When Huo Yuhao walked over, the two men stopped their conversation.
Without beating around the bush, Huo Yuhao spoke directly to Xiao Dingyuan:
"President Xiao, we've arrived in Xuanfeng City. It's time for me to take my leave."
Xiao Dingyuan paused before saying,
"I understand. Sir Danzo, you truly don't wish to join us for a celebratory meal?"
Huo Yuhao waved his hand casually.
"No need. I appreciate your kindness, President Xiao, but I have some personal matters to attend to. I won't stay."
Seeing his firm attitude, Xiao Dingyuan didn't insist. He adjusted his glasses and retrieved a large pouch of money from his storage-type Spirit Tool, smiling as he said:
"Sir, here are a thousand gold soul coins as payment for this escort mission."
Huo Yuhao didn't take it immediately. He couldn't accept such a large reward without justification—
after all, they had originally agreed on just fifty gold soul coins. This far exceeded the negotiated amount.
"President Xiao, this is far more than what we agreed upon."
Xiao Dingyuan replied:
"You've helped Xiao Xiao greatly along the way, and when the Evil Spirit Masters attacked, you contributed enormously. If you refuse, I will feel uneasy."
"If it weren't for your timely warning, who knows how many of us would still be alive."
"Compared to our lives and property, this amount is already me being stingy."
Huo Yuhao stayed silent for a moment before finally accepting the pouch.
Its heavy weight spoke clearly of its value.
"Then, until we meet again," he said.
He placed the money into his pack, then turned toward the main road into Xuanfeng City.
He planned to find a place to stay first, then see if he could set up a temporary medical stall to practice the Reversal Technique.
More importantly, he needed to gather information on medicines like the Mystic Water Pill—after all, the main reason he came to the Heavenly Soul Empire was to find a way to improve his chaotic meridians and innate Spirit Power issues.
He had barely taken a few steps when a crisp young voice called from behind:
"Wait, Uncle Danzo!"
Huo Yuhao stopped and turned around.
At some point, Xiao Xiao had run after him.
She stood gracefully not far away, hands folded before her lower abdomen, slender fingers nervously twisting together like fluttering butterfly wings.
After a short moment, her jade-green eyes—like polished agate—fixed on Huo Yuhao with earnest seriousness as she said each word clearly:
"Uncle Danzo, next time we meet, I will definitely have become a strong Spirit Master—
and I will raise my blade toward even greater strength!"
Huo Yuhao looked at her determined expression, and the corners of his mouth lifted involuntarily.
A trace of relief flickered in his eyes.
"Mm. I believe you."
Turning his gaze away, he continued down the main road.
Only his voice lingered in the summer air, lifting the girl's hair like a passing breeze.
Xiao Xiao nodded heavily at his departing figure, her eyes burning with unprecedented resolve—
like a sword being sharpened for the first time.
…
Leaving the merchant association, Huo Yuhao began strolling through Xuanfeng City.
After spending so long in the wilderness, he deeply missed the bustling atmosphere of crowds and lively streets.
Even with just a casual glance around the main streets, it was obvious that Xuanfeng City was a true metropolis.
While it couldn't compare with giants like Shrek City or Star Luo City, it was definitely among the most prosperous in the Heavenly Soul Empire.
Every few steps, Huo Yuhao could spot extravagantly dressed nobles, followed by a group of servants, pointing at shopfronts along the street.
Shops lined the streets in dense rows, growing wildly like a jungle. Signs of all colors stretched upward as if competing to touch the sky, leaving the sunlight fragmented into scattered patterns.
In many places, Spirit Tools were openly used, and some streets had even installed spirit tool-guide street lamps.
Just walking down a single street, Huo Yuhao's spiritual power could sense many individuals with Spirit Power nearby.
Most of them were extremely weak—barely a few levels at best—but there were also a few whose Spirit Power was so strong that Huo Yuhao couldn't gauge their level at all. Their ranks must have been very high.
Realizing this, Huo Yuhao no longer dared to let his perception extend too far.
If he accidentally offended a powerful expert, he might end up in a needless battle.
But what surprised him most was that almost every shopfront in Xuanfeng City had carvings of turtle-like creatures.
There were no strict requirements on the species—land turtles, sea turtles… as long as it was a turtle, it was acceptable.
As the setting sun cast its final glow across the horizon, Huo Yuhao unknowingly arrived at a large plaza in the center of Xuanfeng City.
After asking around, he learned this was the site where six-year-old children awakened their Martial Souls.
Every year, Spirit Masters would station themselves here to perform public Martial Soul awakenings.
The price was three gold soul coins—pay the fee, and your Martial Soul would be awakened.
As for which faction these stationed Spirit Masters belonged to, Huo Yuhao had been a little confused at first.
But once he saw the statue in the center of the plaza, he understood.
It was a mighty, imposing giant turtle.
Its shell was savage and rugged, its head dragon-like yet not fully a dragon, and a massive serpent coiled around its shell, tongue flicking, eyes filled with ferocity.
"Xuanming Sect."
The words surfaced quietly in Huo Yuhao's mind.
Not lingering here, he decided to find lodging while there was still some daylight left.
With a thousand gold soul coins on him, he didn't have to worry about money for the time being.
In fact, as long as it had nothing to do with Spirit Masters, a single gold soul coin was enough for a commoner to live on for months.
But once anything involved Spirit Masters, even millions of gold soul coins would disappear like streams flowing into the sea—unable to stir even a ripple.
This sharp contrast made Huo Yuhao feel that the society of this world was deeply divided, the class gap far too large.
Especially since extraordinary power was tied to bloodlines, leaving commoners with almost no chance to rise.
Lost in thought, Huo Yuhao slipped into a small alley and altered the appearance of his faceless mask.
Shimura Danzo's mission was over—time to assume a new identity.
Soon, a handsome young man with short, messy black hair walked out of the dark alley.
He resembled Huo Yuhao by about seventy percent.
After confirming the disguise was flawless, Huo Yuhao headed to a nearby inn.
The inn was expensive—five silver soul coins per night for a basic room, far beyond what ordinary people could afford.
But the environment was quiet, located near the core region of Xuanfeng City, making it a good place to obtain information quickly.
For Huo Yuhao, the price was trivial, and he casually paid for half a month upfront.
Guided by the receptionist, he soon found his room.
Just as he was about to close the door, she asked:
"Guest, would you like daily breakfast service?"
Huo Yuhao waved his hand, indicating he didn't need it, then closed the door and hung his pack on the wall opposite the bed.
After inspecting the room and confirming it was safe, he sat down on the bed and entered meditation.