Half a month of jolting travel finally came to an end.
The wheels rolled over the last stretch of gravel-strewn imperial road before slowly coming to a halt outside Stone City, on the western frontier of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Yang Chang'an was the first to lift the carriage curtain and leap down. The instant his feet touched the ground, a gust carrying the mingled scents of earth, vegetation, and a faint bloody tang struck his face. He looked up, and at the far end of his vision, an endless forest stretched before him, wild and dark.
Yang Wushuang stepped down right after him. His plain cloth robes could not conceal the restrained aura of soul power surrounding him. He merely glanced at the forest before turning his attention to the city ahead.
"Stone City?" Yang Chang'an surveyed his surroundings, his gaze sweeping over the city walls as his brows rose in mild surprise.
"It doesn't quite live up to its name."
Although Stone City stood on the frontier, it was nothing like the little border town of haphazardly piled stones Yang Chang'an had imagined. Instead, it was orderly and well laid out. Though less prosperous than Spirit City, it was still quite lively, hardly deserving a name as crude as "Stone City."
Hearing him, Yang Wushuang merely glanced at the city's outline. His expression remained unchanged, and his indifferent tone betrayed neither pleasure nor displeasure.
"It only flourished because it had the advantage of being close to the Soul Beast Forest. That's no real achievement. Just good luck."
With that, he said no more and headed toward the city gates.
Yang Chang'an hurried after him, asking as he walked, "What are we doing next?"
Without looking back, Yang Wushuang replied, "We'll find a hotel and rest first. We'll go in tomorrow."
As a powerful Soul Saint, Yang Wushuang thought little of half a month of jolting travel. But Yang Chang'an was still young. Even with a constitution far stronger than most children his age, being tossed about day and night for half a month had taken a considerable toll on him.
Walking beside Yang Wushuang, Yang Chang'an kept studying his surroundings.
Stone City's bustle was entirely different from Spirit City's. As Spirit Hall's holy city, Spirit City was imposing and austere, with soul masters everywhere. Its strict order carried an air of oppression. Stone City, by contrast, stood on the frontier, where fish and dragons mingled. Soldiers, soul masters, and street vendors passed to and fro, lending it a touch of wildness and freedom.
For Yang Chang'an, who had grown up in Spirit City, it offered a different flavor of life.
The grandfather and grandson did not linger. They found a hotel and booked a fine room. The exhaustion of their long journey finally caught up with Yang Chang'an. He could not help rubbing his brow, and before long, he fell into a deep sleep.
Not long after they went to sleep, two figures appeared like ghosts in the previously empty room next door. They made no sound and disturbed no one, not even stirring the night breeze outside the window.
Fifth Uncle still wore that handsome, youthful face. He raised his brows smugly at the Burly Man. "Well? Didn't I tell you?"
The Burly Man slowly nodded, a trace of admiration flashing through his eyes.
"He does know where he stands. A pity... that upheaval back then completely ruined him."
Given Yang Wushuang's sensitive status, how could Spirit Hall casually allow him to take Yang Chang'an all the way to the Soul Beast Forest? Assessing Yang Chang'an was part of the reason Fifth Uncle and the Burly Man had followed them, but if Yang Wushuang harbored any disloyal intentions, Fifth Uncle would not mind rewarding the grandfather and grandson with an arrow.
After a brief silence, the Burly Man put aside his regret and turned the conversation to Yang Chang'an. "That boy is interesting, though. Just as you said, he's quite a character."
Recalling Yang Chang'an's earlier remark about "the right to scheme," the Burly Man could not help smiling.
Geniuses were plentiful, but geniuses who knew which way the wind blew were few.
Fifth Uncle's smile broadened. He clapped the man on the shoulder and said proudly, "Of course. When has your fifth brother ever misjudged someone? I picked this boy myself. Would I ever steer you wrong?"
