Chapter 20: Suotuo City, First Meeting Frand, Planning to Use the Back Door

Heard Xiao Wu's vicious words.

Tang San looked at Xiao Xian helplessly, and the melancholy truly faded away.

Finally.

Xiao Wu still couldn't become his sister.

However, Xiao Xian was willing to be his brother, which gave Tang San some consolation.

Perhaps there's no real difference after all…

Tang San thought silently.

It was already late; the sunset had fully set, and the sky filled with countless stars.

Xiao Xian couldn't help but smile faintly.

After waiting for ages, the brotherhood turned out to be lonely.

Xiao Wu actually didn't agree.

Lowering his head, Xiao Xian fiddled with the Silent Sleeve Arrow in his hand, found it indeed quite delicate, and slipped it onto his left hand.

Tang San said, "This is a gift for the brotherhood, I give it to my elder brother."

Xiao Xian's Blowing Fire Palm has no problem against opponents; it's enough for self‑defense, but its killing power is insufficient.

This Silent Sleeve Arrow can make up for that.

As for Xiao Xian, there's no need to return a gift; his Blowing Fire Palm and Suction Palm are far more precious than this Silent Sleeve Arrow.

At first, Xiao Wu was only a little curious.

When Xiao Xian, under Tang San's guidance, tried it out for a while.

Xiao Wu immediately looked at Tang San with an incredibly expectant gaze.

But the Silent Sleeve Arrow, Tang San himself didn't have many…

Xiao Wu was completely outraged, declaring she would no longer pay attention to Tang San; there would be no friendship.

In the end, Tang San could only watch Xiao Xian with a sour face.

Xiao Xian ignored him, simply patted his shoulder and went down the mountain.

……

Returned to Tang San's small shabby house.

Xiao Xian took from the Storage Soul Guide Device some appetizers bought in Nuoding City, intended for Tang San's father.

It was somewhat dark, and there wasn't enough lamp oil.

There was no need to light a lamp.

Xiao Xian released Xiao Jue and placed his Hundred-Year Soul Ring onto Xiao Jue.

The yellowish Hundred-Year Soul Ring instantly illuminated the shabby house.

Tang San and Xiao Wu looked shocked, never expecting such a technique.

In that setting, the three, each with a martial soul, enjoyed a hearty meal.

Xiao Wu even tried to drink.

In the end, Xiao Xian only poured her a small cup.

The rest, at Tang San's suggestion, could be taken back to the academy and given to the Master.

The meal ended.

Xiao Wu's flushed face indicated that her relationship with Xiao Xian had eased considerably.

Then.

Xiao Xian sat cross‑legged to cultivate.

Xiao Wu pulled Tang San aside, chattering about something incomprehensible.

It was only the next morning.

Tang San, who had originally planned to return to the academy, began enthusiastically sorting the Iron Material at home.

Before long, he uncovered several satisfactory pieces.

"Bang—! Bang—!"

Tang San took out the Big Hammer intended for his father and hammered the Iron Material fiercely.

Xiao Xian stood helplessly beside him, facing the original bellows spot, occasionally adding a Blowing Fire Palm…

……

Four years later.

Barak Kingdom, outside Suotuo City.

A nonchalant teenager leapt down from a caravan wagon, paid five Copper Soul Coins, and left with a carefree stride.

"Finally arrived."

Xiao Xian looked up toward Suotuo City's western gate.

Barak Kingdom is one of the vassal states of the Heavenly Battle Empire, its area only seventy percent of the Fasnu Province where Nuoding City lies.

But Barak Kingdom's south borders the Star Net Empire directly, so despite being merely a provincial‑level kingdom, it possesses a massive army.

Suotuo City, also Barak Kingdom's granary, is of utmost importance.

This has made the city prosperous; it is a truly great metropolis, far larger than Nuoding City.

Xiao Xian's destination, naturally, is the Shilaike Academy located on Suotuo City's southern side.

It is a place he must come to.

He is already twelve years old, with soul power at Level 28.

Just as he had previously guessed.

Even though he has Profound Heaven Skill, his cultivation speed will still become slower and slower.

His Innate Soul Power is too low.

His cultivation speed is as slow as a crippled snail.

Tang San began cultivating Profound Heaven Skill from birth; when his meridians were being shaped, the Profound Heaven Skill's soul power nurtured them. Though not Innate Full Soul Power, it became Innate Full Soul Power.

Xiao Xian awakened at six, with Half-level Innate Soul Power, and his meridians had already solidified.

Later he obtained Profound Heaven Skill, but his meridians were still not as broad as Tang San's.

When soul power is weak, even if the meridians are not broad, it does not matter much.

But the stronger the soul power, the narrower the innate meridians become, further restricting his cultivation speed.

The only thing to be grateful for is that he has Xiao Jue.

He taught Xiao Jue how to cultivate.

Combined, they also have the First Soul Ring and the Second Soul Ring.

His cultivation speed can barely keep up with Tang San and Xiao Wu.

At this point, the Third Soul Ring becomes crucial.

It is a powerful, several‑thousand‑year‑old Dragon-type Soul Beast.

It is the Soul Beast that can truly and completely solve his meridian problem.

Only a Soul Saint like Fulangde, who is closely connected to the Master, would be willing to help him hunt it.

"Fulangde... opened a shop in Suotuo City."

"I don't know the exact location, but it should be near Rose Hotel."

"When he has nothing to do, he should be in the shop waiting for fat lambs to come in and be slaughtered."

Xiao Xian pondered, and following the crowd, entered Suotuo City's west gate.

The Master gave him a letter, telling him to hand it to Fulangde after entering Shilaike Academy.

But…

He is not Tang San; he doesn't listen to the Master like that.

If there's a connection, he naturally used it.

To save time and avoid having to fight.

"Excuse me, could you tell me where Rose Hotel is?"

Xiao Xian, having bought something to eat by the roadside, asked casually.

The stall owner looked at Xiao Xian with a surprised gaze, then gave an ambiguous smile and pointed the way.

Soon, Xiao Xian saw a distinctive hotel, only three stories tall, its exterior entirely rose‑red, shaped exactly like a blooming rose.

He did not go inside.

If I recall correctly, it's ten Gold Soul Coins per night here.

He is not that affluent.

He walked several streets around Rose Hotel.

Soon, Xiao Xian spotted a shop bearing a unique sign.

It displayed a sword, a Hammer, and a Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon.

Any shop with such a mark is inevitably related to Soul Masters.

"This must be it," Xiao Xian glanced, and walked straight in.

Inside, the shop was dim, with no counter, only a person and three wall‑backed cabinets. From the cabinets came a faint soul power ripple, clearly filled with Soul Guide Devices.

And that sole person.

He was leaning on an old recliner, eyes closed, swaying slowly.

He appeared to be in his fifties, with a middle‑aged look, yet his build was massive; the worn recliner creaked under his weight, sounding strained.

His face wore crystal eyes, his chin jutted forward a bit, his nose resembled a hawk's hook, giving him a sly impression.

Xiao Xian saw him.

He immediately rushed straight toward him.

However, Fulangde seemed unaware of Xiao Xian, still breathing evenly while swaying on the recliner.

Until…

Xiao Xian performed a bow and respectfully said, "Senior Master."

"...?"

Fulangde opened his eyes in surprise.

In front of him.

There stood an unfamiliar young man, about 1.7 meters tall, rather handsome, yet with a hint of childishness, at most twelve or thirteen years old.

He was certain he did not know him.

But… Senior Master?

Is it… Xiao Gang… or…?

Fulangde's mind flashed with a hundred thoughts in an instant.

Until his gaze fell upon Xiao Xian's belt…

…