Qin Ming, Who Lacks a Sense of Boundaries

Xu Bai nodded, though in his heart, he felt it was a bit of an exaggeration that the walls of Tiandou City could withstand the impact of a 100,000-year Soul Beast.

After all, that was a 100,000-year Soul Beast, the absolute pinnacle among Soul Beasts; even a weaker Title Douluo might perish on the spot if they encountered one.

However, upon second thought, if Jialing Pass could withstand a god-level strike in the original story, it didn't seem impossible for the walls of Tiandou City, the capital of the Tiandou Empire, to withstand the impact of a 100,000-year Soul Beast.

"By the way, little friend, why don't I see your family? Did you come here all by yourself?"

The young man seemed to ask out of politeness.

"Yes, I'm here to visit relatives and will be leaving in a few days."

Xu Bai gave a casual, dismissive answer, suddenly feeling that this person lacked any sense of boundaries.

We're complete strangers, and it's obvious I've stopped responding much, yet he's still chatting away to himself...

However, the young man clearly didn't realize this and instead began asking other things:

"I see, that's impressive, little friend. If your family is comfortable letting you come visit relatives alone, you must be a Soul Master. What level are you now? Can you tell your big brother?"

Xu Bai: (￣ー￣)

"A Great Soul Master..."

"As expected, a Great Soul Master."

The young man smiled, becoming even more enthusiastic:

"You must train very hard, little brother. Which academy are you attending now? Are you interested in applying to the Tiandou Royal Academy in the future? Although it's an aristocratic academy, it still recruits talented commoner Soul Masters. Of course, if you happen to be an aristocrat yourself, then pretend I didn't say anything..."

Xu Bai: I hate people who have no sense of boundaries...

Looking at the enthusiastic, chattering young man, Xu Bai felt that this otherwise handsome face had become incredibly detestable.

As time passed, just as his patience was about to run out and he was preparing to tell the young man "No" in a stern tone, he suddenly realized a very serious problem.

Wait, how did this person bypass my perception and appear beside me?

One had to know that although Xu Bai's current cultivation was only that of a Great Soul Master, his spiritual strength had already surpassed most Soul Ancestors and could even rival some weak Soul Kings.

Moreover, he had been keeping a vigilant watch on his surroundings while he thought he was doing something "bad."

And yet, this person had still managed to bypass his perception and appear right next to him.

Doesn't that mean this person's level is at least a Soul Emperor, or perhaps even higher...

Hiss--

At least a Soul Emperor. Tiandou City truly lives up to its reputation as the capital of an empire; anyone you run into is at this level.

If a fight were to break out, the other party could probably farm him and Little Blue like wild monsters dozens of times over...

Thinking of this, Xu Bai remained calm on the surface, but fell into a silent panic inside.

Well, a normal person cannot refuse someone who is being enthusiastic toward them.

And at this moment, Xu Bai felt he was definitely a very normal person.

Therefore, although he was already annoyed, he still patiently answered the young man's questions one by one.

Even if there wasn't much truth in his words...

Just like that, the two chatted for a long time.

Xu Bai, who was already feeling numb from the conversation, finally waited for those life-saving words.

"Alright, little brother, I have things to do today, so I won't keep chatting with you."

The young man sighed slightly, looking as if he still had more to say.

"Alright, take care, big brother."

Xu Bai was overjoyed, though he wore a polite smile on his face.

"You be careful too. Although a Great Soul Master is already quite strong, there are still many bad people who are even stronger."

The young man gave a sincere warning before turning to leave.

Watching the retreating figure, Xu Bai let out a long sigh of relief.

But he hadn't been able to relax for long before the young man, who had already walked quite a distance, turned back, nearly causing Xu Bai to lose his composure.

"Oh, I almost forgot an important thing. We've been talking for so long, and I still don't know your name. If it's convenient, could you tell me?"

The young man asked gently.

"Xu Bai, my name is Xu Bai." Xu Bai replied hurriedly, fearing that this person would start chatting to himself again.

"Xu Bai, what a nice name." The young man complimented him with a smile:

"Little Brother Xu, my name is Qin Ming, and I am a teacher at the Tiandou Royal Academy. If you have any intention of applying to the Tiandou Royal Academy in the future, remember to come find me. That way, I might be able to make you my student."

"Got it, Brother Qin, I will!" Xu Bai replied perfunctorily, wanting nothing more than for this boundary-less person to leave quickly.

Qin Ming nodded in satisfaction, noting that this little brother couldn't be more than ten years old.

To have the cultivation of a Great Soul Master at such an age, even if he had just reached it, counted as being a genius.

If this Little Brother Xu was a support-type Soul Master, or could break through to level thirty before the age of twelve, he might really become his student.

With this thought in mind, Qin Ming no longer lingered; he bid Xu Bai farewell and strode away.

Watching Qin Ming's retreating figure for a long while, Xu Bai finally felt completely at ease once he was certain the man would not double back.

After this ordeal, he felt as though he would never speak to a stranger again for the rest of his life; it had been far too terrifying.

Feeling his soul had suffered trauma, Xu Bai walked with rapid strides, as if afraid of encountering any more bizarre individuals.

In this manner, he quickly exited the city gate tunnel.

Then, the view suddenly opened up...

The streets within the city were wide and bustling with crowds, lined with magnificent buildings, various shops, restaurants, teahouses, and inns.

Just this single glance was enough to show that it was incomparable to a mid-sized border city like Qinghe City, let alone a small town like Nuoding City.

Perhaps this lively scene provided Xu Bai with a sense of security, which allowed him to realize something in hindsight:

"Wait, Qin Ming—that man said his name was Qin Ming, right?"

A young man, at least a Soul Emperor, and a teacher at the Tiandou Royal Academy...

Recalling all the characteristics in his mind, Xu Bai felt there was an eighty percent chance that this man was the very same Qin Ming from the novel.

But, was this right?

Wasn't the Qin Ming in the original work supposed to be a gentleman—refined, steady, and rigorous?

So why was the one he encountered a chatterbox with absolutely no sense of boundaries?

Could it be that he was putting on an act, maintaining a good image for those he knew, only to reveal his true nature to strangers?

Thinking this, Xu Bai felt he had "seen through" the truth and became firmly convinced of it.

Well, well, so that's the kind of person you really are, Qin Ming!

Once his thoughts on Qin Ming settled, a sense of worry inexplicably rose in Xu Bai's heart:

"To run into one of the important characters from the original work the moment I arrive in Tiandou City... I have a feeling this quest to find a beast companion won't be simple..."

He rubbed his temples, pushing down his chaotic thoughts:

"Oh well, if it's not simple, then so be it. I just hope it isn't anything bad..."

Temporarily casting aside that inexplicable anxiety, Xu Bai took a deep breath of the bustling air belonging to Tiandou City and decided to first properly enjoy the prosperity and grandeur of this, the empire's greatest city.