Chapter 80: White Whale Guild

The White Whale Guild is one of the major guilds in Han Hai City, with its headquarters located in a slightly central district of the city, easy to find.

Count Daise's residence lies in the southern part of Han Hai City, relatively hidden; Count Daise commands a powerful fleet that often ventures into the deep sea to hunt whale Soul Beasts for the prized whale glue;

But he never sells it, keeping it for his own use—a public secret in Han Hai City.

"Soul Master Great Sir, Count Daise has been recruiting Soul Masters lately; I heard it's to duel Count Bei Er," the short youth said with a sigh.

He heard it himself once at the Grand Soul Battle Arena.

"Duel?"

"Yes, Count Bei Er's wager is a female mermaid from the merfolk tribe, while Count Daise's wager is a wolf‑thief cub."

Mentioning the mermaid, a flash of pity crossed the short youth's face; if she fell into Count Daise's hands, the outcome would be obvious.

"Their way of dueling is simple; we nobles often hold such contests at the Grand Soul Battle Arena;

Each side selects five Soul Masters to fight, but the five must meet specific criteria: one One Ring Soul Master, one Two Ring Great Soul Master, up through a Five Ring Soul King—one from each rank—then they engage in a Soul Battle;

A lower‑rank Soul Master who wins may challenge a higher‑rank one; for example, if Count Daise's Two Ring Great Soul Master wins, the next bout is against a Three Ring Soul Honorable. If the Three Ring Soul Honorable's victor is from Count Bei Er's side, Count Daise's victorious Two Ring Great Soul Master may attempt to challenge the Three Ring Soul Honorable;

But a higher‑rank Soul Master cannot challenge a lower‑rank Soul Master."

Seeing Tie Li interested, the short youth relayed all the information he knew; the nobles of Han Hai City favor this style of dueling.

But he doubted Tie Li would accept Count Daise's recruitment; the Soul Battle venues in Han Hai City are Soul Battle Pools, specially built for Sea Soul Masters, and Land Soul Masters fighting in a Soul Battle Pool are at a severe disadvantage.

The nobles usually set the battle venue at the Grand Soul Battle Arena, allowing the public of Han Hai City to purchase tickets and watch.

The victor can not only humiliate the opponent and seize loot, but also earn a sizable profit from the Grand Soul Battle Arena.

Guided by the short youth, Tie Li saw Count Daise's residence; its floor and walls were adorned with sea‑beast shells, and even the main gate was forged from the bone of a Sea Soul Beast, flaunting aristocratic grandeur everywhere.

Outside the gate stood servants and a steward, all tasked with receiving the recruited Soul Masters.

Of course, most of those emerging from the residence were bruised and battered Soul Masters.

After noting the location of Count Daise's residence, Tie Li sent the short youth away first.

He will wait for the auction; if the three‑thousand‑year‑old whale glue can't be bought there, he'll have to consider Count Daise's place.

According to the short youth, their duel is scheduled five days later, right after the auction.

Tie Li left Count Daise's residence and entered the bustling main street; having lived inland his whole life and never visited a coastal city, he could finally broaden his horizons in Han Hai City.

As a seaside city, Han Hai City naturally deals with Sea Soul Beasts; these beasts are myriad, and many fleets hunt them for rare treasures.

In an Ocean Trade Market, Tie Li stopped before a shop displaying pearls of various sizes.

"Customer, need pearls? Our pearls are absolutely the finest in the market," the shop attendant said enthusiastically as Tie Li lingered.

Tie Li's gaze settled on a white pearl displayed inside, more precisely on its description.

White Fish Pearl, sourced from a special whale Soul Beast, can store a small amount of air inside; despite its modest function, it holds greater collectible value.

"Fifty Gold Soul Coins?" The price is a bit steep, considering its only function is to store a little air.

However, the White Fish Pearl's collectible value is limited to inland nobles; for Land Soul Masters, its tiny air storage lets them operate briefly underwater.

"Are you after White Fish Pearls? This new batch comes from a five‑hundred‑year‑old Sea Soul Beast, unquestionably top‑grade," the attendant said.

While speaking, the attendant glanced furtively at the two neighboring stalls and whispered nearby.

"Their White Fish Pearls are no older than a hundred years; they can't match ours,"

Tie Li, of course, didn't rely on a single side; he glanced at the White Fish Pearls in the other two stalls, and judging by hue and luster, they indeed fell short of this shop's.

With prices comparable, Tie Li bought two from this vendor.

White Fish Pearls are small, about the size of a quail egg, perfect to fit in the mouth.

In Han Hai City, most are Sea Soul Masters and sudden situations can arise; as a Land Soul Master, lacking countermeasures can lead to heavy losses.

White Fish Pearls don't grant Sea Soul Master abilities, but the stored air lets you fight briefly underwater.

It's a cheap coping method, still better than being unable to act at all.

The attendant received the hundred Gold Soul Coins Tie Li handed over, feeling delighted; a customer who doesn't haggle is a pleasure.

Most importantly, they earn a commission, so they'll have an extra meal tonight.

"Do you sell whale glue here?" Tie Li asked opportunistically.

"We have..."

"Preferably three‑thousand‑year‑old."

The attendant initially thought business was coming, but his face froze the next second; if it weren't for buying two White Fish Pearls, they almost assumed Tie Li was causing trouble on purpose.

Whale glue older than a thousand years can only be bought at a major guild; for a shop of this caliber, even a hundred‑year‑old whale glue is considered decent.

"Sir, you're joking; even a major guild might not have it. I have heard the White Whale Guild is holding an auction, perhaps they'll have the millennial whale glue you need," the attendant said.

After that, Tie Li asked a few more questions.

The answers he received were similar to those from the short youth, so Tie Li stopped probing.

They weren't sure whether the major guild had three‑thousand‑year whale glue, but they were certain Count Daise possessed it.

It was an intriguing matter, worth pondering.

He strolled another round of the Ocean Trade Market, drawing many eyes to some odd curiosities.

When Tie Li emerged from the market, night had already fallen.

Hotel rates in Han Hai City are steep and inns aren't cheap, but compared to sleeping on the streets, Tie Li was willing to spend a bit more for a room.

Before the auction began, Tie Li deliberately visited the Grand Soul Battle Arena in Han Hai City to watch Sea Soul Masters' Soul Battles.

Having never fought Sea Soul Masters, he could increase his understanding of them by observing their battles.

Compared to Soul Battles between Land Soul Masters, Sea Soul Masters fight in a completely different manner.

(End of Chapter)