CHAPTER 31 — The City of Iron Walls
The towering gates loomed like giants.
Arjun stood still for a moment, observing everything.
The city walls stretched endlessly, built from dark iron stone, engraved with ancient defensive formations that faintly glowed under the sunlight. Guards in heavy armor stood at the entrance, their sharp gazes scanning every person who entered.
This was not his village.
This was a different world.
People moved everywhere—merchants shouting prices, warriors displaying weapons, cultivators radiating powerful auras. The air itself felt heavier, richer with energy.
Arjun took a slow breath.
"So this is where real strength gathers…"
The shadow spirit appeared faintly beside him, invisible to others.
"Careful," it said.
"In places like this, weaklings disappear without a trace."
Arjun smirked slightly.
"Good."
Without hesitation, he stepped forward.
As he crossed the gates—
A strange sensation passed through his body.
The formation scanned him.
For a brief second—
The shadow energy inside him reacted.
Violently.
But Arjun suppressed it instantly.
The guards glanced at him… then looked away.
He had passed.