From within the chariot, William and his group were alarmed by the tumult of the place they were right now.
The driver seemed to talk but they could barely hear his voice over the tumult of the crowded place. Next, the chariot was stopped suddenly.
William was the first to step out of the chariot, followed by Silver, Ashley, Gon and lastly Wilson.
It was already dusk and the place was vast plain with red soil. Seeing this large throng of people evoke William's of his past life in the City. He could only sigh and looked around to understand the situation.
People gathering here all seemed to be high class considering their silk dresses and the weapons they carried.
"It seems we make in time." Silver said.
Even though some of them had apprehension toward William the group gathered around him as everyone around them seemed to be stronger than them intern of their Yuan Qi. Status-wise, judging from their attires, a large portion of them came from Martial Tribes, Martial Clan, Sects and even from the surrounding kingdoms just like them.
There were also some elders who came along with their juniors.
Everyone here was standing just before the large gate. The wall was round and around hundred feet high. To jump over this wall was easy for everyone here as they all were cultivators. They only didn't do it because they were well-aware that a large scale array was currently active over its top and would die instantly. Every kingdom did the same to stop desolate beasts and spies to enter secretly into their lands.
Everyone was waiting here because the gate was the only passage into the Hornbill Kingdom.
Suddenly, a loud voice thundered, "Good evenings!"
The clamor naturally died down.
He was just a middle-aged man with silver armor and and spear strapped on his back.
He continued without beating around the bush, "Thanks everyone for visiting my Hornbill Kingdom. And we are know most of you are here to join the Trial of the Fate Breaking Hall. So this month we've levied for entering the gate. The price of crossing the gate is ten teals of Gold Coins."
The clamor raised again. But this time it was because the fee of passing the gate was ridiculously high.
"Hmph! Ten teals that too in Gold? Isn't that a broad daylight robbery." An uncle spoke out.
"Right! It's just a few silver teals for entering other Kingdoms. Why don't you just robbed everyone here?" Another added.
Then the chain of dissatisfaction continued.
The place was getting more and more tumultuous.
Everyone could hear a cold snort and they saw the man in the silver armor reached out for the spear and struck it over the ground.
The ground quaked and the silence quickly returned.
William frowned sensing the tremor through his boots.
That guard was quite strong. He must be someone important in the Hornbill Kingdom. And he was stationed here to control such situation in this time.
Everyone even those powerful aunts and uncles who came along with their juniors felt the strength of the knight. It was just pure physical power. If he infused his Yuan Qi then the ground could be exploded killing everyone here.
It was a warning and everyone got it.
The knight frowned and said, "I said it already it's Ten tales of Gold coins. If you don't have it, just leave."
He then walked back and reclined over a rocking chairs. "Now, I'll leave the task to you all." Then he shut his eyes and began to snore.
The other guards who were also there saluted, "Yes, Sir General. Leave the menial task to us." They said respectfully.
They knew most of the people gathered here today were from prominent families, clans, sects and even from rich and strong kingdoms.
But being war General Crimson-Spear here boosted their morals.
One of the guard shouted, "Listen carefully. I'll not repeat again. I want you all to make ten lines. Each would pay Ten teals not more not less. Alright gather up or you'll be camping here tonight."
While everyone was reeling over those statements, some of them began to move.
William signaled, "Quick in the front!" He and his group moved in their best. Silver was the one who reached fast. Still, she was the tenth of the seventh line. Behind her stood Ashley, next Gon, Wilson and William on the back of the group.
Ashley looked back and seeing that William was the last among the group, she snorted in disdained.
William ignored her. Instead his focus was all over the knight who was snoring. He'd the strong urge to fight the man that his heart beat became faster and even his blood get warmed up. He knew at his current level he was like an ant compare to the man. But still, he'd hard time controlling over this feeling.
General Crimson-Spear seemed to walk up abruptly and stared toward a direction. His eyes were piercing. It was none other than William.
William's intent for a fight seemed to alert the war general.
"So sharp!" he whispered.
General Crimson-Spear on the other hand checked William from head to toe and he didn't feel even an ounce of Yuan Qi on the youth.
'This is odd. A youth without even a bit of Yuan Qi. How is this possible? Everything around here living or otherwise have interaction with Yuan Qi. Even the blade of grasses here have some Yuan Qi. Is he an expert in disguise?' The general thought.
Still he knew the way the lad was gazing at him with intent of fighting spirit. 'Alright, since you're asking for it, let's test it.'
He stood up and took a step forward. A strong aura erupted and showered over William. Other's around him didn't feel the aura, this was how good the general was with his aura. It was his battle aura.
William bore the burnt of it. It was like mount Tai was pressing over his head.