The youth followed the crowd towards the city gate.
At the gate.
Two Taoists, surrounded by soldiers, observed the people entering the city.
"Civilians enter directly! Those skilled in martial arts, register here, receive money, grain, armor, and a city access token, with generous treatment,"
a soldier shouted loudly.
The soldiers, tense, held a type of Magic Plate in their hands, aiming it at every citizen.
The Magic Plate kept emitting "buzz," "buzz" sounds.
Whenever the Magic Plate buzzed, the soldiers stepped aside, allowing the person in front of them to enter the city.
—It seemed to be a device to identify combat strength.
Those words of the old man echoed in his ears again:
"Remember, you must enter the city as a cultivator to have a chance to get close to the second card."
"Why?" he asked himself.
"Because the second card is hidden where civilians cannot reach. Only those with certain status and identity can access it," explained the old man.
