The Girl's Promise, Heaven Dou City

"Ye Clan?"

Dragon Duke Meng Shu's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. The fervor in his eyes quickly faded, replaced by a trace of regret.

Though the Ye Clan had few members, the Nine-Heart Begonia Martial Soul held a special status. Its influence in Heaven Dou City and even across the empire was far from insignificant.

A guest elder of the Ye Clan was indeed not someone the Meng Clan could easily poach. Trying to force the issue would only offend the Ye Clan.

The smile on his face faded somewhat, but he still maintained the bearing of an elder. He laughed heartily, his tone turning gentle.

"So you are a talent from the Ye Clan! No wonder you carry yourself so exceptionally! This old man was presumptuous.

"The Ye Clan and the Meng Clan have had some dealings as well. Since you are a guest elder of the Ye Clan, young friend, you are one of us.

"You need not take my earlier words to heart."

Snake Matriarch Chao Tianxiang also put on a smile again, though this one carried less of an intent to recruit him.

"So you are from the Ye Clan. This old woman was wondering where such an impressive young man had come from.

"Yiran, look. He is an honored guest of the Ye Clan."

When Meng Yiran saw the token engraved with a begonia flower, the small spark of hope in her heart deflated instantly like a punctured balloon.

An indescribable sense of loss welled up within her.

She had thought... she had thought... She lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting the corner of her clothes.

The heat that had just faded from her face seemed to rise again, but this time it was not from shyness. It was from an inexplicable bitterness.

So he had a "home" after all—the Ye Clan, renowned for its healing...

"You flatter me, Senior. This junior simply lacks the fortune to serve the Meng Clan."

Xiao Yin put away the token. "I have long admired your great name, Senior. To meet you today is truly the fortune of three lifetimes."

"Hehe, you are too polite, young friend." Dragon Duke Meng Shu waved a hand, his attitude having clearly changed.

The atmosphere shifted from recruitment to mere polite small talk.

The two sides exchanged a few more harmless remarks about the forest and the sights of Heaven Dou City, and Xiao Yin responded appropriately.

After a while, Dragon Duke and Snake Matriarch took their leave. "Young Friend Xiao, my wife and I still need to take Yiran to deal with some private matters, so we shall part here. If fate permits, we shall meet again in Heaven Dou City."

"Take care, Seniors. Miss Yiran, until we meet again." Xiao Yin cupped his hands in salute.

Meng Yiran followed behind her grandfather and grandmother, her steps somewhat hesitant.

Just as she was about to turn away, she finally gathered her courage and quickly raised her head to glance at Xiao Yin. Her cheeks were crimson, carrying a maiden's unique shyness.

"Xiao... Xiao Yin, I... I will go to the Ye Clan to... to find you!"

Without waiting for Xiao Yin's response, she spun around and hurried away, leaving behind only her slender figure and the faintly reddened tips of her ears.

Snake Matriarch Chao Tianxiang turned back and gave Xiao Yin a meaningful look, her face full of teasing amusement.

Dragon Duke Meng Shu also shook his head helplessly, though there was not much opposition in his eyes.

This was the privilege of genius.

Xiao Yin stood where he was, watching Meng Yiran's departing figure disappear. Then he looked down at the Ye Clan token in his hand, a complicated curve forming at the corner of his lips.

He had not expected this token to come in handy so quickly—and to bring along a little "trouble."

He shook his head, put away the token, and stepped onto the official road leading to Heaven Dou City.

Ten-thousand-year Whale Rubber, along with even greater power, was what he sought now.

As for the shy promise of that girl... they could talk about it when he reached Heaven Dou City.

Three days later, Heaven Dou City.

The city walls, dozens of meters high, had been built from hard granite and gleamed with a cold, steely luster beneath the sunlight.

Flags fluttered atop the walls, while guards in gleaming armor stood solemnly at attention, exuding the majesty of the empire's heart.

On the official road leading to the city gates, crowds flowed endlessly, and carriages and horses filled the air with clamor.

Xiao Yin restrained the savage aura he had carried in the forest. Like an ordinary Soul Master, he took his place at the very end of the line entering the city.

The line moved forward slowly. Xiao Yin closed his eyes to rest, considering how he could most quickly obtain information about ten-thousand-year Whale Rubber after entering the city.

The Ye Clan token... it represented a favor, but unless it became necessary, he did not wish to use it lightly.

Just as it was nearly his turn, an impatient shout and the clatter of hooves came from behind him.

