Chapter 224: Separation and Action

Tie Li's figure appeared inside Fikesi City; after entering the Tiandou Empire and joining the army led by Xuebeng, he temporarily left the squad under cover.

However, within the academy's party, there was a fake version of himself to throw people off.

Before daring to confirm whether the Spirit Hall had truly abandoned covert assassinations, this was the only method.

At that moment, even before entering the Tiandou Empire, he could clearly sense someone following him from the shadows.

He wouldn't boast about how strong his spiritual power was, but he was highly sensitive to malice and could perceive it clearly.

With Du Gu Bo and the Three Great Sect Committee present, the other side perhaps lacked confidence to succeed in an assassination, only seeking an opportunity in the dark, yet even after entering the Tiandou Empire, they never made a move.

Later, Tie Li discovered the malice in the shadows had vanished; to be safe, he left a fake version of himself in the party, while his true self went to Fikesi City.

He had originally intended to head straight to Baidi, but suddenly wondered, after being away from Baidi so long, would he return empty‑handed?

In his heart, Tie Li felt a special affection for Baidi's Plant Soul Beasts.

Thus, Tie Li intends to go to Fikesi City to purchase a batch of heavenly materials needed for Plant Soul Beasts.

For example, the earlier whale glue was undeniably good value.

However, doing it alone would likely take a lot of time, so Tie Li intends to seek out Chi Ru.

Given her family's standing in Fikesi City, she could save him a great deal of time; many years have passed, and he doesn't know how she is now.

She has already graduated from the Fia Soul Master Academy, and Tie Li, wanting to find her, can only go to her family's residence.

The Chi Huo Clan passes down the Red Fire Moth martial soul; Chi Ru's Red Fire Moth martial soul is the clan's purest, which explains her high standing within the family.

"Hmm? Is that Da Niu?"

Tie Li, still en route to the Chi Huo Clan, spotted a familiar silhouette.

Beside Da Niu were two members of the Chi Huo Clan, whose attitude toward him was markedly obsequious.

"Lord Gu, what's the matter?"

"You go ahead; I almost forgot something."

"Um, okay, Lord Gu, be careful."

After the two Chi Huo Clan members left, Da Niu headed another direction, spotted an alley mouth, and turned into it.

"Sure enough, it's you—long time no see," Da Niu said, a smile appearing on his simple face.

"After all this time, you've already reached Soul Emperor," Tie Li said with a smile.

Da Niu's soul power fluctuations made his Soul Power Level easy to discern.

"Compared to you, I seem rather ordinary; after just a few years apart, you've already attained Soul King."

Tie Li didn't hide his soul power fluctuations, and Da Niu easily sensed them.

"These years have brought some opportunities; I just heard them call you Lord Gu..."

Da Niu's face flushed as he told Tie Li about what had happened over the past few years.

Under the Chi Huo Clan's arrangement, Da Niu was paired with Chi Ru; Da Niu's evident talent compelled the clan to take him seriously, and he is very likely to breakthrough to Soul Douluo in the future.

Then, with a Soul Douluo Soul Master stationed, the Chi Huo Clan would become the most powerful Soul Master family in Fikesi City.

Chi Ru's union with Da Niu will further heighten Da Niu's sense of belonging to the Chi Huo Clan; the clan's elders also believe that any offspring they bear will possess superior talent.

Most crucially, the offspring will carry the Chi Huo Clan's bloodline within them.

Chi Ru's Red Fire Moth martial soul is the clan's purest; her union with Da Niu is sure to produce a favorable result.

Da Niu's status leapt from clan head's adopted son to becoming the Chi Huo Clan's Lord Gu.

"I'm here to see you; I want to use your connections to buy some heavenly materials," Tie Li explained his purpose.

"These are minor matters; I can have the city's merchants deliver them to your residence."

Tie Li briefly described some types of heavenly materials—those that absorb and boost soul power, those that nurture and solidify the foundation, and so on.

He withdrew Gold Soul Coins from the Storage Soul Guide Device and handed them to Da Niu, saying they could buy as much as they wanted, with a lifespan not exceeding a thousand years—hundred years suffices, and if cheap thousand‑year items exist, they could be purchased as well.

"Alright, that's no issue; we haven't met in years, I'll take you for a drink," Da Niu offered generously.

Tie Li forced a wry smile and had to explain.

"Da Niu, my current circumstances don't allow me to appear publicly; when the opportunity arises, I'll definitely treat you."

Da Niu didn't mind and said he understood.

"No problem; in two days, right here, I'll give you the items."

"Alright."

Under Da Niu's watch, Tie Li's silhouette quickly disappeared from view.

"Without any faction's protection, wandering alone in the Soul Master World, your road looks difficult."

In Da Niu's view, Tie Li offended a faction he shouldn't have in the Soul Master World, forcing him to hide in the shadows.

Over the years, he's encountered many such situations, understanding the plight of Soul Masters; the only remedy is to join a larger Soul Master faction or advance his cultivation until he fears no one.

Once Da Niu returned to his clan, he sent word for the Fikesi City merchants to seek him out.

"Da Niu, why are you suddenly buying so many items?"

Chi Ru stepped out of a side chamber, her belly slightly swollen, clearly indicating pregnancy.

She no longer possessed the lively beauty she once had, appearing more solemn.

"Why aren't you resting in the room? Be careful."

Da Niu immediately stepped forward to support his wife, his eyes filled with affection.

"You still haven't answered my question."

Da Niu didn't conceal anything, explained the situation, and shared his perspective with Chi Ru.

"Wandering the Soul Master World inevitably leads to such circumstances; for him to have cultivated to Soul King over these years, the price must have been severe."

A hint of sadness appeared on both their faces, as if recalling something.

…

Tie Li hid his figure, trying not to be discovered; this is Fikesi City, where the Spirit Hall has influence.

Being cautious in one's actions is never wrong.

The purpose of returning to Baidi this time is clear: enter Deep Baidi and obtain the Fourth Thunder Stone Mark.

Although it's unclear why there is this Thunder Stone in Baidi, absorbing the Thunder Stone Seal truly enhances one's attributes.

Most importantly, the Thunder Stone Seal allows one to control the seal of the Yin Lei Demon Dragon King.

When the time comes, returning to the Leichi on the ruins of the Fenglei Sect, absorbing the Fifth Thunder Stone Mark, what changes will occur? Will one even have the qualification to enter the Leichi?

Tie Li felt that the Leichi certainly contains the secret guarded by the Fenglei Sect.

During the time he spent with Yue Yin, he had mentioned the Leichi to himself more than once.

(End of chapter)