Alas, I am but a mere Soul Sage

Hongchen Mansion, reception hall.

After three rounds of tea, Gu Yuejin set down his cup and proposed taking Huo Yuhao out for a stroll.

"Since we've just arrived, I'd like to take this foolish apprentice to experience Mingdu's scenery, and also see how your nation applies Soul Tool Technology to daily life."

"After all, traveling ten thousand miles is better than reading ten thousand books."

The reasoning was high-sounding, but in truth, he purely wanted to take his apprentice to "broaden his horizons" and do a bit of shopping on the side.

"Me, me, me! I know Mingdu best!"

As soon as the words fell, Meng Hongchen eagerly jumped forward, her big eyes screaming "Pick me, pick me."

"Brother Gu Yue, I know exactly where the good food and fun places are in Mingdu! Let me be your guide—I guarantee no pitfalls!"

The way she looked ready to plaster herself onto him made Xiao Hongchen's temple veins throb from the side.

"No way!"

Xiao Hongchen said coldly, forcing his way into the conversation. "I'm coming too."

"What for? To be a third wheel?" Meng Hongchen shot him a glare.

"Ahem... I just happen to have run out of some rare metals and need to restock."

Xiao Hongchen made a flimsy excuse, but his eyes were locked onto Gu Yuejin, full of vigilance.

No way was he letting this shady "old man" take his sister out alone.

What if she got abducted?

As a qualified... ahem, older brother, he had to guard against it with all his might!

Jing Hongchen watched the three Young People interact, his beard trembling with amusement.

"Alright, alright, it's good for young folks to mingle."

"Xiao, Meng, you must take good care of Young Friend Gu Yue."

Mingdu, Soul Tool Commercial Pedestrian Street.

When the four stepped onto the street, the overwhelming sense of "futurism" left Huo Yuhao, a country bumpkin, utterly dazzled.

Tall buildings lined both sides of the road, their outer walls covered with massive Soul Tool screens playing all kinds of advertisements.

Multicolored Soul Tool Streetlights lit the night sky as bright as day, while automatic Cleaning Soul Tools bustled about on the ground.

Pedestrians were dressed in bright, fashionable attire with modern cuts, a far cry from the traditional robes and fitted garments of the Three Kingdoms.

"Wow... Master, what's that flying in the sky?"

"That's a Soul Tool Delivery Machine."

"And that iron box running on the ground?"

"..."

Huo Yuhao was like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden—everything was novel, and his mouth never closed.

"Country bumpkin."

Xiao Hongchen crossed his arms, walking behind, and let out a disdainful snort.

Though quiet, it was still caught by Meng Hongchen ahead.

"Xiao Hongchen, if you don't speak, no one will think you're mute!"

Meng Hongchen turned back to glare at him, then faced Gu Yuejin, her expression instantly shifting to a blooming smile.

"Brother Gu Yue, up ahead is Mingdu's largest Soul Tool Mall—the Judaoge. They have lots of rare materials and diagrams!"

"And it's also one of Mingdu's landmarks. The Rotating Restaurant on top offers a night view of the entire city!"

Looking at this street brimming with technology and capital, Gu Yuejin couldn't help but sigh.

"Now this is living."

"Compared to this, Shrek Academy is just a big market town."

The group walked into an extremely lavishly decorated shop.

It specialized in rare metals and high-grade Core Array Diagrams. The price of any single piece of metal could cover an ordinary family's yearly expenses.

"Oh? This piece of Sinking Silver has decent purity."

Gu Yuejin stopped before a display case, his gaze landing on a piece of metal radiating a deep silver glow.

Just as he reached out to pick it up for a closer look.

Another hand suddenly extended from beside him, also reaching for the same piece of Sinking Silver.

The two hands lightly brushed in midair.

"Sorry."

Gu Yuejin instinctively withdrew his hand and turned to look.

Standing beside him was a "young man" dressed in luxurious white casual clothes.

He appeared young, only about fifteen or sixteen, with skin so fair it was almost excessive, delicate and refined features, and a folding fan in his hand—the picture of a dashing young noble.

But those eyes were lively and cunning, carrying an unmistakable air of coquettishness and arrogance.

"Tch, a woman disguised as a man?"

Gu Yuejin took one look and rolled his eyes internally.

This shoddy disguise could only fool the blind.

No Adam's apple, and a faint scent of powder and perfume on her.

Most importantly, this plot...

"Bump into a cross-dressing, willful princess or noble lady on the street, then start a romantic comedy of bickering lovers?"

"Isn't this the cliché from decade-old cheesy romance dramas?"

Gu Yuejin ranted wildly in his mind, but his face remained impassive as he gave a slight nod, maintaining a distant politeness.

"So this brother also has his eye on this piece of Sinking Silver?"

"Brother?"

Hearing that address, a flicker of amusement flashed in the "young man's" eyes. Instead of getting angry, she studied Gu Yuejin with interest.

What a handsome man!

And that aura... it was more unique than any noble she had ever met.

The "young man" snapped her folding fan shut, her gaze sweeping over Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen behind Gu Yuejin, a hint of surprise flickering in her eyes.

The Twin Stars of the Hongchen Family?

Those two were usually arrogant enough to look down on everyone, yet here they were, following this man like lackeys?

Interesting.

"My name is Xu Tian... ahem, Xu Tian."

The "young man" sidled up to him with an air of familiarity, grinning mischievously.

"You look unfamiliar, little brother. Not from around here, are you?"

"For the Hongchen siblings to accompany you, you must be someone of high status?"

Meng Hongchen frowned slightly as she watched this suddenly appearing "young man."

She felt a nagging sense of familiarity, as if she had seen him somewhere before.

Meanwhile, Xiao Hongchen, who had been wearing a cold expression, had his face change slightly the moment he saw the "young man."

That willful streak mixed with a hint of royal arrogance...

Who else could it be but that little tyrant from the palace?

"Strangers meeting by chance, why ask about one's background."

Gu Yuejin gave a faint smile, not taking the bait.

"Since Brother Xu has taken a liking to this Sinking Silver, I'll yield it to you."

With that, he turned to leave, his movements graceful and decisive, without a hint of hesitation.

This left Xu Tianzhen stunned.

Usually, when people saw her, they would flatter and fawn over her, even when she was in men's clothes.

And this guy was actually brushing her off?

"Hey! Don't go!"

Xu Tianzhen's eyes darted around, but instead of pestering him, she called out to Gu Yuejin's retreating back.

"Since we're fated to meet, consider this Sinking Silver a gift from me!"

"Remember, this young master's name is Xu Tian. We'll meet again!"

With that, she casually tossed a heavy pouch of Gold Soul Coins to the shopkeeper, then waved her folding fan with a flourish and turned to leave.

All that remained was a mysterious silhouette.

"How strange."

Gu Yuejin shook his head, picked up the Sinking Silver, and casually tossed it to Huo Yuhao.

"Take it. Practice with it when you get back."

"Master... who was that person? So weird." Huo Yuhao hugged the Sinking Silver, looking bewildered.

"A good person."