Immortal's Paradox

Lei sat cross-legged on the small wooden bed in the inn room, his newly acquired map spread out in front of him. The room itself was modest—stone walls, a wooden table with a flickering lantern, and a single bed that Mao had already claimed. The small cat sprawled on the sheets, grooming himself lazily.

"Comfortable, are we?" Lei teased, glancing at Mao.

The cat flicked his tail but didn't reply, content with his position.

Lei turned his attention back to the map he'd taken from the bandit camp. Its surface was worn, with large portions burned or torn, leaving only fragments of landmarks visible. He frowned, trying to make sense of the markings. The map seemed to depict various regions, but without knowing his exact location, it was useless.

"Nanospirit, overlay this map with any reference data you have. Can you identify the landmarks?"

Insufficient data for a full match. Suggest cross-referencing with a complete map of the country.

Lei sighed. "That's the problem. I don't even know which country I'm in."

Mao perked up at this. "You've been wandering around all this time, and you don't even know where you are? Impressive."

"Well, do you expect a servant on the run to prioritise information over survival?," Lei muttered, folding the map carefully and slipping it into his storage ring. He stood and stretched, his stomach growling softly.

"Guess it's time to gather some information. And what better place than the pub downstairs?"

---

The pub on the ground floor of the inn was lively, filled with travelers, merchants, and locals alike. The scent of roasted meat and freshly baked bread wafted through the air, mingling with the hum of conversations and the occasional burst of laughter.

Lei found an empty table near the center, ordering a plate of food and a mug of ale. As he ate, he activated the Nanospirit's auditory function, focusing on the voices around him.

Gathering information. Filtering irrelevant conversations… Processing complete.

As Lei sipped his drink, a stream of valuable information began to pour in.

You are in the country of Zephyrion, a mid-tier nation within the Inner Middle Plains. Zephyrion is one of 21 mid-tier countries in this region. The strongest nations in the Inner Middle Plains include Duskspire, Argentfall, and Luminae Dominion.

Lei nodded subtly as he absorbed the information. "And what about the Outer Middle Plains?" he asked quietly, feigning interest in his food.

The Outer Middle Plains contain 63 small countries. The ones most closely aligned with Zephyrion are the Republic of Vindral, the Kingdom of Tharvos, and the Principality of Elren.

Mao's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Mid-tier country, huh? So you're not exactly at the bottom of the food chain, but you've got a long way to climb."

Lei smirked. "Good. I'd hate for things to be too easy."

The Nanospirit continued its report. Zephyrion is ruled by the royal family, the House of Kaelthorn. However, power is heavily decentralized due to the influence of sects. Four major sects dominate this country: the Scarlet Blade Sect, the Verdant Soul Sect, the Iron Will Sect, and the Azure Flame Sect.

"Sects, huh?" Lei mused. He had read about them in the books from the secret chamber. They were organizations that trained cultivators, each sect specializing in unique cultivation techniques, martial arts, or professions like alchemy and enchanting.

Alchemy and enchanting are the most respected professions on the continent. Alchemists supply cultivators with pills to enhance their cultivation, while enchanters craft powerful weapons, armor, and other items.

Mao hopped onto the table, his golden eyes gleaming. "You're in luck, kid. You've got knowledge about both alchemy and enchanting. Play your cards right, and you might make a name for yourself."

Lei chuckled softly. "First, I need to find a way to use that knowledge effectively. What else did you pick up, Nanospirit?"

The Scarlet Blade Sect specializes in aggressive sword techniques and is known for producing powerful warriors. The Verdant Soul Sect focuses on nature-based cultivation, excelling in fire based cultivation techniques, healing and alchemy skills. The Iron Will Sect emphasizes physical strength and defense, often training body cultivators. Lastly, the Azure Flame Sect combines fire-based cultivation techniques with advanced forging and enchanting skills. Due to similarities in cultivation element and trade, the Verdant Soul Sect and the Azure Flame Sect are often at odds with each other.

Lei leaned back in his chair, considering his options. If he wanted to advance in this world, joining a sect could provide resources and protection. But at the same time, he valued his independence.

"What do you think, Mao?" he asked, glancing at the cat.

Mao tilted his head. "Depends on your goals. Want power? Knowledge? Allies? Each sect offers something different. But don't forget, they'll expect loyalty in return."

Lei nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Good point. Let's gather more information before making any decisions."

---

As the night wore on, Lei continued to listen to the conversations around him, learning more about Zephyrion and its neighboring regions. He also paid close attention to rumors about cultivation resources and potential opportunities.

One merchant spoke of a market in the capital city of Ardentium, where rare alchemical ingredients and enchanted items were traded. Another traveler mentioned a tournament hosted by the Scarlet Blade Sect, offering rewards to promising young cultivators.

By the time Lei returned to his room, his mind was buzzing with ideas.

---

Mao was already curled up on the bed when Lei entered, his tail twitching in his sleep. Lei sat at the small desk, pulling out the ruined map he had taken from the secret chamber.

He spread it out alongside a newly purchased map of Zephyrion, comparing the landmarks. While most of the markings on the old map were too damaged to decipher, a few faint outlines matched locations on the Zephyrion map.

"There," Lei muttered, pointing to a mountain range on both maps. "That could be where the next clue is."

Mao stirred, opening one eye. "Figured something out?"

"Maybe," Lei said, folding the maps carefully. "But first, we need to get stronger. This world isn't forgiving to the weak."

Mao yawned, stretching lazily. "Then you'd better get some rest. Tomorrow, the real work begins."

Lei smirked. "Rest? Not yet. There's still so much to plan."

The cat huffed but didn't argue, settling back into the bed. Lei remained at the desk, his mind racing with possibilities as he prepared for the challenges ahead.