Cold by Nature: Chen Chang'an

The City of No Return!

After entering the chaotic zone, Chen Chang'an truly had his eyes opened.

How could such a vicious and blood-soaked land exist under the same sky?

Corpses littered the ground, rivers of blood flowed, and brutal fights were everywhere. By the time Chen Chang'an arrived at the City of No Return, his hands were already stained with the blood of countless people.

It couldn’t be helped—Chen Chang'an wasn’t bloodthirsty by nature, but far too many had thrown themselves at him, seeking death.

Even Gu Xian'er and Da Huang wore unusually solemn expressions.

They had witnessed scenes they had never seen before, each more horrifying than the last.

Humanity simply didn’t exist here. The ordinary people living in this place had long degenerated into bloodthirsty madmen, monsters!

"Young Master, how is it that you remain completely unaffected?"

"How do you do it?"

Despite killing so many along the way, Gu Xian'er couldn’t detect even a trace of negative influence on Chen Chang'an.

He was still himself—not a shred of bloodlust tainted him.

This made Gu Xian'er deeply curious, and she wanted to learn his secret.

Chen Chang'an glanced at her and smiled faintly. "Perhaps I’m just cold-hearted by nature."

He didn’t know why he could remain so indifferent. Was it because he had lived too long? Or was it simply his nature?

"The City of No Return seems like a decent place. There’s actually a barrier outside that blocks most of the blood and slaughter energy."

Looking at the distant city, Chen Chang'an could clearly sense the presence of a barrier enveloping it.

At the city gates stood a group of people—likely guards—but despite the city’s vast size, there didn’t seem to be many travelers coming and going.

At the entrance, Chen Chang'an saw only a handful of people entering.

When Chen Chang'an and his group approached, the guards couldn’t help but scrutinize them. After all, few who came to the City of No Return were this… clean.

"Do you know the rules?" the lead guard asked Chen Chang'an.

"What rules?" Chen Chang'an replied.

"Ha! A real greenhorn, aren’t you?"

"Let me explain the rules of the City of No Return."

"To enter, you must first pay one thousand mid-grade spirit stones as an entry fee."

"After that, if you want to stay in the city, each person must pay one hundred mid-grade spirit stones per day."

"Those are the rules. But don’t expect any protection from us. Whether you live or die inside depends entirely on your own skills."

"So, do you still want to enter?" The lead guard grinned.

Clearly, the exorbitant fees were due to the barrier’s protection.

But once inside, life and death were in their own hands—the guards wouldn’t interfere.

"Of course we’re entering. But I have one question," Chen Chang'an said with a smile.

"Oh? What is it?"

"Does it cost anything for him?" Chen Chang'an pointed at Da Huang beside him.

"Huh?"

The lead guard was taken aback. Bringing a dog here? That was a first.

"A… a dog doesn’t cost anything."

After some thought, the guard decided the rules were meant for people. This shouldn’t count as breaking them.

"Good. Then I’ll pay the entry fee for the two of us. By the way, who do we pay the daily fees to inside the city?"

"Once inside, you have two choices. First, you can buy a house or property in the city, becoming a permanent resident—your fees will be halved."

"Second, you can pay normally at the southern district of the city."

"In a place like the City of No Return, life is unpredictable. Most people pay daily because who knows if they’ll even be alive tomorrow?"

Hearing this, Chen Chang'an nodded with a smile, paid the entry fee, and stepped into the City of No Return.

"How long do you think this kid will last?"

"Last? I doubt he’ll even make it through today. I don’t know how he even made it this far—must be sheer luck."

"In the City of No Return, if you’re weak but carrying spirit stones, you’re just begging to be targeted."

"Ha! Whatever. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this."

Chen Chang'an heard their whispers clearly. The City of No Return might seem safer, but that was only an illusion.

Thanks to the barrier, the blood and slaughter energy inside the city were much weaker, though still present. The people here appeared more normal—at least they didn’t randomly go berserk.

"Young Master, these people… they’re all watching us."

After walking for a while, Gu Xian'er noticed that no matter where they went, all eyes were on them.

"Perfectly normal. Rare things always attract attention."

"To them, we’re the freaks."

When surrounded by monsters, humans become the odd ones out.

The same logic applied here—Chen Chang'an and Gu Xian'er were the anomalies in the City of No Return.

"Now this is something new. People like them actually dared to come to the City of No Return? Are they fearless or just stupid?"

"One at the Transcendent Realm, first level, another at the Divine Ability Realm, ninth level… and they brought a dog? What a bizarre group."

"That girl looks young—probably some genius from a powerful family. Heh, people like her must be carrying good stuff."

"You’ve got a death wish? You’d dare mess with someone from a major family?"

"Why not? This is the City of No Return. Who’d ever know it was me?"

"Good point!"

Fat sheep—that’s how Chen Chang'an and Gu Xian'er appeared in their eyes.

Weak in strength but possibly loaded with spirit stones? This was a heaven-sent fortune.

From the moment they entered, Chen Chang'an could sense many people itching to make a move.

They weren’t afraid of Chen Chang'an or Gu Xian'er—they were wary of each other.

"Young Master, do you plan to buy property here or pay daily?"

Chen Chang'an was still considering this. He wouldn't stay long—he was here to search for the fetal pearl. If there were no leads in the City of No Return, he'd leave soon.

But they still needed a place to stay. Chen Chang'an had been eyeing the inns around them.

Honestly, he disliked the atmosphere—too noisy, too chaotic.

"Hmm? That inn up ahead seems much quieter."

"Let’s check it out."

By chance, Chen Chang'an spotted an inn tucked away in a corner, unusually serene for the City of No Return.

In a place like this, maintaining such peace meant the owner had to be someone formidable—someone who could keep the guests in line.

"Damn it, why’d they have to go to that inn?"

"Ugh, it’s over. Should’ve struck earlier. Now there’s no chance."

"This inn isn't just for anyone to enter—they must truly have no fear of death."

"More like ignorance, if you ask me. They clearly know nothing."

"Enough, let's all move on. There's no chance here anymore!"