Fasno Journey, An Unusual First Encounter

After fending off several waves of insignificant probing, the outskirts of Myriad Manifestations Academy finally welcomed a brief period of calm. But Qin Mo knew full well that under this calm surface, undercurrents still surged. Improving his own strength and expanding the academy's influence had become urgent matters.

That day, Qin Mo temporarily entrusted the academy's daily affairs to Qin Yuan and several Academic Affairs stewards. He then quietly left the academy with Bing'er and Yan'er.

He had two objectives for this trip. First, he wanted to inspect the Soul Tool materials market within the Heaven Dou Empire and purchase a batch of basic materials and experimental equipment for the future Soul Tool Research Center. Second, he had heard that abnormal Soul Beast unrest had recently occurred in Fasno Province, on the southwestern border of the Heaven Dou Empire. High-quality dark-attributed or spiritual-attributed Soul Beasts were suspected to have appeared there, and he wanted to try his luck and see whether he could find a suitable target for the Nine-Story Demon Pagoda's Fourth Soul Ring.

The three did not travel by carriage. Instead, they relied on their formidable cultivation to race onward at tremendous speed.

Bing'er and Yan'er followed Qin Mo from either side, both dressed in casual travel attire. Bing'er wore a moon-white fitted outfit, cold and pure as the moon, while Yan'er wore fiery red skirt armor, lively and beautiful. The auras of the two women's ultimate martial souls could already be concealed or released at will. Unless they deliberately revealed themselves, they were no different from ordinary Soul Masters.

They traveled in silence and soon arrived at Fasno City, the provincial capital of Fasno Province.

Compared with the majestic prosperity of Heaven Dou City, Fasno City was rougher and busier. It was an important distribution center for the empire's minerals and timber. Merchant caravans and mercenaries from all over could be seen everywhere on its streets, and the air was thick with the scent of dust and sweat.

After entering the city, Qin Mo and the others headed straight for several of the largest materials firms.

However, the procurement process did not go smoothly. Many of the rare metals and energy-conducting materials on Qin Mo's list were either unheard of by the shopkeepers or available only in tiny quantities, and their prices were outrageously high.

"Dean, the Star Gold and Void Crystal Stone fragments you want are said to be core materials for ancient Soul Tools. They disappeared many years ago. Even when a little appears, it only shows up at auctions, where there's a price but no market," the manager of a large trading house explained as he wiped away sweat. "As for Soul-Melting Iron and Spirit Energy Conductor Wire, their output is extremely low. Most of it is directly ordered by the military and Spirit Hall, so very little reaches the market."

Qin Mo frowned. This world's knowledge of materials was indeed backward. Even so many basic materials were in such short supply, let alone high-grade ones. The development of Soul Tools was severely constrained.

He could only settle for the next best thing, purchasing a batch of decent ordinary metals and basic tools. It cost him quite a few Gold Soul Coins, but it fell far short of his expectations.

"It seems that if I want to develop Soul Tools, I'll have to establish my own material extraction and smelting system," Qin Mo mused inwardly. "Perhaps it's time to let Grandfather use the sect's power to locate several rare mineral veins."

By the time the purchases were complete, it was already afternoon. The three rested briefly at a tavern in the city and took the opportunity to ask around about the Soul Beast unrest.

The tavern was filled with noisy voices as mercenaries and adventurers loudly discussed missions and their experiences.

"...Have you heard? Things have been really strange around Black Prison Forest lately! Several mercenary groups went in and never came out!" "Tell me about it! They say some terrifying monster appeared inside. It moves as fast as a ghost and can suck away your Soul Power!" "Damn it, I only escaped from there yesterday. I nearly lost my life! That thing isn't an ordinary Soul Beast at all!" "People from the court and Spirit Hall went too, but they couldn't figure anything out. They only sealed off the outer perimeter of the forest..."

Black Prison Forest? Something that sucked Soul Power? Qin Mo's heart stirred. That somewhat matched the characteristics of the target he was seeking.

He signaled for Bing'er to ask for more details.

Bing'er walked over to the mercenaries' table, and her cold temperament immediately drew everyone's attention. She handed over several Gold Soul Coins and spoke in a clear, chilly voice. "Gentlemen, I heard you mention Black Prison Forest just now. I'm curious. Could you tell me more?"

When the mercenary saw the Gold Soul Coins and Bing'er's stunning appearance, his eyes lit up. He immediately began describing it vividly. "Miss, you have no idea. That cursed place is somewhere you absolutely can't go now! About a month ago, people started disappearing there one after another. Those who escaped alive all said they encountered a black shadow. It moved so quickly they couldn't see it clearly. Once it pounced on them, their Soul Power poured out like floodwater through an opened sluice, and before long, they became dried corpses! Spirit Hall says a Mutated Blood-Sucking Soul Beast may have appeared, but I don't think it's that simple..."

Just then, a commotion arose at the tavern entrance.

A group of people dressed in Spirit Hall steward uniforms entered, surrounding a young man in white fitted clothing. He had short golden hair and a handsome face tinged with arrogance. He looked around fifteen or sixteen, with sharp eyes and an air of superiority in every glance. His Soul Power fluctuations had clearly reached the Soul Elder level, which was quite impressive at his age.

