Master, Save Me!

"Xiaomeng, can you get used to the food?"

In a border town of the Extreme North, Jiang Mian and the auspicious beast sat before a noodle stall, taking a rest.

The bright moon hung high in the sky. The surrounding shops had long since closed, and only this noodle stall was still open.

The noodle stall owner was a kind old man. He looked quite advanced in years, and his martial soul was rather interesting—it was actually flour.

Food-type martial souls had always been extremely rare. Unfortunately, this old man had stalled at level 34. Presumably, no one had guided him when he was young.

"It's delicious." The auspicious beast nodded and smiled. "No wonder Di Tian said I was lucky to have met Jiang Mian."

"Hahaha." Jiang Mian stroked the auspicious beast's dark hair and said, "After Snow Empress finished sending me the message, there was no further movement. But now that we're getting closer and closer to the Extreme North, the vague connection between us is becoming clearer."

"Snow Empress is not in danger, and her cultivation is still steadily improving. We'll rest for now and set off tomorrow morning."

In truth, Jiang Mian had sensed that Snow Empress was not in much danger before leaving Sunset Forest. After all, if even her seven hundred thousand years of cultivation could not solve the problem, what use could Jiang Mian possibly be?

And with Snow Empress's personality, she would not let Jiang Mian throw his life away for nothing. That was why Jiang Mian had dared to leave Bear Lord and Scarlet King at Spirit Hall and only bring the auspicious beast with him to the Extreme North in search of Snow Empress.

Nan Meng, the auspicious beast in human form, was stuffing herself with noodles. Jiang Mian rested his chin on one hand and quietly watched her.

She was truly beautiful. After all, who had not had their own unattainable first love when they were young? But now that she was sitting beside him, Jiang Mian only felt that she was so sacred that he could not muster even the slightest improper thought.

"Young master, could you spare me a bowl of noodles?"

From the corner at the mouth of the alley, a girl dressed in ragged hemp clothes suddenly poked her head out. She was very thin, so thin that her cheeks were sunken. Yet she was also very beautiful, giving off a cold, fragile air that made people ache for her at the sight of her.

The girl was so weak that a gust of wind seemed capable of knocking her down. Clutching her stomach, she slowly walked over to Jiang Mian.

Jiang Mian looked into her eyes. They were exceptionally bright, glistening with tears like the stars filling the sky—pitiful and beautiful.

"Boss, give her a bowl of noodles."

Jiang Mian waved a hand, inviting the girl to sit. The old man quickly prepared a bowl of noodles. When he saw that the customer was that girl, he could not help sighing before skillfully handing the bowl to her.

The girl wolfed down the bowl of noodles. She secretly wiped away her tears and seemed to want more, yet she did not dare ask for another bowl.

"Give her another bowl," Jiang Mian said calmly.

"Young master, if you give me two bowls of noodles, I'll repay you. I can sleep with you twice." The girl bit her lip as she spoke.

"Are you that hungry?" Nan Meng lay on the table and watched the girl curiously. Could hunger really make someone give up so much?

"Yes. I haven't eaten for three days." Her words were heartbreaking. Jiang Mian said nothing. After quickly finishing the second bowl, the girl stood up and said in a trembling voice, "Young master, come with me."

Jiang Mian shook his head. The noodle stall owner suddenly stepped over and said, "Young master, don't go. She's sick."

The moment those words came out, tears poured down the girl's face. She hurriedly turned away and covered her face as she wept.

Jiang Mian's eyes widened as he stared at the old man in disbelief. Unable to bear it, the old man slowly explained, "Her parents died when she was six. To have food to eat, she had no choice but to..."

"In the Extreme North, no one could take her in?" Jiang Mian suddenly felt sorrowful. "How much food could a six-year-old child possibly eat?"

"Young master, you're from a big place." The old man gave a bitter smile. "This is the border of the Extreme North. What kind of trouble doesn't happen here? Everyone is already tightening their belts just to survive."

Jiang Mian shook his head. Perhaps Nan Meng had not yet understood what this was about. She blinked innocently and said, "If you're sick, then go get treated, big sister."

Jiang Mian patted Nan Meng on the shoulder, signaling her not to speak. The borderlands of the Extreme North had never been governed since ancient times. Most of the people living here could be called abandoned citizens.

Driven here by hardship, they had come to this place to make a living. Yet bandits, Evil Spirit Masters, and even soul beasts still swept through from time to time.

Those who survived all lived bitter lives.

"Miss, take this money and see a doctor." Jiang Mian took out a handful of Gold Soul Coins from his storage Soul Tool. His expression was complicated as he said softly, "This should also be enough for you to start a small business and support yourself. Don't stay here anymore."

