Chapter 17: Soto City
Time flies, and four years have passed in a flash.
South of the Heaven Dou Empire, in the Kingdom of Barak, in Soto City.
It was just past noon, and the sun was scorching. Three young people walked in from the west gate of Soto City. They all looked to be in their teens, and they were carrying no luggage. They were two men and one woman.
These three people were naturally Shi Yi, Tang San, and Xiao Wu.
Shi Yi was already fourteen years old at this time. He was tall and dressed in a white suit with a jade-studded belt around his waist. His black shorts had a sense of unruly and free-spiritedness. His fair and delicate face made people feel good, and the smile at the corner of his mouth made him look even more approachable.
During his eight years in Notting, thanks to Yu Xiaogang, Shi Yi had a remarkably good life. He had read almost every book in Yu Xiaogang's room. During the day, he worked with Tang San on ironwork, delving into materials and experimenting with the carving of the core formation. At night, he immersed himself in cultivation, leaving little time for leisure. His daily work in the blacksmith shop had honed Shi Yi's body to an exceptional strength.
After Shi Yi successfully crafted a soul guide, Tang San asked to learn its construction method. Shi Yi accepted the request and explained the principles and logic behind it. However, as Shi Yi had previously explained to Yu Xiaogang, Tang San lacked much creativity.
Creating a soul guide wasn't like practicing a martial art, where one simply followed a manual; rather, one had to design the technique themselves. Crucially, each soul guide had their own interpretation of the core formation.
This led Tang San to study spirit tool manufacturing. His core formations would only mirror those designed by Shi Yi, with the materials and structures largely inherited from Tang Sect hidden weapons. The complex mechanical expansion structures of Tang Sect hidden weapons necessitated extremely complex core formations.
Simply rote imitation wouldn't unleash the true power of a spirit tool, and Tang San was clearly unable to design his own core formation for the hidden weapon.
Not only was Shi Yi, even at this stage, unable to do so, but even ten thousand years later, Huo Yuhao would have to undergo extensive study and systematic learning to combine the power of Tang Sect hidden weapons with those of spirit tools.
Human energy is limited, and Tang San realized he wasn't suited to spirit tool manufacturing. His knowledge was too diverse, and spirit tools were a nascent discipline requiring a significant investment of time.
With no other options, Tang San ultimately gave up on spirit tool design and manufacturing to focus solely on his own strengths.
Shi Yi had also acquired numerous hidden weapon blueprints during his time with Tang San, but Tang San didn't teach him any of the Tang Sect's unique techniques. Shi Yi understood Tang San's intentions: he simply hoped Shi Yi could design a more powerful spirit tool based on his hidden weapons. He simply needed to copy the core formations Shi Yi had designed.
Naturally, Shi Yi wouldn't let Tang San exploit him; it was unlikely he'd work for Tang San for nothing. He always believed in giving and receiving. Rather than developing shooting spirit tools, Shi Yi preferred the design and research of melee and trigger-type defensive spirit tools, knowing full well that his primary goal now lay in protecting himself.
In this respect, Tang San still lagged behind Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang didn't comment much, understanding the two apprentices' motives: Shi Yi needed his marvelous, self-created spirit skills, while Tang San needed Shi Yi to upgrade his hidden weapons into spirit tools.
Yu Xiaogang was no fool. Coming from the Blue Lightning sect, he naturally understood the principle of resource exchange. Even though they were fellow apprentices, Yu Xiaogang knew Shi Yi wouldn't be working for Tang San for nothing. However, Tang San was clearly unwilling to use his miraculous, self-created spirit abilities.
This puzzled Yu Xiaogang. He couldn't understand why Tang San wouldn't share them. Clearly, the potential of spirit guides far surpassed that of self-created spirit abilities.
Shi Yi himself understood the reasoning. To master the Tang Sect's unique skills, one must possess the Mysterious Heavenly Art. Tang San would never allow an outsider to acquire the Mysterious Heavenly Art. Naturally, Shi Yi wouldn't force someone to acquire something even the Shrek Seven Devils couldn't.
Hand techniques, body movements, and eye skills—in Shi Yi's mind, these were merely the results of constant physical training. Shi Yi had the means to achieve these results, and even create something even more suited to him.
