"Xiaowu, we've arrived at Suotuo City."
Outside the city gates, Tang San and Xiao Wu stood together, gazing at the towering walls.
"This place is so much bigger than Nuoding City!" Xiao Wu marveled. It was her first time seeing such a massive city.
Nuoding City was sizable, but Suotuo City was the capital of the Balak Kingdom—one of the largest cities in the Heaven Dou Empire.
Located in the southeasternmost part of the empire, the Balak Kingdom was one of its vassal states.
"It's almost noon. Let's find a place to eat first, then explore."
Tang San planned to search for materials to craft stronger hidden weapons. There was still time before Shrek Academy's enrollment began—no need to rush.
The two had spent six years at Nuoding Academy, a low-level soul master academy in Nuoding City. Now that they had graduated, Master Yu Xiaogang had instructed them to come to Suotuo City and join Shrek Academy.
Yu Xiaogang would arrive later, so they had come ahead.
"Mhm."
Xiao Wu was actually quite nervous, worried that Suotuo City might house powerful soul masters like Soul Douluo or even Titled Douluo.
As a 100,000-year soul beast—the Gentle Bone Rabbit—who had taken human form to cultivate anew, she was vulnerable. Before reaching the Soul Emperor level (her mature stage), she could be exposed by Soul Douluo or stronger soul masters.
A 100,000-year soul beast with only the cultivation level of a 29th-ranked Great Soul Master was an irresistible prize.
While a 100,000-year soul ring could typically only be absorbed as a ninth soul ring, there were exceptions.
If captured, she could be forced to offer a sacrificial offering—bypassing all restrictions.
And upon death, a 100,000-year soul beast would leave behind a 100,000-year soul bone!
No wonder Xiao Wu was so valuable—and so reckless for venturing out with Tang San.
"I hope there aren't any powerful soul masters here," she prayed silently as they entered the city.
After a meal at a local eatery, they spent the afternoon exploring.
Dusk had fallen by the time Tang San suggested, "I heard the Rose Hotel is nice. Let's stay there."
"Okay." Relieved that nothing had gone wrong all afternoon, Xiao Wu agreed.
They had ample savings—monthly stipends from the Nuoding City Spirit Hall branch over six years, plus funds from Yu Xiaogang before departure.
Yu Xiaogang's income came partly from Nuoding City but mostly from Spirit Hall. Stuck at the 29th rank, he could collect stipends indefinitely—a comfortable life without financial worries.
For ordinary people, the Spirit Hall stipend was a fortune.
Soon, they arrived at the luxurious Rose Hotel.
"Do you have any rooms available?" Tang San asked at the front desk.
"You're in luck—there's one suite left," the clerk said, assuming they were a couple. "But it's a deluxe room. Not cheap."
After checking the price—manageable for their budget—Tang San decided to stay until enrollment: "We'll take it."
But then a domineering voice interrupted: "Hold on. That room is mine!"
Dai Mubai strode in, flanked by three beauties.
"Ah, Young Master Dai!" The clerk fawned. "Of course, the room is yours!"
A regular at the Rose Hotel, Dai Mubai had connections with the manager, not to mention wealth and a Soul Elder's strength.
"That room was ours first!" Xiao Wu glared indignantly.
Tang San's expression darkened. "We arrived first. No one's taking it."
The clerk scoffed. "Young Master Dai is a VIP. You haven't paid yet—the room isn't yours. Find somewhere else."
"No way!" Xiao Wu snapped.
Dai Mubai's eyes lit up at the sight of her. "Little sister, you're welcome to stay." He smirked at Tang San. "But he'll have to go."
Ordinary beauties were commonplace to him—but a female soul master? That was new.
And Xiao Wu had caught his eye.
Sensing their soul power and judging by their youth, he assumed they were weaker—hence his arrogance.
"You're asking for death!"
Daring to target Xiao Wu? Tang San's anger flared.
"I'll knock your teeth out!" Xiao Wu was even more furious.
"Heh." Dai Mubai unleashed his soul power pressure, forcing bystanders to scatter.
Tang San frowned. Dai Mubai's soul power was significantly stronger than theirs.
"Hmph! Just relying on higher soul power!" Xiao Wu believed they could take him together.
But Tang San stopped her. "Xiao Wu, let me handle this."
She nodded, trusting his judgment. If he struggled, she'd step in.
"Brave, aren't you?" Dai Mubai taunted. "Win, and the room's yours. Lose, and the girl stays while you leave."
"Disgusting!" Xiao Wu itched to attack.
Tang San considered his options. Without using the Clear Sky Hammer, Blue Silver Grass might not suffice. Hidden weapons would have to do.
"Release your martial soul!"
Dai Mubai summoned his Evil-Eyed White Tiger, its imposing phantom amplifying his pressure. Objects around them trembled.
Then—yellow, yellow, purple—three gleaming soul rings materialized.
"A three-ringed Soul Elder!" Xiao Wu grew uneasy.
Tiger-type martial souls boasted formidable offense and solid defense—a tough matchup.
"What's wrong? Too scared to even summon your soul rings?" Dai Mubai jeered when Tang San remained still.
Tang San's right hand produced a Blue Silver Grass—but no soul rings appeared.
"Hah!"
Dai Mubai burst out laughing. "Blue Silver Grass? A trash martial soul like that, and you dare challenge me? Pathetic!"
To Xiao Wu, he sneered, "Meizi, how could you settle for this trash? He's not worthy of you. Come with me instead!"
"Ugh!" Xiao Wu fumed. "Little San, beat him up!"
Tang San was already moving. "Entangle!"
A yellow soul ring flickered as his first soul skill activated—not instant-cast.
Vines shot from the Blue Silver Grass, coiling toward Dai Mubai.
Arrogantly, Dai Mubai didn't dodge, letting them ensnare him.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 30 on my patreon, go check it out.
Give me all your power stones