause.
Without much fuss, Lein pulled out a black pouch from his robe and dropped it into the man's hands. The weighty sound of the pouch hitting his palm left the man momentarily speechless. "Thank you, sir!" he exclaimed enthusiastically, clearly not expecting Lein to pay so quickly and effortlessly.
Seeing the black pouch, the stable owner's eyes lit up brightly. He quickly moved to one of the carriages, opening the door with great respect. "Please, sir," he said, his tone now even more cordial.