Suotuo City

Time flew by, and four years passed in the blink of an eye.

South of the Heaven Dou Empire, Balak Kingdom, Suotuo City.

It was just past noon. The blazing sun hung high as three young people entered through Suotuo City's western gate. They appeared to be only teenagers and carried no luggage. Two boys and one girl.

They were naturally Shi Yi, Tang San, and Xiao Wu.

Shi Yi was now fourteen years old, tall and well-built. He wore a fitted white outfit and a jade-studded belt around his waist. His short, tousled black hair carried a hint of carefree defiance, while his fair, refined features made people instinctively like him. The faint smile at the corner of his lips made him seem even more approachable.

During those eight years in Nuoding, thanks to Yu Xiaogang, Shi Yi had lived quite well. He had read nearly all the books in Yu Xiaogang's room. During the day, he forged with Tang San, continued studying materials in depth, and constantly experimented with inscribing Core Formations. At night, he immersed himself in cultivation, leaving almost no spare time. His daily work at the Blacksmith Shop had tempered his body until it was exceptionally strong.

After Shi Yi successfully created a Soul Tool, Tang San had proposed learning how to make them. Shi Yi did not refuse and taught Tang San the basic principles and logic behind Soul Tools. However, just as Shi Yi had once told Yu Xiaogang, Tang San did not possess much creativity.

Making Soul Tools was not like practicing a Cultivation Method, where one only needed to follow a manual step by step. One had to design them personally, and the important thing was that every Soul Engineer had a different understanding of Core Formations.

As a result, while studying Soul Tool manufacture, Tang San could only inscribe things designed by Shi Yi. The materials and structures mostly came from Tang Sect hidden weapons, but the complex mechanical mechanisms of Tang Sect hidden weapons required extremely complicated Core Formations. Simply copying them over clearly could not produce the power a Soul Tool ought to have. And Tang San was plainly incapable of designing exclusive Core Formations for his hidden weapons himself.

Not to mention Tang San—even Shi Yi at his current stage could not accomplish that. Even ten thousand years later, Huo Yuhao had only managed to combine the power of Tang Sect hidden weapons with Soul Tools after extensive, complete, and systematic study of Soul Tool knowledge.

A person's energy was limited. Tang San also realized that he was not suited for making Soul Tools. The things he studied were too broad and varied, while Soul Tools were a field of learning that had only just begun and required vast amounts of time to research.

With no other choice, Tang San could only give up designing and manufacturing Soul Tools and focus on improving what he was good at.

Shi Yi had also obtained quite a few hidden weapon blueprints through his interactions with Tang San. However, Tang San had not taught Shi Yi a single one of the Tang Sect's ultimate techniques. Shi Yi understood Tang San's thoughts as well: Tang San merely hoped that Shi Yi would design stronger Soul Tools based on hidden weapons, while he himself could simply copy the Core Formations Shi Yi designed.

Naturally, Shi Yi would not let Tang San use him. There was no way he would work for Tang San for free. He had always believed in repaying kindness in kind. Compared with these shooting-type Soul Tools, Shi Yi was more inclined to design and research Melee Soul Tools and triggered defensive Soul Tools, because he knew clearly that his foremost goal right now was to protect himself.

In terms of character, Tang San still fell short of Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang did not say much about this. He understood what his two disciples were plotting. Shi Yi needed those remarkable Self-Created Soul Skills, while Tang San needed Shi Yi to upgrade hidden weapons into Soul Tools.

Yu Xiaogang was no fool. Coming from Blue Lightning, he naturally understood the principle of exchanging resources. Even though the two were Senior and Junior Disciple Brothers, Yu Xiaogang knew that Shi Yi could not possibly work for Tang San for nothing. Yet Tang San was clearly unwilling to offer up those remarkable Self-Created Soul Skills of his.

This left Yu Xiaogang deeply puzzled. He could not understand why Tang San refused to reveal them. The potential of Soul Tools was obviously far greater than that of those Self-Created Soul Skills.

Shi Yi himself understood the reason quite well. To practice the Tang Sect's ultimate techniques, one had to reveal the Mysterious Heaven Skill. Tang San would never allow an outsider to obtain the Mysterious Heaven Skill. Since even the Shrek Seven Devils of the original story had not gotten it, Shi Yi naturally would not force the matter.

