Journey to Suotuo City

"The so-called Soul Fighting is a contest of Martial Souls—in other words, a battle between Soul Masters."

Zu Zong was the one who spoke. Long ago, when he had just become a Soul Grandmaster, he had used the Transformation Technique to alter his appearance and participate in Nuoding's Soul Fighting Tournament. Soul Fighting Arenas were nothing new to him.

Dugu Yan raised an eyebrow, clearly displeased. "So this money game means we compete in Soul Fighting Tournaments while those nobles bet on us. As long as we win, they can rake in huge profits. How outrageous—they're treating us as tools for making money."

Although Qin Ming also detested such things, he had no choice. Bringing the students to Soul Fighting Tournaments could also increase their practical combat experience, doing more good than harm. So Qin Ming chose to turn a blind eye.

"All right, all right, let's stop this topic here. Go back and get ready. We'll gather at the school gate in half an hour."

The Balak Kingdom lay south of the Heaven Dou Empire and bordered Fasnuo Province. Though called a kingdom, it was only three-fourths the size of Fasnuo Province. It belonged to the Heaven Dou Empire and was one of the empire's four great kingdoms.

Located in the center of the fertile Lima Plain within the Balak Kingdom was Suotuo City, known as the Balak Granary.

The Royal Fight Team, including Zu Zong and Xiao Wu, hired several carriages. After three or four days of travel, they finally arrived at their destination: Suotuo City.

"Wow! I'm exhausted! After sitting in a carriage for so long, my butt's gone numb." Needless to say, besides the hundred-thousand-year-old rabbit Xiao Wu, who else could be so carefree?

Zu Zong rolled his eyes at Xiao Wu and curled his lip. "Look at how pathetic you are!"

"I'm tired, so what? Am I not allowed to say it? Hmph, you stupid block of wood. I'm ignoring you."

As she spoke, Xiao Wu turned away. Though she claimed she was ignoring Zu Zong, her eyes kept sneaking glances at him. Stupid block of wood, come comfort me. Come comfort me. If you do, I'll forgive you.

Yet Zu Zong was already used to this. He began looking around Suotuo City instead.

Although Suotuo City was not as prosperous as Heaven Dou City, it was still one of the Balak Kingdom's two major cities. The streets were crowded, traffic bustled around them, and shops of all kinds lined the roads.

The rest of the Royal Fight Team also got out of the carriages and gathered together.

Qin Ming said, "Everyone has had a hard time traveling these past few days. Let's find somewhere to stay and rest for the night first. We'll enter the Soul Fighting Tournament tomorrow."

"Okay, Teacher Qin!" ×9

The first hotel was full.

The second hotel had only one room left.

The third hotel was full.

By now, the weary group was gradually losing patience.

"Ah! Why is everywhere fully booked?" Xiao Wu pouted and complained loudly.

Zu Zong thought this could not go on, so he suggested, "How about this? We split up and look for places to stay separately. At this time tomorrow, we'll meet at Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena. What do you think?"

Qin Ming also thought it was a good idea and nodded. "In that case, divide yourselves up. It'll be easier to find rooms in pairs. As for me, I have a place to stay here, so don't worry about me."

The more honest-looking Shi Mo spoke up. "I'll pair up with Shi Mo."

"No problem," Shi Mo replied. They were brothers, so they did not fuss over such matters.

Dugu Yan also spoke. She was the sort of person who spoke bluntly. "Tian Heng and I can be a pair."

Yu Feng could not help giving her a thumbs-up. Big sister, you really are bold.

Yu Feng and Osler looked at Ye Lingling, whose face was covered by black gauze, then glanced at Xiao Wu. In the end, for safety's sake, the two brothers chose to stick together.

That left only Zu Zong, Xiao Wu, and Ye Lingling. Zu Zong had originally wanted Ye Lingling and Xiao Wu to form a pair, but considering Xiao Wu's forgetful nature and the fact that Ye Lingling was a support-type Soul Master with no offensive power, the three ultimately chose to form one group. But do not get the wrong idea—Ye Lingling and Xiao Wu would share one room, while Zu Zong would have one to himself.

This left Osler and Yu Feng incredibly envious.

Before Zu Zong's group of three had gone far, they discovered a very distinctive hotel.

"Damn! It can't be that much of a coincidence, can it?"

The hotel stood three stories tall. Though it was not particularly large, its exterior was entirely decorated in rose red. The entire building was styled like an enormous rose, making it instantly eye-catching.

Four prominent words were displayed on the plaque above the entrance: "Rose Hotel."

"Rose Hotel. Xiao Zong, Lingling, let's stay here." Xiao Wu held Ye Lingling's hand and pointed at it.

Damn, we're really staying here. Could we run into that bastard Dai Mubai bringing girls here to get a room? Probably not. Shrek Academy should already have started classes by now, Zu Zong thought to himself.

The three entered the Rose Hotel, and the first thing they noticed was the rich scent of roses. The refreshing fragrance carried a hint of ambiguity, relaxing both body and mind.

The hotel's interior used only three colors: white, silver, and rose red. It was warm and distinctive, and the elegant setting easily made a favorable impression.

Zu Zong walked up to the counter. "Please give us two rooms."

The Waiter behind the counter hurriedly stood up. He looked at Zu Zong, then at Xiao Wu and Ye Lingling, a trace of envy flashing in his eyes. "Sir, are you sure you want two rooms?"

How could Zu Zong, who knew the original story, fail to understand what the Waiter meant? The man had mistaken him for another Dai Mubai. But who was Zu Zong? He was a gentleman said to remain unmoved even with a beauty in his arms, a pure young man who guarded his virtue like jade. Xiao Wu had shared a bed with him for nearly six years, yet he had never done the slightest improper thing. Much less now.

To show how upright he was, Zu Zong deliberately raised his voice. "Yes, two rooms!"

Heh heh heh. You'll still say there's only one room left anyway.

The Waiter had not expected this handsome young man before him to be so pure-hearted. Deeply moved, he thought that there were not many good people like this left. Fine, he would do as the young man said.

"Certainly, sir!"

"Wait, weren't you supposed to say there was only one room left? Hey, hey, this isn't how it's supposed to go!" Zu Zong could not help complaining inwardly. Though he would never do anything beastly, he at least wanted to experience what it felt like for Tang San to be misunderstood in the original story!

The Waiter emphasized, "We only have two single rooms left. But don't worry, our rooms are very large and fully furnished. Your two companions will have more than enough room sharing one." As he spoke, he gave Zu Zong an affirming look. Zu Zong understood that look—you're such a pure child.

Zu Zong: Thanks a lot.

Xiao Wu said carelessly, "As long as there are rooms, that's fine. Lingling, let's go in!"