The commotion in the thatched hut was just another everyday spectacle on Black Market Street.
The enforcers escorted the group back to the Enforcement Hall. The people living on Black Market Street merely pointed and whispered.
"So that's what that bastard was doing."
Then they went back to their own lives.
Inside Spirit Hall, ragged civilians stood in line, the old holding hands with the young.
At the head of the line, three lives sat at a table.
A woman, a little girl, and an embryo.
"The child's name."
"Gender."
"Address."
"How much money were you scammed out of?"
"Someone will bring Soul Coins to your home."
Si Si sat at the desk, writing furiously.
She'd turned down Bibi Dong's offer of paid leave and stayed at her post.
"Why, isn't that little Si Si? It's been so long. How have you been?" a Silver-Haired Granny asked with a smile.
Si Si smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons. "I've been doing very well."
"It's been fifteen years, hasn't it? I haven't seen you since your family died and you were brought to Spirit Hall."
"I have Spirit Hall to thank for that."
Si Si had been a civilian who'd unexpectedly become an orphan. Spirit Hall had given her the warmth of a home, let her see the colorful world, and introduced her to Su Yuntao.
"Then I won't keep you. Come visit the village when you get the chance. My granddaughter has been hoping to come to Spirit Hall, too," the Silver-Haired Granny said, taking her grandson's hand and leading him aside.
A little girl stood there, holding a begonia flower in both hands. A Yellow Soul Ring floated in the air.
"Ling Ling, do you need a break?"
The little girl shook her head. "I'm fine, Si Si. There aren't many people left."
The Yellow Soul Ring lit up, and a wisp of purest Soul Power flowed into the little boy in front of her.
The boy, who'd been listless moments ago, immediately perked up.
"Thank you, fairy," the Silver-Haired Granny said, leading the boy outside.
Outside the door, three girls were chatting. The yellow-furred rodent in one girl's arms had become the center of attention.
"Zhu Qing, what's this Soul Beast called?" a little girl asked, staring at Pikachu.
"They're Pokémon." Zhu Zhuqing rubbed Pikachu's head. "Come on, say hello."
"Pika, Pikachu!" Pikachu raised a golden paw, its lightning-bolt tail wagging happily.
"Are you called Pikachu?" The little girl's heart melted. "Zhu Qing, how did you become partners?"
"Just tell her," Zhu Zhuqing said. She recalled what had happened that day. "Brother Yan said they're gentle and very clever. If you treat them well, they'll treat you well, too."
"Pika!" Pikachu's pointy ears twitched as it closed its eyes in contentment.
"So cute. It's a shame Pikachu only sticks to Zhu Qing." Xue Ke sat in her wheelchair, looking envious.
"Yiran, why are you asking? Did you run into a Pokémon, too?" Zhu Zhuqing asked curiously.
Meng Yiran nodded. "A while ago, I met a little creature with a Soul Ring that could use Soul Skills. It wasn't like Pikachu. It was orange all over, with a smooth head and a little white on its belly. Most unusual of all, a flame kept burning at the tip of its tail."
"Wow!" Xue Ke was so excited she could barely contain herself. "Where? Were there any others?"
"I've only seen one so far, in the Ten Thousand Beast Forest." Meng Yiran fell silent for a moment, then murmured, "I need to think of a way..."
Xue Ke was overjoyed. As Brother Su Yan had told her, there were countless kinds of Pokémon. If there was one, there could be a second, and then a third. She was sure she'd find a Pokémon of her own!
"Hey, isn't that Brother Su Yan?" Xue Ke pointed toward the street corner. "Teacher's back, too!"
All three girls turned to look.
Su Yan walked in front, while Yin Fang beside him gestured excitedly, still caught up in Ice Ring's power.
Behind them, Bibi Dong wore a troubled frown.
Notting City was in chaos. What about the other cities?
Could the Evil Soul Masters be making a comeback?
Their opponents were formidable. Even a small place like Notting City had a Soul Saint stationed there.
She needed to send this information to the Main Martial Soul Hall so they could prepare.
The enforcers took the suspects in through the back entrance and dumped them in the jail.
Su Yuntao was badly injured and had to be carried back by two people.
Fortunately, Ye Lingling, the strongest healing-type Martial Soul on the Douluo Continent, was there. She spent a great deal of Soul Power treating Su Yuntao, healing him most of the way.
The difference in their Soul Power was too great; a complete recovery was impossible.
"We have you to thank for this." Bibi Dong patted Ye Lingling on the head. "Give your mother my regards. Has her health improved?"
"She's about the same," Ye Lingling sighed. "A doctor can't heal herself. Even the Nine-Heart Begonia can't save another Nine-Heart Begonia."
"Don't worry. The garden at your great-grandmaster's place always finds a way to work miracles," Bibi Dong reassured her.
Nearby, Meng Yiran waved happily. "Su Yan, long time no see!"
"Meng Yiran, what are you doing here?" Su Yan asked, puzzled. "Where's Yu Tianxin?"
"Tianxin's gone back to Heaven Dou City." Meng Yiran pointed to Ye Lingling. "I came with my cousin."
Su Yan looked at the two of them and rubbed his hands excitedly. "I'm planning to enter the Martial Soul Hall Junior Soul Master Competition in five years. Would either of you be interested in joining?"
"In five years, I'll be competing in Exotic Beast Academy's selection," Meng Yiran said, declining without hesitation.
"I'm already a student at Heaven Dou Royal Academy," Ye Lingling said, turning him down as well.
"What a shame." Su Yan spread his hands helplessly.
A boy behind him patted his shoulder. "Brother Yan, I'm in!"
"Great!" Su Yan said with a laugh.
Zhu Zhuqing gave him a cool glance. "Brother Yan, who's he?"
"Let me introduce you..."
"Brother Yan, I'll introduce myself." Yin Fang straightened up and clasped his hands in greeting. "I'm Yin Fang. Yin as in Yin Fang, and Fang as in Yin Fang. A pleasure to meet you, ladies."
After they exchanged names, Su Yan looked up and glanced around. "Where's Tang Chi? It's so lively here. Why isn't he around?"
"Brother Tang Chi was called away by people from his village." Xue Ke looked around. "He was here just a moment ago."
"All right." Su Yan looked around and spotted a man and a woman skulking in a corner, up to something. He couldn't help taking a closer look.
They looked familiar.
Had he seen them somewhere before?
With so much trouble brewing, Su Yan had to be cautious. He slowly headed toward them.
The two seemed to notice someone approaching and hurried outside.
Su Yan followed them out and looked around, but they were nowhere to be seen. "Strange. Did they move that fast?"
In a dark alley beside Spirit Hall, the man and woman panted for breath.
The man leaned against the wall and peered outside. "He didn't follow us. Whew."
The woman frowned thoughtfully. "That boy just now looked like Xu Xiaoyan."
"Xu Xiaoyan?" The man took a moment to understand. "You mean that boy Village Chief Jack picked up? Su Yan?"
The woman nodded.
"If he's here, then Su Yan's a Soul Master!" the man said. "I knew there was something special about him. That boy was always clever!"
"I wonder how Pan's doing," the woman said anxiously. "I wonder if she's eating and sleeping well at Spirit Hall."
"Don't worry." The man drew her into his arms. "Our daughter's lucky. Besides, Spirit Hall's a fine place for her. There's no need to worry."
The woman cried for a while, then wiped away her tears and headed outside. "Let's go. We still have to report back."
Su Yan returned to Spirit Hall, then suddenly realized: weren't those Pan's parents?
They'd been carried off by Soul Beasts. What were they doing here?
Before you continue