The carriage jolted.
The dirt road stretched on.
They left the bounds of Nuoding City.
The scenery gradually changed.
Farmland grew scarce.
The woods grew denser.
The road widened a little, too.
Wang Sheng and the others were in the carriage behind them.
They had been excited at first.
After a while, they wilted, too.
They dozed.
They gnawed on dry rations.
Xiao Wu leaned against the carriage window.
She grew tired of looking at trees.
She turned back and complained.
"How much farther?"
"My bones are about to fall apart!"
Grandmaster rested with his eyes closed.
He did not even lift his eyelids at her words.
"What's the rush?"
"We've only been traveling half a day."
"There are at least two more days to go."
Xiao Wu let out a wail.
She slumped in her seat.
Tang San handed her a waterskin.
"Save your strength."
He said little.
But he was attentive.
Ling Feng had been quiet all along.
He leaned against the carriage wall.
He seemed to be resting.
But his consciousness had sunk into the system interface.
On the map.
The point of light representing them was moving slowly.
After they left the Nuoding region.
Vast stretches of darkness lay at the map's edges.
Waiting to be explored.
Suotuo City.
How large an area would it light up?
What he looked forward to was not some tournament.
But...
The sign-in rewards for a new map!
An entirely new location!
A first sign-in!
Judging by the system's pattern.
The rewards were bound to be generous!
They might directly boost his Soul Power.
Or give him a powerful Soul Skill.
Even... a clue to a Soul Bone?
At that thought.
Ling Feng's heart skipped a beat.
His face remained calm.
Grandmaster occasionally opened his eyes to look at him.
Inwardly, he nodded.
He can keep his composure.
A promising seedling.
The carriages kept going.
They traveled by day.
At night, they found roadside inns or small towns to rest in.
The accommodations were basic.
But they offered shelter from wind and rain.
On the afternoon of the third day.
There were noticeably more carriages and horses on the road.
Carriages of every kind.
Carried goods.
Or, like theirs.
Carried young Soul Masters.
They all headed in the same direction.
Southeast.
The atmosphere grew livelier, too.
Vendors' cries.
The creak of axles.
Mingled together.
"We're almost there."
Grandmaster looked out the window.
And spoke.
Xiao Wu immediately perked up.
She clung to the carriage window and strained to look.
"Where? Where?"
On the distant horizon.
The outline of an enormous city.
Faintly emerged.
Its walls towered high.
Stretching on without end.
It was far grander than Nuoding City!
"Wow!"
Xiao Wu exclaimed.
Wang Sheng and the others also poked their heads out of the carriage behind them.
Their mouths fell open.
"So... so big!"
Compared with this, Nuoding City.
Looked like a clod of dirt.
The carriages followed the flow of people.
Slowly drawing closer.
The closer they came.
The more they could feel the city's vast size and prosperity.
Voices seethed like water in a boiling cauldron.
Carriages flowed like water, horses streamed like dragons.
A long line waited at the city gate.
The guards' helmets and armor gleamed.
Their expressions were solemn.
As they inspected the people entering the city.
"Stay alert, everyone."
Grandmaster instructed in a low voice.
"Keep close."
"Don't get separated."
"Dragons and snakes mingle in Suotuo City."
The line inched forward.
Their turn came.
A soldier checked Grandmaster's invitation and the academy's credentials.
His manner was reasonably courteous.
"From Nuoding Academy?"
"Go on in."
"Good luck getting good results."
The carriage passed into the towering gateway.
Shadows engulfed them.
Then the view suddenly opened up!
The clamor.
All sorts of smells.
Rushed to meet them!
Broad streets.
Paved with stone slabs.
Clean and level.
Shops lined both sides.
Their signs were a riot of colors.
Pedestrians jostled shoulder to shoulder.
Dressed in all manner of clothes.
Many were clearly Soul Masters.
Carrying weapons.
Their presences were not weak.
"Heavens..."
Zhang Tiedan murmured.
He could not take it all in.
Even Tang San was slightly moved.