"They're from Spirit Hall. The one leading them seems to be some new Patrol Steward called Yan or something. He's really full of himself..." a tavern patron murmured.

Yan's gaze swept across the noisy tavern, and he frowned slightly, seemingly unaccustomed to such an environment. When his eyes passed over Bing'er and Yan'er, they visibly paused. A flash of amazement appeared in his eyes before being swiftly covered by arrogance.

He led his people straight to the counter, knocked on it, and arrogantly ordered the manager, "Owner, we're Spirit Hall's patrol team, here under orders to investigate the Black Prison Forest incident. Bring me all recent reports concerning abnormalities in the forest, as well as the list of missing persons."

The manager dared not delay and hurried off to find the documents.

Yan turned around, his gaze falling on Bing'er and Yan'er once again. He then glanced at Qin Mo beside them, automatically dismissing him, and curled his lips into what he believed was a charming smile as he approached. "Two beautiful ladies, you don't look like locals. Are you Soul Masters who have come to Fasno for training as well? I'm Yan, a Patrol Steward of Spirit Hall. Perhaps I can be of some assistance?"

He directly ignored Qin Mo, his tone carrying the condescending air of someone bestowing a favor.

Bing'er and Yan'er did not even raise their eyelids. They treated him as if he were air.

Yan's smile stiffened, and a hint of displeasure flashed through his eyes, but he quickly concealed it. He continued, "Fasno Province has been rather unsafe recently, especially Black Prison Forest. It's extremely dangerous. If you ladies wish to obtain Soul Rings or train yourselves, perhaps I can provide some safe..."

Before he could finish, Qin Mo had already risen to his feet and said casually to Bing'er and Yan'er, "We've gathered enough information. Let's go."

Without even looking at Yan, he headed straight for the exit. Bing'er and Yan'er immediately followed.

Having been so thoroughly ignored, Yan's face instantly flushed red. He felt as though he had suffered tremendous humiliation. As a Spirit Hall elite and favored genius, when had anyone ever treated him with such contempt? Especially when he was being ignored by the two women he had taken a liking to!

"Stop!" Yan spun around and shouted harshly. "Who are you people? Sneaking around and asking about Black Prison Forest—I'd say you're highly suspicious! Come back to the Spirit Hall branch with me for questioning!"

Several Spirit Hall stewards behind him immediately stepped forward and blocked Qin Mo and the others' path, their expressions unfriendly.

The atmosphere in the tavern instantly turned tense.

Qin Mo finally stopped and slowly turned around. He looked calmly at Yan, but the depth of his gaze made Yan feel a sudden chill in his heart for no reason.

"Spirit Hall... has it started forcibly stopping passersby in the streets now?" Qin Mo's voice was not loud, but it carried an inexplicable pressure.

"Hmph! Anyone suspected of being connected to a serious incident has the right to be questioned by Spirit Hall!" Yan shouted, forcing himself to remain composed despite his bluster masking weakness. "Cooperate obediently if you know what's good for you, or don't blame me for being rude!"

"Being rude?" Qin Mo's lips curved into a faint, mocking smile. "With just you and those crooked fools behind you?"

"You're courting death!" Yan was thoroughly enraged. Two yellow and one purple Soul Rings instantly lit up beneath his feet. A scorching aura erupted, and his martial soul was actually the Flame Lord! He threw a punch wreathed in blazing fire directly at Qin Mo's face! He actually dared to attack outright!

Yet before his fist could touch Qin Mo—

Yan'er, standing to Qin Mo's left, merely lifted her eyelids slightly and glanced at him.

Boom!

An aura of Ultimate Fire, far purer, more violent, and more terrifying than Yan's flames, flashed from Yan'er's body like an erupting volcano!

Pfft!

Yan's seemingly ferocious flaming fist aura was extinguished the instant it touched that presence, as though it had encountered its natural bane! Yan himself seemed to have suffered a heavy blow. He groaned, staggered back seven or eight steps, and only managed to steady himself after crashing into several tables. His face was filled with shock and disbelief!

Just the released aura from a single glance had shattered his soul skill?!

The tavern fell deathly silent! Everyone stared dumbfounded at the girl in fiery red skirt armor as though they were looking at a monster.

The Spirit Hall stewards were also terrified senseless and did not dare step forward.

Qin Mo gave Yan, whose face had gone pale, a casual glance. Too lazy to bother with such trash any longer, he led Bing'er and Yan'er calmly out of the tavern.

Yan was left standing there, his face alternating between green and white. Humiliation and fury overwhelmed him as he clenched his fists tightly, his eyes filled with venom.

"Investigate! Find out exactly who they are!" he roared madly at his subordinates.

Outside the tavern, Qin Mo's expression remained unchanged.

"A minor interruption. Don't mind it." He looked toward Black Prison Forest. "It seems that place really is interesting. Let's go and see what exactly is causing trouble there."

The three figures flashed and vanished at the end of Fasno City's streets.

Yet their brief clash with Spirit Hall was like a stone dropped onto still water, quietly sending ripples outward.