A Friend Not Seen in a Long Time and a New Friend

The commotion inside the grass hut was just another ordinary spectacle on Black Market Street.

The Enforcers escorted these people back to the Enforcement Hall, and the residents of the Black Market merely pointed and whispered.

"So this guy was up to such filthy business."

Then they returned to their own lives.

Inside Martial Soul Hall, ragged commoners—an old woman and a young child holding hands—queued up.

At the front of the line sat three lives.

A woman, a girl, and an embryo.

"The child's name."

"Gender."

"Address."

"Amount defrauded."

"Someone will deliver the spirit coins to your home."

Si Si sat at the table, writing furiously.

She had refused the paid leave Bibi Dong offered her and remained at her original post.

"Oh, isn't this little Si Si? Long time no see, how have you been?" A Silver-Haired Granny smiled.

Si Si curved her lips into a smile, her eyes crinkling like crescent moons: "I've been doing very well."

"Fifteen years have flown by, hasn't it? Ever since your family met with misfortune and you were taken in by Martial Soul Hall, I never saw you again."

"All thanks to Martial Soul Hall."

Si Si had originally been a commoner, orphaned by accident. Martial Soul Hall gave her the warmth of a home, let her see this colorful world, and even introduced her to Su Yuntao.

"Then I won't disturb you any longer. If you get a chance, come back to the village for a visit. My granddaughter also wants to come to Martial Soul Hall." The Silver-Haired Granny said, taking her grandson's hand and walking to the side.

Over there was a young girl, holding a begonia flower in both hands, a yellow soul ring floating in the air.

"Ling Ling, do you need a rest?"

The little girl shook her head: "It's fine, Sister Si Si, there aren't many people left."

The yellow soul ring lit up, and a stream of purest soul power surged into the little boy in front of her.

The previously listless boy immediately perked up.

"Thank you, fairy goddess." The Silver-Haired Granny pulled the little boy and walked outside.

Outside the door, three girls were chatting, and a yellow-furred mouse in one girl's arms became the center of conversation.

"Zhuqing, what do you call this soul beast?" A little girl stared intently at Pikachu.

"They're called Pokémon." Zhu Zhuqing rubbed Pikachu's head, "Come on, say hello."

"Pika, Pikachu~" Pikachu raised a golden paw, its lightning-shaped tail wagging happily.

"Is your name Pikachu?" The little girl's heart nearly melted, "Zhuqing, how did you become partners with it?"

"Just talk to it directly." Zhu Zhuqing recalled what happened that day, "Brother Yan said they're very gentle and intelligent. If you treat them well, they'll treat you well too."

"Pika!" Pikachu's pointed ears twitched, squinting its eyes in contentment.

"So cute. Too bad Pikachu only sticks to Zhuqing." Xue Ke sat in a wheelchair, her face full of envy.

"Yiran, why are you asking all this? Did you run into a Pokémon too?" Zhu Zhuqing asked curiously.

Meng Yiran nodded: "A while ago, I also ran into a little guy with a soul ring that could use soul skills. It's different from Pikachu—this one was entirely orange, with a bald head, a little white on its belly, and the most special thing was a tuft of flame on its tail that kept burning."

"Wow!" Xue Ke was so excited she could barely contain herself, "Where? Are there any others?"

"Only one so far, inside the Ten Thousand Beast Forest." Meng Yiran pondered for a moment, murmuring, "I need to think of a way..."

Xue Ke was overjoyed. According to what Brother Su Yan said, there were countless species of Pokémon, too many to count. If there was one, there would be a second, and if there were two, there would be a third. She was sure to have her own Pokémon!

"Oh, isn't that Brother Su Yan?" Xue Ke raised her finger toward the intersection, "Teacher is back too!"

All three of them looked in that direction.

Su Yan walked at the front, with Yin Fang beside him gesticulating wildly, still immersed in the power of Ice Ring the entire way.

Behind them, Bibi Dong's brow was furrowed.

Notting City was in chaos. What about other cities?

