Chapter 210: Dawn City
Alex’s voice echoed across the vast clearing.
"Brothers, can you help me?"
The words had barely left his mouth when the cheerful atmosphere disappeared completely.
The ten armored guards reacted with astonishing speed. Their casual expressions vanished as powerful killing intent erupted from their bodies. Weapons flashed from their sheaths, reflecting cold light beneath the sky. In less than a second, Alex found himself surrounded from every direction.
The transformation was so sudden that it seemed as though they had become entirely different people.
The man leading the group immediately stepped forward.
His sharp eyes locked onto Alex.
For a brief moment, silence descended over the area.
The leader carefully examined the stranger standing before him. His gaze then shifted toward the massive beast behind Alex.
A trace of surprise appeared in his eyes.
The Dragon Horse stood proudly on the ground, its scales shimmering with a faint golden glow. Its body radiated a natural nobility that was impossible to hide. Although it was merely a Grade One lifeform by Genesis Realm standards, its bloodline and appearance were extraordinary.
Even within the Genesis Realm, mounts of such quality were rarely seen.
The leader slowly raised a hand.
The surrounding guards immediately halted their movements.
"Who are you?" he asked.
His voice was calm, but the pressure hidden behind those words was unmistakable.
Alex quickly dismounted from the Dragon Horse.
He raised both hands in a harmless gesture.
"My name is Alex."
He forced a friendly smile before continuing.
"I became lost while traveling through the forest. I saw your group and hoped you could guide me out."
Several guards exchanged suspicious looks.
One of them snorted.
"Lost?"
The guard looked at him as if he had just heard the most ridiculous joke imaginable.
"You expect us to believe that someone can survive alone in the Abyssal Domain?"
Another guard pointed directly at the Dragon Horse.
"And where exactly did a lost traveler obtain a mount like that?"
Alex inwardly cursed.
He had completely forgotten how unusual the Dragon Horse appeared to outsiders.
After spending so much time together, he had become accustomed to its appearance. To him, the beast was practically a companion.
However, from the perspective of others, the Dragon Horse looked magnificent beyond reason.
Its scales shimmered like forged divine metal.
Its mane flowed like streams of liquid starlight.
Its powerful physique carried an aura that naturally commanded respect.
It was impossible for such a creature to resemble an ordinary mount.
The leader continued observing Alex carefully.
As he examined him, a strange expression gradually appeared on his face.
Confusion.
The more he looked, the more unsettled he became.
Alex was clearly standing directly in front of him.
Yet when he attempted to perceive the young man’s cultivation, he sensed absolutely nothing.
No aura.
No grade.
No spiritual fluctuations.
No identifiable energy signature.
It was as though Alex did not exist.
The sensation was deeply unsettling.
The leader had encountered countless experts throughout his life.
Some had hidden their cultivation.
Others had concealed their identities.
Yet he had never encountered someone who appeared completely empty.
The phenomenon immediately placed him on guard.
"Which city are you from?" he asked.
Alex paused.
The question felt strangely familiar.
City.
Such a simple word.
Yet after everything he had experienced, hearing it felt almost surreal.
He had traveled through many worlds, crossed cosmic battlefields, and wandered through endless forests filled with primordial creatures.
The concept of an ordinary city suddenly felt distant.
"I am not from nearby," Alex replied.
The leader narrowed his eyes.
"Then where are you from?"
Alex carefully considered his answer. He certainly could not tell them the truth.
At least, not the complete truth.
After a moment, he answered calmly.
"I come from a very distant place."
Technically, it was not a lie.
Compared to the Genesis Realm, the universe he originated from was unimaginably far away.
The leader stared at him for several long seconds.
Then something unexpected happened. The man suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
The sound echoed across the plain. Even the guards looked surprised.
Alex blinked. He had not expected that reaction.
The commander shook his head while smiling. "You speak exactly like a young master who has run away from home."
Several guards immediately nodded in agreement.
"That actually makes sense."
"Definitely."
"I thought the same thing."
"He probably offended his family and got exiled."
"Or perhaps he wanted to prove himself."
Another guard pointed at the Dragon Horse. "That mount practically confirms it."
Alex stood there speechlessly. Their imagination was impressive. Unfortunately, their conclusion was completely wrong.
The commander approached him, and this time his expression became much friendlier.
"I am Commander Valen of Dawn City."
He pointed toward a massive portal located in the distance. The gateway stretched nearly a hundred meters into the air while countless runes floated around its frame. Streams of spatial energy continuously flowed across its surface, causing the surrounding space to ripple slightly.