Technique, movement arts, eye techniques—Shi Yi considered such things merely the results gained through continual physical training. He likewise had ways to achieve those results, and could even create things better suited to himself.

Xiao Wu raised a hand and gently brushed the sweat from her forehead. She complained, "We finally made it to this Suotuo City. I really don't know what Master was thinking. Several intermediate Soul Master Academies clearly offered to admit us unconditionally, yet he insisted on making you take the entrance test for that lousy academy that doesn't even have a ranking."

Tang San glanced at Shi Yi and gently tugged on Xiao Wu's sleeve, signaling for her to stop talking.

Shi Yi merely chuckled. "Junior Disciple Brother, it's fine. Teacher sent you here because the dean of this academy is a Soul Saint, and that Soul Saint has quite a close connection with Teacher."

Tang San revealed a surprised expression, while Xiao Wu's expression tightened instinctively.

Tang San naturally understood what a Soul Saint represented. The Holy Soul Village he came from had earned its name because a Soul Saint had once emerged from it.

"Senior Disciple Brother, do you know about this academy?" Tang San asked softly.

Shi Yi nodded and smiled. "Of course. But you'll understand once you reach the academy. See you there. I won't disturb you and your little sweetheart any longer."

Having spent the past few days on the road being force-fed their lovey-dovey behavior, Shi Yi naturally had no desire to stay with them any longer.

With that, Shi Yi's figure vanished from before them. The instant he disappeared, Xiao Wu's voice reached his ears.

"Shi Yi! I'm going to tear your mouth apart!"

Tang San hurriedly grabbed Xiao Wu as well, stopping her from chasing after Shi Yi.

Suotuo City was far larger than Nuoding City, and naturally much livelier as well. Soldiers on patrol could be seen everywhere along the streets, while crowds bustled endlessly back and forth.

Shi Yi first found a decent-looking restaurant and ordered some food, then began looking for a place to stay. Before long, he discovered a particularly distinctive hotel.

The hotel stood three stories tall. Though it was not especially large, its exterior was entirely decorated in rose red. The entire building resembled a huge rose, making it immediately eye-catching.

Shi Yi looked at the hotel and smiled as he shook his head. Having seen too many skyscrapers, he did not find the place romantic. He only found it excessively gaudy.

Afterward, Shi Yi rented a room at an ordinary, more normal-looking hotel, then continued strolling around Suotuo City.

After asking around the city a little, Shi Yi found Flender's shop in Suotuo City.

The shop's door was open, and it looked somewhat dim inside. When Shi Yi walked in, he sensed fluctuations of Soul Power with many different attributes.

It seems Flender's shop really does have some good things.

Soul Tools all carried Soul Power fluctuations. Shi Yi had come here to learn and improve his ability to make Soul Tools.

There was only one person in the shop, and no counter was visible. Items hung from three walls. They all looked old and did not resemble anything valuable, yet they emitted differing Soul Power fluctuations.

Flender sat in a wooden recliner with his eyes closed, swaying along with the chair.

He looked to be around fifty years old. Although he was no longer young, his body was sturdy and powerfully built. The seemingly solid recliner creaked beneath his weight as it rocked.

Flender had a highly distinctive face. His chin protruded somewhat, his cheekbones were broad, and his face was flat, with a slightly hooked nose. If one had to compare it to something, his face somewhat resembled the sole of a shoe. Though his eyes were closed, he still gave off a faintly sly impression.

A pair of black-rimmed crystal glasses sat on his face, their frames stiff and square. No matter how one looked at them, they seemed rather strange.

"Hello, may I take these items down for a closer look?" Shi Yi asked Flender.

Flender opened his eyes from the recliner and immediately spotted the conspicuous belt around Shi Yi's white clothes. "Eh? Where did you get that belt?"

Shi Yi smiled faintly. "My teacher gave it to me."

Flender's face darkened when he heard that. "So you're the brat who had Xiao Gang swindle a whole lot of precious materials out of me."

Shi Yi feigned confusion. "What materials? You know my teacher?"

Seeing Shi Yi's expression, suspicion appeared on Flender's face. Did Xiao Gang not tell this brat where the materials came from?

