Chapter 13: The Fallen One

Except for the initial encounter with horse bandits, the rest of the journey had no major mishaps; thanks to the caravan's extensive experience, accidents were easily avoided.

"Soul Master Great Sir, ahead is Maple Leaf Town; we can rest at an inn in the town tonight."

Like most small towns, there is an inn specifically catering to passing caravans.

"Very well."

Out in the wild one must stay vigilant at all times, even during rest; the body can endure, but the mind still needs a break.

Fortunately, this caravan is experienced, and its officials handle matters smoothly.

Upon arriving at Maple Leaf Town, the horse steward first arranged a room for Tie Li, then set about settling the wagons and cargo.

The room selected for Tie Li was the inn's best; not luxurious, but it could be described as decent.

After a proper wash, he lay on the soft bed and soon fell asleep.

But when traveling, one must always keep a tension string; one cannot sleep too deeply.

In the middle of the night, Tie Li heard a fierce argument outside the inn, and it seemed the horse steward's voice was among them.

Donning his clothes, Tie Li went to the inn's ground floor, where several caravan officials and their subordinates were in a dispute.

Seeing Tie Li come down, the horse steward whispered the general situation into his ear.

A caravan had lost an important shipment, suspected to have been stolen by other caravans, and they wanted to inspect the cargo.

The horse steward's caravan dealt in biological supplies, so they didn't mind, but the other caravans' goods couldn't be displayed freely, so they immediately refused the request, and the argument escalated.

On the first floor, Tie Li sensed several soul power fluctuations; it was clear that each group had Soul Masters.

He just didn't know whether this would lead to a fight.

This is only a small town; when Soul Masters clash, ordinary people truly dare not intervene.

"Don't think that because you're many I will fear you; today, whoever stole it, I will inspect your cargo."

The official of the caravan whose important shipment was stolen shouted angrily, his gaze signaling the Soul Master beside him.

The middle-aged Soul Master rose immediately, a configuration of one white and two yellow Soul Rings appearing on him.

None of the caravan officials present expected the other side to have a Three Ring Soul Honorable.

Among these caravans, the best setup is two Second Ring Great Soul Masters; none have a Three Ring Soul Honorable.

But the other side has only one.

Several caravan officials exchanged glances, and each called their nearby Soul Master to stand and confront.

A one‑white‑one‑yellow Soul Ring configuration or a two‑white pairing filled the inn with the unique luster of the Soul Rings.

The soul power aura they emitted caused Tie Li's Soul Ring to manifest on its own, engaging in counteraction.

Beside the Three Ring Soul Honorable stood a one‑white‑one‑yellow Great Soul Master, but they faced eight Second Ring Great Soul Masters, and the outcome was far from certain.

"I think you are the most likely one."

With the situation at a stalemate, the Three Ring Soul Honorable decided to make an example.

The Second Soul Ring and Third Soul Ring lit up simultaneously, and a long spear materialized in his hand, its momentum surging, emitting a dazzling flash at the tip.

He stepped forward, the spear thrust toward a Second Ring Great Soul Master.

Tie Li, not wanting to be caught up, grabbed the horse steward's clothing and retreated toward the inn.

The horse steward was willing to allow the cargo inspection, so he wasn't their target; Tie Li led the horse steward out of the inn, and naturally no one interfered.

Tie Li's gaze fell inside the inn, expecting the Three Ring Soul Honorable to swiftly and severely wound a Second Ring Great Soul Master.

The Second Ring Great Soul Master extended his right claw, covered in scales, and somehow managed to grasp the spear tip.

The Three Ring Soul Honorable released a strike of Second Soul Technique and Third Soul Technique, yet it was easily blocked by a Great Soul Master?

Tie Li's pupils narrowed; not only was he shocked, but everyone present was stunned by the scene.

A sickly, pallid face revealed a strange smile.

These are... human teeth?

Sharp teeth, two full rows on both the upper and lower jaws, kept appearing as the corners of his mouth lifted, a terrifying sight.

It was the first time Tie Li felt a bone‑chilling, eerie cold on a Soul Master.

With a forceful pull of his scale‑covered claw, the Three Ring Soul Honorable's body was thrust uncontrollably to his front.

The other arm, also covered in scales, flicked out five sharp claws.

"Sss"

The Three Ring Soul Honorable hadn't even reacted before the claw pierced his abdomen, extracting a tangled mess of intestines.

"Aaah!"

The Three Ring Soul Honorable let out a howl, yet he seemed to hear a delightful sound, his face full of satisfaction as he placed the intestines into his mouth and chewed slowly.

"Ugh"

Someone couldn't bear the sight and immediately knelt down, vomiting.

Seeing this, Tie Li's mind conjured the image of a corrupted Soul Master, but at this point he should be called a Fallen One.

Sharing an inn with a Fallen One is extremely dangerous; Tie Li wished to leave Maple Leaf Town immediately, even spending the night outdoors would be safer than here.

"I'll go inform them; we'll leave at once."

It's not only Tie Li; the horse steward shares the same thought.

The Three Ring Soul Honorable hadn't fully died yet, but having lost the ability to resist, he could only watch as the Fallen One extracted piece after piece of his entrails, placed them in his mouth, and chewed with a look of enjoyment.

The surrounding caravan officials and Soul Masters gradually kept their distance, their eyes filled with terror.

The most fearful was the previously boisterous caravan official; now he no longer possessed that swagger.

The Three Ring Soul Honorable, hired at great expense, had become someone else's food, being devoured alive right before his eyes.

Next, will it be his turn?

At the thought of being eaten alive later, the caravan official's groin inexplicably leaked a foul‑smelling yellow fluid.

The Second Ring Great Soul Master, who was once part of the same group, had long since left him; his fear was no less than that of the caravan chief, yet he dared not act rashly.

The caravan chief forced himself to look at the other caravans, trembling as he spoke.

"The cargo just now… maybe I… maybe I left it there… it's definitely not… on… each of you…"

"Hic!"

The Fallen let out a loud belch, frightening him so that he knelt on the ground, his butt shaking and urine streaming.

"Please spare me… it's my eyes that are blind, don't eat me… I beg you."

All the organs of the Three Ring Soul Honorable had been completely eaten; now he cracked open the Three Ring Soul Honorable's skull, extended sharp claws to stir inside, as if tasting fine wine, twisted its neck, and poured the viscous white substance into his mouth.

Perhaps he was full; he ignored the pleading caravan chief, turned and returned to his inn room.

"Soul Master Great Sir." The horse chief had already woken all the caravan members.

"We will leave here immediately." Tie Li didn't want to stay even for a moment.

(End of Chapter)