"We are returning to the city," Valen said as he looked directly at Alex. "Since you appear harmless enough, you may accompany us."
Before Alex could thank him, Valen’s expression suddenly turned serious. A powerful Grade Three aura expanded from his body, instantly making the surrounding air heavier. Trees trembled and the earth cracked slightly beneath his feet.
The guards around him remained completely unaffected, clearly accustomed to such pressure. Valen’s eyes became cold as he stared at Alex.
"However, understand one thing. If you attempt anything suspicious, I will personally remove your head."
The threat was delivered calmly, which somehow made it even more convincing.
Alex immediately nodded. "Fair enough."
Valen studied him for another moment before appearing satisfied. He then turned around and gave a simple order.
"Move out."
The group resumed their journey, and Alex followed behind them. As they approached the giant portal, he could feel powerful spatial laws flowing through its structure. The energy maintaining the gateway was far beyond anything he had seen before.
Space itself seemed twisted around the artifact. It was as though the portal had forcibly connected two distant regions of reality together.
One by one, the guards stepped through. Brilliant blue light swallowed their figures before Alex finally took a deep breath and followed after them.
The moment he crossed the threshold, the world around him changed completely.
The endless forest vanished. In its place appeared a vast plain that stretched beyond the horizon.
Alex immediately stopped walking. His eyes widened as he stared at the unbelievable scenery before him.
Towering mountains floated high in the sky while entire rivers flowed upward instead of downward. Gigantic creatures larger than entire cities drifted through distant clouds as though gravity held no meaning for them.
One colossal beast resembled a whale made entirely from crystal. Its translucent body reflected countless colors while stars revolved around it as though it possessed its own miniature cosmos. The creature leisurely swam through the heavens, completely ignoring the world below.
Alex forgot to breathe for several seconds.
Everything he saw challenged common sense. The Genesis Realm truly existed on an entirely different level. Compared to this place, ordinary universes felt insignificant.
Valen noticed his stunned expression and chuckled.
"You look exactly like every newcomer."
Alex could not even argue. Anyone seeing such a scene for the first time would react similarly.
After several minutes, the group finally reached a massive transportation platform near the portal. Before leaving, Valen turned toward him.
"You should go to the temple and obtain an identity card."
Alex looked at him. "The temple?"
Valen frowned slightly.
"You do not know about the Origin Temple?"
Alex shook his head honestly.
"No. From where I came, there is no such temple."
Valen’s eyes widened. For a brief moment, genuine shock appeared on his face.
Within his understanding, the Origin Temple stood above countless territories. The ten Immortal Empires acknowledged its authority, and its influence stretched across vast regions of the Genesis Realm. It was practically impossible for anyone living within civilized lands to remain ignorant of its existence.
Yet Alex appeared completely sincere.
Valen suddenly began reevaluating everything. Perhaps this young man truly had come from some unimaginably distant region. Perhaps he was not a runaway young master after all.
After a long pause, Valen stepped closer and lowered his voice.
"Kid."
Alex looked at him.
Valen’s expression was unusually serious. "Do not tell anyone that."
Alex blinked. "Why?"
"Because people will ask questions."
Valen glanced around before continuing.
"Just pretend that you are a lost youth who wants to start over. Tell others that you lost your memories or became separated from your family. Anything is better than admitting you know nothing about the Origin Temple."
Alex immediately understood. The Genesis Realm was far more complicated than he currently realized, and drawing attention to himself would only create unnecessary trouble.
"I understand."
Valen nodded.
"Good."
For the first time, Alex felt genuine respect toward the commander. The man had no obligation to help him, yet he had still offered advice.
Alex smiled slightly.
"Thank you, sir."
Valen waved his hand dismissively.
"Just stay alive."
With those final words, he turned around and left alongside his guards.
Alex remained standing alone on the platform as he watched their figures gradually disappear into the distance. When they were finally gone, silence returned once more.
The young man slowly inhaled a deep breath. The air of the Genesis Realm felt heavier and richer than anything he had ever experienced.
His gaze drifted toward the distant horizon where floating mountains pierced the heavens.
At this moment, he finally understood one thing.
He was weak.
Compared to the true powers of this realm, his current strength was nowhere near enough. The three great hegemons who ruled the Genesis Realm stood far beyond his reach, and even surviving here would be difficult.
However, Alex did not feel discouraged.
Instead, excitement burned within his chest. For the first time in a long while, he had found a goal worthy of pursuing.
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