After giving it some thought, Lin Xia turned his attention to the guards stationed at the city gate.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the slight embarrassment brought on by days of rough travel, dust-covered clothes, and exhaustion, then quickly walked toward one of the guards who looked relatively kind.
"Big brother!"
Lin Xia did his best to make his voice sound clear, carrying a hint of childishness appropriate for his age.
"May I ask—do you know where the Martial Soul Branch Hall of this city is?"
The guard had been standing watch with a stern expression. When he heard the voice, he lowered his head and saw a child standing before him—clothes tattered, face smeared with dust, hair messy—looking exactly like a little beggar.
The guard instinctively frowned, about to wave him away impatiently. However, when his gaze met Lin Xia's eyes—clearly exhausted yet exceptionally clear and bright his heart softened.
This child was so young and alone. He must have suffered quite a bit.
The hardness on the guard's face eased. He crouched down and deliberately softened his tone.
"Little one, you want to go to the Soul Hall? Are you there to awaken your Martial Soul? That only happens on fixed dates each year."
"No, big brother!"
Lin Xia shook his head and explained, "I'm already a Soul Master. I want to get certified and see if I can… receive the subsidy." When he mentioned the "subsidy," his voice lowered slightly, tinged with embarrassment.
A flash of surprise crossed the guard's eyes.
Such a young Soul Master? And alone?
Still, he didn't ask further questions. Instead, he carefully pointed out the directions.
"Follow this main road straight ahead. When you reach the central plaza, turn right. You'll see a white building with a pointed roof and a Six-Winged Angel statue at the entrance. That's the Martial Soul Hall of Gengxin City. Remember—central plaza, turn right."
"Thank you, big brother!"
Lin Xia thanked him sincerely, bowed to the guard, and without delay, followed the directions into the city.
As expected of the City of Metal, Gengxin City's streets were lined with shops. Many displayed signboards featuring hammers, ores, or various metal tools, and the clanging of forging echoed endlessly.
The scent of metal dust in the air grew even stronger. To Lin Xia and to Larvitar this was simply an enticing fragrance.
Before long, Lin Xia spotted the central plaza described by the guard, as well as the iconic white building on its right—the Martial Soul Hall.
The Six-Winged Angel statue shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight, radiating a solemn and sacred aura.
Lin Xia straightened his tattered clothes. Though the effect was minimal, he still tried to look a little less like a beggar. Taking a deep breath, he stepped through the doors of the Martial Soul Hall.
Inside, the hall was spacious and brightly lit, the floors polished to a mirror-like shine.
A young receptionist wearing the standard Soul Hall uniform noticed Lin Xia entering and frowned almost imperceptibly.
Lin Xia's appearance was completely out of place in this solemn and dignified environment.
"Little friend, what brings you here?"
The receptionist asked politely, maintaining basic courtesy.
"Hello!"
Lin Xia steadied his voice.
"I'm a Soul Master. I've come for Soul Master certification and to… collect the Soul Master subsidy."
"Soul Master certification?"
The receptionist sized Lin Xia up from head to toe, his eyes full of doubt. The child looked no more than six or seven years old and in such a sorry state. Could he really be a Soul Master?
"Are you sure you're here for certification, not Martial Soul awakening?"
"I'm sure."
Lin Xia nodded firmly. He then rummaged through his clothes and pulled out a slightly crumpled piece of folded paper.
"This is my Martial Soul certificate."
The receptionist took the document and unfolded it. Written clearly on it were the following words:
Notting Primary Soul Master Academy
Martial Soul Certification
Name: Lin Xia
Martial Soul: Larvitar (Detached Beast-Type Martial Soul)
Innate Soul Power: Level Eight
Certifier: Su Yuntao
Notting City Soul Hall Branch (Official Seal)
Upon seeing the official Soul Hall seal on the document, the receptionist's suspicion faded, replaced by surprise.
Innate Soul Power Level Eight—this talent was quite impressive!
And the Martial Soul's name… Larvitar?
He had never heard of it before.
The only puzzling thing was why this child had come all the way from the Heaven Dou Empire to get certified here.
Still, the receptionist didn't dwell on it—it wasn't his concern.
"Little friend, come with me. I'll take you to see Elder Charlotte."
"Mm!"
Lin Xia nodded and followed.
The room was simply furnished. An elderly man sat behind a desk, dressed in a Soul Hall deacon's robe trimmed with silver. His hair was graying, yet his bearing was vigorous and sharp.
He was Charlotte, the Deacon Elder of the Gengxin City Soul Hall branch.
The receptionist bowed respectfully.
"Elder Charlotte, this child is named Lin Xia. He brought a Martial Soul certificate issued in Notting City and wishes to undergo Soul Master certification and receive the Soul Master subsidy."
As he spoke, he stepped forward and handed Lin Xia's Martial Soul certificate to the elder.
Charlotte took the document and examined it carefully. Then he raised his head, his sharp gaze falling on Lin Xia, a trace of obvious surprise flashing across his eyes.
"Are you certain you heard correctly?" Charlotte asked the receptionist again. "He isn't here to awaken his Martial Soul, but to certify as a Soul Master?"
Given Lin Xia's age and appearance, it was difficult to associate him with the term "Soul Master."
"Yes, Elder. This is his Martial Soul certificate."
The receptionist confirmed once more.
Charlotte nodded and waved his hand, signaling that the receptionist could leave.
When only Charlotte and Lin Xia remained in the room, Charlotte stood up and slowly walked over to the boy.
Despite Lin Xia being covered in dust, there was not the slightest hint of disgust on his face. Instead, he wore a gentle smile.
"Child, don't be nervous."
Charlotte's voice was steady and kind.
"According to regulations, I must personally test your Soul Power and bone age to confirm your identity and Level before I can complete your certification and issue the subsidy. This is a necessary procedure."
Lin Xia nodded, indicating his understanding.
"I understand, Elder."
Charlotte extended his hand, his palm glowing with a soft white light—pure Soul Power.
He first gently placed his hand on Lin Xia's head, sending a warm stream of energy inward. This was to test bone age and verify whether Lin Xia's actual age matched the certificate.
After a moment, a look of realization flickered in his eyes. This child's bone age was indeed only around six years old.
Next, Charlotte moved his hand to Lin Xia's shoulder. Even purer Soul Power flowed into Lin Xia's body, beginning the test of his Soul Power Level.
The instant Charlotte's Soul Power came into contact with the energy within Lin Xia's dantian—vast, dense, and surging like a small pond on the verge of overflowing—the gentle expression on the elder's face froze.
It was instantly replaced by shock he could not conceal.
"Level Ten?! You… your Soul Power has already reached Level Ten?!"
Charlotte exclaimed in disbelief, his sharp gaze locking firmly onto Lin Xia.
"Innate Soul Power at Level Eight… and how long has it been? Half a month?! How could you possibly break through to Level Ten so quickly?!"
Such a cultivation speed was simply unheard of!
Even someone with full innate Soul Power, without guidance or resources, could never cross two Levels in such a short time and directly reach the bottleneck that required a Soul Ring!
There was no doubt about it—
This child carried secrets.