Chapter 48: Departure

"If we go another hundred li forward, we'll have crossed the border."

Tie Li chose to ride the merchant caravan across the border; with the caravan's passage certificate, crossing the border causes far fewer troubles.

Usually only medium‑large caravans can obtain such certificates, but these caravans recruit outside Soul Masters and require them to show their merchant ledger.

Compared to a Soul Master Handbook, they trust this more; it serves as a Soul Master's credit in the merchant world.

Tie Li's ledger bears the seal of the Feng Xue Trading House, which is proof of his credit.

The more seals, the better a Soul Master's reputation among merchants.

Fortunately, Feng Xue is a medium‑size caravan, its seals carry enough weight, and Tie Li is still young, which secured him this escort mission.

The caravan has been on the road for three days; besides Tie Li, a Second Ring Great Soul Master, there are two other Soul Masters.

The escort destination is Hadrian City within the Xingluo Empire.

From Hadrian City, heading south leads into Antonio Province, where Geng Xin Cheng lies.

But this time heading to Geng Xin Cheng, he cannot visit the blacksmith shop his father mentioned.

At the very least, until the situation in Bainuoia City is clarified, Tie Li should keep his identity hidden.

If people from the Great Soul Battle Arena learn he's still alive and sneak into Geng Xin Cheng, they'll definitely come here to capture Tie Li.

Then they'd surely suspect him of smuggling a soul bone, and that inspection would fully expose his right leg bone.

At that point, the yellow mud would fall into his crotch, and he wouldn't be able to explain.

Both borders are heavily garrisoned, so robber attacks are rare, and no bandit would dare commit such a foolish act.

Ma Sen is the caravan's chief and is extremely cautious throughout; he relaxes a bit when they reach the border section.

"Chief Ma, you said you plan to buy a batch of iron ore on the return?" Tie Li asked curiously.

"Hadrian City is close to Geng Xin Cheng; iron ore there is much cheaper and of good quality."

At the mention of Geng Xin Cheng, a smile appeared on Ma Sen's face.

"I've been to Geng Xin Cheng; the weapons they forge changed my view of blacksmiths."

He said this while drawing his long sword from its scabbard, feeling the blade's sharpness the instant it left.

Ma Sen is a One Ring Soul Master, of modest talent, and because he spends years leading the caravan, he has little time to cultivate and has missed the prime cultivation period.

He infused soul power into the sword, and the blade became scorching hot, with faint sparks of fire flashing as he swung it.

"My martial soul is a fire snake, so my soul power has fire attribute; this long sword I bought from a senior blacksmith in Geng Xin Cheng, not only of excellent quality but also capable of condensing soul power;

If I face a Soul Master of the same rank, besides my own martial soul and Soul Ring, I effectively gain an additional weapon martial soul."

Ma Sen then handed the long sword to Tie Li, indicating he should try the feeling.

Soul Masters of great powers focus more on refining and developing their own martial souls; to them, external items are merely external.

But Soul Masters like Ma Sen are different; they belong to the lower tier and will enhance their strength whenever possible.

Tie Li took the sword and infused soul power into its blade.

"Sizzle"

The blade instantly turned blue‑white, with arcs of electricity coursing over it.

"Before going to Geng Xin Cheng, I thought blacksmiths only made ordinary weapons, far weaker than a martial soul itself;

But once you meet a blacksmith, even a junior one, a simple conversation changes my preconceived notion of them," Ma Sen said.

Tie Li returned the sword to Ma Sen and resumed casual chat.

Most of the talk concerned Geng Xin Cheng, deepening Tie Li's understanding of it.

Upon reaching the border, they must undergo inspection.

At that moment, some social connections are needed; otherwise they could be held up for several days.

After crossing the Tian Dou Empire's border into the Xingluo Empire, another inspection is required, with similar regulations.

Only then can they properly enter Xingluo Empire's territory.

Fortunately the profit on this cargo is high; otherwise this trip would have lost all the money.

After the caravan had traveled some distance, Ma Sen finally spoke.

"The pricier the cargo, the higher the toll; they also adjust fees based on the people,"

Tie Li nodded, understanding Ma Sen's point.

"Night is falling; let's set up camp here and rest,"

Being near the border makes this spot much safer.

This caravan is clearly an experienced veteran group, handling tedious matters swiftly.

At night they assign watchmen to constantly monitor the surroundings.

Tie Li rested inside his wagon, expecting a safe night, but an unwelcome visitor still arrived.

"Chief Ma, trouble! Looks like members of the Black Armor Sect," the watchman shouted.

Black Armor Sect?

Tie Li stepped out of the carriage, looking at Ma Sen with a questioning gaze.

At that moment Ma Sen sensed danger, not expecting to encounter the Black Armor Sect.

Ma Sen was about to explain when the Black Armor Sect members already appeared ahead of the group.

"Which caravan are you? Which city are you heading to? Our Black Armor Sect can provide escort services, guaranteeing a safe journey,"

There were seven of them, each radiating obvious soul power fluctuations; the leader, a hulking man, bore a long scar from beneath his eye down to his neck.

"We are the Yuzhi Trading House caravan; we need not trouble the members of the Black Armor Sect," Ma Sen tried to intimidate them with Yuzhi's reputation.

"Yuzhi Trading House? Ha, then we must protect you even more; do you look down on our Black Armor Sect?"

The leader's aura shifted, and three Soul Rings manifested beneath him.

One white, two yellow!

He was actually still a Soul Elder.

The other six, seeing this, each released a Soul Ring.

Among them, two were Two-Ring Great Soul Masters, and four were One Ring Soul Masters.

The First Soul Ring for each was a white ten-year Soul Ring, but the Second Soul Ring was a yellow Hundred-Year Soul Ring.

The aura of the seven instantly overwhelmed the caravan's people.

The Three Ring Soul Honorable put considerable pressure on Ma Sen, but he could not simply concede; otherwise this trip would have been in vain, and they might even have to pay a sum of money.

Ma Sen glanced at Tie Li and the other two Soul Masters, and the three quickly understood Ma Sen's meaning.

Tie Li was the first to summon his martial soul, a flash of Lightning Light appearing; since they were about to act, they had to seize the advantage first.

The leading hulking man, though a Soul Elder, did not possess a Thousand-Year Soul Ring.

After Tie Li struck, the other two Soul Masters followed closely.

A white and a yellow Soul Ring appeared beneath them; both bore beast martial souls and immediately entered the Martial Soul Possession State.

"Move!"

Ma Sen was also unhesitant, immediately calling on the caravan's people to act.

(End of chapter)