World of Rules

Di moved through the dark alleys of the city, the air thick with the scent of blood and smoke, the echoes of distant footsteps reverberating between the stone walls. There was no safe place here, but he didn’t need safety.

Standing atop one of the buildings, he gazed at the horizon where the city’s faint lights flickered like embers beneath the ashes. The city seemed calm, but it was nothing more than the silence before a storm.

He pulled out one of the scrolls he had obtained, unfolding it slowly, his cold eyes scanning the lines.

"The Raging Sea: home to unending storms and a merciless hell for those who dare to sail its waters. North of the Raging Sea lies the Barren Southern Region, the land of the dead and shattered dreams. Between them… the island of Blazing Coral, where the boundary between reality and illusion fades."

He closed the scroll, a faint smile crossing his lips.

"An interesting world..."

But he had no time to waste on reading. He needed direct information from a more… lively source.

In one of the narrow alleys where moonlight could not reach, two men sat exchanging whispers.

"Did you hear? Someone killed one of the Lian family’s men last night."

"Heh! He must be insane. The Lian family won’t let this slide."

They didn’t notice the shadow that crept toward them with lethal silence.

In an instant, a hand emerged from nowhere, and before one of them could react, the sound of his breath vanished into the void. The other froze in place, his body trembling as his eyes locked onto Di, who stood expressionless before him.

"Y-You… what do you want?"

"Information."

"A-About what?"

"The Lian family… and what they’re planning after last night’s incident."

The man swallowed hard. "I’m just a small-time follower, I don’t know much, but I heard that Master Lian Feng is furious. He sent his men to search for anyone suspicious."

"Where can I find someone who knows more than you?"

The man opened his mouth to answer, but he never got the chance.

A muffled scream, then his body collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

"I don’t need witnesses."

Di stood at the crossroads leading to the Lian family’s manor. The massive building was surrounded by high walls, with guards patrolling like wolves awaiting their prey’s mistake.

"This is just the beginning."

His eyes gleamed in the darkness before he vanished, moving toward his next target.

---

Di moved through the dark alleys, silently observing the city. The guards tonight were unlike usual—their numbers had doubled, and tension filled the air. It was rare for security to be heightened this much. The three great families maintained a fragile balance, but something had changed.

He stood in a corner, watching the soldiers move with an unusual sense of urgency. There was no point in making a move now—any small mistake would attract attention. He had to wait.

"If the city is on high alert… there must be something worth paying attention to."

Instead of causing trouble, he decided to infiltrate the heart of the city, where things were controlled from the shadows.

---

Inside the Lian Family Manor

Deep within the manor, three men sat in a grand hall, but the atmosphere was far from peaceful.

Lian Feng, the head of the Lian family, sat calmly behind a wooden table, fanning himself lazily. His appearance suggested indifference, but his eyes missed nothing.

Mo Ting, the head of the Mo family, sat heavily on a sturdy chair, his arms crossed, eyes narrowing with every word spoken.

Shu Jian, the head of the Shu family, leaned back, half of his face covered in shadow, but his voice was clear. "So… it has been confirmed?"

Lian Feng glanced at the table, where an ancient stone tablet lay. Its engravings were barely visible due to the wear of time.

"There is no doubt. It is an ancient teleportation array. Older than we imagined."

Mo Ting slammed his fist on the table. "And where is it?"

"On the island. Not far from the city’s borders, but… it’s damaged."

Silence fell.

Shu Jian muttered, "So even if we find it, we can’t use it?"

Lian Feng closed his fan, sighing slowly before speaking. "Not yet. But we can repair it. The problem is the cost."

"What’s needed?"

"Primordial stones, rare metals, the blood of powerful beasts… every family must contribute."

"… And we also need Moon Crystal."

Mo Ting pressed his lips together. "You expect us to hand over resources that easily? And I’m certain none of us possesses a Moon Crystal."

Lian Feng chuckled softly. "No one pays without a reward. This array doesn’t lead to an ordinary place—it connects to the Barren Southern Region."

Shu Jian raised an eyebrow slightly. "The south?"

"Yes. The Raging Sea we live in holds nothing but scraps compared to what lies there. If we succeed in repairing the array, we will set foot in a land spoken of only in ancient scrolls."

Mo Ting didn’t seem entirely convinced, but he didn’t object.

Shu Jian, however, closed his eyes for a moment before speaking in a low voice. "If the Barren Southern Region is filled with treasures as you claim… why has no one ever tried migrating there?"

No one answered.

But in the shadows, Di watched in silence, his thoughts racing.

"An ancient teleportation array, unknown treasures, and an unspoken danger…"

Now, he had another reason to stay in this city.