Chapter 11: Choice

Having obtained the certificate issued by the White Radiance Intermediate Soul Master Academy, Tie Li immediately took it home, intending to share the good news with his family.

Instead of the situation he had imagined, his father, conflicted, produced a letter.

"When I was young, I went to Geng Xin Cheng to study forging, but because I was not a Soul Master and lacked soul power to support me, I could not learn more advanced forging techniques, so I returned to Manuo City and opened a blacksmith shop;

I occasionally corresponded with a teacher in Geng Xin Cheng; a few days ago I wrote about Da Li in a letter, and the teacher suggested that Da Li go to Geng Xin Cheng to study forging with him;

We come from a civilian background and cannot provide Da Li with cultivation resources; if Da Li goes to Geng Xin Cheng, he can learn advanced forging techniques and craft high‑quality weapons or Soul Guide Devices to exchange for resources;

The early returns might be modest, but compared with hunting Soul Beasts for profit, it is far safer.

The final sentence was pointed; it was clear that Tie Niu knew Tie Li had concealed the Gold Soul Coin matter from him.

Tie Niu's conflict was that Tie Li was already a Soul Master, and even doing nothing, the Soul Master stipend alone provided a considerable income.

But as a father, he knew the ambition his son kept hidden in his heart would not be content with silence;

Therefore, he began contacting the teacher he had in Geng Xin Cheng during his youth, whose forging skills he had learned.

Tie Niu still remembers the words the teacher said when they parting.

"Tie Niu, you have a good forging talent, so why don't you have soul power!"

Clearly he has an excellent forging talent, but without soul power to support it, his blacksmith path ends here.

Tie Niu heeds the teacher's frustration in his voice, which mirrors his own inner resentment.

Sending Da Li to Geng Xin Cheng to study forging is not only to make up for his own youthful frustration, but also to give his son a backing.

Coming from a civilian background, trying to advance further on the Soul Master path is very difficult.

Tie Li took the letter from his father's hand; it contained only a few brief sentences.

When he saw Geng Xin Cheng, the first thing Tie Li thought of was the soon‑to‑shine Tang Sect hidden weapons, followed by Soul Guide Devices.

Dou Luo Da Lu emphasizes Soul Master cultivation, so its achievements in Soul Guide Devices are modest; the most common Soul Guide Device on the market is probably the Storage Soul Guide Device, right?

It wasn't until ten thousand years later, when the Ri Yue Continent collided with Dou Luo Da Lu, that the Ri Yue Empire—possessing advanced technology in the Soul Guide Device field—first displayed the formidable strength of its Soul Guide Devices, almost as weapons of war;

If the Shilake Academy had not dispatched top Soul Masters several times the number of the Ri Yue Empire, the balance of victory in this war would have tilted toward the Ri Yue Empire.

Only after the three great empires came to their senses did they begin to emphasize the development of Soul Guide Devices.

Tie Li did not hesitate long; he set aside the White Radiance Intermediate Soul Master Academy certificate and chose the letter.

However, traveling from the northern part of the Heavenly Battle Empire to the southern part of the Xingluo Empire would be a very long journey.

Tie Niu wanted to give all the family's savings to Tie Li, but Tie Li refused.

Although the road was far, as a Soul Master, Tie Li had his own plans.

He could take a transport mission from the trading house, ride its carriage, which saves effort and also earns extra money—a win‑win.

Tie Li returned to his room, took out a large map, and marked the route on it.

"You can take a transport mission from the trading house from Manuo City to Fuyu City, then get another transport mission at the Fuyu City trading house to another city..."

Then keep going to the border; after crossing it, take transport missions within the Xingluo Empire, repeating this until reaching Geng Xin Cheng.

The next day, Tie Li went to the academy to process his withdrawal and then headed to the Frostwind Trading House.

Having experienced the previous incident, the Frostwind Trading House was much more friendly toward Tie Li.

"I'd like to take a transport mission here," Tie Li said bluntly.

The staff member who received Tie Li was a girl in her early twenties, wearing the Frostwind Trading House uniform, with a faint smile on her face.

"Are you a Soul Master? What is your soul power level? I'll register you."

Tie Li truthfully reported his soul power level.

"Do you have any preferences regarding the mission?"

"Um… is there a transport mission to Fuyu City?"

The staff member was not surprised and began searching.

"Yes, there's a shipment of supplies that needs a Soul Master to oversee; would that be acceptable?"

The staff member handed the mission details to Tie Li.

Tie Li took it, examined it carefully, and only then saw the reward.

"Two Gold Soul Coins—still a decent reward," Tie Li thought to himself.

"Alright, I'll take it."

"Please show your Soul Master Handbook; I need to record it."

The Soul Master Handbook serves as a Soul Master's ID, confirming one's identity.

"The caravan has assembled; can we depart at noon?" the staff member said, returning the Soul Master Handbook to Tie Li.

"Yes, that works."

Tie Li first returned home, packed his belongings, left a farewell letter in his room, and by the time he got back to the Frostwind Trading House, it was already near the departure time.

The person in charge of this caravan was a man in his thirties, modestly dressed, with a hint of cunning in his eyes.

When he saw Tie Li, he was mildly surprised, not expecting a teenager.

But the respect in his tone did not diminish at all.

Just the Soul Master status alone signified the gap between them.

"Soul Master Great Sir, the caravan is ready; follow me."

"Alright."

The caravan stopped at the Frostwind Trading House square, consisting of fifteen carriages, each overseen by a strong man.

The lead carriage was exquisite, its compartments made of fine wood, with a comfortable cushioned berth inside.

"Soul Master Great Sir, this is your seat," the overseer pointed to the elegant carriage.

Tie Li was not shy about it, half‑lying on the cushioned berth, finding it quite comfortable.

The overseer went to inform the rear personnel, then returned to the carriage; the compartment served as Tie Li's resting place, and he was responsible for driving.

The seat was soft, the carriage swayed back and forth, and before long I felt drowsy.

From Manuo City to Fragrant Luxuriant City, the journey takes half a month.

This is Tie Li's first escort; although he lacks experience, this caravan is experienced.

Over seven days, they managed to reach a town before nightfall each time.

"Soul Master Great Sir, I may need to rely on you these few days." The person in charge, who was driving the carriage, suddenly spoke.

"What's wrong?" Tie Li felt fine about the person in charge; each time he could arrange things well, avoiding many troubles.

"The upcoming stretch has no towns; we'll need to camp outdoors, and if we encounter danger, we'll need you to lend a hand."

"That's naturally what I should do."

The route avoids the Soul Beast Forest and any basins where Soul Beasts might gather; at most they might face attacks from wild beasts.

(End of chapter)