The Urban Dao Child

Yang Dao and Ryu Jinshi flew at their max speed and they came to the center of the spirit realm. On the way, they had encountered some settlements but did not interact much. This realm lacked food. Elemental spirits did not need any mundane food. They fed on source energy for the surroundings.

Ryu also informed Yang Dao about some rules and regulations of the world of spirits. He also told him that the spirit king was one of the strongest elders on the spirit council. Both life and death spirits would have a spirit king, and this person would change after every ten years.

The two people reached the center of the world and what they found was an isolated island. What seemed to be an eco-friendly building was standing above it. The design of the building was simple, yet it gave off a divine feeling. A row of huge black and white stone pillars stood surrounding the building in a semi-circular arc. In the center of the pillars, a wooden building stood covered with vines and leaves.

It did not look shabby but was decorated with some small flowers, blooming from the vines. Yang Dao spotted some creatures similar to butterflies and some four-winged birds flying around the place. He and Ryu Jinshi descended and set foot on the island. To learn about the laws, Yang Dao would first read the records left behind by his predecessors and then he would travel across the realm to observe the beliefs of the people.

The balance of this realm was intact because the practitioners would monitor each other and correct when needed. Yang Dao wanted to ask the people, how did they come to such a way to assure the balance. Controlling his curiosity, he walked forward with Ryu Jinshi following him by half a step.

The scenery was very pleasing to Yang Dao’s eyes. A wide ocean with a clear blue sky. Subtle breeze with a fresh fragrance of flowers lingering around. He almost asked Ryu Jinshi if he could sleep in peace here. The two people ascended a flight of stairs and came to the building entrance. The boy laid his eyes on a pair of giant doors engraved with a pattern similar to the one he saw on the entrance of the realm, but this door was not divine. It gave him a hermit vibe about it.

Yang Dao was about to raise his hand and knock on the door when the door opened itself. Eight figures presented themselves in front of them in full glory. The people walked over to a group of four. At a glance, Yang Dao could tell which of them was from which race.

Based on Ryu Jinshi’s introduction, he could discern the species. The sylphs had a fair complexion and blue hair. Along with a pair of wings on their backs.

The undines would have fishtails when in water, but on land, they would look like humans, except for the webbing between their fingers and moisturized skin they looked like normal humans.

The Gnomes would wear long pointed hats on their head, they will have long beards and a furrowed brow. Almost always, they would be snorting or grunting at things.

The Salamanders would have thick armor on their torso, while the females will have a similar armor but lack the tail, unlike the males.

While Sylphs and Undines had a petite bodies, the Gnomes had a short and sturdy build. Salamanders all had burly physiques, even the women had proud peaks.

The groups were distinguishable by the aura they gave. While four were all energetic and enthusiastic, the other four were detached and formal. Yang Dao could tell that the former practiced the way of life while the latter were seekers of the true meaning of death.

The people knelt on both their knees and said, “We pay respects to the wind god and the emissary of heavens.”

Yang Dao sighed, but this time he did not make a fuss over the kneeling. Ryu Jinshi asked, “Is something wrong? Why did the elders not appear to greet the Master earlier?”

A soft voice sounded, “We were holding a debate and could not sense the arrival of his excellency.” ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀ​ꪶ​

Ryu Jinshi snorted, and the wind picked up its pace in an instant. He said, “Those who pursue blindly will never reach their goals. Pathetic.” this was his true temperament, the proud dragon.

Watching the old people shivering in fright, Yang Dao had to intervene. The lord of the realm was angry, and the whole realm responded to his emotions. The boy said, “Calm down. It is okay. We came here unannounced. Let us go. We have to hurry or the time outside will fly away.”

The time in this place was the same as the other sacred realms, seven days outside was equal to one day inside. They have been traveling for three days. That means three weeks had already passed away outside.

An old Gnome walked forward from the group to his left. He wore a black hat and a black gown. The man had a milk-white beard sweeping the floor as he walked. The person spoke in an aloof tone, “Lord, my name is Begnic. I am the spirit king for the death faction. Allow me to be your guide.”

Begnic was a gnome, he was the strongest elemental spirit being in the group of death practitioners. Yang Dao had no problem in having him be his guide for the time he was inside this building. However, a beautiful undine walked out from the other group. Her choice of clothing was a white cloak covering her white swimsuit.

She was five feet six inches tall and had a supple figure that could make a man howl like a wolf in heat. Her skin complexion was pale and even had a tinge of blue. She seemed to be in her twenties, but her actual age was at least a couple of centuries. She had elongated ears, long dark hair, and her face was free from wrinkles.

She bowed and said, “Lord, my name is Assyria. I am the spirit king among the practitioners of life. I also volunteer to be your guide. Please accept.” her tone was similar to the one he had heard from the maids back at home. They would try to hide their excitement, but their eyes and smile would reveal all their true emotions.

Ryu Jinshi did not interfere. This was the decision Yang Dao himself would have to make. He wanted to see, whom would the boy choose. Yang Dao was calm and asked, “Why do you propose for me to have you, two people, as my guides?”

His sudden question put the people in the loop. The Gnome first replied, “Sire, the factions meet each other to debate and learn. However, the people of life faction would not know the way around in our camp. The opposite of this spoken scenario is also true.”

Yang Dao thought about it and asked, “How do we decide what faction do I visit first?”

His words tripped the people. They had not thought of this. Ryu Jinshi became curious about what Yang Dao wanted to do. He did not comment, but watched from the sidelines. The spirit beings looked at each other, trying to come up with an answer, but after a few moments, they were unable to.

Yang Dao said, “How about the spirit kings recounting their comprehension over the years?” his suggestion was not odd but surprising. The people did not think he would be encouraging them for a debate. However, was it going to be this simple to convenience the Dao child? No, so Yang Dao spoke one more time.

He said, “You both will be writing your comprehension within one sentence on a piece of paper and then I will read them in front of everyone. How about this? Is it fair and efficient?”

The spirit beings were surprised again, and they knelt on the ground as they said, “Yes, Your excellency.”

IN their minds was a common thought going on, ‘Who is this so wise and skilled in his craft?’ the spirit council was smitten with Yang Dao and his wisdom.

The boy himself, however, counted this as a normal operation. he did not know what sort of thoughts were generating inside the mind of these two groups. Right after the agreement, these people stood up and welcomed the two guests inside the hall. They all fawned over Yang Dao with their unique beliefs and customs.

Yang Dao was taking note of everything. He might have said that he will read the comprehension of the two spirit kings, however, he was already learning about what these people had comprehended throughout their practice. He ignored the fact that not only was the elder council smitten by him, but also Ryu Jinshi.

After watching the way he solved the problem, the azure dragon nodded in appreciation for the smooth solution and also raised the level of respect from the holy to the divine.