Sunset Forest's Plant City

"This... could it be?"

Jin Yang stared at the bracelet pressed into his hand, then looked at Huisinuo in puzzlement. He had a hunch.

Huisinuo chuckled softly. "My teacher gave me this Storage Soul Tool years ago. Now I'm passing it on to you."

"Isn't this too valuable, Senior Huisinuo?"

"Take it. It's a gift from me. While you're young, get out and see more of the world." Huisinuo waved a hand dismissively.

"Don't refuse. Consider it a farewell gift."

"All right, then I won't stand on ceremony. Thank you, Senior Huisinuo." Seeing that Huisinuo truly wanted him to have it, Jin Yang accepted the Storage Soul Tool.

"Train hard and become a Titled Douluo soon. Then I can go around bragging that I know one."

Huisinuo burst into hearty laughter, scaring away a fish just as it was about to bite.

"Oh, come on! My fish!"

Huisinuo had sharp eyes. The moment he turned back and saw what had happened, he cried out in dismay.

"I'll catch you another one."

"Oh, spare me. You could sit here all day and still struggle to catch one. You steal mine every time."

At the eastern edge of Sunset Forest stood a midsize city: Plant City, home to Plant Advanced Soul Master Academy.

Plant City was clearly much larger and more prosperous than Nuoding City.

A row of walls had been built along the side facing Sunset Forest to fend off Soul Beast attacks.

Sunset Forest was rich in Soul Beasts, so the city supported plenty of Soul Hunting teams.

It was one of the best-known Soul Hunting cities.

Of course, Sunset Forest also hid a trove of precious resources that most people knew nothing about.

It was the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, which still belonged to Dugu Bo.

Immortal Herbs grew there in abundance. Any one of them could transform a Soul Master from head to toe.

Immortal Herbs!

Jin Yang wanted them too. Ideally, he would get his hands on the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot, then take a dip in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

If he forged a body impervious to a hundred poisons, he would have nothing to fear from Tang San's Yama's Invitation.

With that hope in mind, Jin Yang followed the merchant caravan into Plant City.

Huisinuo had specially arranged for him to travel with this caravan.

Its leader, Kading, was a Six-Ring Soul Emperor, which went a long way toward ensuring Jin Yang's safety.

"Sorry for the trouble these past few days, Uncle Kading." After passing through the city gate, Jin Yang turned and waved goodbye.

The streets of Plant City were far wider than those of Nuoding City.

Large carts and carriages rumbled back and forth without pause.

Street vendors and shops were everywhere, and the bustle of voices filled the air.

At a glance, the city was far more prosperous than Nuoding City.

Spirit Hall was easy to find in Plant City.

The moment one entered the city gate and looked ahead, a vast cathedral-like building rose into view.

It looked magnificent.

For many commoners and low-ranking Soul Masters, the first thing they did upon arriving in a town was find Spirit Hall.

They remembered its location so they could hurry there for help if trouble arose.

Jin Yang's main reason for going there was that he knew neither the city nor its people. He might as well take the recommendation letter Huisinuo had given him to Spirit Hall and ask a deacon to escort him to Plant Advanced Soul Master Academy.

While he was there, he could also collect this month's Soul Master stipend.

After reaching the Soul Elder rank, a Soul Master received a stipend of a full hundred Gold Soul Coins from Spirit Hall.

A hundred Gold Soul Coins—an ordinary commoner might save for an entire lifetime and still never amass that much.

The gap between rich and poor on Douluo Continent was enormous.

Something a high-ranking Soul Master dropped without a thought could support a low-ranking Soul Master or a commoner for life.

It was even more outrageous than in his previous life.

Jin Yang silently grumbled as he held the hundred Gold Soul Coins he had just received, then tucked them into his Storage Soul Tool.

Spirit Hall truly was wealthy and generous.

The money came from the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire, but that did not stop Jin Yang from praising Spirit Hall. Without its presence on the continent, neither empire would have paid a thing.

The deacons at Plant City's Spirit Hall were far stronger than those in Nuoding City, and its bishop had even reached the rank of Eight-Ring Soul Douluo.

Plant Advanced Soul Master Academy was located here, and many of its graduates chose to join Spirit Hall as Deacons.

The Deacon assigned to take Jin Yang to the academy was a former student there himself.

Nostalgia showed in Yao Hong's eyes as he spoke of his old school.

"Junior Jin Yang, my younger sister attends Plant Advanced Soul Master Academy too. If you run into a problem you can't solve, go to her for help. Tell her I sent you. My name is Yao Hong, and hers is Yao Zi."

Yao Hong patted Jin Yang's shoulder. Feeling the solid muscle beneath his hand, he could not help praising him.

"Hey, Junior, you're in good shape! A real man. Go on—the sooner you finish the tests, the sooner you can rest."

"Thank you, Senior. I'll head in."

Plant Advanced Soul Master Academy stood at the edge of Plant City.

Beyond it lay the outskirts of Sunset Forest. The academy also served to shield the city from Soul Beast stampedes.

Unlike ordinary academies, Plant Advanced Soul Master Academy had no stone monument at its entrance.

Instead, different flowers, grasses, and trees formed a living sign.

Seen from a distance, the eight characters spelling out the academy's name contained nearly a hundred varieties of flowers in different colors.

It was a beautiful sight.

And distinctive, too.

It was enrollment day, and plenty of students and parents had gathered outside the academy gates.

No one dared raise their voice, though. An Eight-Ring Soul Douluo stood guard at the entrance with his Soul Rings on display.

White, yellow, purple, purple, purple, purple, black, black.

His Soul Ring Configuration might not have looked particularly impressive.

But even the weakest Eight-Ring Soul Douluo was still a Soul Douluo.

He was Ye Nanzhu, dean of instruction at Plant Advanced Soul Master Academy.

"Martial Soul: White Wolf. Soul Power: rank twenty-three. Age: sixteen."

"Rejected. Next."

"Martial Soul: Lantern. Soul Power: rank twenty-five. Age: sixteen."

"Rejected. Next."

"Martial Soul: Dandelion. Soul Power: rank twenty-seven. Age: fourteen."

"Name?"

"Zhang Xue."

"You pass. Go inside. Someone will take you to the next testing area."

At the news that she had passed, Zhang Xue's face flushed with joy.

She went to her mother and hugged her tightly.

Only then did she enter the gates of Plant Academy.

Who knew how much time passed?

Just as Jin Yang was growing drowsy, his turn finally came.

After waiting so long, he had already worked out the procedure.

"Martial Soul: Smiling Sunflower. Soul Power: rank thirty-seven. Age: thirteen."

As Jin Yang summoned his Martial Soul, he released his aura for them to verify.

A huge sunflower appeared beside him.

Three Soul Rings revolved steadily around it, radiating the aura of a Soul Elder.

"Huh?"

Several nearby teachers turned toward Jin Yang when they heard him.

Even the Eight-Ring Soul Douluo could not help glancing over.

"Passed."

Once the examiner confirmed the results, he declared his decision at once.

"So young! What a genius!"

"That's incredible!"