Leaving Nott City

Chu Heng had only just smiled when those words made his smile vanish.

"Don't worry. Nothing's wrong. Your big sister is about to break through to Soul Emperor, so I need to go back."

Chu Heng understood at once. Su Xianling had told him before that her teacher had forbidden her to return until she reached level sixty. Now that she was close, it was time for her to go back. And this time, she apparently wanted to take him with her.

Chu Heng was naturally delighted. Resources in Nott City were limited. He had not noticed it before, but over the past few months, he had begun to feel that a place like this was holding back someone at his level.

Since he was leaving, there were people he ought to say goodbye to first.

At Nott Junior Soul Master Academy, Xiao Wu was beside Tang San when Chu Heng found him.

Over the past two years, the three had grown much closer. Chu Heng and Tang San were from the same village and had become friends. Both were far more mature than others their age, and they never ran out of things to talk about.

Before they knew it, they had become close friends. So when Tang San heard that Chu Heng was leaving Nott City, he froze.

"When are you leaving?"

"In a week."

Chu Heng went on.

"My sister's taking me with her."

Tang San fell silent. Chu Heng had told him about Su Xianling before. Given her high standing, she could not stay somewhere like Nott City forever. Now she was leaving and taking Chu Heng along. It was a good thing for him.

Tang San simply reached out and patted Chu Heng on the shoulder.

"Then I hope the journey goes smoothly."

Chu Heng laughed.

"Why are you making it sound like we'll never see each other again?"

"Who knows how long you'll be gone?"

"Fair point."

They smiled at each other.

Beside them, a strange look flashed across Xiao Wu's face when she heard Chu Heng was leaving, but she quickly returned to normal.

"Chu Heng."

"Yeah?"

"If you run into trouble, come find me. I'll have your back!"

Chu Heng paused, then smiled.

"Don't worry. You're my big sister Xiao Wu, after all."

Xiao Wu gave a little huff.

"That's more like it."

Then she added in earnest.

"Have a safe trip."

After leaving the academy, Chu Heng bought quite a few things in town, including some that were expensive for an ordinary family. He bought a little of nearly everything he could carry, then returned to Holy Soul Village.

Chu Heng's parents were delighted to see their son home unexpectedly. But when they learned he would soon leave Nott City with Su Xianling, worry and reluctance mingled with their joy.

Chu Heng did not explain much. He simply put away the things he had brought, one by one.

"Dad, Mom, keep these and use them as you need them. I might be gone for a while this time."

His mother's eyes reddened.

"Take good care of yourself out there."

"Don't worry. I'm a Soul Master."

His father said nothing. He looked at Chu Heng, his eyes reddening too, then gave his shoulder a firm pat, just as he had when Chu Heng first prepared to leave Holy Soul Village two years ago.

"Train hard, and stay out of trouble."

Chu Heng could only smile helplessly.

Over the next few days, Chu Heng trained a little less and spent more time with his parents.

On the sixth morning, Chu Heng shouldered his luggage and stood outside the house.

"Dad, Mom, I'm off."

A few hours later, the familiar sight of Nott City came back into view.

With one day left, Chu Heng needed to prepare for the journey. There were a few other things he had to do as well.

For one, he had to visit Su Yuntao.

In a way, Chu Heng owed everything he had achieved to Su Yuntao's appreciation and recommendation. Otherwise, he would at most have trained at the Soul Master Academy like Tang San. He would never have gained such good training resources, let alone met a big sister as wonderful as Su Xianling.

So Chu Heng had kept in close touch with Su Yuntao over the past two years and visited him from time to time. Now that he was leaving Nott City, he naturally had to let Su Yuntao know.

With that in mind, Chu Heng wasted no time. After tidying up, he headed for the Spirit Hall Administrative District.

He had been there countless times. The guards at the entrance knew him, and after a token question, they let him straight through.

He had not gone far when he spotted Su Yuntao, who was about to head out.

"Brother Tao!"

Once Chu Heng's strength had improved, Su Yuntao had insisted that Chu Heng call him "Brother Tao" instead of "Uncle Tao."

"What brings you here, kid?"

"I came to say goodbye."

"Goodbye?"

Chu Heng nodded.

"Sister Xianling's leaving Nott City soon. She's taking me with her."

Su Yuntao was startled at first, then seemed to understand.

"I see..."

He fell quiet for a moment, though he did not seem very surprised. With Su Xianling's strength and standing, she was never going to remain in a place like Nott City forever. And leaving with her would clearly be good for Chu Heng's future.

"When?"

"Tomorrow."

"That soon?"

Su Yuntao nodded.

"Then it really is time to go."

As he spoke, he looked Chu Heng up and down. Two years ago, the little fellow had arrived from Holy Soul Village with only level-seven Soul Power. Now he was a two-ring Soul Grandmaster.

Time really did fly.

"Wherever you go, remember to train hard. You're lucky Lady Xianling is willing to keep you by her side."

"Of course."

Chu Heng grinned, but his expression soon turned more serious.

"Brother Tao."

"Yeah?"

"Thank you for everything these past two years."

Su Yuntao paused.

Chu Heng continued.

"If you hadn't brought me to Spirit Hall back then, I might still be training away at the academy. I never would've had these opportunities."

Su Yuntao looked at him for a moment, then shook his head with a rueful smile.

"Enough of that. I brought you here because you had the talent. If it had been someone else, my recommendation might not have done any good."

He patted Chu Heng's shoulder.

"If you really want to thank me, make a name for yourself. Better yet, one day when I'm out on business, someone will hear my name and say, 'Oh! You're the one who brought Chu Heng into Spirit Hall!'"

Chu Heng burst out laughing.

"You bet. Just wait, Brother Tao. One day you'll get to bask in my glory."

"You little brat."

Su Yuntao laughed as he scolded him.

They talked a while longer. Chu Heng did not get up to leave until dusk.

Early the next morning, Chu Heng had his luggage packed. There was little to take, and it all fit inside his storage Soul Tool. He hardly looked like someone about to go on a long journey.

Knock, knock.

The knock brought Chu Heng back to his senses. He opened the door.

Su Xianling stood outside. Seeing that he was ready, she turned and set off.

"Sister, where exactly are we going this time?"

Su Xianling kept walking.

"Spirit City..."