A Leisurely Outing

Martial Soul City.

Murong Huai and Bibi Dong walked hand in hand along the bustling streets of Martial Soul City.

Sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves of the parasol trees, casting mottled patterns of light and shadow upon the bluestone path.

The two little ones were dressed in brand-new festive finery; Murong Huai's blue robe was embroidered with exquisite cloud patterns, while Bibi Dong's white dress was accented with pale purple lace. Their steps were light and nimble, like a pair of joyful little birds.

"Brother Huai, look at that!" Bibi Dong suddenly stopped in her tracks, pointing toward a sugar painting stall by the roadside.

The stall owner was a white-haired old man, swiftly sketching on a stone slab with a copper spoon filled with amber-colored syrup.

Murong Huai leaned in closer and saw the syrup seemingly come to life in the old man's hands, transforming in the blink of an eye into a phoenix spreading its wings.

"I want the phoenix!" Bibi Dong tilted her little face up, her eyes sparkling. Murong Huai pulled a Gold Soul Coin from his pocket and handed it to the stall owner.

The old man continued his work with a smile, and before long, a lifelike sugar phoenix was complete. Bibi Dong took it with great care; the sugar phoenix refracted a crystalline luster under the sun. She couldn't help but take a bite, the sweet taste making her eyes squint in delight.

"So sweet..."

Bibi Dong was very fond of these novel trinkets, and Murong Huai accompanied her tirelessly. Soon, Bibi Dong stopped in front of a vendor, staring at the candied haws on the straw mat, and blinked her eyes.

"Brother Murong, I want to eat that!"

"Alright." Murong Huai handed the vendor a Gold Soul Coin. The latter took it with an excited expression.

"Oh my, young master, I'm just a small vendor; I can't provide change for this!"

Not everyone was like Murong Huai, born into a top-tier family power and accustomed to Gold Soul Coins since childhood; most commoners dealt primarily in Copper Soul Coins.

"It's fine, keep the change!" Murong Huai waved his hand; such a small amount meant nothing to them.

"Oh, thank you, young master, thank you, young miss." Upon hearing this, the vendor was overjoyed. A single Gold Soul Coin was equivalent to several months of expenses for their family.

The vendor handed two sticks of candied haws to the pair, and they walked along while eating, heading toward the street ahead.

"Tsk tsk tsk, look at the Holy Son and Miss Dong'er; they really are a golden boy and jade girl..."

"Both of their talents are peerless; I'm so envious..."

"Oh my, oh my..."

Not far away, four figures each held a stick of candied haws, eating while watching Murong Huai and Bibi Dong with doting smiles.

"Pay for the food!!!"

Suddenly, a shout from the vendor pulled the four back to reality. The atmosphere turned somewhat awkward. Ju Qinglan placed a Gold Soul Coin on the table, and the four of them followed after the children.

Murong Huai and Bibi Dong stopped and went along the way, listening to the hawking of the street vendors and feeling the atmosphere of the mortal world.

The two wandered until they stopped in front of a shop selling simple Soul Tool items. Murong Huai noticed a glowing jade pendant inside, split into two pieces. After walking in with Bibi Dong, Murong Huai pointed at the pendant and asked:

"Is this jade pendant a Soul Tool?"

The shopkeeper was a woman in a long robe who carried herself with a grand and graceful air. Hearing Murong Huai's question, she walked up with a smile.

"Oh, what a golden boy and jade girl. This handsome young master, this jade pendant is indeed a Soul Tool. It can be split into two for two people to wear. It has a very special effect: after binding it with a drop of blood, it can block one attack below the level of a Spirit Emperor for the wearer. Furthermore, the two wearers can sense each other."

The Soul Tools in these shops were either passed down or found in various secret realms, and their effects were quite decent, though naturally not of a very high grade.

"Alright, how much? I'll take it." Murong Huai bought it immediately upon hearing this.

"This isn't cheap, young master. It costs one thousand Gold Soul Coins," the owner said, covering her mouth.

