When traveling aboard the Star Luo Empire's merchant ship to Moon Pivot Island, Xu Zihuang had already gained a rough understanding of the island from a map.
There were a total of seven cities on Moon Pivot Island, but aside from the main city, Moon Pivot City, the other six were much smaller. The resident population was only about one hundred thousand.
The distant sky was cloudless, and sunlight poured straight down. Standing along the coast was Moon Pivot City, like a paradise on earth. Towering city walls loomed into view without obstruction, giving off an impression of grandeur.
The northern port of Moon Pivot Island led directly to the city gates of Moon Pivot City. The roadside was bustling with traffic, full of vitality.
Xu Zihuang raised his right hand to shield his eyes from the scorching sunlight. Having grown up in Mingdu in the central-northern Sun Moon Empire, he was somewhat unaccustomed to the southern climate.
But it didn't really affect him.
With his current physique, he was entirely immune to heat and cold. Soon, he adapted to the glaring, cloudless sun and strode steadily toward the city gates.
From the surrounding noise, he even heard accents from the Star Luo Empire, as well as from the Heavenly Soul Empire and Dou Ling Empire.
And not just a few.
Stopping casually at a fruit stand selling Moon Pivot Island specialties, Xu Zihuang ordered a glass of iced juice. While the middle-aged shopkeeper was busy, he asked casually, "Uncle, isn't Moon Pivot Island part of the Sun Moon Empire? Why do I hear so many accents from the three empires of the Douluo Continent?"
The middle-aged shopkeeper noticed the noble air in Xu Zihuang's demeanor, as well as the five attendants behind him standing respectfully, and knew immediately this was no ordinary youth. He answered respectfully:
"Young Master must not be a local of Moon Pivot Island, right?
"More than four thousand years ago, wars often broke out between the Sun Moon Empire and the three empires of the Douluo Continent. Many fled here at that time, including quite a few from Star Luo, Heavenly Soul, and Dou Ling. Though the Yuenan Archipelago isn't large, it was never touched by war. Over four thousand years, with intermarriage, things developed into what they are now."
As he spoke, his hands moved deftly. He cut open the tough shell of a gray-brown fruit, inserted a green bamboo straw about the length of a finger, and handed it to Xu Zihuang with a grin.
"That'll be five copper soul coins."
Before Xu Zihuang could respond, Meng Lang, behind him, had already taken out a shining silver soul coin from his soul tool and placed it on the counter. Then he continued to follow Xu Zihuang.
Xu Zihuang sipped the refreshing, icy juice with interest.
Since Moon Pivot Island was his starting point, he didn't mind spending a little time carefully learning about the place.
The northern port was only a few kilometers from the city itself, and soon Xu Zihuang and his group paid one silver soul coin for entry and entered the city.
The wide, clean main road could fit more than ten carriages side by side. Tall buildings rose up around them, colored mainly in white and gold, quite different from the cities of the Sun Moon Empire.
As the shopkeeper had said earlier, after four thousand years of intermarriage, the people of Moon Pivot City were no longer purely Sun Moon Empire stock. Skin color was the most obvious difference. While Sun Moon citizens usually had darker skin, there were plenty of people here as fair-skinned as Xu Zihuang.
The clothing was bold as well. From time to time, young women with radiant smiles passed by, revealing large swaths of pale skin, carrying with them wafts of fragrance.
Although Xu Zihuang dressed plainly now—only in fitted black clothes—his flawless features and noble deep-violet eyes still drew attention. With the steady presence of Meng Lang and the other four behind him, he caused quite a stir after only a few steps.
Most people greeted him with friendly smiles.
Whoever he was, it was best to make friends with him if possible, and if not, at least not provoke him. After all, smiling cost nothing.
Xu Zihuang looked helpless, losing interest in wandering further. He had underestimated his own looks.
But as he passed a roadside shop, his pupils suddenly contracted. He stopped, gazing through a clear glass window at a tray covered by a red cloth. As a spiritual-type soul master, he keenly sensed a sharp aura emanating from it.
Noticing Xu Zihuang's reaction, Meng Lang quickly asked: "What's wrong, Young Master?"
"Let's check out this shop." With that, Xu Zihuang pushed the door open and entered.
Behind the counter sat a slightly plump middle-aged man with small, squinting eyes and thick brows, giving him a distinctive appearance.
The moment Xu Zihuang entered, the man's eyes lit up, and he rubbed his hands eagerly.
"Young Master, what would you like? My shop has rare metals, fine soul tools…"
Xu Zihuang smiled slightly, studying him silently. The shopkeeper rambled on, but soon grew uneasy under the youth's calm gaze.
"Young Master…"
"Bring me that item from the tray." Xu Zihuang made his intention clear.
The shopkeeper's brows twitched as he followed Xu Zihuang's gaze. After a moment's hesitation, he forced a flattering smile.
"Young Master has excellent eyes—you've spotted the treasure of my shop at a glance."
He carried the tray over to Xu Zihuang and lifted the red cloth in one motion.
No dazzling light or breathtaking brilliance appeared. Instead, it was an utterly ordinary-looking item. The object was small, about half a foot long and only as thick as a finger. It tapered from wide to narrow, the top a sharp point, while the bottom was a blade about half an inch wide. Simple and dark, with faint carved patterns giving off an ancient, solemn aura tinged with heaviness.
For this item, neither Xu Zihuang nor Meng Lang and the others were unfamiliar.
An engraving knife.
This was a tool soul engineers used to inscribe core formations. Both ends of the knife had their uses, depending on the type of array being carved. No soul engineer could go without one. It was an essential tool for making soul tools.