Vidal

He turned his head, and his gaze collided with Amon's before the latter could look away.

Seeing Amon's scholarly air, like that of a learned man, he nodded in greeting.

The bartender on the second floor was somewhat surprised. This was the first time he had seen him take the initiative to greet someone.

Amon looked away and quickly spotted the conspicuous quest board.

He walked over and said, "I want to post a bounty."

The second-floor bartender was a handsome middle-aged man with neatly combed hair and gold-rimmed glasses. He explained:

"Our tavern has three branches across Ironheart City, each located in a different part of the city. They are all places where mercenaries frequently gather."

"There are two pricing options for posting information. One is to post it at a single tavern, which costs two Silver Soul Coins per week."

"The other is to post it at all three taverns at once, which costs five Silver Soul Coins per week."

"Additionally, we regularly compile commission information and send it to the major mercenary groups. You can enjoy this service regardless of which option you choose."

Amon chuckled. "Not bad. Help me post the bounty. Hmm, I'll take the second option."

"The first target is an Eyeless Snake between two thousand and five thousand years old. There should be some in the Ironheart Mountains, but their numbers are relatively small."

"If you provide an approximate location, I'll pay one hundred Gold Soul Coins after I successfully hunt it. If you take me to find it, I'll pay five hundred Gold Soul Coins regardless of whether the hunt succeeds."

"The second target is a Three-Eyed Fox, also between two thousand and five thousand years old. They aren't uncommon in the Ironheart Mountains. The reward for taking me to one is two hundred Gold Soul Coins."

"Also, I won't accept information about the second target within the next two weeks. If there's no news of the first target after two weeks, I'll settle for the second-best option."

Amon could actually absorb Spirit Rings from older Soul Beasts, but the problem was that even if he found a stronger Soul Beast, he might not be able to defeat it. Even if he defeated it, he might not be able to kill it.

The stronger mercenaries in Ironheart City were generally Soul Elders. A five-thousand-year Soul Beast was more or less the limit of what they could hunt.

So while this was not the best choice, it was the most suitable one.

After hearing Amon's terms, the bartender told him:

"There's something you need to know. Our tavern is only a place for exchanging information. We are not responsible for verifying whether information is true or false, nor are we responsible for restraining either party. Everything is up to you."

Amon nodded. "I understand."

After paying to have the information posted on the quest board for two weeks, he turned his attention to another board listing the contact addresses of various mercenary groups.

He memorized several of the ones near the top, as well as a few powerful lone mercenaries.

Just then, a familiar voice rang out.

"Give me a cup of sweet plum wine, and this, this, this... Don't serve these few dishes, but bring me every other dish on the menu." Yan Jin walked into the tavern, shouting noisily.

Lei Yin tried to persuade her from the side. "Sis, order less. We can't eat that much, can we?"

"We can. Don't doubt my appetite."

The bartender on the first floor changed expression and quietly reminded her, "Esteemed guest, please keep your voice down. Speaking too loudly will disturb the other customers."

"Huh? Isn't this a tavern?" Yan Jin looked puzzled. "I was wondering why something felt off. Isn't this place way too quiet? Taverns are supposed to be lively."

The young man seated in the best spot on the second floor had already set down his wineglass when Yan Jin entered, irritation appearing on his face.

When he heard her continuing to make a racket despite the bartender's warning, he could not help but rise to his feet.

Half of the second floor had been opened up to the height of the original building, allowing a direct view of the first floor.

The richly dressed young man walked to the railing at the edge of the second floor and looked down at Yan Jin from above.

He said, "Where did this little brat come from? Didn't your parents teach you not to disturb others? Throw them out for me."

"Huh? Young Master Vidal, this..." The bartender looked troubled. Driving customers out would damage the tavern's reputation.

"Who are you? This is a tavern! If you can't brag, drink, and fight here, what kind of tavern is it? It's not like there's a sign saying we have to keep quiet." Yan Jin's expression darkened. "And what are you acting so high and mighty for? Does your family own this place?"

"Young Master Vidal is the city lord's son, a level twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster. Also, the tavern really is one of the city lord's properties." Seeing Yan Jin squaring off against Vidal, the bartender kindly reminded her of his identity, hoping she would back down.

"Huh? So it really is your family's..." Yan Jin paused. "Hmph, you're just an idiot who bullies people with your status. Since this is your family's place and you think it's too noisy, why not build yourself a soundproof private room?"

"A very good suggestion." Vidal turned his head and calmly instructed the second-floor bartender, "Make the arrangements."

"Yes, we'll contact craftsmen shortly to carry out the renovations."

"Since your suggestion was good, I'll forgive your offense."

Vidal spoke in a lofty tone, as though he were bestowing charity.

Yan Jin raised her brows. "Like I need your forgiveness, blondie."

"Don't test my patience again and again." Vidal's expression darkened.

"You want to fight?" Yan Jin glared back without yielding.

Soul power surged. Amid dazzling light, two yellow Spirit Rings rose from Vidal's body. His Martial Soul was the Gem Cat, an elegant Soul Beast with heterochromatic eyes.

A calm, indifferent yet somewhat domineering voice echoed through the tavern. "You have angered me."

The other customers in the tavern were not panicked by the conflict. Instead, they watched with great interest.

They were somewhat dissatisfied with Vidal as well, but given his identity as the city lord's son and the strength of a Soul Grandmaster, no one dared show it.

Now that two youngsters who seemed to have some confidence were challenging him, they were all eager to watch the show.

"How about we fight outside? I'm worried you'll try to extort me if we break anything." Yan Jin raised an arm and pointed her thumb toward the street behind her.

"Heh, how much could teaching you two little brats a lesson possibly damage? Don't worry, I won't make you pay. I'll only beat you until you kneel and apologize for mercy." Vidal sneered coldly.

"I don't need to pay... You said it."

Sizzle... boom... Flames burned and then died out as thick smoke billowed from Yan Jin's body. Red light flared from her arms, and more and more magma emerged, radiating astonishing heat. Two yellow Spirit Rings lit up, their gentle glow not dazzling, yet solid and unyielding.

Looking at her arm, completely covered in magma and several times thicker than before, along with the waves of heat rolling through the air, Vidal suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Wait..."

Before he could finish, a mass of magma shot toward him like a cannonball, forcing him to swallow the rest of his words.

Yan Jin's second Spirit Ring skill was Soul Power Ejection, which used a directional burst of soul power to propel objects at high speed.

She could use it to launch magma, creating an effect similar to a Volcanic Bomb.

Soul Power Ejection had no fixed consumption and could be adjusted as she wished. The more soul power it consumed, the faster the speed it granted.