Soul Ring Carriage

It was evening.

Han Yu lightly flicked his finger across the Soul Tool granted by the system.

A small, fiery-red figure appeared in his hand.

It was the juvenile body left behind after the Fire Cloud Crane's Sacrifice.

It had been asleep all this time, only awakening today.

Having lost its hundred-thousand-year cultivation, the little fellow was not even as strong as a ten-year soul beast.

"This is a soul beast juvenile. Teacher Han, do you want to raise it?" The juvenile's appearance was not particularly distinctive, so Ye Lingling could not tell what kind of soul beast it was.

But soul beasts cultivated slowly. Even ancient ferocious beasts needed more than a hundred years before they could display any real combat power.

Thus, on the Douluo Continent, no one was foolish enough to keep soul beasts in captivity.

After all, even the soul beasts raised by the first Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had only reached the thousand-year level by now. Their age was too low even for a third soul ring.

"It's nothing, just a hobby." Han Yu replied with a smile.

The Fire Cloud Crane's soul had already fused into his body along with the soul ring. Even if this little fellow could grow into a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast again, it would no longer be the Fire Cloud Crane from before.

As for using Tang San's method to revive it? Han Yu would not do that.

His agreement with the Fire Cloud Crane was to revive it in the God Realm. Reviving it on the Douluo Continent would violate their original agreement.

"Little fellow, you must be hungry. Time to eat." Before leaving, Han Yu had prepared food for it.

With the little fellow around, the tedious journey gained a bit of fun.

Ye Lingling even held it in her arms and "tormented" it like a pet.

Before they knew it, night had fallen.

The temperature inside the carriage rose instead of falling.

"Teacher Han, why is it so hot?" Sweat continuously dripped from Ye Lingling's face.

Han Yu carefully examined the carriage and discovered fluctuations of soul power.

"So that's it. This is a Soul Ring Carriage."

"Soul rings can be added to a carriage?" Ye Lingling could not help but ask at Han Yu's startling words.

"A Soul Ring Carriage refers to the number of people who died inside it. One person makes one soul ring, and this carriage probably has no fewer than nine soul rings."

"Haven't you noticed that the carriage actually stopped moving a long time ago?"

At first, Han Yu had thought the carriage was traveling at a steady pace along a smooth road. Thinking about it now, the driver had likely intended to murder them and steal their valuables.

Soul Masters were, after all, the wealthiest group on the continent. Targeting Soul Masters naturally brought high returns.

Han Yu tugged at the carriage curtain, only for it to be blocked by a layer of soul power.

"This entire carriage is a Soul Tool. It's rather like a microwave oven, hehe. Let's see how I break you open."

Outside the carriage, a group of people had already gathered.

Most of them were Soul Masters, continuously sending soul power into the Soul Tool.

The driver hurried over to a burly man. "Lord Wang, I've brought them here."

The burly man surnamed Wang smiled. "Xiao Hu, well done. You've exceeded this month's quota. Now, go get some proper rest."

"Thank you, my lord. Thank you, my lord." The driver thanked him again and again.

But he had no idea what kind of "rest" the burly man meant.

As he turned to leave, a flash of blade light swept past behind him. Amid horrified gazes, his head fell to the ground.

"A mere commoner dares negotiate terms with us? Increase the soul power. Those two must be very rich."

Bang—

Suddenly, the entire carriage exploded. Han Yu stood atop the wreckage, Fire Cloud Staff in hand.

"Oh? Looks like I've stumbled into a den of thieves."

There were as many as thirty bandits, clearly organized and disciplined.

Though the burly man surnamed Wang was somewhat surprised, they had the numbers, while Han Yu had only two people.

"If you know what's good for you, hand over all your valuables and cripple your own soul power. Then I can let you leave safely."

"Didn't your mom ever tell you not to believe the words of bad people?" Han Yu said with a smile.

The burly man was merely a Soul Elder, and many of the others were Soul Masters of only ten-odd levels. Their strength was simply not worth mentioning.

"I have to say, your scheme is the most novel one I've ever seen. Tsk, tsk. Such a fine Soul Ring Carriage."

Han Yu knew he had fallen into their trap, but it was of little consequence.

As soon as he finished speaking, he lightly snapped the fingers of his right hand.

"Ahhh—" The burly man's subordinates began bursting into flames one after another.

"What's going on? What did you do?" The burly man raised his brow, his expression turning ugly.

"Go ask the King of Hell in hell."

Half a month later, a carriage arrived before Nuoding City.

Naturally, Han Yu and Ye Lingling were seated inside. Since the Soul Ring Carriage incident, the journey over the past half month had been much more peaceful.

Entering Nuoding City did not require a Gold Soul Coin entrance fee like those major cities, but ordinary people still had to offer something.

Han Yu lifted the carriage curtain. The moment the guards saw his face, they all gathered around respectfully. "Director Han, you're back."

There were not many Soul Masters in Nuoding City, and most of them were concentrated in the academy and Spirit Hall.

As the Dean of Studies at the academy, Han Yu naturally had many people hoping to use him as a backdoor connection.

"Director Han, these are some game animals I caught in my spare time. Please accept them." The captain of the guards enthusiastically tried to stuff wild rabbits into the carriage.

His son had awakened his martial soul this year. Though he possessed only half a level of Innate Soul Power, he could at least become a Soul Master. Han Yu had personally handled his son's enrollment procedures.

"No need. I have matters to attend to at the academy, so I'll be leaving first."

With that, Han Yu's carriage quickly passed through the city gate.

"I've been away from the academy for nearly two months. I wonder how it's doing."

"Teacher Han, your academy is actually located in such a remote little city?" Ye Lingling was somewhat puzzled, but when she recalled Heaven Dou Royal Academy being built in the mountains, she understood.

Perhaps Han Yu's academy had been established in such a small city to prevent students from comparing themselves to one another.

Han Yu scratched his head and gave an awkward smile. "You'll know when we get there."

All he hoped was that Ye Lingling would not immediately leave upon seeing the words "Junior Soul Master Academy."

At the latest, once this year's studies ended, he would leave the academy as well. After that, he could easily take a teaching post at an Advanced Soul Master Academy.

The carriage stopped before the gates of Nuoding Academy, and the two of them got out.

Looking at the glaringly conspicuous words, Ye Lingling froze on the spot.

This was not some Advanced Soul Master Academy located in a small city. It was clearly the local Junior Soul Master Academy.

After recovering from her shock, Ye Lingling looked toward Han Yu.

Han Yu had indeed said he was a teacher at an academy, but she had never asked what academy it was. Nor had she asked whether it was a junior or advanced academy.

"Ahem, Lingling, this is the academy where I teach." Han Yu turned slightly aside and spoke with an embarrassed expression.

Ye Lingling said, "Teacher Han..."