The First Cultivator - Changing Existence

He had long been prepared mentally, and all he had to do was clean up his body. He practiced some common gestures in the mirror for a while, and after three total hours of preparation, he set out for the Imperial Palace at 11 am.

Each person attending was able to bring one servant along with them. Naturally, Skymender brought Li Youcai.

Although Li Youcai was stunningly handsome, like he had normally been in the Sky Barony, he looked like a normal servant. He seemed to be good at disguising his looks. 

Skymender was glad he did not have to bother making himself look worse, and could focus on making himself presentable.

Skymender rode in the same carriage as the rest of his aunt's family. Luckily, they were able to bring a slightly larger carriage than usual considering the situation.

Plus, the roads in the noble section of the empire were much larger than those in the commoner section.

The journey was not long. Skymender had taken it multiple times before.

In just a short amount of time, they arrived.

"You three stay with me. Skymender, you are free to join us or do your own thing." Aunt Skyless said.

"Thank you. I will go off on my own."

Aunt Skyless nodded and left the carriage with her two children. Skymender looked at Li Youcai, and Li Youcai looked at him.

They both nodded and stepped out of the carriage.

Their carriage, along with many others, had been parked outside the gates of the Imperial Palace.

Ahead was a lit up path, though the sun was still so high that it was hard to notice.

There were servants everywhere, both of other nobles and of the Imperial Palace.

Decorations were strung up, and riches seemed to be thrown around.

Beautiful men and women dressed in elegant clothes walked around. Some families did not bring their children, but some, such as aunt Skyless, had.

Skymender, a young child attended only by a servant, was a rare sight.

However, in such a gathering place, he did not stand out much.

He began to walk along the path towards the Imperial Palace. It was much more welcoming than the previous times.

The door was wide open and inside was a true banquet.

Red carpet, lights, people, it was a beautiful scene. Even Skymender was momentarily astonished.

If he did not know anyone, he would most likely have to sit in the corner and watch from afar, or at least join his aunt.

However, he had prepared for a reason.

Just moments after entering a room, a familiar mother and daughter, dressed in incredibly expensive clothes, walked up to him with a warm smile.

"It is good to see you again, Skymender." Duchess Vass said.

Her daughter smiled brightly, clearly happy to see Skymender.

Skymender put on his best smile and spoke. "Likewise. How are you both doing?"

Val, the daughter of Duchess Vass, giggled and spoke. "We've been well. I suppose you've been great as well."

Skymender nodded. 

Although Skymender himself would not normally draw much attention, even as a child attending alone, the Duchess was a different story. 

After all, she was a Duchess, a noble at the top. Above her were only royals and imperials.

Of course, this was only if put on black and white paper, but in general, the title roughly determined the status of a noble.

Skymender and Duchess Vass, as well as her daughter, received many glances. Some people seemed to even speak about them.

"Did you hear what that child of the Sky Barony did?"

"Of course, who hasn't? An admirable young hero indeed. If only my son was as brave as him."

Such conversations were rare, but present.

Skymender spoke with Duchess Vass and her daughter. Eventually, they took a seat at one of the large round tables in the room.

Although the Duchess needed to meet and greet more people, the event had not even officially started yet.

As they spoke while sitting, someone came up. He was a middle aged man, with a deep look in his eyes.

Duchess Vass stood up to greet him. "Chief of the imperial guard, Sword Master Deyr. It is an honor to meet you."

The middle aged man raised his hand. "No need for formalities on such an occasion. I just came over to say hello."

Skymender was shocked. He had never expected this man to be a Sword Master, as well as the Chief of the imperial guard.

There were only five Sword Masters in the entire Empire. That included Sword Master Shang and the Chief of the imperial guard, Deyr.

It also consisted of two of Master Shang's disciples and another Sword Master.

Suddenly, Sword Master Deyr looked at Skymender. "I've heard of young hero Skymender's achievements. Even if you are not talented in the way of the sword, intelligence is just as important. When you get older, consider joining the imperial guard."

Skymender nodded seriously, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.

The imperial guard was the highest level of policing in the entire Empire. In the past, they even used to serve as the personal guards of the Emperor. However, the existence of Sword Master Shang changed that. Now, they only protected him when Sword Master Shang was not around.

This occasionally happened throughout the empire's history whenever an especially strong Sword Master was born.

"I will consider it. It would be my honor, Sword Master Deyr."

Sword Master Deyr smiled and, after a moment of conversation, took his leave.

Val turned to him and spoke. "It seems that even Sword Masters have become interested in you."

Skymender laughed and brushed it off, but it seemed true. Not just Sword Masters, but everyone's gaze at him seemed slightly different than before.

There were a few exceptions, such as the Emperor, Sword Master Shang, and Li Youcai, who had known all along that it was false.

Even the Fatty could no longer look at him without some sort of respect.