Wood Style And Sharingan

"You mean that chaotic City of Sin?" Yun Ming asked, frowning.

Lan Feng nodded seriously. "That's right. If the Burning Fire Clan is still hiding, then the City of Sin is likely where they're lurking."

"Where exactly is the City of Sin?" Smith asked, his curiosity piqued by the intense expressions on the teachers' faces.

"It's not under the jurisdiction of the Holy Empire," Lan Feng explained. "It's a place ruled by chaos. There's no order or regulation—anyone can enter: humans, rebels, even monsters. Any transaction is possible, as long as you have the money or the strength. Power and wealth are the only laws there."

Yun Ming's face darkened slightly as she continued, "Because it lies outside the Holy Empire's control, many exiled rebels and outlaws gather there. It's essentially a haven for criminals and enemies of the Holy Law."

"The Burning Fire Clan is composed of outlaws. If we want to track them down, the only lead we currently have is the City of Sin," she added.

"Then let's go," Yun Ming said without hesitation.

With their objective clear, Yun Ming guided the group—Smith, Yan Yue, and Lan Feng—out of Xiahai City. They boarded a wooden cart and departed, heading east toward the infamous city of chaos.

---

The City of Sin was located about fifty kilometers east of Xiahai City. Though it wasn't far, the journey still took nearly an hour by wooden cart. The constant rattling and shaking left Smith feeling dizzy and sore.

He leaned against the side of the cart, watching the changing scenery outside. Dense forests gave way to barren lands, and eventually, they arrived in a dry, scorching desert. Rising from the desert's heart was a strange city built from dark-colored stone and ancient timber.

From every direction, wooden carts and rugged travelers poured toward the city.

"Is that the City of Sin?" Smith and Yan Yue both stared in awe as it came into full view.

Though smaller in scale compared to Xiahai City, the City of Sin had a very different atmosphere. A chaotic, oppressive energy loomed in the air, seeping into the surroundings. It disturbed Smith's concentration, and even the spiritual energy in his body became unstable.

"This place…" Smith muttered, placing a hand on his chest. "The spiritual energy inside me is acting up. Just looking at the city is enough to throw me off."

It was the first time he had ever experienced such a sensation.

Yun Ming nodded solemnly. "That's normal. The City of Sin radiates chaos. The ambient energy here disturbs the flow of spiritual power. You two must be extra cautious."

Lan Feng glanced back at them. "Are you sure it's wise to bring these two in?" she asked Yun Ming.

The City of Sin was no place for novices. Everyone inside—whether man, beast, or something in between—was dangerous. Walking into it was like entering a den of wolves.

But Yun Ming smiled calmly. "I believe in our students from Huaihai College. This is an experience they must face eventually."

Lan Feng shook her head. "You're too relaxed. They're double S-level freshmen, aren't they? You're not afraid something will happen?"

"If it were us, we'd treat them like precious gems," she muttered. "Nurture them gently, not throw them into dangerous missions."

Smith and Yan Yue exchanged glances, their expressions complex.

The truth was, the two of them did feel like lambs being sent into a den of wolves. Everyone in the City of Sin lived on the edge, surviving through blood, deception, and power. Compared to them, Smith and Yan Yue felt unprepared.

But no matter how dangerous things got, Smith knew he couldn't turn back—not with the mission waiting ahead.

---

Despite its lawless nature, the City of Sin still had tall defensive walls and a guarded gate. However, unlike the cities of the Holy Empire, there were no questions asked upon entry.

Yun Ming drove the wooden cart straight through the gates and parked it in an open lot. The group stepped out and immediately felt the difference.

The city was chaotic in every sense. Crowded alleys twisted in unnatural directions. Strangers bumped into each other and immediately began shouting—or fighting. Weapons were openly displayed on backs, hips, and even slung across shoulders. There was no fear of law enforcement, because there was no law.

In every corner, in every shadow, eyes watched silently, waiting for an opening.

"This place makes my skin crawl," Yan Yue said, hugging herself as a cold wind swept through the streets. She tightened her combat windbreaker.

Although she was dressed for battle now, the windbreaker only highlighted her elegance. She looked sharp, more warrior than student.

"Let's head to the Know-It-All first," Lan Feng said, leading the way through the twisting alleys.

She moved like someone very familiar with the layout. Smith followed closely behind, but suddenly he felt a chill on his neck. It felt like... someone was watching.

He turned sharply, scanning behind him, but saw nothing.

"What's wrong?" Yan Yue asked in a low voice.

"I thought someone was watching us," Smith whispered. "But I didn't see anyone."

"It's normal," she replied. "Like the teacher said, we clearly don't belong here. It's natural for people to notice us."

"Yeah… maybe you're right," he said, still uneasy.

Unbeknownst to them, less than five hundred meters away in a shadowy alley, a pair of glowing crimson eyes observed them.

"Hehehe… prey delivered right to my doorstep," a raspy voice murmured. "Looks like the heavens are favoring me today."

---

The Know-It-All was an intelligence broker in the City of Sin. Here, everything was for sale: supernatural books, rare spirit stones, demon cores, even people. If you had the money, you could buy anything.

The four of them stopped in front of a shabby wooden building. The place looked like it could collapse any moment. A battered wooden sign swayed above the entrance.

Inside, the air was musty and stale. A simple wooden counter stood near the entrance, where a few chipped weapons were laid out.

Behind the counter, a sloppily dressed man sat dozing off with a wide-brimmed hat covering his face.

Lan Feng walked up without a word and placed four low-grade spirit stones on the counter.

The man sniffed, roused by the scent of the stones. He pushed his hat back and looked at them lazily. His eyes lit up when he saw Lan Feng.

"Well, well, if it isn't Teacher Lan Feng. What news are you buying today?"

"We're looking for a group called the Burning Fire Clan," she said bluntly. "Have they been active around here?"

The man grunted. "That kind of information costs extra. Double the price."

Without arguing, Lan Feng took out four more spirit stones and stacked them on the counter.

The man grinned, pocketed the stones, and leaned forward. "You'll find them near the west end, at the Sin House."

Lan Feng nodded. "Let's go."

Without wasting a second, the group turned and left the shop.

Smith and Yan Yue followed closely, but they'd only taken a few steps when a strange sensation prickled at their skin. The ground beneath them began to glow faintly.

Before they could react, a massive magic circle materialized under their feet. Its lines glowed with eerie blue energy.

"What the—?!"

In an instant, Smith and Yan Yue were swallowed by the formation, disappearing in a flash of light.

"A space formation?!" Yun Ming shouted, his face darkening.

Lan Feng gritted her teeth. "It's too late—they're gone!"

The dusty street was once again calm, but the danger had only just begun.

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