Next Stop

It seemed that Martial Soul Evolution had not only changed its appearance, but also granted him control over his soul rings.

Its essence was still a Blood Essence Soul Ring, but at least it would not look too conspicuous.

For now, he did not have the strength to contend with Spirit Hall.

Someone like Tang San, who exposed all his trump cards just to win a match, was not being bold. He was being stupid.

After all, soul rings with colors unlike the norm were far too strange and could easily attract unnecessary trouble.

His gaze fell on the White Clothes Sword in his hand.

Unfortunately, the iron scabbard looked somewhat inelegant beside the long sword, which was as gentle and lustrous as jade.

After pondering for a moment, Zhou Qiubai flicked his wrist, and the White Clothes Sword nimbly coiled around his waist like a spirit snake.

The blade pressed close against his body, its ends joining together to form a perfect ring.

"This works perfectly." Zhou Qiubai nodded in satisfaction.

Lightweight, concealed, and ready to be drawn at any moment!

Huang Tianzong stared without blinking, his mouth wide enough to fit an egg.

This sword...

Could actually be used like this?

Every Soul Master Huang Tianzong had seen in his life had withdrawn their Martial Soul back into their body. But someone like Zhou Qiubai, who simply wrapped his sword around his waist as a belt, was something he had never seen before.

Cultivation, cultivation—cultivation meant cultivating at all times.

Constantly manifesting one's Martial Soul to temper it while consuming Soul Power was also a form of cultivation.

And...

That sword was wrapped around his waist, yet it did not dig into him at all? It could even bend so freely?

Huang Tianzong felt as though his mind was no longer enough to process it all.

Zhou Qiubai paid no attention to his shock. He walked straight to the remains of the Millennium Bamboo King, bent down, and picked up the "spoils" that had just fallen.

Zhou Qiubai weighed it in his hand, then turned to Huang Tianzong.

"This is for you." He casually tossed the Bamboo Heart over.

Huang Tianzong caught it in a fluster, stunned. "F-for me?"

"Consider it payment." Zhou Qiubai spoke lightly. "Payment for guiding me here, and for keeping watch."

Huang Tianzong gripped the Bamboo Heart tightly, his heart filled with excitement.

He was not someone who failed to recognize treasure. Something dropped by a thousand-year Spirit Beast would probably prolong one's life even if it were merely steeped in water and drunk.

Even if it was not a Spirit Bone, it could still sell for several hundred, perhaps even over a thousand Gold Soul Coins.

This kind of treasure... he was just giving it to him?

"M-my lord, this is far too precious..." Huang Tianzong's voice trembled uncontrollably.

"Precious?" Zhou Qiubai looked relaxed. "It's nothing special."

He was not saying that casually.

The Bamboo Heart was indeed decent, but compared to true heavenly treasures, it was still far inferior.

Based on his understanding of Douluo Continent, the core of a spirit plant at this level could at most possess one ten-thousandth of the effects of an immortal herb.

If this Spirit Bamboo could grow for another ten thousand years, the Bamboo Heart it condensed might undergo a qualitative change. But at only a thousand years old, it was merely a decent tonic.

The sort of thing that was useless to eat, yet a pity to discard.

It was completely useless to him now.

It was true that he lacked money, but one matter was one matter.

If he owed too many favors, they would become difficult to repay.

"Still, let me remind you of something. A man is guilty because he possesses jade. This thing can bring you fortune or disaster in your hands. Think carefully about how you handle it."

Huang Tianzong clutched the Bamboo Heart and nodded solemnly. "This lowly one understands! I'll hide it in the cellar the moment I return and tell no one!"

Zhou Qiubai smiled faintly. He walked to the Bamboo King's severed trunk and watched the transparent sap slowly seep out. After thinking for a moment, he took out two jade bottles and filled both of them.

Though the Bamboo King's sap was not as effective as the Bamboo Heart, it was still excellent for tempering the body. It was always good to keep some in reserve.

"What a pity..." Zhou Qiubai looked at the Bamboo King's remains. "If you had a few more tens of thousands of years, along with the conditions here, you might truly have succeeded in taking human form."

A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast had not truly lived for one hundred thousand years. That was merely a relative measure compared to weaker Spirit Beasts.

Huang Tianzong did not understand, but he held the Bamboo Heart tightly, afraid Zhou Qiubai might change his mind.

"Alright, let's go." Zhou Qiubai turned and headed back along the path they had come from. "Dawn is almost here. It's time to leave."

Huang Tianzong immediately followed. He tucked the Bamboo Heart into his clothes, even wrapping it in several layers of fabric to keep its scent from spreading.

The two climbed up along the cliff face, one after the other.

By the time they finally reached the top, the eastern horizon had already begun to pale.

The people from the Black Wind Mercenary Group were long gone from the cliff top, leaving behind only scattered footprints and traces of fighting.

Zhou Qiubai did not care. He turned to Huang Tianzong and said, "We part here. If you get any similar information in the future, do the same as before."

Huang Tianzong bowed repeatedly. "Certainly, certainly!"

Holding the Bamboo Heart as though it were an ancestral tablet, he walked away while looking back every few steps.

Zhou Qiubai watched him disappear into the forest, shook his head, then turned toward the southwest.

He had not been to a city in a long time, and he unexpectedly found himself missing that lively human atmosphere.

About the time it took to burn an incense stick after Zhou Qiubai left Ghost Cry Ravine.

In the deepest reaches of Star Dou Forest, beneath Lake of Life.

A pair of enormous golden eyes slowly opened a sliver in the eternal darkness.

The owner of those eyes seemed to sense something and cast an exceedingly faint strand of perception toward the forest's northwest.

There was an unusual fluctuation there.

It was very weak, nearly negligible, but mixed within it was an aura unfamiliar to it.

It was not Soul Power, but something more restrained...

Intent.

It was more like an initial exploration of "rules."

The owner of the golden eyes fell silent for a moment, then slowly closed them.

Too weak.

So weak that it was not worth its attention.

Moreover, that fluctuation lasted only an instant before vanishing completely, as though it had never existed.

Perhaps it was merely some human brat who had stepped in dog shit and happened to gain a bit of fortune.

It had more important matters to deal with.

It sank back into slumber once more.

The lakebed returned to deathly stillness.

Zhou Qiubai knew nothing of this.

At that moment, he was passing through the dense woods along the outskirts of Star Dou Forest, his steps light and his mood especially cheerful.

He gently touched the scabbed wound on his cheek and revealed a relaxed smile.

Then, he thought of something else.

Money.

There was still quite a bit left from what he had earned escorting Skywater Academy, along with the deposit Huang Tianzong had given him.

But living off savings was not a long-term solution. Once he reached Suotuo City, he needed to find a source of income.

Perhaps he could return to his old trade?

Guiding, escorting, hunting Spirit Beasts...

He was an expert at those jobs.

But he needed to go to a large city. There was simply no money to be made in small cities.

Because most people there were poor bastards.

He had no intention of squeezing money out of poor bastards. Whoever had money could pay him!

If all else failed, fighting a match or two at the Great Soul Arena would not be bad either.

He could make money, hone his combat skills, and build a reputation.

Once he had a name, taking on jobs in the future would be easier as well.

That settled it.