First Encounter with Dai Mubai

Leaving Nuoding City, Lin Kun traveled south, eating and sleeping outdoors. With Basic Movement Technique Mastery for travel, Insight Skill and Little White's senses to avoid danger, and the system's map to guide him, although it was tough, he managed to get through without any major incidents.

More than ten days later, the outline of a city far grander and larger than Nuoding City finally appeared on the horizon. The towering city walls and the endless stream of people and carriages all demonstrated the prosperity and vitality of this city.

Soto City, the granary of the Balak Kingdom and a vital southern stronghold of the empire, had finally arrived!

After paying the entrance fee and walking onto streets wide enough for eight carriages to travel side-by-side, Lin Kun felt like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden. Shops lined both sides of the street, with constant shouts and haggling. The number and level of Spirit Masters were significantly higher than in Nuoding City; occasionally, one could even see Spirit Elders and Spirit Ancestors with three or four spirit rings walking by.

"This is a real big city..." Lin Kun sighed, simultaneously and more cautiously concealing his aura, making himself appear like an ordinary country boy.

[Ding! Side quest [Journey to Soto City] completed! Reward: 200 Plot Breakdown Points, "Soto City Simple Map" issued.]

The system prompt sounded, and the points were credited. Combined with the remaining points from before and those accumulated from daily tasks along the way, his points returned to 223. A simplified map of Soto City's main streets and important locations (such as Spirit Hall and the Great Spirit Arena) also appeared in his mind.

The immediate priority was to find a place to settle down and then inquire about Shrek Academy.

He followed the map's guidance towards the relatively cheaper southern district. As he walked, he suddenly saw a relatively clean and tidy restaurant at a street corner ahead. Four large characters were written on the signboard—"Destiny Restaurant."

The name was quite interesting. Lin Kun touched his rumbling stomach and decided to eat something here first and gather some information.

Entering the restaurant, business was good, with quite a few people seated in the main hall. Lin Kun found a corner by the window, ordered a few inexpensive dishes, and while eating, he pricked up his ears to listen to the surrounding conversations.

Most diners were discussing the fierce battles at the Soto Great Spirit Arena, or what new goods some merchant guild had stocked, and occasionally, information about spirit beast gathering spots outside the city could be heard.

Lin Kun listened patiently, trying to catch any mention of "Shrek" or "Monster Academy."

Just then, a few mercenaries at the next table, having had a bit too much to drink, raised their voices.

"Damn it! I'm really unlucky! I took a mission to escort medicinal herbs, and on the way back, I was robbed of the most valuable 'Dragon Blood Ganoderma' by a group of people in black! Those guys were incredibly agile and coordinated, not like ordinary bandits!" a scarred man said, angrily pounding the table.

"Dragon Blood Ganoderma? That's good stuff! It can strengthen qi and blood, greatly benefiting Assault System Spirit Masters! Old Scarface, your loss is huge!" a companion chimed in.

"Who says it isn't! Sigh, if only I knew where those guys came from, I'd definitely..."

Their conversation caught Lin Kun's attention. Dragon Blood Ganoderma? He seemed to have heard this name somewhere before... The Book Spirit's light crystal flickered slightly, feeding back information: [Dragon Blood Ganoderma, Mysterious Grade Herb, grows in the resting place of fallen Dragon Type Spirit Beasts, contains a trace of Dragon Blood Essence, can slightly improve a Spirit Master's physique, especially suitable for Assault System and Defense System. Market price: extremely expensive.]

At the same time, a system prompt sounded in his mind:

[Ding! Random quest triggered: The Lost Dragon Blood Ganoderma.] [Quest requirements: Investigate clues regarding the robbery of the Dragon Blood Ganoderma, and at least confirm the general identity or whereabouts of the robbers.] [Quest reward: 50 Plot Breakdown Points, Dragon Blood Ganoderma Powder (small amount).] [Failure penalty: None.]

An investigation quest? And the reward includes Dragon Blood Ganoderma Powder? Even a small amount is good stuff! Lin Kun's heart stirred.

He calmly picked up his wine cup and walked over to the mercenaries' table, showing a perfectly timed expression of surprise and sympathy. "Brothers, did I just overhear you saying the Dragon Blood Ganoderma was robbed? That's truly a shame! Such a valuable item..."

The mercenary called Old Scarface glanced at Lin Kun. Seeing his young age and ordinary attire, he didn't pay much attention. Fueled by alcohol, he complained, "Isn't it! Little brother, you tell me if I'm unlucky! Those damned guys in black, their movements were clean and swift, their coordination was perfect, you could tell they were organized!"

"People in black? Did they have any distinguishing features? Like any special Martial Souls? Or did they say anything?" Lin Kun guided the questioning.

Old Scarface tried to recall, "Martial Souls... they didn't seem particularly special, just that their attacks were quite fierce. Oh! When they were retreating, someone accidentally dropped this..." He pulled out a small, black metal token from his pocket. Engraved on it was a strange, blood-dripping dagger pattern!

"This pattern..." Lin Kun's eyes narrowed. The Book Spirit instantly recorded the pattern and began a rapid analysis and comparison. At the same time, he secretly used Insight Skill to observe the token, feeling a trace of extremely cold aura lingering on it.

[Pattern analysis in progress... Similar information matched: Suspected to be related to the underground assassin organization "Shadow Blade" on the continent. Information credibility: 65%.]

Shadow Blade? An assassin organization? Why would they rob Dragon Blood Ganoderma? Such organizations usually only act for money or specific targets.

Lin Kun returned the token to Old Scarface, offered a few words of comfort, and returned to his seat. He already had a plan in mind.

[Ding! Random quest [The Lost Dragon Blood Ganoderma] completed! Reward: 50 Plot Breakdown Points, Dragon Blood Ganoderma Powder (small amount) issued to system space.]

It was completed just like that? Just confirming it might be related to the "Shadow Blade" organization earned a reward? It seemed the system's criteria for completing quests were quite lenient.

Lin Kun was in a good mood, having earned 50 points and a bit of Dragon Blood Ganoderma Powder for free. Although he couldn't use it for now, it might be useful later or could be exchanged for money.

He continued eating, simultaneously contemplating how to inquire about Shrek Academy. Asking directly would obviously be too abrupt and attract attention.

Just then, two more people entered the restaurant, a man and a woman. The man was tall, with golden hair and heterochromatic eyes, handsome, exuding a natural nobility and a hint of cynicism. The woman had a fiery figure, wore leather clothing, and had a cold expression, like a rose with thorns.

The pair was striking, immediately drawing the attention of many in the hall.

Lin Kun's heart skipped a beat upon seeing these two!

Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing! The eldest and youngest of the Shrek Seven Devils! They had also come to this restaurant!

The plot... they encountered it so soon?!