I Refused To Be Reincarnated
Chapter 554: Arrival at Dragon’s Foot

Chapter 554: Arrival at Dragon’s Foot

They crossed the valley’s harsh terrain before emerging on a lush plain extending as far as the eye could see.

They enjoyed the scenery at midday, using the blanket of lush grass to share a hearty meal before resuming their relentless charge to the Jin Long sect.

On their way, they crossed dense forests, swam against the current of deep rivers, and toured picturesque villages. They tried local dishes, bought a few trinkets for Misha and gawked a few times at cultivators cutting through the wind like battle aircraft atop their shining words.

Each experience brought its share of fun and eye-rolling moments as they grew much closer with the guardians’ training out of the way.

In this ambience of shared trust and discovery, hours melded into days until a week flashed by in the blink of an eye.

And today, they finally stood at the foot of a mountainous city.

Adam gazed up, his wide eyes sparkling in awe at the visible life force swirling around the nine peaks piercing the sky like spears. Yet, his heart hastened in his chest when he saw the center one.

The clouds veiled its peak in a shroud of mystery, while broad buildings covered its flattened mountainside as if they were overlooking the city below. Red, blue, brown, silver, and red waved on the dense barrier encasing them in its protective embrace in a vibrant show.

Despite the distance, he saw the golden dragons carved on the roofs and doors. They shone elegance, power, and riches, giving the sect’s buildings an incredible style.

As he gawked at the fantasy scenery, Misha failed to contain her excitement and tapped on his shoulder repeatedly.

"Let’s go, let’s go! I want to see if all the cow’s stories about cultivators are true!"

A warm smile spread across his lips as he grabbed her smooth hand and pointed to the extravagant city below.

"We’ll have to pass the guard’s inspection first. Prepare your identity token and let me do the talking."

With a curt nod and swinging their hands in her eagerness, Misha took hurried steps to the gates, almost dragging him as he chuckled.

Five minutes later, they stepped onto the long shadow cast by the thirty-meter-tall walls.

He sized them up and down, awe constricting his pupils as he felt each brick contained a faint trace of life force.

’Is it like the dwarf castle’s enchanted walls I saw in the Durazmarn?’

He pondered the question as two men walked to them.

Their immaculate cultivator robes fluttered elegantly, making the golden dragons embroidered on the fabric come to life.

He noticed the leather band tying their silky black hair in tight ponytails and the identical swords banging against their hips with each step they took. Finally, he saw the jade ring dangling from their broad belts.

They were, without the shadow of a doubt, cultivators working as guards for the sect.

As he nodded at his conclusion, they cupped their fists in the realm’s traditional salute before one of them spoke.

"Welcome to Dragon’s Foot, but considering your young age and the absence of your parents, I bet you came to join the Jin Long sect, right?"

He cupped his fist to return the gesture before closing an eye. The cow’s advice resurfaced in his mind as he adjusted his answer to sound as arrogant as possible.

"Spot on! We’re here to become the best cultivators and show the realm how things are done!"

The guards exchanged a brief glance before waving their hands in amusement.

"Good luck with that." He outstretched his palm. "If you have a recommendation along with your identity token, we can send you to the sect directly."

Misha opened her almost empty bag and rummaged through all the hair pines, brushes and other useless trinkets she had bought on the way. Then, she pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper and a wooden token.

Meanwhile, he retrieved his from his belt and handed everything together.

The same man’s hand shone green as he checked the tokens first. After a second, he nodded.

"Lin Adam and Lina Misha..." He scratched his head. "First time I hear these weird names." His eyes narrowed into slits as he remembered something. "They almost sound like mages’ names."

An icy shiver ran down Adam’s spine as his heart almost exploded.

’Why are you so sharp for a guard?! Don’t expose my secret so casually!’

Fortunately, Misha stepped up and pointed an accusing finger at the man.

"How dare you suspect us of being a part of these filthy creatures?! Is that how the Jin Long sect treats its future students?"

’Sorry for being filthy... But good job!’

He winked at Misha’s quick thinking and exhaled a heavy breath of turbid air.

Then, he followed her example.

"Yeah! What kind of welcome is that? Didn’t we give you our recommendation already? Or are you calling our guardians blind fools who would mistake mages for cultivators?"

The guard who spoke until now trembled, blood rushing into his brown eyes. When did kids disrespect a cultivator in the Foundation Building Realm so much?

Teeth gritted, his hand rose to teach them how to respect their elders.

However, the second man gripped his arm before he could swing and pushed him back. Then, he bowed and cupped his hands.

"Please forgive my colleague for his mistake."

He opened the recommendation and read it, his eyes enlarging with each second crawling by.

"Shit..." Biting his lips, he bowed again, lower this time. "I’ll report the matter to the disciplinary elder. Also, please don’t mention my name to the sect’s guardian beast."

The other guard’s wrathful expression collapsed at the mention of the guardian beast.

Meanwhile, Adam unclenched his fists and relaxed.

"You’re lucky you stopped him because I don’t need relations to dispose of a fool." He shrugged. "Won’t mention you if you end this annoying inspection and guide us to the sect."

With a doubtful glance, the guard turned and waved his hand.

"Follow me. We have a teleportation formation in the guard’s quarter."

Sighing in relief and noticing Misha’s mischievous smirk, they rushed behind the guard, eager to land on the mysterious mountainside and experience the cultivator’s world.