Earnest Instructions, Arrival in Balaque City

Led by the village chief, Old Man Yu, Yu Yan and Xiao Wu arrived at the front of the village.

A sizable merchant caravan was parked outside Fish Village, and its leader was discussing procurement matters with Yu Qiqiang.

Fish Village had worked with this caravan for years, selling fish, clam pearls, fresh aquatic produce, and a few Herbs, while having them purchase certain goods on the village's behalf.

Originally, Fish Village only sold fish caught from the Bala River. But after Old Man Yu's son became a Soul Master, he brought back many ways for the villagers to prosper. He contacted this caravan as it passed through Fish Village and arranged regular trade between them.

Over time, Fish Village and the caravan became familiar with one another. Asking the caravan to take Xiao Wu and Yu Yan to Balaque City was such a small favor that they would not refuse.

After settling the arrangements, Old Man Yu stood before Yu Qiqiang and solemnly instructed him, "Yu Qiqiang, when you go to Balaque City this time, remember to take good care of Yu Yan and Xiao Wu. If anything happens to either of them, I absolutely won't let you off."

"Don't worry, Village Chief. It wasn't easy for the village to produce another Soul Master. If something happened to him in Balaque City, you wouldn't even need to reprimand me—I'd blame myself to death."

As the village's second-in-command, Yu Qiqiang put on no airs before Old Man Yu. He nodded and bowed as he promised to keep a close eye on Yu Yan and make sure nothing happened to him.

Besides, they were only going into the city to handle some business. What could possibly go wrong?

Old Man Yu patted Yu Qiqiang on the shoulder, then turned and approached Yu Yan, explaining what he needed to watch out for in Balaque City.

According to Old Man Yu, Balaque City was the main city of the Balak Kingdom under the Heaven Dou Empire. Many nobles lived there, and they were people who absolutely could not be offended.

Besides the nobles in the city, they should not casually provoke powerful Soul Masters either. A few Soul Masters with bad temperaments might directly attack someone in Balaque City.

Knowing that Old Man Yu was genuinely concerned for him, Yu Yan did not feel the slightest annoyance at his nagging reminders.

To be honest, he liked this feeling of being cared for and valued.

"Old Man Yu, there's no need to worry so much. I'll help you look after this little fellow who's bound to become a Soul Master. Besides, Balaque City is a main city. Soldiers patrol the streets, so it isn't as dangerous as you make it sound. And they won't be gone for long."

Seeing that the goods had already been loaded and unloaded while Old Man Yu continued his tireless instructions, the caravan leader hurried over to him. While currying favor, he subtly reminded Old Man Yu that it was time for them to leave.

Old Man Yu knew there was not much danger in Balaque City, but he could not help worrying. If he were not so old, he would have gone with them himself.

"Remember what I told you. Stay safe."

Understanding the caravan leader's implication, Old Man Yu gave Yu Yan one final reminder.

"Grandpa Yu, don't worry. I'll stay safe."

"I will too."

Yu Yan and Xiao Wu obediently nodded. Under Old Man Yu's gaze, they followed the caravan toward Balaque City.

Considering Yu Yan and Xiao Wu's young age, as well as the fact that Yu Yan would surely become a powerful Soul Master in the future, the caravan leader arranged for them to ride in a cargo wagon near the middle of the caravan.

Two days later, the caravan arrived safely and without incident at its destination, Balaque City.

This caravan had traveled this trade route for years without ever encountering any major mishaps. If some sudden incident occurred because of Yu Yan's arrival, he would truly have to wonder whether he possessed some kind of disaster-bringing constitution.

After being inspected by the soldiers at the city gate, the caravan smoothly entered Balaque City.

After entering Balaque City, Yu Yan had to temporarily part ways with the caravan since they had different destinations.

Seeing that Yu Qiqiang intended to escort them to Spirit Hall, Yu Yan remembered that he had business in Balaque City. "Uncle Qiqiang, go take care of whatever you need to do. It's only a martial soul awakening. I can take Xiao Wu there myself, so there's no need to waste your time."

"No. If Old Man Yu finds out I didn't take you to Spirit Hall, I'll definitely get scolded when I return. You know how much this matters to him." Yu Qiqiang explained, then said, "Let's hurry to Spirit Hall for the awakening. Afterward, I'll take you to the inn where you'll be staying, then I can handle my own business."

"Alright."

Yu Yan understood what Yu Qiqiang meant, so he did not continue being polite. Going back and forth over it would only waste time for no reason.

Although Xiao Wu was the main subject of this martial soul awakening, she offered no opinion. She was the one who followed the arrangements.

During this time, Xiao Wu had learned quite a few things about human society, but that did not mean she could calmly face everything that was about to happen.

Seeing that Yu Yan did not continue to decline, Yu Qiqiang nodded in satisfaction and led Yu Yan and Xiao Wu toward Balaque City's Spirit Hall.

Walking through the bustling streets of the human city, Xiao Wu looked around everywhere. She was curious about everything, like a country bumpkin entering a grand estate for the first time.

Yu Yan was also observing everything around him, but he did not show much expression. In terms of prosperity, Balaque City could not compare to the flourishing metropolises of Blue Star. He was not particularly astonished by the place, only finding its scenery rather novel.

There were not many things that caught Yu Yan's attention. The Soul Fighting Arena was one, and Balaque Academy was another.

The Soul Fighting Arena was easy to recognize. It was a building similar to a massive stadium, and even from its entrance, he could faintly hear cries coming from within.

The Soul Fighting Arena was a place in Yu Yan's future plans where he could earn money and hone his combat abilities, so he gave it a few extra looks.

Balaque Academy, also known as Balaque Advanced Soul Master Academy, was a highly famous noble academy.

Yu Yan remembered this academy's team appearing in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament during the year Little Scumbag participated. The fact that it had stood out among countless academies showed that Balaque Academy certainly had substance.

After traveling for more than an hour, the three of them finally arrived at Spirit Hall in Balaque City.

As an organization devoted to the Angel God, Spirit Hall's architecture was entirely styled after Western European churches. Balaque City's Martial Soul Main Hall was no exception.

"Lord Soul Master, hello. We're here for a martial soul awakening."

After taking a deep breath, Yu Qiqiang approached the two Soul Masters standing guard outside Spirit Hall and explained why they had come.

Yu Qiqiang was very nervous at the moment. At the end of the day, he was only an ordinary person without Soul Power, so he could not help feeling intimidated when facing Soul Masters.

"Go through the main hall, then take the passage on the left. The Soul Awakening Room is the innermost room in that passage. Once you enter, someone will tell you what to do."

Many people had come to Spirit Hall for martial soul awakenings over the past two days. The Soul Master at the entrance did not make things difficult for Yu Qiqiang. He merely performed his duty and told him what to do next.

Yu Qiqiang thanked the Soul Master who had told him what to do, then led Yu Yan and Xiao Wu into Spirit Hall.

After entering Spirit Hall, Yu Yan could clearly sense that Yu Qiqiang, who was usually extremely shrewd, had become nervous. Even the way he walked had changed.

From this alone, one could glimpse the enormous gulf between Soul Masters and ordinary people.

Yu Qiqiang was not the only one who had grown nervous. Xiao Wu, following beside him, had clearly become tense as well. She began unconsciously edging closer to Yu Yan, trying to draw a measure of security from him.