Douluo Dalu: Ascension Across the Realms

Half a month later. Fengyu City, a Tier-Four Cultivation Nation. "Whew, finally, an actual city." After traveling westward from the imperial

Half a month later.

Fengyu City, a Tier-Four Cultivation Nation.

"Whew, finally, an actual city."

After traveling westward from the imperial capital of this Tier-Four cultivation nation, Chen Xiaoming had nearly lost his mind. He had thought his chosen direction was ideal, anticipating a pleasant journey with scenic charm and perhaps a bit of serendipity along the way.

Yet aside from a single lonely village, he'd encountered nothing. Not a soul.

But he was supposed to practice medicine across the land—if there was no one around, what was he supposed to do? Treat himself? Offer solace to his own aching spirit?

Chen Xiaoming wasn't that kind of person. He absolutely wasn't going to descend into such tragic comedy.

Still, despite the barren journey, it had brought about a subtle transformation in him.

The silence of the half-month trek had gradually peeled away the reserved personality he'd acquired from ten years under the shadow of the Old Devil Wang. Bit by bit, the real Chen Xiaoming was re-emerging—free, unburdened.

"My poor five viscera temple deserves a proper offering," he murmured.

Patting his round belly, he felt like he'd returned to who he once was.

All those restraints that had come with his cultivation breakthroughs and insights into the origin had, in that moment, felt as though they had simply fallen away.

As he stepped into Fengyu City, it was obvious that its streets paled in comparison to the avenues of the imperial capital. The environment was more chaotic, and besides the guards at the city gates, there wasn't a single patrol in sight.

On either side of the main road, vendors had set up their stalls. But business was clearly poor.

Chen Xiaoming paid no mind to any of it. He headed straight for the nearest tavern, walked in, ordered a few small dishes, and then carefully retrieved a flask of fruit wine from his pack, pouring himself a cup with great care.

One small sip, and a look of deep satisfaction settled on his face. There was something magical about this wine.

"Is it because Wang Lin's the protagonist? Did the heavens brew this wine just for him? The taste is divine."

"Your dishes, sir," said a server in brown robes, placing the small plates down.

Chen Xiaoming nodded. The server bowed and backed away.

Relaxed and content, Chen Xiaoming sipped his wine while gazing out the tavern window.

BOOM!

A sudden crash broke the calm. Chen Xiaoming frowned and looked toward the tavern entrance.

Three brawny men stormed in, aggressive and overbearing. The lead thug didn't hesitate—he kicked a server to the floor and planted his foot squarely on the man's face.

"Where's the manager? Tell him to get his ass out here!"

The bark echoed through the tavern, drawing the attention of every diner.

Most people, seeing the fierce brutes, lowered their heads in fear, pretending they hadn't seen anything.

"Gentlemen, please, please! Let's talk this through!"

A portly middle-aged man, drenched in sweat, came rushing out from the back. He wore a sycophantic smile, bowing low as he tried to appease them.

"You're the manager?"

"Yes, yes, I am…"

Before he could finish, the lead thug waved a hand, cutting him off. With an outstretched palm, he rubbed his thumb against two fingers in a familiar gesture.

"No need for nonsense. You're the manager—you know the rules."

The portly man glanced down, eyes flaring with a spark of suppressed rage. This was the third time this month.

He had paid them off the last two times. But not today. He couldn't endure this any longer.

How long was this going to go on? He ran a tavern. If people kept barging in and causing trouble, how was he supposed to stay in business?

Just as he was preparing to refuse, his eyes caught a figure outside the door. A gleam lit up in his gaze.

"Captain Li! Over here!"

Shouting in desperation, the tavern manager squeezed his way out and ran to a man dressed in a constable's uniform.

After a brief exchange, he returned with Captain Li in tow.

"Captain Li, it's these three," he said, pointing at the brutes. With Li here, the manager's confidence swelled. He even stood up a little straighter.

But his triumph was short-lived.

Li, the man he thought would be his saving grace, simply asked:

"What crime have they committed?"

"Huh? Captain Li, we had an agreement. I already gave you—"

Before he could finish, Li interrupted with a scowl.

"Who made any agreement with you? They haven't committed a crime. I'm not arresting them."

With that cold declaration, Li nodded at the three men and turned to leave.

"This… this…"

The manager was left stunned, finally understanding—but it was already too late.

"Heh, you won't drink the wine we offer, so now you'll taste the punishment."

The lead brute sneered, glaring down at the trembling tavern owner. "Time to teach you a lesson. Smash the place!"

The two men behind him instantly began to wreck the tavern. Patrons fled in terror. In mere moments, the once-bustling establishment was nearly empty.

Only Chen Xiaoming remained, as calm as ever.

"Hm?"

One of the thugs raised a brow, curious. He'd found someone unafraid?

He lumbered over, placing a heavy hand on Chen Xiaoming's shoulder.

"You still drinking? Get the hell out of here!"

He shouted, gripping Chen Xiaoming's shoulder with growing force, as if manhandling an ant.

With arms and legs so thin, the brute worried he might snap this guy by accident.

Chen Xiaoming sat still, lifted his cup, drained the last of the fruit wine, and slowly turned.

"If I were you, I'd let go right now."

His voice was calm—advisory, even.

The thug blinked, then glanced at his companion, bursting into laughter.

"Hahaha! Let go? You've gotta be—"

His laughter froze mid-sentence. His face twisted in shock.

One hand shot to his throat; the other instinctively released Chen Xiaoming. His expression contorted in pain and fear.

"You… what… did… you…"

He dropped to his knees, pounding his forehead on the floor again and again.

All the while, Chen Xiaoming sat unmoved, like a god receiving obeisance.

For a moment, the entire tavern fell into stunned silence.

No one could quite grasp what had just happened. All eyes turned toward Chen Xiaoming, filled with a mix of fear and disbelief.

Chen Xiaoming simply shook his head, regret flickering in his eyes as he looked down at the burly man kneeling and kowtowing repeatedly before him.

His voice was quiet, almost wistful, as he spoke.

"I told you... if I were you, I would've let go."

"What a shame… truly, a shame."

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