Xiao Wu raised her hand, gently brushing the sweat from her forehead. She complained, "Finally, we've arrived at this Soto City. I don't know what Master is thinking. Several intermediate Spirit Master academies have expressed unconditional acceptance, yet he insists on sending you to this lousy academy here that doesn't even have a tier system."
Tang San glanced at Shi Yi and gently tugged at Xiao Wu's sleeve, signaling her to stop.
Shi Yi chuckled, "Little Junior Brother, it's alright. Master asked you to come because the dean of this academy is a Spirit Sage, and he has a close relationship with Master."
Tang San's face was filled with surprise, and Xiao Wu's expression subconsciously tensed.
Tang San naturally understood what a Spirit Sage meant. The Holy Soul Village he came from was named after a Spirit Sage who had come from it.
"Brother, do you know anything about this academy?" Tang San asked softly.
Shi Yi nodded and smiled, "Of course, but you'll understand all this when you get to the academy. See you there. I won't disturb you and your sweetheart's affectionate interactions."
Shi Yi had been fed a lot of dog food by the two during their travels these past few days, and naturally, he didn't want to be with them any longer.
With that, Shi Yi vanished from view. The moment Shi Yi vanished, Xiao Wu's voice reached Shi Yi's ears.
"Shi Yi! I'm going to rip your mouth out!"
Tang San quickly grabbed Xiao Wu, preventing her from chasing after Shi Yi.
Soto City was much larger than Notting City, and naturally, much more lively. Patrolling soldiers could be seen everywhere on the streets, and the bustling crowds of people kept coming and going.
Shi Yi first found a nice-looking restaurant to order food, then began searching for accommodations. It wasn't long before Shi Yi stumbled upon a unique hotel.
While the three-story building might not appear large, its exterior was adorned in a vibrant rose-red hue. The entire building resembled a giant rose, creating a striking visual impact.
Shi Yi looked at the hotel and smiled, shaking his head. Having seen so many skyscrapers, he didn't find this one romantic, but rather ostentatious.
He then booked a room at a relatively ordinary-looking hotel and continued his journey through Soto City.
After a few quick inquiries, Shi Yi found Flanders' shop in Soto City.
The door was open, and the interior seemed a bit dim. As Shi Yi walked in, he sensed a variety of soul energy fluctuations of varying attributes.
"It seems Flanders' shop has some good stuff," Shi Yi thought to himself.
Soul guides all carry soul energy fluctuations, and Shi Yi had come here to learn and improve his crafting skills.
There was only one person in the shop, and no counter. A few items hung on three walls. They looked very old and didn't seem valuable at all, yet they emitted a variety of soul energy fluctuations.
Flanders was sitting on a wooden recliner, his eyes closed as he swayed with the chair.
He looked to be about fifty years old, and although he was not young, he was very strong. The recliner, which looked quite sturdy, creaked under his weight as it swayed.
Flanders had a very distinctive face, with a slightly protruding chin, wide cheekbones, a flat face, and a slightly hooked nose. If one had to describe it in one word, one could only say that his face looked a bit like a shoe sole. Although he had his eyes closed, he looked a bit cunning.
He wore a pair of black-framed crystal glasses on his face, the frames were the kind of rigid square shape, and no matter how one looked at them, they gave off a weird vibe.
"Hello, can I take these items down and take a closer look?" Shi Yi said to Flanders.
Flanders opened his eyes on the recliner and saw the conspicuous belt on Shi Yi's white clothes, "Hey, where did you get this belt?"
Shi Yi smiled slightly and said, "My teacher gave it to me."
Flanders' face darkened when he heard that, and said, "It was you who asked Xiaogang to take away a lot of precious materials from me."
Shi Yi pretended to be confused and said, "What materials? Do you know my teacher?"
Looking at Shi Yi's appearance, Flanders showed suspicion on his face and thought to himself, "Didn't Xiaogang tell this kid where the materials came from?"
Flanders didn't think much about it. Anyway, the benefits should not be kept for outsiders. He waved his hand casually at Shi Yi and said, "Look if you want to, but don't inject soul power into it. Many soul guides are very old and easy to explode. If damaged, you will be compensated for the original price."