Hearing this, Murong Huai took out a silver card worth two thousand Gold Soul Coins, placed it on the table, and pointed at an exquisite crystal bracelet on a shelf nearby.

"There are two thousand Gold Soul Coins here; add that bracelet and pay for them together."

The owner was stunned for a moment, then swayed her body forward, took down the bracelet, handed it to Murong Huai, and said with a smile:

"Young master has a great eye. This bracelet is a storage Soul Tool with ten cubic meters of space. The original price is twelve hundred Gold Soul Coins, but seeing your handsome face, big sister will waive that for you."

"Here, young master, take it."

After receiving the jade pendant, Murong Huai gave one piece and the bracelet to Bibi Dong.

"Dong'er, you and I will each take one of these pendants. I already have a Soul Tool, so you take this bracelet."

Bibi Dong took them happily, blinking her eyes with a grin.

"Thank you, Brother Murong."

Bibi Dong came from a commoner background, so naturally, she couldn't afford Soul Tools.

Afterward, the two turned and left the shop.

The two continued to stroll through the streets. Time passed quickly; the sun gradually set, and the people on the street left one after another.

Murong Huai and Bibi Dong were feeling a bit tired and prepared to return to the Murong Mansion. Suddenly, a woman's cry came from not far ahead.

"Stop! Put my child down!"

Murong Huai's spiritual power had been enhanced, and his perception was sharp. He clearly saw a woman chasing after a man.

The two ran to a corner, and the man suddenly turned around, his face revealing a fierce look as he stared fixedly at the woman.

"Enough! Don't blame me for being ruthless if you keep chasing!"

However, the woman pleaded, "That is your daughter too! She is still young, you cannot sell her to them!"

Hearing this, the man said viciously:

"Hmph, a money-losing piece of trash. What use is she? She awakened a trash martial soul; selling her is better, at least I can get twenty Gold Soul Coin..."

"No, you cannot take her away, or I will go to Martial Soul Hall and have them arrest you!" The woman lunged forward, begging bitterly and even using Martial Soul Hall to threaten him, but the man flew into a rage and kicked her away, sending her slamming into the wall as she spat blood.

"Fine, you want me dead, you bitch? Then don't blame me!"

As he spoke, soul power surged around the man—he was clearly a Soul Master. One white and one yellow soul ring descended, and a dagger appeared in his hand, which he hurled at the woman. As a mere commoner, she had no time to dodge and could only close her eyes to await death.

Just as the dagger was about to strike the woman, a golden scabbard appeared and knocked the blade away. The man was startled and turned to look.

"Who goes there? How dare you meddle in my affairs!"

The newcomers were Murong Huai and Bibi Dong. Murong Huai held the Immortal Lord Nine-Arrival Sword, pointing it diagonally into the air. The scabbard swept through the air and clicked back onto the blade.

"Hmph, trading your own child for wealth—a man like you is nothing but scum!"

As he spoke, Murong Huai's sword flashed. A streak of sword energy erupted from the blade, slamming directly into the man. The latter was pinned against the wall, spitting blood and clutching his chest as he let out a cry of agony.

Seeing this, the woman hurriedly gathered her daughter, bowed in gratitude to Murong Huai, and turned to leave.

"Let's go."

Murong Huai retracted his martial soul, cast a look of utter disgust at the wailing man on the ground, and turned to leave with Bibi Dong.

However, as Murong Huai turned, he flicked his right hand behind him, then walked with Bibi Dong in the direction of Murong Mansion.

The man on the ground, just beginning to celebrate his narrow escape, struggled to his feet when a flash of light suddenly appeared. His head went still, then tumbled to the ground.

Immediately after, several golden blades appeared, hacking him into mincemeat. The air filled with the stench of blood until black mist surged, causing all the remains to vanish. A milky-white stream of light swept through, erasing the bloody scent in the alley and leaving behind only a faint, refreshing fragrance.