World of Rules

"Di" finally reached the city after hours of traveling through the forest. Before him stood towering stone walls, adorned with banners bearing different symbols—marking the forces that ruled within. He didn’t need to ask; from the words of the man he had killed earlier, he already knew that this was the city controlled by three powerful families.

He approached the main gate, where armed guards monitored the incoming travelers. The city was bustling with life—merchants and travelers moving in and out under the watchful eyes of the guards.

Without hesitation, "Di" moved forward. As he neared, a tall guard holding a spear stopped him.

"Stop, stranger. What’s your name? And what is your purpose in entering the city?"

"Di" looked at the guard expressionlessly and replied in a calm voice, "Just a traveler."

The guard narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing him, but found nothing suspicious about his appearance—except for the strange aura he couldn't quite define. After a moment of hesitation, he gestured to the other guard. "Let him pass."

Without caring about the guard’s reaction, "Di" stepped into the city without looking back.

---

Upon entering, he found himself on a wide, stone-paved street lined with wooden and stone buildings. The marketplace was alive with people—vendors shouting their wares, the clashing of metal echoing from blacksmith shops. This was a real city, where both the strong and the weak coexisted.

But "Di" had no interest in the market or the crowds. He needed information about the three ruling families.

---

The Three Families

This city was ruled by three major families, each possessing a First-Class, Late-Rank Base Master, making them formidable forces in this region.

The city was like an unspoken battlefield, where the three families vied for absolute control, yet the balance between them remained intact—for now.

---

Standing in the heart of the city, "Di" observed the atmosphere. He wasn’t planning to stay long, but he wanted to learn more about the rules governing this world. Perhaps… he would even test the strength of these so-called masters.

---

"Di" moved through the city's bustling alleys, his gaze sweeping over the weary faces and merchants calling out for customers. He paid no attention to the noise—his mind focused on a single goal: information.

Stopping in front of a small shop bearing the emblem of the Lian Family, one of the three ruling families, he studied its modest exterior before stepping inside.

The interior was different—old wooden shelves stacked with scrolls and worn books, the scent of aged parchment mixing with fresh ink.

Behind the counter stood an elderly man with sharp eyes, scanning "Di" from head to toe as if assessing him.

"I need information about the three families and this region," "Di" spoke calmly.

The old man raised an eyebrow and replied in a neutral tone, "Knowledge has a price, young man."

"Di" didn’t respond. He glanced around for a brief moment—then disappeared.

Before the man could cry out, a cold hand pierced his throat, and silence consumed the shop. His hands slackened, his body collapsing lifelessly to the ground.

He had nothing to pay with—except his fists.

Without a hint of emotion, "Di" reached under the counter, pulling out a small drawer where the most valuable scrolls were stored.

He took several scrolls, scanning their titles:

"The Families of Burning Coral Island"

"The Ruling Powers of the Raging Sea"

"Forbidden Maps of the Southern Barren Region"

Grabbing them all, he exited the shop silently, disappearing into a dark alleyway.

Sitting on a smooth rock, he opened one of the scrolls and began reading.

---

"This land belongs to no one, yet it is not without rulers. Three families stand atop the ruins of authority, controlling resources and deciding who lives and who vanishes into the shadows."

1. The Mo Family: Known for their brutality and control over mercenary forces. Their Base Master, Mo Ting, was a towering man with bulging muscles, rumored to be able to crush a man with a single hand.

2. The Lian Family: Dominating trade and the city's economy. Their Base Master, Lian Feng, had a calm demeanor but was dangerous—whispers claimed he could kill without anyone realizing how.

3. The Xu Family: Masters of intelligence and secret assassinations. Their Base Master, Xu Jian, was a mystery. Little was known about him, but it was said that he had never failed a single kill.

---

Closing the scroll, "Di’s" gaze grew colder.

"Three beasts fighting in a small cage..." he muttered.

Lifting his head, he stared at the gray sky above the city, where clouds drifted slowly, as if awaiting the coming storm.

"It’s time to play."

Then, he vanished into the darkness, leaving behind a torn page fluttering in the wind.