Skywater Academy

Two days of travel, hurrying day and night.

Under the guidance of Coachman Uncle Li, the carriage crossed endless mountain roads and desolate forest paths before arriving at a bustling town outside the Star Dou Great Forest.

This was Green Mountain Town, one of the famous distribution hubs on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.

It was already late. The setting sun was slowly sinking beyond the western mountains, its Golden Red afterglow spilling across the bluestone streets and reflecting the shadows of the bustling crowds and carriages.

Lifting the curtain, Tang Chuan gazed at the scene before him, his eyes narrowing slightly. At the stone archway at the town entrance, he saw three vigorous characters carved into it: "Green Mountain Town."

Beyond the stone archway lay noisy crowds and lively markets.

Shops stood in rows on both sides of the street, and stalls selling all kinds of Soul Master supplies could be seen everywhere.

There were gleaming short swords, iron cables for hunting Soul Beasts, bags for storing food, crude but practical outdoor tents, and even poison powder and trap materials specially used to hunt Soul Beasts.

Even in the nearby plaza, groups of Soul Masters were loudly recruiting companions and forming temporary teams, preparing to enter the forest and hunt Soul Beasts.

"Green Mountain Town is even more prosperous than I imagined..." Tang Chuan murmured softly.

He withdrew his gaze, took out another bag of Bronze Soul Coins, and handed it to Uncle Li.

"You've worked hard, Uncle Li. Please wait for me outside the town for two days."

Uncle Li nodded without saying much, cracked his whip, and drove the carriage away until it gradually disappeared into the distance.

Carrying his luggage, Tang Chuan got off the carriage and immediately blended into the crowd. Soon, he stopped in front of a small three-story inn called Guest Come Residence.

The inn was not luxurious, but it looked like the quietest and cleanest establishment on the entire street. The manager was a thin, wiry old man. Seeing that Tang Chuan was young yet composed, he did not waste words and simply asked, "How many days will you be staying?"

Tang Chuan thought for a moment before answering, "Two days to start with. I may extend it."

The manager nodded. After taking the money, he had a servant lead Tang Chuan to a second-floor room by the window.

The room was not large. It had a bed, a table, and a chair. Outside the window was the main street of Green Mountain Town, offering a clear view of the passing Soul Masters.

Tang Chuan put down his luggage and was just about to take off his clothes and rest when the sound of wheels rolling over the ground suddenly came from outside the inn's window.

He instinctively turned to look. Through the window, he saw two lavishly designed, exquisitely decorated carriages slowly stop in front of Guest Come Residence.

A blue-and-gold emblem hung from the carriages. Its design was a blue ice crystal surrounded by seven rippling water patterns, giving it an unmistakable air of a sect or Academy.

The Coachman lifted the curtain.

The next moment, one slender beauty after another filed out of the carriages.

Seven young women, all dressed alike, wore well-tailored blue uniforms with ice-crystal emblems embroidered on their chests and silver-edged ribbons tied around their waists. They radiated a fresh, clean aura.

Every one of them was strikingly beautiful, with exquisite features and her own distinct charm.

When they all entered the inn together, they brought with them a refreshing fragrance, causing even the air to grow still.

In an instant, the pedestrians, drinkers, and servants on the street all froze.

"Who are these girls?"

"They're far too beautiful, aren't they? Every one of them looks like a fairy..."

"You idiot. Look at their clothes and the emblem on the carriages. Those are the uniforms of Skywater Academy. Every one of these girls is a Soul Master!"

"Skywater Academy? The famous school that only accepts female Soul Masters?"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Seven of them, and every one is top-tier..."

Discussion instantly erupted all around.

Seeing this, the manager of Guest Come Residence hurried forward with a broad smile. "Ladies, are you here to stay the night? We can arrange rooms for you immediately."

Before the manager could approach, a middle-aged woman stepped out from behind the seven young women.

The woman wore a plain gray robe. She had a tall, upright figure and a cold expression. Though she wore no makeup, she possessed an imposing aura that commanded respect without anger. Clearly, she was the teacher leading the seven young women.

"We want four quiet, secluded guest rooms, preferably not too close to the other guests," the middle-aged woman said. Her voice was calm, yet left no room for argument.

"Also, send the meals to our rooms. We require no other disturbances."

Hearing this, the manager's ingratiating smile immediately became even more respectful. He repeatedly bowed and nodded. "Certainly, certainly! Please head upstairs. Guest Come Residence has the quietest eastern wing, beside the rear courtyard. The entire third floor is unoccupied. I'll have a servant lead the way at once."

As he spoke, he shouted, "Xiao Liu, hurry and take the distinguished guests to the eastern rooms on the third floor! The sheets and bedding have all been freshly changed!"

A nimble young servant immediately came forward and respectfully led everyone upstairs.

Through the gap in the window, Tang Chuan looked down. He saw the seven young women from Skywater Academy following the middle-aged woman into the inn one after another.

"They're actually... people from Skywater Academy."

His gaze swept back and forth across the seven of them before finally settling on one tall, slender young woman with a cold and striking bearing. A faint ripple passed through his eyes.

"That should be Shui Bing'er, right? Skywater Academy's senior sister. I never expected to encounter them here."

"Looks like they're also planning to enter the Star Dou Great Forest in search of suitable Soul Rings."

At this point, he frowned slightly and murmured,

"The seven of them, along with that teacher leading them, are probably all quite strong. If I encounter them on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest... I'll have to be more careful."

Slowly closing the window, Tang Chuan stepped away from the wooden frame and casually latched the door.

Early the next morning, the sky was only beginning to brighten, and the morning mist had yet to disperse.

Tang Chuan had already risen, washed, and left the inn with a small bundle on his back. His steps were steady, his gaze resolute, and he had already made thorough preparations.

Following the stone-paved lanes, he soon arrived at the market in the center of town.

Although it was close to the Star Dou Great Forest, the frequent traffic of Soul Masters made the market exceptionally lively. Many small vendors had already opened for business and were calling out their wares. The weapon stalls along the street displayed a dazzling array of blades:

Steel knives, Long Swords, heavy hammers, short axes... everything was available.

Tang Chuan browsed several stalls before finally stopping in front of a Blacksmith Shop.

The Blacksmith Shop looked unremarkable. Coal cinders covered the ground, the furnace had not yet gone out, and a burly blacksmith was bare-chested as he swung his hammer against a billet of iron.

Tang Chuan got straight to the point. "Boss, do you have an Iron Spear? Something sturdy and practical. I don't need anything fancy—as long as it can pierce a Soul Beast, that's enough."

Hearing this, the blacksmith grinned and pointed toward a black Long Spear leaning diagonally against the weapon rack nearby.

"This Wind Piercing Spear was forged from repeatedly tempered coarse steel. It has no decorative patterns, but it's hard and heavy enough. It's suitable for a low-level Soul Master like you to use for self-defense."

Tang Chuan picked up the Iron Spear and weighed it in his hand. The shaft was cold, with an excellent grip. It was heavy without being clumsy, and the spearhead was sharp, faintly radiating a chill.