Warren's Rise and Fall

Wang Lunwo and Changsun Mingzhi rode on vigorous horses, the sound of horse hooves echoing through the empty fields as they rushed towards the mysterious White Horse City.

The road they passed through was the vast expanse of land in the northwest of Central China. Along the way, the drought-resistant camel thorns, like warriors holding their ground, stubbornly emerged from the cracked soil, and their sharp thorns showed the tenacity of life. Clusters of Achnatherum splendens swayed in the breeze, and their slender figures seemed to be telling of their deep affection for this land. Occasionally, a few wild camels appeared in the field of vision. They walked with steady steps, and their humps shone with a unique luster in the sun, which was their secret weapon for storing the water of life. Sand lizards quickly shuttled across the hot sand, and their agile figures flashed by, leaving only shallow traces.

Wang Lunwo looked at this desolate yet powerful scenery, and his heart was filled with emotion. He knew that this journey to Baima City was full of unknowns and challenges, but his inner sense of mission made him fearless. He hoped that one day in the future he could achieve "the successful can benefit the world". At this moment, he looked at Changsun Mingzhi beside him, his eyes full of determination and trust. He secretly vowed to protect the brotherhood with Changsun Mingzhi in this difficult journey and complete the mission they shouldered together.

Zhang Sun Mingzhi's eyes were full of determination and expectation. He recalled the earnest expectations of his elders, those weather-beaten faces, those expectant eyes, which made him feel a strong sense of responsibility. He told himself that no matter how many difficulties and obstacles there were ahead, he must not retreat, and he must find the magical herbs in the secret realm to cure his hidden disease, so that his mother would no longer worry about him, and his sister would no longer be bothered by what happened in the past.

The scorching sun mercilessly shone on the earth, and the air seemed to be burning. Wang Lunwo and Changsun Mingzhi's clothes were already soaked with sweat, but they still stood upright, holding the reins tightly in their hands without any relaxation. The horses were panting, but they still moved forward with all their might.

Suddenly, a gust of wind swept in, and the yellow sand instantly blocked the view. Wang Lunwo shouted loudly: "Mingzhi, be careful!" Zhangsun Mingzhi responded: "Brother, don't be afraid, we can get through this!" In the strong wind, the two relied on each other, and with their tenacious will and persistence in their destination, they finally waited for the wind to stop and the sand to fall.

Continuing forward, they saw a dry riverbed covered with cracks, like wounds on the earth. Wang Lunwo said with emotion: "This is the test of nature. Only the strong can survive." Changsun Mingzhi nodded and said: "But we will not be defeated. White Horse City is waiting for us ahead!"

The sky was as blue as a gemstone, without a single cloud blocking it. The scorching sun hung high in the sky, scorching the earth. However, Wang Lunwo and Changsun Mingzhi had a firm gaze, their hearts had already flown to the unknown White Horse City, fearless of the harsh environment and the long journey.

After a day of arduous journey, Wang Lunwo and Zhangsun Mingzhi finally saw the White Horse City they had longed for in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Their clothes had long been soaked with sweat, and their faces had been roughened by the wind and sand, but at this moment, their eyes were sparkling with excitement.

The first thing that caught their eyes was the tall walls of Baima City, winding and stretching as far as the eye could see. The walls were built of huge bluestones, and each stone had been baptized by the years, and the rough surface told stories of the past. The gaps between the stones seemed to be the wrinkles of time, recording the ups and downs that the city had experienced. The walls were covered with arrow slits and observation holes, which were neatly arranged, as if waiting for the soldiers' bows and arrows, ready to shoot a fatal blow to the enemy at any time. In the observation holes, the vigilant eyes of the soldiers guarding the city could be vaguely seen, and they were always paying attention to every move outside the city.

Under the city wall is a wide moat. In the reflection of the sunset, the river water sparkles like a flowing silver ribbon. The turbulent water rushes endlessly, making a low roar, as if warning the enemies who attempt to invade. Occasionally, a few fallen leaves fall on the river surface, and are instantly swept away by the water and disappear without a trace.

