Netherworld Wasteland!

He was going alone, so he could not be too high-profile. He would first get a grasp of the situation.

After finishing his noodles, Huang Yun replenished his supplies at the town's general store, buying dried rations, fresh water, and common medicines. He also spent several Gold Soul Coins on a map of the area surrounding the Nether Wasteland.

The map was not particularly detailed, but it roughly marked the major towns, the black market's location, and several known dangerous areas. It was enough for him.

He put away the map, left the town, spread his wings, and continued flying west.

The farther west he flew, the more obvious the changes in the terrain became.

The vast fields and villages below gradually gave way to rolling hills and wastelands. Farther on, trees became scarcer, the earth changed from dark brown to grayish yellow, vegetation thinned out, and the wind carried the scent of sand and dust.

The Nether Wasteland was close.

From high in the sky, Huang Yun could see the horizon stretching endlessly ahead. The line between heaven and earth was gray and hazy, as though shrouded in a thin veil of sand.

The air was filled with dry, coarse currents. The fluctuations of Soul Power were also more active and chaotic than inland, with the auras of various attributes tangled together in utter disorder.

He slowed down and descended, flying close to the ground for a while. After confirming that he was headed in the right direction, he flew toward the nearest town marked on the map.

That town was called Blackstone City. It was the largest human settlement on the edge of the Nether Wasteland, as well as a gathering place for bounty hunters and mercenaries to rest and resupply.

By the time Huang Yun saw the outline of Blackstone City in the distance, the sun had already begun to dip westward.

The gray-yellow city walls were low yet thick. Flags of all colors flew from the ramparts, while the city gates stood open. Most of the people entering and leaving carried weapons, their expressions wary and hurried.

He landed about a mile outside the city, folded his wings, and walked toward the gates.

This was his first time setting foot in the Nether Wasteland.

Everything was still unknown, but he was not nervous.

Same as always. If he could beat them, he would fight. If he could not, he would run and look for a chance to ambush them.

Huang Yun put on his mask, shoved his hands into his pockets, and strode through the gates of Blackstone City.

The city's clamor crashed over him, the air thick with a rough, chaotic, savage atmosphere. It was completely different from the orderly prosperity of Heaven Dou City.

The corner of his mouth curled slightly.

This place was interesting.

Blackstone City was far livelier than Huang Yun had expected.

The streets were narrow, lined with cramped, low stone buildings. Crooked signs hung overhead. Taverns, blacksmith shops, apothecaries, and pawnshops stood shoulder to shoulder. Most storefronts looked dusty and drab, yet business was surprisingly brisk.

Pedestrians hurried along the streets, and nearly everyone carried a weapon. Those with only blades at their waists were considered restrained; some simply carried heavy swords as tall as half a person on their backs, clanging with every step.

Huang Yun followed the main street inward, observing as he walked.

He discovered that the density of soul masters here was far greater than in Suotuo City.

With a casual count, at least forty percent of the people on the street carried fluctuations of Soul Power. Soul Grandmasters and Soul Elders were everywhere, and even Soul Ancestors were not uncommon.

More interestingly, he noticed that two middle-aged men passing by radiated powerful auras. Their steps were steady, and the people around them instinctively moved aside.

Those were Soul King-level Soul Power fluctuations.

He had seen two Soul Kings the moment he entered the city.

This place truly had substance.

Huang Yun remained calm and continued toward the city center.

According to the map, the heart of Blackstone City was a place called Heroes' Hall. It was the main stronghold for bounty hunters to accept missions and conduct trades, equivalent to a hunter's guild in a proper city.

After walking for about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, a three-story stone building taller than the surrounding structures came into view.

A black flag embroidered with golden patterns flew from its roof, bearing the crossed image of a longsword and a shield.

He had arrived at Heroes' Hall.

Huang Yun pushed open the door and walked inside. The interior was much larger than it appeared from outside.

The hall was several zhang wide, and mission boards covered all four walls. Wooden plaques of different colors were used to distinguish mission ranks and types.

The hall was packed with people. Some stood before the mission boards making their selections, some lined up at the counter to register, while others sat in groups of three or five on benches in the corners, conversing in low voices.

Huang Yun walked up to the mission board and swept his gaze across it.

White plaques were the most ordinary low-level missions—escorts, gathering, transport, and the like—with rewards ranging from dozens to several hundred Gold Soul Coins.

Blue plaques were mid-level missions requiring at least Soul Ancestors. Most involved hunting specific soul beasts or clearing out bandits, with rewards from several hundred to over a thousand Gold Soul Coins.

Red plaques were high-level missions that required at least Soul Kings to accept. Their contents varied widely: exploring ruins, hunting targets, guarding important figures, and more. Rewards started at one thousand Gold Soul Coins, with the highest reaching five thousand or even tens of thousands.

Only one purple plaque hung there, nailed alone at the very top of the mission board. It bore only a few words:

[Seeking powerful experts, terms negotiable]

It was signed with an unfamiliar name, and Huang Yun did not pay it any attention.

His gaze swept across the red plaques before settling on one of them.

It read: "Escort a merchant caravan across the Nether Wasteland. Destination: Black Wind Valley at the western end of the wasteland. Estimated duration: seven days. Reward: 1,500 Gold Soul Coins. Requires Soul King or above. Agility attack types preferred."

One thousand five hundred Gold Soul Coins for seven days.

The pay was good, and the preference for agility attack types suited him perfectly.

Escorting a caravan through the wasteland would let him familiarize himself with the Nether Wasteland's terrain and the environment along the route, saving him from blindly feeling his way around.

More importantly, it was on the way.

He had planned to head deeper into the wasteland anyway. Black Wind Valley was one of the major landmarks marked on the map. Once there, it would be convenient to explore either south or north.

Huang Yun took down the red plaque and walked to the counter, handing it to a middle-aged woman behind it.

"I'll take this mission."

The middle-aged woman glanced up at him. Her eyes lingered briefly on the mask covering his face, but she did not ask any questions. She lowered her head and flipped through the records. "The mission was posted by a merchant caravan. The leader's surname is Chen. The caravan leaves early tomorrow morning. Go to Fortune Comes Inn in the west of the city tonight and report to Boss Chen. He'll explain the specific route and rules."

Huang Yun nodded and placed the red plaque back on the counter.

"Oh, right. Report your level and codename. I need to register them." The middle-aged woman picked up her pen.

"Level fifty-two Soul King. Codename: Peregrine Falcon."

The woman's pen paused. She raised her head and looked him over again.

A level fifty-two Soul King might not be considered top-tier in the Nether Wasteland, but he was still above average within Blackstone City.

She said nothing, lowered her head to record it, then handed him a numbered bronze token. "This is your mission voucher. You'll need it to collect the reward, so don't lose it."

Huang Yun accepted the bronze token and tucked it into his clothes before turning to leave Heroes' Hall.

The sky had already darkened. Shops along both sides of the street began hanging soul guide lamps one after another. Dim yellow light fell across the stone-paved road, casting layers of overlapping shadows.

Following the middle-aged woman's directions, he found Fortune Comes Inn in the western part of the city, a small but fairly clean two-story building.

"Need a room?"

An old man smoking a dry pipe sat by the entrance. Seeing Huang Yun approach, he blew out a ring of smoke and asked.