In a high-level martial arts game, a wife is given to you at the start.

Lin Qiye glanced at the three bronze mirrors, his gaze indifferent. The dark golden Origin Qi within his body had long been contained to its limit, lying dormant deep within his bloodline, simulating the peaceful and stable fluctuations of an ordinary cultivator. As for the aura of the Candle Bloodline, its level was far beyond what these mirrors could detect.

"Identity tags, cargo manifest." A guard captain stepped forward, his voice coming through his visor with a cold, metallic quality. He didn't even glance at Lin Qiye; his gaze was fixed on Steward Chen.

Manager Chen hurriedly handed over a black iron token and a scroll of animal hide documents, his face plastered with a humble smile: "Sir, the Black Rock Merchant Guild is escorting a batch of medicinal herbs and ores. This is the list and customs clearance documents. Behind us is Mr. Lin, the newly hired head guard of our guild, and his family." He pointed to Lin Qiye, and then to the large cart behind them.

The captain of the guards took the token and documents, examined them carefully, and then looked up at the size of the caravan and the depth of the ruts to confirm that everything was correct. He waved his hand, and two guards stepped forward to begin inspecting the vehicles and goods one by one.

Soon, the large carriage carrying the women and children was found. Luo Sheng was holding Lin Xi, while Shuang'er, Man Ji, and others sat inside. The children curiously peered through the cracks in the windows. The guard lifted the curtain, his gaze sweeping over the carriage full of women and children. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, especially when he saw the infants still in swaddling clothes.

"These children..." the guard began.

"They're all Instructor Lin's family members," Manager Chen hurriedly explained, sweat beading on his forehead. "Instructor Lin is highly skilled and was hired by our Chamber of Commerce at great expense. It's only natural that his family members accompany him..."

The guard didn't ask any more questions and lowered the carriage curtain. While it wasn't common for people to bring their families to seek refuge with a particular power, it wasn't unheard of. He was simply going through the motions.

The procession passed smoothly under the mirror of truth; a milky-white light flowed past without issuing any warning. The captain of the guard waved his hand, signaling them to proceed. The heavy black iron gate slowly opened inward, revealing a wider, straight "sacred path" paved with huge bluestone slabs.

The caravan started moving again, the wheels rolling over the smooth stone road with a dull, rhythmic sound. Manager Chen secretly breathed a sigh of relief, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and led the group onto the sacred road.

Upon entering, the atmosphere changed dramatically. The primal energy permeating the air was now purer and richer, carrying an indescribable sense of order. Along the sacred path, instead of simple wooden shacks, stood rows of neat, uniform gray stone houses, mostly two stories high, with a simple and consistent style—clearly official settlements or outlying communities. More people appeared, dressed in various styles, but most walked hurriedly, their expressions carrying the caution and apathy characteristic of a place of order.

The massive walls of the holy city now truly revealed their suffocating oppressive power. Looking up, the gray-white walls seemed to stretch all the way to the clouds, and the faint runes on the surface of the walls became even more intricate and mysterious upon closer inspection. Occasionally, a glimmer of light would flash, making one's heart tremble and dare not look at them for long.

At the end of the sacred path lay the true outer gate of the "Guixu Holy City." This gate was even more magnificent than the pass's gate, standing over thirty zhang tall. Its doors were cast from an unknown dark gold metal, their surfaces embossed with patterns of the sun, moon, stars, mountains, and rivers—ancient and imposing. The gate was now wide open, but the guards before it were even more heavily armed. Not only were there "Holy City Guards" clad in dark silver armor, but also several "Temple Deacons" in plain white robes with strange insignia embroidered on their chests, standing silently. Their gazes, almost tangible, swept over every person entering the city, carrying an air of scrutiny and judgment.

The pace of entry into the city slowed significantly. Every group and every individual had to have their identity verified again at the city gate registration point and undergo more detailed questioning, especially those entering the city for the first time.

It was the Black Rock Chamber of Commerce's turn.

"Identities, purpose of visit, and a detailed list of accompanying personnel." A temple deacon opened a thick jade book, his voice calm and indifferent.

Steward Chen stepped forward again, respectfully handing over all the documents, and reiterated the situation of Lin Qiye and his family, still emphasizing that he was a "newly hired head guard." As he spoke, the steward's gaze had already passed over him and landed on Lin Qiye.

That gaze was sharp as a knife, seemingly able to pierce through flesh and look directly into the very essence of the soul. Lin Qiye met its gaze calmly, his eyes undisturbed, his inner energy perfectly simulated.

The deacon observed him for a few moments, his brow twitching almost imperceptibly. He sensed that the man before him possessed a calm and restrained aura, seemingly peaceful, yet harboring an indescribable weight, like an abyss lurking beneath a calm sea. This contradictory feeling stirred a hint of doubt within him.

"Those newly arrived in the Holy City must have their photos taken for record-keeping and pay a 'settlement tax'," the deacon said matter-of-factly, withdrawing his gaze. "Those without an official identity badge must first reside in the 'temporary residence area' under the jurisdiction of the 'Initial Investigation Division' for three days for observation. If no abnormalities are found, they may apply for temporary status, with the recommender acting as guarantor, and must obtain an official badge within one month. Those who fail to obtain it within the stipulated time will be expelled from the city."

"Yes, yes, I understand, I understand." Manager Chen nodded repeatedly, inwardly groaning. The temporary housing area was rudimentary and a mixed bag; letting this troublemaker stay there... he dared not even think about it. But the rules were the rules, and he dared not disobey them.

Soon, a guard brought over a palm-sized, crystal-clear plate, and had Lin Qiye, Luo Sheng, and all the adult family members place their palms on it. The crystal plate flashed slightly, recording everyone's facial features and aura. Afterwards, Steward Chen reluctantly paid a large sum of "settlement tax"—mainly for Lin Qiye's entire family.

After the formalities were completed, a guard led them, but instead of entering the main city gate, they took a side road and circled around to a cluster of low buildings at the foot of the city wall. That was the "temporary residence area," where gray stone houses were crowded together, the alleys were narrow, and a mixed smell permeated the air.

The guards led them to one of the larger stone houses and tossed them a key: "Stay here for three days. The Preliminary Inspectorate will come to check on you daily. You are not allowed to leave this premises. If there are no problems after three days, someone will take you to apply for temporary status." With that, they turned and left, their attitude indifferent.

Manager Chen smiled awkwardly and bowed to Lin Qiye, saying, "Mr. Lin... please bear with me for a few days. I will personally come to pick you up in three days and do my best to assist you with your identity matters."

Lin Qiye nodded, said nothing, pushed open the courtyard gate and went inside.

The courtyard was small, with rough stone slabs paving the ground. There were three main rooms and two side rooms, furnished extremely simply with only essential beds and tables and chairs, all covered in dust. But compared to sleeping in the wilderness, it was a place to shelter from the wind and rain.

The women began to tidy up quietly, while the children ran around curiously in the empty courtyard.

Lin Qiye stood in the courtyard, looking up. The towering walls of the holy city cut a narrow strip of sky, casting a huge shadow that enveloped this temporary settlement. Above the walls, the outline of the legendary temple appeared and disappeared higher up, radiating an invisible pressure.

He withdrew his gaze, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

We've arrived at the Holy City of Guixu.

But this is only the beginning. The waters of this colossal city are probably deeper and more murky than the wasteland.

The most urgent task is to obtain a legal identity and truly establish myself in this city. Only then can I slowly uncover the secrets of this place, find a safer, more permanent place to settle down, and... the clues that the fragment might point to.