At the gate of the city, there stood a row of tall guards. They were dressed in fine armor, shining coldly in the afterglow of the setting sun. Every scale of the armor was carefully polished, reflecting the dazzling gold. The spears in their hands were extremely sharp, and the tips of the spears pointed directly at the sky, as if they could pierce the clouds. Their postures were like straight green pines, motionless, showing the fortitude and discipline of the soldiers. Under the helmets were serious and determined faces, with eyes as sharp as eagles, not missing any slight movement.

Wang Lunwo looked at the scene in front of him and couldn't help but sigh: "This is the place we have gone through so much hardship to reach. Such a solid city, no wonder it is a big city in the human territory."

Zhang Sun Mingzhi echoed, "My dear brother, what you said is very true. Baima City is located in the hinterland of the northwest of Central Shenzhou. It has convenient transportation and is connected to the surrounding cities. It is naturally not comparable to the previous Five Elements City."

Wang Lunwo felt a little emotional. Isn't this the same as a provincial capital city on Blue Star? No wonder it is so magnificent.

Wang Lunwo looked at the guards at the city gate and said, "Brother Changsun, look at these guards. They look so serious. I guess the defense of Baima City must be tight."

Zhang Sun Mingzhi smiled slightly: "This is a good thing, it means that the safety of Baima City is guaranteed. It is rare to see such a disciplined soldier."

The two of them quickened their pace as they talked. Although their steps were heavy, their hearts were full of anticipation.

As they approached the city gate, the guards looked at them with scrutiny and vigilance. Wang Lunwo and Changsun Mingzhi quickly showed their pass. After a careful inspection, the guards let them pass.

The moment they stepped into the city gate, they seemed to have stepped into a whole new world. The streets were bustling with people's noise and vendors' shouting.

Wang Lunwo was shocked by the scene before him. Compared with this, the Five Elements City they had passed through was nothing. Changsun Mingzhi was well-informed and calm.

Looking ahead, there are taller buildings. The flying eaves, brackets, exquisite carvings and paintings are breathtaking. Some of the building windows are hung with gorgeous satin curtains, vaguely revealing the luxury inside. Completely different from the low-rise bungalows I have seen before, these tall buildings seem to be telling the sky about the prosperity of the city.

The streets were also wider, enough to accommodate several carriages. The bluestone paved road was smooth and solid, and people were coming and going, but it didn't seem crowded at all. The shops on both sides of the street were full of dazzling goods, and the signs and flags were fluttering in the wind. In the previous city, the streets were narrow, and it was a bit cramped for two people to walk side by side.

The flow of people was even denser, with people of all kinds walking around. There were wealthy businessmen dressed in luxurious clothes, followed by servants, looking arrogant; there were scholars holding books, chatting and laughing; and there were ordinary people, busy with their lives. This lively scene made Wang Lunwo sigh: "The popularity of this White Horse City is far beyond what we have been to before."

Zhang Sun Mingzhi also nodded in agreement: "Yes, my dear brother. Look at that street performer, surrounded by spectators, cheering continuously. This is a rare sight in other cities."

The two continued walking forward and saw a magnificent restaurant. There was a constant stream of people and cars in front of the restaurant, and guests were everywhere. Wang Lunwo said, "In other places, a restaurant of this size would probably only be patronized by dignitaries."

Zhang Sun Mingzhi responded, "Not only that, my dear brother. Look at the silk shop. The fabrics there are brightly colored and of high quality. They must be very expensive, but there are still many customers choosing from them."

They walked past one store after another, a jewelry store, a drugstore, a bookstore... every one of them was doing a booming business.

Suddenly, a cheerful sound of gongs and drums came. It turned out to be a wedding procession. The people in the procession were dressed in their best clothes and were in high spirits. Zhang Sun Mingzhi smiled and said, "Such a grand wedding procession can only be seen in this prosperous Baima City."

Wang Lunwo said with emotion: "The prosperity of Baima City really opened my eyes."