The Urban Dao Child.

Yang Dao saw Daina following Thale and two other people he did not know. Thale came to stand next to him and said, "Did you wait for long?" 

The boy nodded making Alisha shake her head. He never hid his thoughts. Thale was embarrassed and said, "We were eating. Well, I will not introduce the teammates to you. This is Jake Long and Kai Shibu. They have the cultivation realm of the seventh stage spirit formation realm. You know Daina already. She has a level of first stage spirit formation realm." 

Jake Long was a lean teenager with his hands hidden inside his sleeves. He had short hair and clear eyes. He bowed slightly and said, "Greetings Young Master Yang. I have heard your name well in the past." 

Yang Dao smiled and replied, "You are too polite senior brother." the person had genial vibes around him. 

Kai Shibu stepped forward and nodded to Yang Dao in greeting. He was a robust and muscular person who was not used to talking much, a striking feature about him was a big two-handed war hammer. Thale said, "Kai does not talk much." 

The Dao Child said, "It is fine. Words are gold after all." 

Thale said, "You already know about Daina, so let us go." 

The people nodded and entered the teleportation array. 

...

After a moment, they all woke opened their eyes. The scene was completely different from the sect, the flocks of people were swarming all over this place, it was very noisy as well. Yang Dao asked, "Why did we use, planetary teleportation array? Where are we?" 

Thale said, "We are outside the Sovereign system. In the universe, while there are forces that do have their domain systems, there are also free planets. These free planets are also called merchant planets, they specialize in trade and entertainment. Do you know one more thing about these planets?" 

Yang Dao nodded and said, "They have unrestrained flora and fauna. The human population is limited to the secured cities they have set up. Other than that, these free planets have, alchemist guilds, array master guilds, refiner guilds, and finally warrior guilds. The last one I mentioned is just to hunt beasts and collect natural treasures."

Thale nodded, and Jake said, "We should collect information first." 

Yang Dao did not ask much and followed Thale. This was the first time he came out from the sect and had no idea why they were doing all these things. Alisha was following him, but she had no intention to intervene in the proceedings. If Yang Dao did not learn on his own, he will be akin to a greenhouse plant and she would not hamper his growth. 

The group traveled through the bustling streets and markets. Yang Dao was fascinated by the amount of variety the people displayed here. He spotted stalls selling array discs, herbs, weapons, clothes, cultivation techniques. Along with this, the place had mundane things to offer those who were willing as well. 

He spotted people from all walks of life, some were wearing vibrant clothing while some were covered in tattered fabrics. He also came across a big building. This luxurious place had a board hanging over to the top which said, "Warrior Guild." 

The group came to a mediocre-looking restaurant. As soon as they entered an attendant walked over to them and greeted, "Hello, Young Sir, would you like to have a table or a private box?" 

Boxes were small compartments they made for customers who preferred privacy. However, since they were here to gather information, Thale replied, "Arrange a table for six people please, but do pay some effort in cleanliness." 

The attendant smiled and said, "Do not worry young master, the place might not be as good as Agarwood Tavern in the main square, but we are a clean place." 

That said, the attendant brought the people to a clean table. Yang Dao sat with Alisha on his right-hand side, while Jake sat on his left-hand side, Thale and the other two sat across them. Thale was the leader of the group and he placed an order with the attendant. 

The dishes were quickly served, however, Yang Dao did not rush to clean them up but noticed Thale tipping the attendant with a spirit stone. This spirit stone could be said to have more value than this whole place. Thale asked the attendant in a hushed tone. 

"Anything interesting going on around?" 

Yang Dao was smart and understood the meaning of this question. The attendant was a boy of age seventeen or eighteen. He was smart enough to know what the other party was asking. He stuffed the spirit stone under the belt of his trousers and said, "Young Master, I can tell you a few good things. The city lord has broken through the nascent soul. A few days ago, someone spotted a third-level heavenly treasure in the inner region of the Forest Of Doom..." 

The attendant talked for quite a bit of time and then said, "Oh yes, Rose merchant association is holding their monthly auction tomorrow, so if you can participate you might find something rare and coveting." 

Thale nodded and dismissed the guy. Jake, Kai, and Thale exchanged a glance and nodded. They ate the food and Yang Dao silently observed. Alisha on the side nodded when she noticed his behavior. Only those who observe details will learn and grow. 

The group finished the food and left the place after paying with twenty silver coins. As they were walking through the streets, Yang Dao asked, "Could you not have asked for all the information by giving just a gold coin? Why give him a spirit stone?" 

Thale nodded, "I could have but he would not have told me so much. The rare the information, the rare the price. I have come to this place in the past as well, this attendant is quite a profiteer. I gave him a gold coin in my first encounter and the information he gave me was something everyone was aware of. Then I asked him for a rare one and he said the price is one Spirit stone. He did not tell me the grade."

Yang Dao asked, "What was the rare news? I did not find any." 

Thale chuckled and said, "Junior Brother Yang, the rose merchant Association is not someplace anyone can go. They are a mysterious group, and only fated ones are allowed to attend their auctions. The last time they held the auction, someone bought a Griffin. Do you understand now?" 

Yang Dao opened his mouth and said, "You mean, Griffin as in the chimera-type spirit beast? Are they not rare? Also, they are stubborn and arrogant in personality how can they be captured." 

Thale shrugged his shoulder as he said, "How would I know." 

Yang Dao nodded and fell into thought. The others were thinking of the same and did not say much. Soon, they arrived at the city gate and Thale said, "We will fly to the location of our task and takedown that three-headed moon wolf." 

The rest of them nodded, took out their flying swords, and moved through the void. 

...

Back in the Sovereign Sect, Elder Jing Shui was hosting a middle-aged couple. The man had long silver hair and a thick beard, while the Lady looked as youthful as she was at the peak of her youth. The two people were guests but they appeared to be more respectful to the lady sitting on the sofa. 

Elder Jing Shui said, "Thank you for coming on such short notice." 

The lady on the opposite side shook her head and said, "It is our fortune to be called over by you elder. Please tell us, what can we do?" 

Jing Shui was the master of their daughter and also a level Sage Alchemist. (Will explain the grades in Auxillary chapter) 

The lady said, "I will not beat around the bush, I have selected a groom to betroth Athena. I wonder if you have any thoughts on this matter." 

Besides the couple, Athena and Yue Jing were also present inside the place. Yue Ming was in seclusion, Yue Jing played this hand so that the proposal of the marriage can be made smoothly. She did not know, what Yue Ming will do if he knew about this.

The couple was surprised, and they exchanged a glance, the man spoke, "We do have this idea but we would like to have our daughter speak for herself. The position of the patriarch belongs to my nephew, he has proven himself well, so we have no such concerns. The only thing that matters is her happiness." 

Jing Shui let out a peal of laughter, and she turned to face Athena. She asked, "Child, would you like to be with Yang Dao?" 

Athena blushed, she hesitated and said, "Master, we do not know what he thinks, also, he is very young to understand the depth of all this." 

Her worry was valid, after all the boy was just ten. Jing Shui said, "I will talk to him, but I need to make sure what you have in your mind." 

The girl bit her lip and nodded. The next moment she fled the room. Jing Shui gestured to Yue Jing, who bowed and left. The lady among the couple (their identity is for when Yang Dao meets them) asked, "Elder what is the identity of this child, Yang Dao." 

Elder Jing smiled and said....