Clearly, he was also very pleased with Yang Chang'an's reactions throughout the journey. The boy's thoughts were somewhat dark, but neither of them considered that a problem. Someone without a little guile did not deserve to survive in this man-eating world.
The night passed without incident.
Early the next morning, as dawn was just breaking, Yang Chang'an and Yang Wushuang finished their preparations and headed toward the entrance to the Soul Beast Forest.
The closer they came to the forest, the more soul masters' auras they sensed. At the same time, the rank scent of soul beasts grew stronger, and an occasional beast's roar reached their ears.
Before long, a checkpoint manned by Heaven Dou Empire soldiers appeared ahead. Several guards in gleaming armor were meticulously inspecting travel credentials.
Seeing the pair approach, the guard captain stepped forward and raised a hand to stop them.
"Do you have a pass?"
Yang Wushuang lifted his left hand slightly. A pitch-black token appeared in his palm, and he casually handed it over.
The guard captain took the token, his gaze suddenly sharpening. After carefully verifying it, he hurriedly returned it with both hands.
"So you are a Black Bishop, my lord. Forgive my discourtesy. This way, please."
What Yang Wushuang had produced was the exclusive token of a Spirit Hall Black Bishop. Black Bishops held exalted positions within Spirit Hall, and every one of them was a formidable expert in their own right. In the Heaven Dou Empire, their status was at least equal to that of a hereditary viscount. Ordinary local officials and soldiers dared not treat them lightly.
Still, the guard merely extended the courtesy required by protocol, without excessive flattery. With the Heaven Dou Empire's military behind him, he respected the Black Bishop's status and strength, but he was not frightened into meek submission.
Especially now, when the conflict between the Heaven Dou Empire and Spirit Hall had long ceased to be a secret. Their open clashes and covert struggles brought constant friction.
Yang Wushuang put away the token and gave a slight nod. Without another word, he turned and motioned for Yang Chang'an to follow. One behind the other, they stepped into the Soul Beast Forest.
Once they entered the forest, a wind thick with a bloody tang struck their faces. Ancient trees towered around them, and the silence was eerie, broken only by beasts' roars and the chirping of insects.
Yang Wushuang led the way, letting a little of his soul power radiate outward. Without looking back, he spoke in a calm voice that carried clearly.
"Since the New Pope took the throne, the conflict between the Two Great Empires and Spirit Hall has grown increasingly sharp. They're becoming like fire and water. If you encounter anyone from the Two Great Empires while traveling in the future, be sure to keep your wits about you."
His grandson had grown up in Spirit City. He had heard of the outside world but knew little of its details, so Yang Wushuang needed to explain a few things to keep him from suffering for it later.
Following behind, Yang Chang'an nodded. He understood the conflict between the Two Great Empires and Spirit Hall even better than Yang Wushuang did. They were far beyond being merely incompatible as fire and water; they were already on the verge of a struggle in which only one side could survive.
These hidden truths and future events were things Yang Wushuang could not yet foresee, but their outlines were already clear in Yang Chang'an's mind.
"Don't worry, Grandfather. I'll remember." Then he looked up and asked, "Grandfather, where are we going to find a suitable soul ring?"
Yang Wushuang stopped to get his bearings, then pointed toward a trail on the left, half concealed by vines.
"According to our information, a soul master once spotted a Star-Breaking Rock Dragon deep in the forest. Judging by its size, it should be around four hundred years old. We can take a look there first."
Despite having "Dragon" in its name, the Star-Breaking Rock Dragon was not actually related to dragonkind. A descendant of an ancient exotic beast, it resembled a giant crocodile. Its body was exceptionally powerful, its hide thick and tough, and its strength boundless. Its razor-sharp fangs could split mountains and shatter stone with ease. Even against soul beasts with dragon bloodlines, it could win through brute strength, making it an extremely troublesome opponent.
With that, Yang Wushuang headed down the narrow trail first. Yang Chang'an followed close behind, a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes.
The two figures, one old and one young, soon vanished from sight.