The Seven Treasure Shop Fences Stolen Goods, The Master Collapses

That's it.

Just this much?

Ye Feng searched the entire Soul Tool inside and out several times over, but there truly wasn't anything else of value left.

This Yu Xiaogang... how could he be so poor?

For a moment, Ye Feng couldn't even be sure.

A Soul Grand Master, and a member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family at that—was this really his entire net worth?

"What a total loser! He doesn't even have as many Gold Soul Coins saved up as I do!"

He spat in disdain.

As for this storage Soul Tool, Ye Feng didn't dare to use it directly.

"Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges"—this thing was far too conspicuous.

Flender would recognize it, Liu Erlong would recognize it, and there was a good chance that Bibi Dong and the higher-ups of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family would recognize it too.

Wearing it on his own person was simply asking for trouble; it was the equivalent of sticking a sign on his forehead that said "thief."

He had to find a place to fence the goods as soon as possible and trade for a new one.

He stuffed the few useful illustrated guides, along with the thousand-plus Gold Soul Coins he had in his own pocket, into the Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges.

Then, he fastened the belt back around his own waist.

He would use it for the time being and deal with it once he reached a new city.

Ye Feng pulled a simple map from his robes and began to study it carefully.

The nearest city was Aolin City in the Pelaji Kingdom, about a hundred miles away.

Hmm, he would go there! Fence the goods first, then make further plans!

On the other side, at Nuoding Academy.

Yu Xiaogang woke up amidst a wave of intense pain.

The moment he opened his eyes, he saw the ceiling and Dean Su standing beside him with a look of concern.

"Xiaogang, you're awake? How are you feeling now?"

Dean Su handed him a glass of water.

Yu Xiaogang struggled to sit up, feeling as if his head were splitting; it felt as though he had several lumps on his skull.

He reached up and felt four or five swollen bumps.

"Dean Su... I... what happened to me?"

His voice was hoarse and dry.

"You were attacked, right at the street corner outside the academy."

Dean Su sighed.

"By the time you were discovered, you had already passed out. When I chased after them, the person was long gone."

Attacked?

The final image flashed through Yu Xiaogang's mind: a black shadow rushing out from the side, followed by a heavy punch.

He hadn't even seen what the other person looked like!

Who was it? Who on earth was it!

Was it someone he had disciplined? Or a peer jealous of his talent?

Yu Xiaogang's teeth ground together with a clicking sound. Although he didn't know who it was, he swore he would find this person and make them pay a thousand times over!

"Dean Su, thank you."

He managed to squeeze out a smile.

"Get some rest. I've already had a healing-type teacher look at you; they're just superficial wounds, you'll be fine after a few days of recovery."

Dean Su offered a few words of comfort before rising to leave the room.

Yu Xiaogang was left alone in the room.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and he decided to record this humiliation.

Subconsciously, he reached for the Soul Tool at his waist, intending to take out paper and a pen.

However, he grabbed nothing but air.

Hmm?

Where was his belt?

Yu Xiaogang's movements froze, and a sense of foreboding surged into his heart.

His waist was completely empty.

His Soul Tool... was gone!

In that instant, the eyes of Yu Xiaogang turned blood-red, with crimson veins spreading wildly!

That was not merely a storage Soul Tool!

Inside it lay his life's work! All of his research data! His entire fortune!

And... the only memento she had ever left him!

"Ahhhhhhh!!!"

A roar, so shrill and inhuman, exploded from within the room.

"I, Yu Xiaogang, will never share the same sky as you!!!"

The news that Yu Xiaogang had been ambushed, beaten, and robbed of his personal Soul Tool on the streets of Nuoding City seemed to grow wings, spreading through every alley and corner of the city overnight.

This incident quickly evolved into the number one topic of gossip for people during their leisure time.

Some said that the Master's "trash theories" had harmed a descendant of a prominent family, and the elders had come seeking revenge.

Others claimed that the Master had been spreading his theories everywhere and had offended a hot-tempered Soul Master, leading to this brutal beating.

Even more outrageous rumors suggested that the Master had left behind a trail of romantic debts and had been "taught a lesson" by an aggrieved husband in a dark alley.

For a time, Nuoding City was abuzz with endless versions of speculation, but every single one was filled with mockery and disdain for the "Master of Theory," Yu Xiaogang.

Yet, the culprit behind it all, Ye Feng, had long since distanced himself from that place of trouble.

One day later, Aolin City.

As one of the most prosperous cities within the Pelaji Kingdom, the scale of Aolin City was far beyond that of Nuoding City.

Towering walls, wide streets, and a constant flow of people all highlighted the wealth and vitality of this city.

Ye Feng did not rush to fence the stolen goods; instead, he found an inconspicuous inn to stay in and spent a day familiarizing himself with the layout of Aolin City and the distribution of its major shops.

He dared not approach just any ordinary shop.

Who knew if those small stores had shady backers or if they engaged in backstabbing business practices.

As a nobody, if he were to be swindled or killed, he wouldn't even make a ripple.

After much deliberation, only one place seemed truly secure.

The properties of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

As the continent's premier support-type sect and also its wealthiest, the reputation of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was famously impeccable.

With businesses spanning both great empires, they valued peace and profit, placing the highest importance on rules and prestige; it was unlikely they would ruin their own brand over a mere Soul Tool.

Furthermore, only a power as wealthy and bold as theirs would have the capacity to quietly absorb sensitive stolen goods like the Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges.

Having made up his mind, Ye Feng donned a wide black robe and pulled his hood low, shrouding himself in shadow, before heading straight toward the most magnificent shop in the city center.

"Seven Treasure Shop".

The gilded plaque shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight, exuding luxury.

As soon as Ye Feng stepped inside, a faint, pleasant fragrance wafted toward him.

The interior of the shop was decorated with opulence; the floor was paved with mirror-smooth marble, precious paintings hung on the walls, and the goods displayed in the cabinets were dazzling, ranging from rare ores to Soul Tool components—everything one could imagine.

A beautiful female attendant dressed in a light green gown immediately stepped forward to greet him.

Seeing Ye Feng's secretive attire, she did not show the slightest hint of surprise, maintaining only a professional smile.

After all, Aolin City was located at the border of the two great empires, a place where dragons and snakes mingled, and she had seen plenty of Soul Masters who preferred not to reveal their identities.

"Sir, is there anything I can help you with?"

Ye Feng did not waste words, lowering his voice to make it sound somewhat hoarse.

He unfastened the silver-threaded belt from his waist and placed it directly onto the rosewood counter in front of him.

"Help me take a look. How much is this Soul Tool worth?"