Arriving at Nuoding City, Heading to Martial Soul Hall

"You said you told him to come find you in half a month—what is the specific date?"

Su Yuntao recalled the timing, then replied, "I reckon it should be within these next few days. I've already notified the guards to keep an eye out for him!"

"That's good! This soul hunt must demonstrate the might of our Martial Soul Hall; it's not safe for you to go alone. Tell me, who do you want to accompany you? I'll approve your leave. Remember, you must handle this perfectly and make them feel that we are reliable."

"Also, don't forget to build rapport—I shouldn't have to teach you that, should I?"

Su Yuntao patted his chest in assurance, "Master Ma Xiunuo, you can rest easy. The Soul Hunting Forest isn't some primitive soul beast wilderness; I will definitely be well-prepared. As for building rapport, that's my specialty!"

Ma Xiunuo watched his confident display, his eyes sweeping over Su Yuntao like a brush.

"No, no! I'm still a bit uneasy."

"You brat are too rash and lack composure. When the time comes, you should do this and that... do you understand?"

"I get it! I get it!" Su Yuntao put on an expression of utmost reliability.

Ma Xiunuo nodded; with his instructions, he figured nothing should go wrong. "Have you decided? Who are you taking with you?"

"Let Sisi come with me!"

The moment the words left Su Yuntao's mouth, the heart Ma Xiunuo had just settled began to race again, but he did not object.

"Fine, you may leave!"

After Su Yuntao exited the office, Ma Xiunuo sighed, "That girl Sisi has too wild a heart; how could a brat like you ever restrain her! Another young man blinded by love!"

"I hope you realize the reality of things soon."

Ma Xiunuo lowered his head again to look at the documents in his hand. He quickly found Ling Yun's file, staring at the paper as if he could see the boy through it.

At this moment, on the main road from Stone Mirror Village to Nuoding City, Ling Yun's small figure moved rapidly under the sunlight.

He carried a small pack for cover and wore a silver necklace around his neck, with a crystal the size of a fingernail embedded in the center.

This necklace was an inheritance from his mother, a storage Soul Tool with three cubic meters of space.

Inside were 856 Gold Soul Coins, 1,300 Silver Soul Coins, and the Copper Soul Coins he had saved from selling vegetables over the years.

Beyond that, there were oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, pots, and pans—he had brought basically everything he could carry.

The purchasing power of a single Gold Soul Coin was immense, enough to sustain an average family of three for three months.

1 Gold Soul Coin = 10 Silver Soul Coins = 100 Copper Soul Coins.

It could be said that for a long time to come, Ling Yun would not need to worry about money.

He practiced his cultivation while walking, working on the Wave-Treading Chart. From afar, his body looked exceptionally light; his strides were not large, but his movement was like a flash—with one step, he would appear three meters away.

Every movement was as precise as if measured by a ruler.

Whenever he sensed other travelers, Ling Yun would pause his practice and walk normally, just like any other child.

The ingenuity of the Wave-Treading Chart went far beyond this. The more he practiced, the more profound he found it. He had only just begun to grasp it, yet his agility and leaping techniques were already on par with high-level martial arts.

The light-body techniques from martial arts novels were no longer difficult for him; he could tread upon waves as if walking on flat ground.

Using the Wave-Treading Chart to travel was effortless, and it even provided a boost to the soul power within him.

Two hours later.

The silhouette of Nuoding City became clear. Ling Yun slowed down and straightened his slightly disheveled clothes.

Only then did he walk toward the city gates.

Inside the city, people came and went, and the sounds of hawking echoed one after another—it was exceptionally lively.

It was midday, and he wasn't in a rush to find Su Yuntao; he decided to fill his stomach first.

After several turns, he arrived at the food street and stepped into a bustling shop.

Soon, a steaming bowl of noodles was placed on the table. He took a slurp and his eyes lit up—the taste was excellent.

Indeed, there was a reason for the shop's popularity.

