Chapter 87: The Strange Boy
After absorbing the Giant Pincer Overlord Crab's soul ring, Lin Beiya's cultivation level rose straight to Rank 42.
Just as he expected, the Gold Cloth's all-attribute enhancement had increased to forty percent. More importantly, the cultivation speed boost granted while wearing the Gold Cloth had also reached forty percent.
Since it was too late to travel further, the trio spent the night resting on the island. At daybreak the following morning, they boarded a soul tool boat and returned to Vast Sea City.
Strictly speaking, Lin Beiya and Yue Guan were both capable of flight. But neither of them wanted to carry around an old man like Mo Xuan through the sky. Besides, they weren't pressed for time. With their mission completed, enjoying the ocean scenery wasn't a bad idea.
Three days later, as they once again stepped onto the mainland, Lin Beiya finally had the mood to admire this coastal city's unique charm.
"Uncle Ju, I'd like to stroll around Vast Sea City. Want to come along?"
"Sure. It's not my first visit, but the seafood here is noticeably fresher. And certain flower seeds can only be found in coastal cities. I want to pick some up."
Lin Beiya sighed inwardly. As expected of him, flowers were always the first thing on his mind the moment they reached land.
"All right, let's go explore together."
With Mo Xuan still serving as their guide, the three soon tasted the specialty seafood that Vast Sea City was known for. Once these ingredients were transported inland, they had to be frozen—absolutely incomparable to the fresh catch straight from the sea.
Several-meter-long Azure Sea Crabs, basketball-sized Fragrant-Bearded Sea Urchins, and various soul beast fish dishes all found their way into Lin Beiya's stomach. He thoroughly rewarded his "stomach."
The oppressive emotions accumulated from long-term cultivation were released in the best possible way.
After enjoying the feast, they asked Mo Xuan for directions to the flower-and-bird market. Yue Guan immediately waved him off, instructing him to return to the sub-branch—after all, as the branch hall master, plenty of matters required his attention.
"Well then, Elder Chrysanthemum, Lord Lin, I will take my leave. If you require anything again, please come find me."
"Don't worry, we won't forget you."
"Many thanks once more, Hall Master Mo."
After bidding Mo Xuan farewell, the two headed straight toward the flower-and-bird market. Although Lin Beiya wasn't particularly passionate about such things, learning more about plants and flowers wouldn't hurt. Wandering anywhere was still wandering.
As they arrived at a bustling marketplace in the southern part of the city, a wave of floral fragrance washed over them.
Yue Guan immediately showed a blissful expression.
"Ah! That's the scent of Sea Peonies. I collected some seeds last time I visited Vast Sea City, but I ended up neglecting them due to work… They all withered. This time, I absolutely must not repeat that mistake!"
Watching Yue Guan quicken his steps and enter the market with enthusiasm, Lin Beiya could only sigh helplessly and follow. But just as he moved, shouting from a corner of the marketplace caught his attention.
"Hurry! Beat this monster to death—how dare he try to steal the Saddle Vine from my house! He must be sick of living!"
"Yeah, beat him!"
A few children, around ten years old, were punching and kicking another boy of the same age.
The boy being beaten had short blue hair and wore tattered clothing. Even as they hit him, he didn't fight back. Instead, he clutched something tightly against his chest, shielding it with his entire body.
Perhaps worried about causing a real death, the leading boy eventually waved for the others to stop after beating him for a long while.
"Okay, okay—that monster's gonna die if we keep going. Just take the Saddle Vine back."
"Got it."
Hearing that, the children stepped forward to pry apart the boy's arms to seize the plant. But the boy who hadn't resisted earlier suddenly struggled desperately.
"You stubborn brat! Still won't let go!? That's my Saddle Vine! Don't even think about touching it! Break his hands!"
Seeing that none of them could pry his arms apart, the leading child ordered his followers to pick up sticks and smash the boy's arms directly.
The boy could only shut his eyes tightly in terror as the sticks descended.
But before the blows could land, they struck a swirling golden barrier with a loud crack.
With a crisp "crack," the sticks shattered instantly into splinters.
Lin Beiya's footsteps sounded softly behind them.
The leading boy turned back, only to see Lin Beiya—dressed in ornate clothing and marked clearly with the emblem of Spirit Hall. His expression changed instantly, filled with fear.
"Lord… we weren't attacking anyone in public!"
"It's that monster—this little thief tried to steal my family's Saddle Vine! My father risked his life at sea to get it!"
"Lord, you must stand up for me!"
Lin Beiya ignored the child's accusations. His gaze swept past him and landed on the battered boy, who was gasping heavily on the ground. Then he asked calmly:
"How much?"
"Eh? Lord…?"
"I'm asking: how much is the Saddle Vine worth? Is one gold soul coin enough?"
With a flick of his fingers, a gold soul coin shot from his soul tool and landed in the leading boy's hand.
The boy froze on the spot.
"What? Not enough?"
"No, no, no… It's enough! Lord, the Saddle Vine is yours!"
Afraid Lin Beiya might change his mind, the boy immediately dragged his companions away from the corner of the market.
The beaten boy slowly raised himself, staring at Lin Beiya with wary eyes. His arms were still tightly wrapped around the plant.
"Why do they call you a monster?"
The boy froze, then answered nervously:
"Maybe because of my martial soul… and because I can see the dead?"
"Hm?"
For the first time, Lin Beiya was genuinely surprised. He had only sensed that the boy's aura was unusual—not expecting something like this.
"Don't be afraid. I won't take your Saddle Vine. It belongs to you now. Can you show me your martial soul?"
"Ah? I… I…"
Hearing that the plant was being given to him, excitement flashed across the boy's face. But when asked to show his martial soul, he immediately grew uneasy again.
"What's wrong? Is it difficult?"
"N-Not really… It's just that my martial soul is scary."
"The Soul Master who awakened my martial soul told me to never walk the path of a soul master. Otherwise, Spirit Hall would execute me as an evil soul master."
At those words, Lin Beiya's eyebrows furrowed—then slowly relaxed. What kind of martial soul could make people of a branch hall reach such a conclusion? His curiosity only grew.
"It's fine. I'm also from Spirit Hall. Let me see your martial soul before judging anything."
"U-Um… okay…"
The boy clearly disliked his own martial soul. Lin Beiya could easily guess he must have suffered heavily because of it.
After carefully placing the pot containing the Saddle Vine to the side, the boy walked forward, took a deep breath, and stood before Lin Beiya. Then he closed his eyes and summoned his martial soul.
A ghostly green soul body appeared instantly, accompanied by wails and shrill cries. A chilling aura swept across the entire corner of the market.
At the same time, Lin Beiya felt faint ripples appear within his spiritual sea.
"Soul?"
"Yes…Yes… That's what the one who awakened my martial soul called it. He said my martial soul was an ill omen—that the stronger I grew, the more harm I would cause."
"And after my martial soul awakened, I could see the souls of people who had just died drifting away… I can even talk to them for a short while."
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End of Chapter