This prosperity.
Far exceeded his imagination.
Xiao Wu was even more excited, looking this way and that.
"So much delicious food!"
"So many fun things!"
Ling Feng swept his gaze over the street.
He silently said to himself.
System.
Sign in.
[Ding! Host detected arriving in an important city-Suotuo City-for the first time!] [New map sign-in successful!] [Reward: Soul Power increased to level 16!] [Reward: passive skill "Might" activated! (Exerts a faint mental intimidation on opponents whose Soul Power Level is lower than your own, weakening their will to fight)]
A warm current instantly surged through his entire body!
His Soul Power bottleneck broke with ease!
Level 16!
His Soul Power was even more robust!
At the same time.
An indescribable presence.
Lingered faintly around him.
Was this "imposing might"?
It felt good.
Double rewards!
The new map really delivered!
The corners of Ling Feng's mouth lifted almost imperceptibly.
Grandmaster instructed the driver.
To find an inn that looked clean.
But was inexpensive.
"Let's stay here first."
"Get settled in."
"I'll report to the tournament organizing committee."
"Don't go wandering off."
"Especially you, Xiao Wu."
Grandmaster singled her out for a warning.
Xiao Wu stuck out her tongue.
"Got it!"
The inn was called "Guests Return."
It wasn't large.
But it was tidy.
They rented an entire small courtyard.
With several rooms.
Two people to a room.
Ling Feng shared with Tang San.
Once they had put down their luggage.
Grandmaster hurried out.
Wang Sheng and the others stayed in the courtyard.
Feeling a little ill at ease.
They didn't dare go out.
But Xiao Wu couldn't sit still.
She tugged at Tang San.
"Xiao San!"
"Let's go look around!"
"Just for a little while!"
Tang San frowned.
"Grandmaster said..."
"Oh, come on!"
Xiao Wu stamped her foot.
"We'll stay nearby!"
"We won't go far!"
"Let's just take a look!"
She gazed pleadingly at Tang San.
Tang San's heart softened.
He looked toward Ling Feng.
"Ling Feng, are you coming?"
Ling Feng stood at the courtyard gate.
Watching the bustling street outside.
"Yes."
He needed to familiarize himself with the surroundings.
And look for possible check-in spots.
The Great Soul Arena.
Spirit Hall.
Some special buildings...
They were all targets.
"Great!"
Xiao Wu cheered.
Wang Sheng and the others looked on longingly.
But didn't dare follow.
The three left the inn.
And merged into the crowd.
Suotuo City was indeed prosperous.
Of the goods sold in its shops.
Many couldn't be found in Nuoding City at all.
Shops catering to Soul Masters were especially numerous.
Weapon shops.
Armor stores.
Medicinal herb shops...
There were even places specializing in appraising Soul Beast materials.
Everything Xiao Wu saw was new to her.
She chattered away.
Tang San carefully shielded her.
Keeping others from bumping into her.
Ling Feng seemed to be strolling casually.
But his gaze was sharp.
It swept over one conspicuous building after another.
Noting their locations.
As they passed an intersection.
An exceptionally magnificent circular building came into view.
It occupied an enormous area.
And drew huge crowds.
A massive sign hung at the entrance:
Soto Great Soul Arena!
This was the place!
An important setting in the original story!
Ling Feng's eyes lit up.
This place.
He had to check in here!
There might even be rewards every day!
As he was thinking.
A sharp rebuke suddenly came from beside them.
"Get lost!"
"Don't block the way, you paupers!"
A lavishly dressed youth.
Accompanied by several lackeys.
Barged recklessly through the crowd.
And nearly collided with Xiao Wu.
Tang San pulled Xiao Wu behind him.
And frowned at the youth.
The youth was fourteen or fifteen.
With an arrogant expression.
His Soul Power fluctuations were not weak.
He was probably at rank seventeen or eighteen.
He glanced at Tang San.
Then spotted Xiao Wu.
His eyes brightened.
"Oh?"
"You're a pretty little thing."
