A Day Around the City

Once his apprenticeship was settled, Chu Heng thought he would immediately receive Guang Ling's guidance and gain access to better cultivation resources.

But under his eager gaze, Guang Ling merely waved a hand.

"You only arrived in Spirit City today. What's the rush? Let Little Xianling show you around first. Once you know the city, come find me."

Chu Heng had no objections—or rather, he couldn't have any. Still, he felt much lighter after leaving the Worship Hall. In that short time, six Worshippers had appeared one after another. Standing before them had put him under immense pressure. Now, outside the hall with the mountain breeze on his face, he felt as if he could finally breathe again.

Su Xianling glanced at him, unable to keep the corners of her mouth from rising.

"What's that look for? You've just taken a Super Douluo as your teacher."

Chu Heng let out a long breath.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner, sis?"

"Tell you what?"

"That your teacher is the Fifth Worshipper!"

Su Xianling looked innocent.

"..."

Chu Heng could do nothing about that shameless look of hers. Su Xianling laughed even harder and reached out to ruffle his hair.

"Come on. It's not often I get to come back. I'll show you around Spirit City."

They followed the stone steps down the Holy Mountain. On the way up, Chu Heng had been so preoccupied with Su Xianling's teacher that he had barely noticed his surroundings. Now that his nerves had eased, looking down over Spirit City from the mountain was an entirely different experience.

The roads below the Holy Mountain were exceptionally wide. There weren't many people about, but wherever Chu Heng looked, he saw people wearing Soul Master badges, and none of them had weak auras.

A Soul Elder would have been the strongest person in Nott City. Here in Spirit City, one was just another unremarkable face in the crowd.

Chu Heng couldn't help sighing.

"What a difference."

Su Xianling followed his gaze.

"Of course. The Nott City branch is just one of Spirit Hall's most ordinary branches, while Spirit City is the heart of the entire organization. That's why Teacher specifically asked me to show a 'country boy' like you around, so you can get used to your new position."

She couldn't help smiling as she went on.

"After all, you're Teacher's disciple now. Your strength might not stand out in Spirit City, but when it comes to status, there probably aren't many people who outrank you..."

Chu Heng nodded seriously. He understood what she meant. She was worried he might struggle with such a sudden change in his surroundings. He also sensed another meaning behind what she was doing.

In Nott City, his Soul Power had already reached level twenty-one at the age of eight. Apart from Tang San, no one could compare to him.

But he would no longer be unique here. Judging by Soul Power Level alone, there were bound to be plenty of people at his level or higher. He had only gotten this opportunity because he knew Su Xianling.

Besides, he was now Douluo Guang Ling's disciple. The higher his status rose, the stronger the people he would meet.

"Let's get you something to eat first," Su Xianling said suddenly.

Chu Heng blinked.

"Huh?"

"We've been on the road for a month without a proper meal, and then we spent half the day at Teacher's place. Aren't you hungry?"

Now that she mentioned it, Chu Heng realized his stomach did feel a little empty. They left the area around the Holy Mountain and headed toward the streets of the outer city.

Compared with Nott City, Spirit City's shopping district was far more bustling. Alongside ordinary restaurants, inns, and shops, the streets were lined with stores catering specifically to Soul Masters. Chu Heng could hardly take it all in, and he learned plenty just by looking.

Su Xianling, on the other hand, knew the place inside out. She could answer nearly everything Chu Heng asked as she led him straight into a restaurant.

She ordered a few dishes with practiced ease. While they waited, Chu Heng looked through the window at the street outside.

"Do you like it here?"

"It's all right."

Chu Heng looked away from the window.

"It just feels completely different from Nott City."

"Of course it does."

Su Xianling rested her chin on her hand.

"You'll probably be here for a long time. You'll get used to it."

Chu Heng nodded. He had already felt that Nott City's resources could no longer keep up with his needs, so coming to Spirit City was certainly a good thing. Still, when he thought of his parents in Holy Soul Village, as well as Tang San and Xiao Wu, the move felt strange.

Su Xianling saw what was on his mind but said nothing. Once the food arrived, she simply placed a piece of meat in his bowl.

"Eat first. You can always go back when you want to."

Chu Heng paused, then smiled.

"Okay."

After their meal, they continued wandering through the city.

Su Xianling showed him several important streets, then pointed out the training grounds and mission registration office frequented by Spirit Hall personnel, as well as places that required the appropriate identity tokens for entry.

"Your status is special now," Su Xianling said as they walked.

"Since Teacher has accepted you as his disciple, you'll be allowed into many places in Spirit City. All the more reason to be careful."

Chu Heng's mouth twitched.

"Don't worry, sis. I'm not reckless."

"I know you aren't. I still have to remind you, though."

They wandered until dusk before heading back toward the Holy Mountain. The sun had slipped behind the city walls, bathing all of Spirit City in pale gold. From the higher stone steps, they could see the entire hexagonal city.

Lights began to appear along the distant streets. Chu Heng stopped and took a few more moments to look.

Who would have thought? Two years ago, he had been just a child in Holy Soul Village who had only just awakened his Martial Soul. Now he stood on Spirit City's Holy Mountain as Douluo Guang Ling's second disciple.

He had come much farther, much faster than he had imagined.

"What are you thinking about?" Su Xianling called from ahead.

Chu Heng came back to himself.

"Nothing. It just doesn't feel real."

Chu Heng couldn't explore the most prosperous city on the continent in a single day, but the places Su Xianling had shown him had given him a glimpse of it.

Su Xianling laughed.

"Spirit City is only the beginning. Once you're strong enough, I'll take you to even more places."

She paused.

"The continent is much bigger than you think. If you're strong, where couldn't you go?"

Chu Heng looked at her back and smiled too.

"It's a promise, then."

"It's a promise."

They continued on. Before long, Su Xianling brought Chu Heng to a private courtyard near the Holy Mountain.

"This is where you'll live from now on."

Chu Heng opened the gate and looked inside. The courtyard wasn't particularly large, but it had everything he needed: a bedroom, a study, a meditation room, and a separate training area.

"My place is right next door."

Su Xianling pointed to a nearby courtyard.

"Come find me if you need anything."

Chu Heng nodded.

"What about Teacher?"

"Teacher? He's usually in the Worship Hall."

A knowing smile suddenly appeared on Su Xianling's face.

"Oh, right. Go to the Worship Hall and find him yourself tomorrow."

Chu Heng felt an inexplicable jolt of unease.

"By myself?"

"Who else would go with you? I'm busy..."

Su Xianling patted his shoulder with a bright smile.

"Congratulations, little Chu Heng. Your happy life in Spirit City officially starts now."

With that, she turned and left.

Chu Heng stood at the courtyard gate, watching Su Xianling walk away. Why did he have such a bad feeling about this?

The evening breeze swept past the courtyard. After a long silence, Chu Heng turned and went inside.