"Move! Move! Are you blind? Can't you see this young master's carriage has arrived? Get out of my way!"

A lavishly decorated carriage was forcing its way toward the front from the side of the line.

The driver was an arrogant servant. A corner of the carriage curtain was lifted, revealing a young face filled with haughtiness and domineering arrogance.

The youth looked around sixteen or seventeen. Dressed in expensive clothes, he was clearly the child of a noble family.

His target was obvious: he wanted to cut in front of Xiao Yin!

"I'm talking to you! You country bumpkin at the back! Are you deaf? Move aside for this young master!"

Seeing Xiao Yin keep his eyes closed and ignore his shouting entirely, the noble young master's temper flared. He pointed at Xiao Yin's nose and cursed.

Xiao Yin slowly opened his eyes and calmly swept a glance over the noble young master before closing them again.

He could not even be bothered to speak to such a spoiled fop who bullied others with his status.

"You... you dare ignore this young master?!"

When had the noble young master ever suffered such contempt?

Especially before the city gates, with so many people watching!

He felt as though his dignity had been ruthlessly trampled into the dirt, and rage instantly surged within him!

"Good! Very good! A-Lang!

"Teach this ignorant lowlife a lesson! Break his legs and let him learn what superiority and inferiority mean!"

The noble young master sharply ordered the burly guard beside the carriage.

"Yes, Young Master!" The guard called A-Lang stepped forward, a vicious grin appearing on his face.

He took one step forward, and four Soul Rings instantly rose beneath his feet!

White, yellow, yellow, purple!

Four Soul Rings—a Soul Ancestor!

"Kid, offending our young master means you are out of luck!"

A-Lang let out a low growl. The muscles of his body suddenly swelled, and a savage aura burst forth.

Behind him appeared the phantom of a huge green wolf with exposed fangs—the Green Wind Wolf Martial Soul!

He did not use any soul skill. Clearly, he believed that against a young man who looked no older than twenty, the pressure of a Soul Ancestor after Martial Soul Possession would be enough.

His fan-sized hand carried a fierce gust of wind as it grabbed viciously at Xiao Yin's shoulder!

The people waiting in line cried out in alarm and hurriedly backed away, afraid of being caught in the crossfire.

Many looked at Xiao Yin with pity.

He had offended a noble, and now a Soul Ancestor guard had personally stepped in. His fate would likely be miserable.

However, just as A-Lang's hand was about to touch Xiao Yin's shoulder—

Xiao Yin abruptly opened his eyes again!

This time, his gaze was no longer calm. It became as cold and piercing as a frigid pool in the deepest underworld!

A terrifying pressure from ancient primordial times erupted like a dormant volcano, sweeping outward from him with a thunderous force!

This pressure was invisible and intangible, yet as heavy as mountains and as violent as the Abyss!

It was not a suppression of Soul Power, but an absolute pressure from a higher level of bloodline and status!

Its target was none other than A-Lang, the Green Wind Wolf Soul Ancestor who had just completed Martial Soul Possession!

"Roar—whine!!!"

The Green Wind Wolf phantom behind A-Lang let out a shrill, miserable cry the instant it came into contact with that terrifying pressure!

Its originally savage eyes were instantly replaced by boundless fear and submission!

The massive phantom trembled violently, nearly collapsing!

As for A-Lang, the host of the Martial Soul, it was as if he had been struck by lightning!

He felt that the Green Wind Wolf Martial Soul within him was as insignificant as dust before that indescribably terrifying aura!

Fear from the deepest depths of his soul instantly drowned every thought in his mind!

Thud!

This Soul Ancestor with four Soul Rings could not even let out a scream. His knees buckled, and he fell directly to his knees!

The entire area before the city gate instantly fell into dead silence!

Even a pin drop could be heard!

Everyone was stunned by this absurd scene!

A Soul Ancestor with four Soul Rings had not even touched the other person's clothes, yet he had been... frightened to his knees by a single look?!

What... what was going on?!

The cruel smile on the noble young master's face instantly froze, turning into extreme shock and confusion.

His mouth hung open, his mind completely blank.

Xiao Yin did not even glance at A-Lang, who had already fainted on the ground. His icy gaze swept toward the noble young master, sharp as a sword.

When that gaze fell upon him, the noble young master felt a chill shoot from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head!

His legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed as well. His lips trembled, but he could not say a single word.

Where... had this monster come from?!