The Soul Guidance Train smoothly pulled out of the Heaven Dou City station, and the city skyline outside the window gradually receded into the distance.
Tang Wulin leaned back in his seat, watching the fields rushing past the window, feeling a little empty inside. More than three years ago, when he left Aolai City for Eastsea City, he was also traveling alone in a carriage.
But back then he still had his master with him, although his master mostly just slept quietly. But now he is truly all alone.
He looked down at the train ticket in his hand— Heaven Dou City to Ming Capital, second class, window seat.
When his master handed it to him, he didn't say a word, as if he were just going out to buy groceries and would be back for dinner that night.
"Really..." Tang Wulin put the train ticket into his pocket, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes to rest.
"You wouldn't even buy me a first-class seat? Am I even still your disciple...?"
At this moment, Tang Wulin suddenly felt incredibly envious of Xu Xiaoyan. He could only be kicked out of the house by his master and could only squeeze onto the second-class Soul Guidance Train, while she could be picked up and dropped off by her teacher's Mecha car.
It's true what they say, comparisons are odious.
The train traveled for about half an hour, and the scenery outside the window changed from the city to fields, and then from fields to rolling hills.
Sunlight streamed through the train windows, casting dappled shadows between the seats. The carriage gradually became lively; children ran around in the aisle, passengers chatted, and some ate.
Tang Wulin smelled the aroma of braised food, and subconsciously touched the bag of dry rations Gu Yuena had given him in his arms, but then restrained himself.
"Hello, is anyone here?"
A voice came from above. Tang Wulin opened his eyes and saw a chubby middle-aged man standing in the aisle, carrying a large suitcase and covered in sweat.
He had a round face and wore gold-rimmed glasses, making him look like a businessman.
He was still holding a train ticket in his hand, and his eyes were moving back and forth between the ticket and the seat number, as if trying to confirm whether it was his seat.
Tang Wulin turned around and realized that he had left his coat on the empty seat next to him.
"No." Tang Wulin quickly picked up his coat from the seat next to him.
The man smiled gratefully, laboriously stuffed his suitcase into the overhead luggage rack, plopped down, and let out a long sigh.
"Ugh, I'm exhausted. If they hadn't been in such a rush, I wouldn't have needed to buy this second-class ticket. Really..." the man muttered under his breath, then changed the subject and asked, "Young man, you're from Heaven Dou City, right? Where are you headed?"
" Ming Capital."
"What a coincidence, me too." The man pulled a pack of tissues from his pocket to wipe his sweat, then unscrewed a bottle of water and gulped down several mouthfuls. "What are you going to Ming Capital for? To go to school?"
He seemed to be a very talkative person, he silently observed.
Is he just an ordinary person with no Soul Power fluctuations?
Tang Wulin lowered his guard slightly and nodded.
Since we have nothing else to do, a little chat will do.
Which school do you attend?
" Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy "
The man's eyes lit up. He put down his water bottle and looked Tang Wulin up and down. "What a great school! That's one of the best academies in the Federation. Young man, you look quite impressive, I didn't expect you to be such a genius."
Tang Wulin smiled but didn't reply.
He didn't take such obvious flattery to heart at all.
The man didn't seem to mind and continued, "I have a nephew who studied there and just graduated this year. I heard the equipment there is the most advanced on the entire continent, and the teachers are all top-notch. You should study hard there; you'll have a bright future. By the way, what's your name?"
" Tang Wulin."
" Tang Wulin... a good name." The man extended his hand. "My name is Zhao Defa. I run a small business in Tianling City. I'm going to Ming Capital to discuss a cooperation. Young brother, we seem to have a connection. Ming Capital, just let me know."
Tang Wulin shook hands with him. "Thank you, Uncle Zhao."
Zhao Defa laughed heartily and patted him on the shoulder, "Don't mention it. Let me tell you, Ming Capital is a completely different place from Heaven Dou City. There are many people and many things to deal with. It's your first time going there, and you don't know anyone there, so you have to be careful."
Tang Wulin nodded. "I will be careful, thank you for the reminder, Uncle Zhao."
In just a few words, Tang Wulin had a pretty good idea of Zhao Defa's personality.
He's the kind of ordinary businessman who's a bit of a show-off, but whether that's true or not requires more time to observe. However, Tang Wulin didn't intend to discuss it any further.
Just then, the Soul Guidance Communicator in my pocket vibrated.
He took it out and saw that it was a call from Xie Xie.
So he gave Zhao Defa an apologetic look.
Zhao Defa immediately understood, stopped talking, and turned to look at the train ahead.
Tang Wulin then connected the Soul Guidance Communication.
"Hello?"
" Wulin! How have you been lately?" Xie Xie's voice came through the communicator, tinged with excitement.
"You're doing great, what's up?"
"It's nothing, it's just..." Xie Xie lowered his voice, " Teacher Long's reputation has spread so fast lately, the name of His Dragon God Douluo has already reached Eastsea City."
"I never imagined that Teacher Long would break through to the Titled Douluo level at such a young age. I'm so envious..."
"Oh right, you should still be in Heaven Dou City, right?"
Tang Wulin's lips twitched. "What do you mean?"
He'd just been kicked out; was Xie Xie itching for a beating and planning to laugh at him?
"Hmm? Wulin, what's wrong?" Xie Xie suddenly asked, sensing that Tang Wulin's tone seemed a bit off.
"It's nothing. I just meant that I'm no longer in Heaven Dou City. Why are you asking this?"
"Huh? You're not in Heaven Dou City?" Xie Xie, somewhat disappointed. "I was planning to come to Heaven Dou City to find you."
But he quickly regained his composure. "So where are you now?"
"I'm currently on the Soul Guidance Train heading to Ming Capital," Tang Wulin said expressionlessly.
" Ming Capital? Why did you run so far?" Xie Xie's voice suddenly rose considerably.
"Keep your voice down, there are other people next to me," Tang Wulin warned in a low voice before continuing, "I'm going to study at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy."
" Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy?" Xie Xie was shocked for a moment, but he immediately understood. "That makes sense. After all, with your talent, even Shrek would be no problem for you. Going there now makes sense."
"Where's Xu Xiaoyan? Is she going there too?"
"No, she went to the Heavenly Fixed Starry Sky Academy."
"I see..." Xie Xie pondered for a long time, then suddenly shouted, "I've made up my mind!"
"Get lost, I told you to keep your voice down."
"Oh, I forgot, sorry." Xie Xie quickly covered his mouth.
"Tell me, what have you decided? You're not going to come to Ming Capital with me, are you?"
"Of course! You're going to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy, how am I inferior to you? Of course I'll follow!"
"Suit yourself, I'm hanging up if there's nothing else," Tang Wulin said irritably.
"Hey, hey, wait! I recently watched a few movies where the main characters often encounter various dangers while riding Soul Guidance Train, but they always manage to escape unscathed..."
Tang Wulin's face darkened. "What do you mean?"
"Hahaha, I was just kidding." Xie Xie laughed for a while, then suddenly became serious. "But seriously, don't you think it's normal for someone like me, who's born to be a protagonist, to encounter some unexpected situations while riding the Soul Guidance Train? That'll be my chance to show my prowess!"
Tang Wulin rolled his eyes. "Get lost, don't jinx it."
"Okay, okay, I won't say anything more. Call me when you get to Ming Capital, and I'll introduce you to some friends. I know Ming Capital better than you do; I'll show you around."
"OK."