Devouring Soul Emperor

"Qingyun, do you have a place to stay in Flame City?" Chen Jinshi asked after they entered the city.

"Not yet."

Neither Chu Qingyun nor You Yun had ever been to Flame City, so of course, they had nowhere to stay.

"Heh heh. If you two don’t mind, you’re welcome to stay at my Golden Lion Martial Arts Hall. While it may not be luxurious, it’s more comfortable than most inns, and you’ll have more peace and quiet."

Chu Qingyun glanced at You Yun, then smiled. "In that case, we’ll have to impose on you, Hall Master Chen."

Even though You Yun was disguised as a middle-aged man, she was still a woman. Staying at an inn would be rather inconvenient, whereas the Golden Lion Martial Arts Hall would be much more suitable.

"Not at all, it’s no trouble! Your presence will bring honor to my humble Golden Lion Martial Arts Hall." A wide smile spread across Chen Jinshi’s face as he led the way.

’Chu Qingyun is so young, yet he’s a Level Three Martial Artist just like me. And he could slay an Ice Demon Ape with a single strike. He’s an absolute genius. Building a good relationship with someone like him is a surefire investment.’

On the way, Chu Qingyun asked Chen Jinshi, "Hall Master Chen, do you know if there’s anywhere in Flame City to buy an Ice-type Demon Core, or a place that can repair a Combat Puppet?"

’The trials for the Great Xia Dragon Guard will involve a competition among many of their warriors. It’s bound to be incredibly fierce.’

’Chu Qingyun wasn’t arrogant. He planned to increase his combat strength as much as possible before the trials. The Profound Celestial Divine Pattern and the Puppet were obviously excellent options.’

’If he could repair the Puppet, he’d have the power of a portable Level Nine Martial Artist!’

Chen Jinshi mulled it over for a moment before replying, "You can buy Ice-type Demon Cores at the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower. As for the Combat Puppet... I’m not so sure. But I have heard that the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower has auctioned Puppets in the past, so they should know something about it."

"Ten Thousand Treasures Tower?" Chu Qingyun raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Why? Do you have some kind of history with the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower, Chu?"

"Not at all. It’s just that there’s also a place called the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower in my hometown of Qingshan City. I didn’t expect to find one here in Flame City as well. I wasn’t sure if it was a coincidence."

Chen Jinshi laughed. "Definitely not a coincidence, Chu. Aside from Qingshan City and Flame City, every single one of the thirty-six cities governed by Lianshan County, including the County City itself, has a Ten Thousand Treasures Tower. Their power... it’s truly unfathomable."

Hearing this, Chu Qingyun nodded silently. ’No wonder,’ he thought. ’Back when the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower held its auction, even the Blood Wolf Gang and the City Lord’s Mansion of Qingshan City had to toe the line.’

’A Ten Thousand Treasures Tower in every city... An operation on that scale was enough to show just how formidable they were!’

"Hall Master Chen, one more question," Chu Qingyun asked. "Are there any renowned Artifact Refining Masters in Flame City?"

"An Artifact Refining Master? Ha! Chu, if you’re looking for an Artifact Refining Master, then you’ve come to the right place. Flame City has a certain Master Jin, who is definitely one of the most highly-ranked Artifact Refining Masters in all of Lianshan County!"

At these words, Chu Qingyun’s eyes lit up. He quickly asked for Master Jin’s address, committed it to memory, and planned to pay him a visit in a couple of days.

Chu Qingyun had previously obtained a piece of Extraterrestrial Meteorite Iron from Zhou Li. Even You Yun had called it a rare treasure. Because of this, he had long wanted to find someone to forge it into a superior weapon for him.

His Black Iron Long Sword was still serviceable, but it was just a mass-produced, standard-issue weapon that could be bought for a few Upper Grade Primordial Stones. It offered no significant boost to his combat strength.

However, a Divine Weapon forged from Extraterrestrial Meteorite Iron would be a different story entirely.

As they spoke, the group arrived outside the Golden Lion Martial Arts Hall.

Chen Jinshi was only a Level Three Martial Artist, and the Golden Lion Martial Arts Hall was not considered a major power in Flame City, so its location was rather out of the way.

For Chu Qingyun and You Yun, however, none of that mattered.

Once inside the hall, Chen Jinshi immediately ordered his people to prepare a banquet and arrange for lodging for Chu Qingyun and You Yun.

Watching the enthusiastic Chen Jinshi, Peng Gang, who had been trailing at the very back, felt his expression darken. His eyes flickered, and his gaze shifted to Chen Lengyu as an idea began to form in his mind.

’Chen Jinshi, I’ve been your disciple since I was a child, yet you side with an outsider against me. And Chen Lengyu, I’ve pursued you for so many years, and you’ve never even cracked a smile for me.’

’Since you’re both so heartless, don’t blame me, Peng Gang, for being ruthless!’

Peng Gang thought viciously to himself, conveniently forgetting that he was the one who had first abandoned his master and despicably tried to force Chen Lengyu into marriage...

Several consecutive days of travel had left everyone exhausted. After a quick meal and a few drinks, they all retired to their rooms to rest.

Chu Qingyun took a long, hot bath, and then sank into the soft, warm bed with a comfortable sigh.

’Ever since leaving Qingshan City, he’d been roughing it, sleeping in caves or up in trees. Tonight, he could finally get a proper, comfortable night’s sleep.’

He slept soundly until past eleven the next morning, almost missing lunch.

After getting up, washing his face, and eating lunch, he learned that You Yun had gone out early that morning and still hadn’t returned.

So, Chu Qingyun headed out on his own. After asking for directions, he made his way toward the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower in Flame City. He planned to first deal with the Fire Poison affecting his Fiery Red Lotus, as well as the matter of the Puppet.

Along the way, Chu Qingyun took in the sights and sounds of Flame City with great interest.

Suddenly, a clamor of panicked shouts erupted from up ahead. He could vaguely make out several people on horseback, galloping wildly down the street.

’Aren’t people forbidden from riding horses inside the city?’

Though puzzled, Chu Qingyun still moved to the side of the road.

The riders were moving at a breakneck pace, and the chaos quickly spread to Chu Qingyun’s position. Pedestrians and street vendors scrambled to get out of the way, dropping shoes and merchandise everywhere in their haste. It was a complete mess.

Meanwhile, the riders on horseback just laughed uproariously, acting with utter impunity.

In the ensuing chaos, a little girl was separated from her mother. After everyone else had scattered, she was left all alone, standing bewildered in the middle of the road.

The little girl looked to be about three or four, with her hair in two pigtails sticking straight up. Her rosy, chubby face was etched with panic as she cried for her mother.

The riders were only a few meters away from the girl, but it was as if they didn’t see her at all. They showed no sign of slowing down or turning aside.

"Hong Hong! Hong Hong, run! My baby, Hong Hong!"

On the roadside, a woman in her thirties was screaming her lungs out, desperately trying to rush forward, only to be held back by the people beside her.

Just as the little girl was about to be trampled under the horses’ hooves, many onlookers turned their heads, unable to bear the sight of the brutal scene about to unfold.

At that very moment, a black shadow flashed past. Pushing off with his feet, Chu Qingyun shot into the middle of the road and snatched the little girl into his arms.