"Which academy are you from?"
His tone was flippant.
His lackeys roared with laughter.
Xiao Wu glared furiously.
"None of your business!"
The youth's expression darkened.
"You dare talk back?"
"Do you know who this young master is?"
He took a step forward.
And tried to grab Xiao Wu's wrist.
Tang San blocked his path.
"Please conduct yourself properly."
The youth flew into a rage.
"You're courting death!"
He raised a hand to shove Tang San.
But his hand had only reached halfway.
Before it stopped.
An invisible pressure.
Suddenly enveloped him!
It was as if a savage beast had fixed its gaze on him!
A chill ran down his back!
His movements froze!
He turned his head in terror.
And saw Ling Feng, who had remained silent beside them.
Ling Feng merely looked at him indifferently.
His gaze was calm.
But that pressure.
Was coming from him!
"Imposing might" had taken effect!
The youth's Soul Power was lower than Ling Feng's.
He had been cowed!
His face turned pale.
His hand trembled slightly.
His lackeys also sensed something was wrong.
And no longer dared move.
"Y-you..."
The youth's lips quivered.
He couldn't form a complete sentence.
Ling Feng ignored him.
And said to Tang San and Xiao Wu.
"Let's go."
He turned and continued forward.
The pressure vanished.
The boy's legs buckled.
He nearly sank to the ground.
His lackey caught him.
He stared at the retreating backs of Ling Feng and the other two.
He was shocked and furious.
But he dared not chase after them again.
That feeling just now...
It had been terrifying!
Tang San and Xiao Wu exchanged a glance.
Both saw the surprise in the other's eyes.
They hadn't felt any oppressive pressure.
But they had seen the boy's reaction.
"Ling Feng..."
Tang San asked quietly.
"Just now, did you...?"
Ling Feng didn't explain.
"Nothing much."
Xiao Wu made a face in the boy's direction.
"Serves you right!"
After this little incident.
Xiao Wu reined herself in a little.
She stopped running around.
The three took a walk around the area.
They got a general sense of their surroundings.
They returned to the inn.
Grandmaster had already returned.
His expression looked rather grim.
"What's wrong, Teacher?"
Tang San asked.
Grandmaster sighed.
"This tournament."
"It's more complicated than I imagined."
"There are a lot of strong teams."
"And..."
He paused.
"The draw wasn't very favorable."
"Our opponent in the first match."
"Is a seeded team from Silves City."
"Their average level..."
"Is over twenty."
Wang Sheng and the others sucked in a breath of cold air.
An average level of twenty?!
On their side.
Apart from Ling Feng and the other two.
Wang Sheng and the others were only in their teens!
How were they supposed to fight this?
Grandmaster looked at Ling Feng.
"Ling Feng."
"You're the captain."
"You'll be under a lot of pressure."
Ling Feng's expression remained unchanged.
"Information on our opponents?"
Grandmaster handed him a sheet of paper.
"The Silves Academy Second Team."
"Their captain is a level twenty-two Soul Grandmaster."
"His Martial Soul is the Iron Armored Rhinoceros."
"His defense is very strong."
Ling Feng glanced over it.
He set it down.
"Got it."
His tone was flat.
As though he had just heard what was on the menu tomorrow.
Grandmaster watched him.
For some reason, he felt a little more at ease.
"Everyone, get some rest early."
"Tomorrow morning."
"We'll get used to the venue."
"In the afternoon..."
"The tournament begins!"
Everyone returned to their own rooms.
The night deepened.
Suotuo City blazed with lights.
From the direction of the distant Great Soul Arena.
Faint cheers drifted over.
This city.
Never lacked battles or passion.
Ling Feng stood by the window.
He watched that bustling scene.
His fingers tapped lightly against the window frame.
The Silves Second Team?
The Iron Armored Rhinoceros?
He recalled the "Overwhelming Presence" he had obtained from today's check-in.
Tomorrow.
Will be the perfect chance to test its effects.
Hopefully...
They won't go down too easily.