Once full, he began his preparations for the soul hunt, first heading to a blacksmith shop to buy a Mountain-Splitting Blade and a dagger, then visiting other stores to prepare medicine against snakes, insects, and ants.

Only after finishing these tasks did he stroll leisurely toward the Martial Soul Hall.

The Martial Soul Hall was a landmark in every city; there wasn't a local who didn't know where it was. He asked a passerby and quickly found his way.

An incense stick of time later, Ling Yun arrived at the entrance of the Martial Soul Hall. A single glance left him quite shocked! And this was only the lowest-tier hall. The wooden shack used for awakening in his village was just for convenience and didn't count as a proper Martial Soul Hall; it was only used once a year.

What stood before him was the real deal. The lowest-tier halls were called Martial Soul Branch Halls, while those in larger cities were the higher-level Martial Soul Sub-Halls.

The Martial Soul Sacred Halls, one level above the Sub-Halls, were only found in the capitals of the two great empires.

Beyond that was the headquarters of the Martial Soul Hall, the Pope Hall.

Behind the Pope Hall lay the foundation of the Martial Soul Hall: the Douluo Worship Hall.

The Martial Soul Hall in Nuoding City was only a lowest-tier Branch Hall, yet it was still impressively large, with a frontage exceeding one hundred meters.

It stood twenty meters high, roughly equivalent to a six or seven-story building in his previous life, though this domed structure had only three floors, its brown walls appearing heavy and solemn.

It was a different kind of awe.

The main gate of the Martial Soul Hall featured a sword-shaped emblem, adding to its solemnity.

Ling Yun guessed that the prototype for this pattern was the Angel Holy Sword.

"Little friend, stop right there. This is Martial Soul Hall; go play somewhere else!"

The guard standing at the very front of the Martial Soul Hall entrance waved his hand to shoo him away, speaking to Ling Yun.

"Uh! I'm not here to play! I am Ling Yun from Stone Mirror Village. Master Su Yuntao told me to come find him. Could you please help me pass on a message, big brother?"

Upon hearing this, the guard's attitude shifted instantly, and he said in surprise, "You are Ling Yun?"

"That's right!"

"I'll take you to find Deacon Su Yuntao right now!" Although the guard did not possess a single Spirit Ring, he had strong connections and was well-informed, so he knew about Ling Yun's situation. If he didn't curry favor now, when would he?

As Ling Yun followed him into Martial Soul Hall, the others outside the gate began to whisper among themselves.

"What's going on?"

"Could it be that he's a relative of Deacon Su Yuntao?"

"No, no, no... I heard he's a promising talent discovered during this year's martial soul awakening."

"What kind of talent could make Deacon Su Yuntao care so much? Could it be that his Innate Soul Power exceeds level five?"

"Very likely!"

"..."

The guards outside let their imaginations run wild, each offering their own guesses. Standing guard was inherently dull and tedious, so chatting occasionally was perfectly acceptable.

Inside Martial Soul Hall, everything was resplendent and magnificent; the floors were made of high-quality marble, and the lighting was excellent.

Ling Yun observed his surroundings with an appreciative gaze. One moment of shock was enough; he couldn't let the image of a country bumpkin take root in people's minds.

As the guard led the way, he observed the changes in Ling Yun's expression, and his estimation of the boy rose even higher. This child is definitely no mere mortal!

"When Deacon Su Yuntao spoke of you, his eyes were full of spirit. Seeing you today, little brother, you truly are extraordinary."

"It is truly a joyous and congratulatory occasion for our Nuoding City to produce a genius like you, little brother!"

"I, Zhang Yuan, wish you a smooth path on your journey as a Spirit Master, advancing with great strides..."

"Many thanks for your kind words, Brother Zhang! I also wish you steady promotions, a happy life, and may all your wishes come true."

"You are too kind, too kind!"

The two walked and chatted, moving at a leisurely pace, and before they knew it, they had arrived at their destination.