"Young master, if a weak woman like her goes into the city, she'll be abducted within days." The old man said, "In this world, ordinary lives are cheap."

"Young master, why are you doing this for me?" The girl held the Gold Soul Coins in her palms and asked in a trembling voice.

"Consider it the world owing you this much."

"Young master, may I ask your honored name?" The girl trembled all over as she repeatedly thanked Jiang Mian.

"All people with kind hearts are nameless." For no reason, Jiang Mian thought of those words and spoke them aloud. "Our meeting by chance was fate. Don't do that kind of thing again in the future."

"Mm." The girl nodded heavily, tears continuously falling onto the table.

"Xiaomeng." Jiang Mian looked at Nan Meng and opened his mouth, yet could not say anything. The auspicious beast had been pampered in Star Dou Great Forest since childhood, so naturally she did not know how difficult ordinary people's lives were. Otherwise, she would not have said something like that.

But it was not only the auspicious beast. Jiang Mian was much the same. How could soul masters like them, standing so high above others, ever understand the hardships of the common people?

Ding ding ding!

A rapid ringing sounded out. The old man and Jiang Mian both looked toward the village entrance.

"What is that sound?" Jiang Mian asked. "Could bandits be attacking?"

"No, this alarm means Evil Spirit Masters!" The old man's face changed drastically. He instantly released his soul rings—one white and two yellow—and prepared for battle.

There were many definitions of Evil Spirit Masters, but they all shared one trait: they increased their Soul Power through killing, devouring, and absorption. In that sense, they were similar to evil soul beasts.

Jiang Mian glanced at Nan Meng. With him here, how much trouble could these Evil Spirit Masters possibly cause?

"Run!" The townspeople poured out of their homes and fled in every direction. Yet quite a few soul masters released their martial souls and went to meet the enemy. Their levels were not high; the strongest among them was merely a Soul Elder.

They were willing to risk their lives to protect everyone's retreat. After all, as long as they were not completely wiped out, soul masters would continue to emerge.

"Old man, food-type soul masters shouldn't be charging forward. Are you going to be a living target?" Jiang Mian suddenly appeared beside the old man with the flour martial soul. He raised a hand and pressed it onto the old man's shoulder, smiling. "Leave this to us."

Before the old man's disbelieving eyes, Jiang Mian slowly revealed his martial soul: one red, four orange!

The old man did not know whether he had been frightened stupid by the Evil Spirit Masters or what, but he foolishly asked, "Can soul rings be dyed now?"

"Whether they're dyed or not, you'll see soon enough." Jiang Mian smiled faintly and said no more as he charged straight toward the battlefield.

Nan Meng's cheeks were stuffed full. Somehow, she had gotten hold of a great deal of food. She shouted unclearly, "Jiang Mian, go! Get them wet!"

"Big sister, aren't you helping?" Hearing Nan Meng cheer him on, Jiang Mian was so angry that he laughed. "Are you trying to turn the world upside down?"

"Go, big brother." Nan Meng dragged the noodle stall owner and the girl into the crowd. "I'm slipping away first. Don't get wet."

Sure enough, people laughed when they were left speechless. Jiang Mian had truly experienced it. Had he brought this auspicious beast to the Extreme North as some kind of lucky mascot?

How had the proud, aloof auspicious beast from a few years ago become so cute and silly now?

Did spending too much time with him really have that effect?

When the Evil Spirit Master leading the group saw Jiang Mian, he immediately revealed a mouthful of yellow teeth and laughed wickedly. "What a handsome little boy. Perfect, I can finally have some fresh meat."

"Why is there someone who likes that?" Jiang Mian frowned slightly. It was all because he was too good-looking. Landing before the crowd, he taunted, "If that toad-headed face of yours has what it takes, then I'll be yours today."

"Hahaha, I like it!" The Evil Spirit Master's face twisted viciously, as if he wanted to crush all his features together. "I'll rape you first, kill you after, then have a good taste of your flesh."

"Disgusting." Jiang Mian dry-heaved and muttered to himself, "When it comes to perversion, these bastards really take the crown."

"Come!"

The leader of the Evil Spirit Masters let out a piercing shriek as he slowly released his soul rings—three yellow, two purple, and one black. He was actually a Soul Emperor!

Evil Spirit Masters generally advanced faster than ordinary soul masters. They cultivated without regard for means, but because they were rejected by the world, almost no Evil Spirit Master could reach the rank of Titled Douluo. At most, they reached Soul Saint.

For this Evil Spirit Master to reach the Soul Emperor realm, he must have been tyrannizing these borderlands for years without anyone able to deal with him.

After all, what great figure would make a special trip to this godforsaken place just for one insignificant Evil Spirit Master? And the soul masters who came to the Extreme North to obtain soul rings usually believed it was better to avoid trouble, turning a blind eye to these people.

