The Lonely Traveler

The Courtney crackled, chunks of meat were skewered on clean bamboo sticks, and excess sauce dripped into the Courtney, creating a sizzling sound.

The aroma filled the air, and the male traveler, his stomach growling, quickly grabbed a piece of roasted meat and began to devour it while recounting his experiences.

His Ross, born into the Belun Family, a well-known winemaker in the Belun region. In search of winemaking materials, he hired a hunter as a guide to lead him into the wilderness.

The expedition was nearing its end when they were suddenly attacked by wolves. Seeing the danger, the hunter abandoned Ross and fled. Ross, however, Oblivious to react and was caught by the wolves.

As a winemaker, Ross often carried barrels and was quite strong. So, taking advantage of the moment of the attack, he pinned the wolf down on its back, clamped its waist, and locked its throat in one swift motion.

Later, unable to break the deadlock with the wolf, he simply started shouting for help, hoping the hunter would realize his mistake and return home.

After speaking, Ross immediately said respectfully, "Belun will remember this kindness."

Two yellow and one purple soul rings, three Soul Rings, and a face value of at most fourteen—it's truly unbelievable.

His own son is also Soul Master, with over half of the third level of Innate Soul Power. He is a cultivation genius of the Belun Family and has just turned eighteen, barely breaking through to the third ring.

Arriving at the Third Ring Road at thirteen or fourteen? Isn't that freakish?

Even disregarding this favor, it is still worthwhile to make the effort to befriend them.

"It was just a small favor, no need for formalities. It's fate that we met on this trip to Belun. I've heard that the autumn festival is about to be held; could you tell me about it?"

The Bai Cai conceals its mission objective, disguises itself as a passing traveler, and casually chats about Belun's recent situation.

"Autumn Festival?"

Ross was overjoyed. "The autumn festival is a traditional festival in Belun, where every household drinks fine wine together. Wineries outside the city select the best wines and present them to the Gui Family to be sprinkled under the trees, praying for a bountiful harvest according to ancient rites."

"With the festival approaching, the hotels are probably already fully booked. If you'd like to enjoy the ceremony, you might consider staying at the Belun Winery."

Bai Cai immediately stopped eating, "The Gui Family?"

"The city lord's family has presided over the sacrificial rites for over a thousand years, serving as the Belun City for generations."

Ross quickly explained, "The Gui Family, the Belun Family, the Trade Association, and the Life Spirit Academy are the four major powers in the Belun region. The Gui Family and the Belun Family appeared earliest, while the Trade Association and the Life Spirit Academy appeared latest. It is said that a thousand years ago, the Gui Family and the Belun Family jointly ruled Belun. Later, the Gui Family gradually declined, and the Trade Association took over the management of Belun from the Gui Family. The Life Spirit Academy was then established."

"Prosperity, decline, vanity, all is vanity, all is permitted."

Bai Cai sighed, "Belun region was originally an agricultural city, so it's natural that the industry association took over management of Belun from the Gui Family."

Ross chimed in, "Indeed, a thousand years ago, the Gui Family and Belun Family owned considerable land. However, the output from the land couldn't keep up with the sales of goods. The Belun Family could still survive by relying on the wine industry, but the Gui Family was forced to continuously sell off their land and property. For the past hundred years, apart from presiding over sacrificial rites, they have had no other income."

"Wrong!"

Bai Cai interrupted, "What about taxes?"

Even in decline, the Gui Family was still the lords of the city. The Belun region was very prosperous, and even a tax of one in two hundred was a huge sum of money.

"The region of Belun never levies taxes."

Ross smiled wryly, "The early inhabitants of Belun were all refugees who fled famine; there was nothing to be gained from them. Even when Belun later established a city, the Dou Ling Empire sent tax collectors, who were met with fierce resistance."

"As tensions escalated and the Belun region was on the verge of rebellion, the Dou Ling Empire finally compromised, exempting the Belun region from all future taxes, effectively making it an autonomous city-state."

"From this day forward, no taxes shall be levied in the Belun region. This has become a system whereby the Gui Family, who have served as the city lords for generations, are exempt from taxes in the Belun region for generations."

Bai Cai instantly understood, "The Gui Family represents Belun."

Ross clapped and exclaimed, "Perfect! That hits the nail on the head!"

Bai Cai immediately revealed her false identity, "White Night, from the Star Luo Empire, a healing-type Soul Elder."

Ross also identified himself, "Ross Belun, from Belun, Silver Star Brewer."

Day and night passed, and dawn had arrived.

The Bai Cai was folded into a tent, Ross gathered wild fruits. After the sun had fully risen, the two set off for Belun.

After crossing the hills and stepping into a grassy plain, you can find a few herders every now and then.

Ross went into one of the houses, emptied his pockets and took out a few Gold Soul Coin. After selecting two horses, he bought them.

These horses are very docile, and even those who are not skilled riders can ride them. Moreover, these are all old horses that know the roads well, so the riders can reach the city even if Rest.

Ross rode ahead on horseback, with Bai Cai following behind. In less than half a day, they had arrived Belun City.

The Belun City were very tall, and the city gates were over ten meters high. The guards at the gates did not collect any taxes, except to inspect the goods.

Before noon, long queues had already formed at the city gates, with merchants coming and going in a bustling atmosphere, and vendors dressed in thin cloth short jackets selling hot breakfasts everywhere.

The aroma of meat and vegetables, the sweetness of sugar, and the fresh scent of fruits and vegetables blend together to create a refreshing flavor.

Belun is a city of ordinary people, steeped in history and gentle in nature.

Shrek City may be exquisite, but it is ultimately a city for Soul Master, an illusory and cold place.

"This is Belun!"

After entering the city, Bai Cai exclaimed in admiration, "It's even comparable to..."

"The Star Luo Imperial Capital is ultimately the political center."

Ross naturally assumed that the omission referred to the Star Luo Imperial Capital, after all, Bai Cai came from the Star Luo Empire.

"The capital?"

Bai Cai remained noncommittal, saying, "The Soul Master Competition, held every five years, is probably much more exciting than the Belun."

The royal family, nobles, sects, academies, the Body Sect, the Mingde Hall, the Holy Spirit Cult —all sorts of forces are mixed together, capable of burning almost everything.

"Indeed, the Soul Master Competition, held every five years, is incredibly exciting."

Ross sighed with regret, "It's a pity that the Life Spirit Academy didn't register for this year's competition; otherwise, my son might have been selected as a substitute player."

"Those who can participate in the competition or serve as substitutes must be under twenty years old, have a soul ring of three or higher, and possess at least two levels of Innate Soul Power."

Most Shrek Academy teams consist of their main first-team players, with substitutes rarely getting a chance to play. Other academy teams, on the other hand, have substitutes who are essentially second-team players, hence the need for players with at least three rings in their ranking.

Bai Cai hesitated for a moment, then said, "Theoretically speaking, at least one of the parents..."

Ross is clearly an ordinary person; unless his son's Martial Soul Mutation, Ross's wife must be Soul Master.

Based on the age of his spouse, Ross's wife is even Soul King.

"Lisa ...my wife..."

Ross burst into tears, "Ten years ago, Lisa was a high-ranking teacher at the Life Spirit Academy, leading her students to hunt for Soul Ring when they encountered two Black Water Swamp Crocodile..."

"Lisa loves fruit wine, its delicate aroma with a hint of sweetness. For the past ten years, every autumn festival I've gathered wild berries and brewed a jar of it, but Lisa is already..."

A gifted young girl who loves fruit wine, and a wealthy young man who is passionate about winemaking—what a romantic love story!

Unfortunately, this story is not happy.