After that, Flanders continued to sleep on his recliner.
Looking at the outrageous numbers marked on the wall, Shi Yi was also speechless. Without thinking much, Shi Yi took out his small notebook and glasses from the soul guide, and then took down a soul guide from the wall to observe it.
"Sure enough, the core formations all have varying degrees of damage. Injecting soul power like this will certainly cause an explosion," Shi Yi thought to himself.
Shi Yi observed, sketching the structures of various soul guides in his small notebook, noting the materials he could identify and then drawing the corresponding core formations.
Without Shi Yi noticing, Flanders suddenly opened his eyes. Watching Shi Yi intently recording the various soul guides, he felt as if he were seeing Yu Xiaogang back in the day.
"As expected of his disciple," Flanders thought to himself.
Just then, a voice shattered the silence in the shop. "Senior Brother?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Shi Yi slowly came back to his senses and smiled at Tang San, "Xiao San."
Looking at the notebook and soul guide in Shi Yi's hands, Tang San understood what Shi Yi was here for and smiled, "Senior Brother really is always busy."
Flanders' eyes gleamed at Shi Yi's words, and his sharp gaze fell on Tang San.
"Is this the disciple Xiaogang mentioned?" Flanders thought to himself.
"Shi Yi! I'm going to rip your mouth apart!" Xiao Wu screamed at Shi Yi, about to strike.
Flanders frowned slightly, settled back on the recliner, and said calmly, "Pay the price for what you broke."
Xiao Wu instinctively glanced at the prices on the wall, muttering, "How many carrots can I buy with all those coins?"
Tang San hurriedly grabbed Xiao Wu. Flanders gave him a very special feeling. If Dai Mubai in the hotel had just impressed him with his sharp edge, then this seemingly ordinary middle-aged man was unfathomable.
Shi Yi ignored him, smiled faintly, and continued with his work.
Seeing Shi Yi's indifference, Flanders's opinion of him instantly rose.
Seeing this, Tang San bowed slightly to Flanders and said, "Excuse me, Senior."
With that, he quickly took Xiao Wu and left.
Flanders watched the two of them leave, then glanced at Shi Yi, who was immersed in recording, and couldn't help but curl his lips slightly.
"Looks like Shrek is about to get interesting."
As time went by, Shi Yi recorded one soul guide after another. Flanders' small shop surprisingly contained dozens of different soul guides, perhaps the product of Flanders' years of experience.
After examining the large items hanging on the wall, Shi Yi's gaze fell on the smaller ones casually placed on the floor. Seeing the crystal hanging nearby, Shi Yi was slightly startled.
"I was so excited about the soul guides, I was so engrossed in studying them that I forgot about this. Isn't a flexible metal like hair crystal, which can be deformed at will, perfect for making defensive soul guides?" Shi Yi thought to himself.
Shi Yi turned to Flanders, "How much is this crystal?"
"Finally, I've finished looking. This thing is for you. I'm closing up shop," Flanders said slowly.
Shi Yi was slightly startled and looked out the door. It was already sunset.
Shi Yi also bowed slightly to Flender and said, "I'm sorry to have wasted your time. I won't be polite then."
Flender's eyes suddenly sharpened, and he said with a dark face, "You boy, you really do know who I am!"
Shi Yi secretly thought it was not good, but he put on a smile and said, "You're joking. This is the first time we meet today. Thank you for your help."
Flender looked at Shi Yi suspiciously and said, "You really don't know who I am?"
"The shop owner," Shi Yi said in feigned confusion.
"Okay, get out of here," Flender said unhappily.
"Thank you for the crystal," Shi Yi smiled and bowed slightly to Flender again.
Shi Yi had a very good impression of Flender. Not every Soul Sage would lower himself to play with a Great Soul Master, let alone master the fusion of martial souls. This also indirectly proved that Yu Xiaogang was a good person. A person's goodness can be judged by his friends.
As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. Just look at Yu Xiaogang and Flanders, then look at Tang San and the Shrek Seven Devils, and you'll know what kind of person Tang San is.
Having said that, Shi Yi also slowly left Flanders' shop.
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(End of this chapter)