Besides, these Evil Spirit Masters were not fools. They could sense a soul master's level. Once they encountered someone stronger than themselves, they would hide away, only reappearing to bully others after it was safe. That was why people often said that many villains were not as frightening as clever villains.

Over time, this place had become so chaotic.

The only place that could compare to this region's chaos was the City of Slaughter. That place was even more like hell.

"Third soul skill, Devour!"

The Evil Spirit Master laughed shrilly. His hands slid across his cheeks, and several pitch-black ghostly shadows instantly rushed toward Jiang Mian, trying to devour him outright.

Unfortunately for him, Jiang Mian possessed the attribute of ultimate light. No evil could approach him. Jiang Mian did not even use a soul skill; the ghostly shadows turned to ashes the instant they touched him.

"Divine Light!" The Evil Spirit Master covered his eyes and roared while clawing wildly at the air. "So hateful! You're truly hateful! I'm going to eat you!"

"Hellfire!"

Jiang Mian smiled faintly and raised a hand, unleashing Scarlet King's natal flames. If the world would not punish such scum, then Hellfire would judge them!

"Ah!"

A huge ring of fire formed around them, trapping nearly all the Evil Spirit Masters. The soul masters who had been preparing to sacrifice themselves looked at one another in confusion, unsure whether they should help or flee.

"Brothers, let's not burden this lord soul master. Everyone, run!"

The old noodle stall owner raised an arm, and everyone responded, fleeing away in a surging mass.

"Huh?" Jiang Mian turned to look behind him. There was already no one left. The corner of his mouth twitched as he pointed at the Evil Spirit Masters before him and shouted, "You've already been surrounded by me!"

"Charge through!"

The leading Soul Emperor loudly ordered his subordinates, but he himself kept retreating. Hellfire already contained the ultimate fire attribute, and Jiang Mian had even added the ultimate light attribute to it.

Against the Hellfire, these Evil Spirit Masters were like rats facing a cat. They had no ability to resist at all.

"You useless trash." As the flames steadily closed in, the Evil Spirit Masters were roasted until their faces twisted in agony, their screams unending.

Seeing that the situation was wrong, the Evil Soul Emperor suddenly began trembling all over. Even his eyes started rolling back.

More than ten dark shadows pounced upon the other Evil Spirit Masters. In only moments, they tore and bit them to pieces, while an expression of enjoyment slowly appeared on the Evil Soul Emperor's face.

"Wonderful." The Evil Soul Emperor shuddered as though he had just relieved himself. His legs went weak, and he covered his face with a deeply deranged expression. "Hahaha, truly wonderful."

"Disgusting." Jiang Mian frowned. The stench of blood began to spread. Without exception, every Evil Spirit Master had their throat bitten open, their blood continuously being devoured by the Evil Soul Emperor.

"Sixth soul skill, Blood Nether!"

Squelch!

The Evil Soul Emperor's limbs and body burst apart, and one strand after another of red blood-thread worms slowly wriggled out like maggots.

"What the hell is this?" As the blood-thread worms grew longer and longer, the Evil Soul Emperor's face grew increasingly pale. Jiang Mian felt sick to his stomach and casually swung out a Sky Rend Claw.

The Sky Rend Claw severed the blood-thread worms, but it only accelerated their growth. One became two, two became four—endless and inexhaustible.

Some blood-thread worms began breaking through the ring of Hellfire and surged endlessly toward Jiang Mian.

Jiang Mian immediately sensed trouble. His body flashed away like a rainbow, retreating backward. The blood-thread worms grew faster and faster, and some even sprouted wings to pursue him.

The Evil Spirit Master himself was no better off. He collapsed to the ground with a thud, his face frighteningly pale. A method that harmed the enemy by a thousand while injuring oneself by eight hundred was probably something only these parasites would use.

"Emperor's Cold Heaven, Snow Dance Shining Sun!"

Jiang Mian used one of his trump cards. This move was a domain skill he had gained after subduing Snow Empress. If Snow Empress used it personally, she could turn a radius of ten thousand meters into an icy domain.

Jiang Mian was not strong enough. He could only cover a hundred meters at most, but that was more than enough to deal with this Evil Soul Emperor.

Centered on Jiang Mian, everything within a hundred meters instantly turned into a vast expanse of white. The blood-thread worms had no time to react and became ice sculptures one after another.

Even the Evil Soul Emperor lying on the ground was not spared. He was instantly killed in a single move!

Did he think the skill granted by the ruler of the Extreme North was a joke?

Jiang Mian dusted himself off and was about to look for the auspicious beast when a miserable cry suddenly rang out behind him. The Evil Soul Emperor's entire body burst into flames, and a blood-red pillar shot into the sky.

"Master, save me!"