Flender did not dwell on it. At any rate, the benefits had not gone to an outsider. He casually waved a hand at Shi Yi. "Look all you want, but don't inject Soul Power into them. Many of these Soul Tools are ancient and prone to exploding. If you damage anything, you'll compensate me at full price."

With that, Flender continued sleeping in his recliner.

Shi Yi was rather speechless when he saw the outrageous prices marked on the wall. Without thinking much of it, he took out his little notebook and glasses from his Soul Tool, then removed a Soul Tool from the wall to examine it.

Just as expected, the Core Formations are damaged to varying degrees. Of course injecting Soul Power into them would make them explode.

As Shi Yi observed them, he sketched the structures of the various Soul Tools in his notebook, noted the materials he could identify, and copied down the corresponding Core Formations.

Flender suddenly opened his eyes when Shi Yi was not paying attention. Watching Shi Yi meticulously record the various Soul Tools, he seemed to see the Yu Xiaogang of years past.

As expected of his disciple.

Just then, a voice broke the silence in the shop. "Senior Disciple Brother?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Shi Yi gradually came back to himself and smiled at Tang San. "Xiao San."

Seeing the notebook in Shi Yi's hand and the Soul Tool he was holding, Tang San understood what Shi Yi was doing. He smiled. "Senior Disciple Brother really can't sit still for even a moment."

At Shi Yi's words, a sharp gleam flashed through Flender's eyes, and his piercing gaze fell upon Tang San.

Is this the younger disciple Xiao Gang mentioned?

"Shi Yi! I'm going to tear your mouth apart!" Xiao Wu snapped at Shi Yi as she prepared to attack.

Flender frowned slightly and sat up in his recliner. "If you break anything, you'll compensate me at full price."

Xiao Wu instinctively looked toward the prices marked on the wall and muttered, "How many carrots could you buy with that many zeroes?"

Tang San quickly grabbed Xiao Wu again. Flender gave him a very unusual feeling. If Dai Mubai at the hotel had felt like a blade bared from its sheath, then this seemingly ordinary middle-aged man was unfathomably deep.

Shi Yi paid them no attention. He merely smiled faintly and continued with his work.

Seeing how utterly unconcerned Shi Yi was, Flender's evaluation of him immediately rose somewhat.

Tang San also bowed slightly toward Flender. "Sorry, Senior."

With that, he hurriedly pulled Xiao Wu away.

Flender watched the two leave, then looked at Shi Yi, who was immersed in his notes, and could not help curling his lips into a faint smile.

"It seems Shrek is about to become interesting."

As time passed, Shi Yi recorded one Soul Tool after another. Flender's small shop unexpectedly contained dozens of Soul Tools of different types. Perhaps these were all products of Flender's many years of experience.

After examining the larger items hanging on the walls, Shi Yi turned his gaze toward the smaller objects casually placed on the floor. When he saw the crystal hanging not far away, Shi Yi froze slightly.

I got so excited seeing these Soul Tools and so absorbed in studying them that I forgot about this. Isn't Hair Crystal, a soft metal that can be reshaped at will, perfect for making defensive Soul Tools?

Shi Yi said to Flender, "How much is this crystal?"

"Finally done looking? Take it. I'm closing up," Flender said as he slowly rose to his feet.

Shi Yi froze slightly and looked outside. The sun had already set, and dusk had arrived.

Shi Yi also gave Flender a slight bow. "Sorry for taking up your time. Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Flender's gaze suddenly turned sharp, and his face darkened. "Brat, you really do know who I am!"

Shi Yi inwardly cursed his carelessness, but kept a smile on his face. "You're joking. This is our first time meeting. Thank you very much for your help today."

Flender looked at Shi Yi suspiciously. "You really don't know who I am?"

"The shop owner?" Shi Yi asked, feigning bewilderment.

"Enough. Get lost," Flender said irritably.

"Then thank you for the crystal." Shi Yi smiled and gave Flender another slight bow.

Shi Yi had quite a good impression of Flender. Not every Soul Saint would lower himself to humor a Soul Grandmaster, much less participate in a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. This also proved from the side that Yu Xiaogang was a good person. To judge a person's character, one only needed to look at their friends.

Birds of a feather flocked together. Look at Yu Xiaogang and Flender, then look at Tang San and the Shrek Seven Devils, and one would know exactly what Tang San was.

With that, Shi Yi slowly left Flender's shop.