The White Whale Chamber of Commerce was one of Vast Sea City's major trading houses. Its headquarters was located near the city center and was easy to find.
Count Daisi's residence lay in the southern part of Vast Sea City, in a relatively secluded location. Count Daisi possessed a powerful fleet that often ventured deep into the ocean to hunt whale-type soul beasts for their precious Whale Rubber.
But he never sold it, keeping it all for his own use. This was an open secret in Vast Sea City.
"Lord Soul Master, Count Daisi has recently been recruiting soul masters. I heard he's preparing to compete against Count Bell," the short young man said with a sigh.
He had heard about it from others at the Great Soul Arena.
"Compete?"
"Yes. Count Bell's wager is a female mermaid from the merfolk race, while Count Daisi's wager is a wolf bandit cub."
At the mention of mermaids, a trace of pity flashed across the short young man's face. If she fell into Count Daisi's hands, her fate was easy to imagine.
"Their method of competition is simple. These nobles often hold similar contests at the Great Soul Arena.
"Each side selects five soul masters to fight, but there are requirements for the five chosen. They must include one one-ring soul master, one two-ring Soul Grandmaster, all the way up to a five-ring Soul King—one soul master from each rank—before they engage in soul battles.
"A victorious lower-ranked soul master may continue challenging higher-ranked soul masters. For example, if the two-ring Soul Grandmaster on Count Daisi's side wins, the next match would be between the three-ring Soul Elders. If the winner of that match belongs to Count Bell's side, then Count Daisi's victorious two-ring Soul Grandmaster may attempt to challenge that three-ring