Were evil soul masters about to make a comeback?

The opponent's strength was not to be underestimated—even a small city like Notting had a Soul Saint stationed there.

She needed to send this information back to the Main Martial Soul Hall to prepare in advance.

The Enforcers escorted the group of suspects through the back door, throwing them straight into the prison.

Su Yuntao was seriously injured and was carried back by two people.

Fortunately, the strongest healing martial soul on the Douluo Continent, Ye Lingling of the Nine-Heart Begonia, happened to be there. She expended a bit more soul power and healed Su Yuntao to a decent state.

After all, the gap in soul power was right there—a full recovery was impossible.

"This time, I have you both to thank." Bibi Dong patted Ye Lingling's head. "Give my regards to your mother. Has her condition improved at all?"

"Still the same as ever." Ye Lingling sighed. "A healer cannot heal themselves. A Nine-Heart Begonia cannot save a Nine-Heart Begonia."

"Don't worry. That vegetable patch of Grandmaster's can always work miracles." Bibi Dong comforted her.

Nearby, Meng Yiran waved happily. "Su Yan, long time no see!"

"Meng Yiran, what are you doing here?" Su Yan asked, a little puzzled. "Where's Yu Tianxin?"

"Tianxin has already returned to Heaven Dou City." Meng Yiran pointed at Ye Lingling. "I came along with my cousin."

Su Yan looked at the two of them, rubbing his hands together in excitement. "I'm planning to participate in the Martial Soul Hall Junior Soul Master Competition, five years from now. Are either of you interested in joining?"

"Five years from now, I'll be taking the selection exam for Exotic Beast Academy." Meng Yiran refused decisively.

"I'm already a student at Heaven Dou Royal Academy." Ye Lingling refused as well.

"What a shame." Su Yan spread his hands helplessly.

A boy behind him patted his shoulder. "God Yan, I'll join!"

"That's great." Su Yan smiled.

Zhu Zhuqing's cold eyes swept over. "Brother Yan, who is he?"

"Let me introduce you all..."

"God Yan, I'll do it myself." Yin Fang stood up straight, clasped his fists in salute. "This Humble One is Yin Fang. Yin of Yin Fang, Fang of Yin Fang. Greetings to all you fairies."

After they exchanged names, Su Yan lifted his gaze and looked around. "Where's Tang Chi? With such a lively scene, why isn't he here?"

"Brother Tang Chi was called away by someone from his village." Xue Ke glanced around. "He was just here a moment ago."

"Alright." Su Yan surveyed his surroundings, then caught sight of a man and a woman skulking in a corner, doing something suspicious. He couldn't help but take a second look.

They looked very familiar.

It seemed he had seen them somewhere before.

In these troubled times, Su Yan had to be cautious. He slowly walked toward them.

The two seemed to sense someone approaching and hurriedly made their way outside.

Su Yan followed them out the door, looking left and right, but saw no one. He muttered to himself, "Strange. Did they leave that fast?"

In a dark alley beside the Martial Soul Hall, the man and woman panted heavily.

The man leaned against the wall, peeking outward. "He didn't follow. Whew."

The woman frowned in thought. "That child just now... it seemed like Xiao Yan."

"Xiao Yan?" After a moment, the man caught on. "You mean the child Village Chief Jack adopted, Su Yan?"

The woman nodded.

"If he's here, then that means Xiao Yan is a soul master!" the man said. "I knew he was special. That kid was smart from a young age!"

"I really wonder how Xiao Fang is doing," the woman said worriedly. "I don't know if she's eating well and sleeping well at the Martial Soul Hall."

"Don't worry." The man pulled the woman into his arms. "Our daughter is blessed with great fortune. Besides, the Martial Soul Hall is truly a good place for her. No need to fret."

The woman cried for a while, then wiped away her tears and walked outside. "Let's go. We still have to report back."

Su Yan returned to the Martial Soul Hall, then suddenly jolted in realization. Weren't those two just Xiao Fang's parents?

They had been carried off by a Soul Beast. How could they be here?