The journey
from the academy to Soto City wasn't far. Both were Soul Masters, so their speed wasn't slow; running was a form of exercise.
"Mu Bai, where are you from?"
Ma Hongjun asked deliberately, wanting to untangle Dai Mu Bai's worries and help him face life head-on.
"Me? I'm from the Star Luo Empire."
Mentioning his background, Dai Mu Bai was clearly evasive, his words very brief.
"Your martial soul is so powerful; your family must be very powerful in the Star Luo Empire. You seem like a young master from a large family."
"Heh, a large family, a very large family, but so what? It's not my family. I am indeed a young master, and I can only be a young master."
Dai Mu Bai's tone had changed, his self-deprecating words filled with a deep sense of loss. It seemed that his status as a prince of the Star Luo Empire had brought him great trouble.
Their royal family's cruel method of cultivating heirs could only make one person laugh, while the others could only cry. Facing his older brother Davis, who possessed the same talent but was six years older, Dai Mubai couldn't bear the slightest opportunity to laugh.
He could already foresee his fate a decade or so later: either death or crippling.
Ma Hongjun pressed his advantage, continuing, "I heard the royal family of the Star Luo Empire is surnamed Dai. You wouldn't happen to be related to the royal family, would you? Like in the stories, a noble prince might hide his identity and experience life among commoners.
Haha, Mubai, it would be hilarious if you were really a prince!"
Ma Hongjun laughed heartily, watching Dai Mubai's expression to see if he could provoke him.
"Is it really that funny?"
Dai Mubai suddenly stopped, his voice somewhat out of control.
Ma Hongjun pretended not to notice, continuing in a joking manner, "What, Mubai, you wouldn't actually be a prince, would you?"
"What if I really am!"
Dai Mubai suddenly roared, his voice hysterical and helpless, his eyes instantly turning red.
Ma Hongjun didn't speak again; he was waiting for Dai Mubai to release his emotions. Some things had been suppressed for too long and needed an outlet.
Dai Mubai stared blankly at Ma Hongjun, his eyes seemingly unfocused and vacant.
After a while, his eyes gradually cleared, and his emotions stabilized somewhat.
"Hongjun, although we've only known each other for a few days, I consider you a brother. I hope you won't ask about these things again, and don't bring up today's events."
Dai Mubai finished speaking and walked away without paying attention to Ma Hongjun.
Ma Hongjun also became serious and shouted at Dai Mubai's back,
"I also consider you a brother.
Mubai, I can see you have something on your mind, something you're running away from.
You can tell me what's wrong!
In the world of Soul Masters, the strong are respected. I think no matter what the problem is, as long as you are strong enough, you can solve it with strength.
Even if you can't solve the problem, you can at least solve the person who raised it.
You are three years older than me, but you are not as strong as me. With my current efforts, the gap between our strengths will only widen in the future. I'm not bragging, but with my talent and hard work, don't think that you are three years older than me. Even if you are six years older, it won't be long before I surpass you."
Ma Hongjun intentionally or unintentionally emphasized the word "six years older. " Before Dai Mubai could speak, Ma Hongjun continued,
"You're older than me, which gives you a significant advantage, but through hard work, I've surpassed you. You don't think your martial soul is inferior to mine, do you?"
The White Tiger martial soul is a top-tier beast martial soul, always the pride and faith of the Dai family. Although it might indeed be inferior to the Dragon Soul Spear, Dai Mubai couldn't possibly think that way, couldn't possibly look down on his faith martial soul. Ma Hongjun intended to use this to provoke him. Dai
Mubai stopped, his evil eyes fixed on Ma Hongjun, wanting to see what Ma Hongjun was trying to express after saying so much.
"I want to tell you that now is the golden age of cultivation, don't waste your time.
Cultivate diligently, improve your strength, become powerful, and your troubles will naturally disappear!
In a world where the strong are respected, only strength is fair, only strength has the right to speak, and only strength can set the rules.
Also, as a brother, I want to tell you.
You are not fighting alone."
Silence fell!
On the empty farmland road, the two men faced each other, a slight breeze blowing, lifting the corners of their clothes, the fabric rustling against each other in the air!
"You're not fighting alone!"
This voice seemed to echo in Dai Mubai's ears!
Dai Mubai suddenly choked up, tears welling in his eyes, which he fiercely fought back.
Then, he stepped forward and embraced Ma Hongjun!
On the boundless fields, the sunset cast its glow, the sky darkening slightly!
The scene of their embrace was so harmonious!
Ma Hongjun's heart trembled, he closed his eyes, and thought to himself:
"I treated you like a brother, and you actually...
"
After a long while, Dai Mubai finally released his emotions, letting go of Ma Hongjun's hands, his tears turning into a smile.
He said, "Thank you, Hongjun, I understand what you mean!
It's getting dark, let's go into the city. I still need to take you to learn adult combat tonight."
The two set off again. This time, Ma Hongjun was a little flustered. He didn't know if Dai Mubai really understood him; he was afraid Dai Mubai had misunderstood.
A gentle evening breeze blew. Dai Mubai, walking ahead, seemed like a different person, full of fighting spirit, while Ma Hongjun behind him had a buzzing head, and he seemed to hear Jay Chou's hit song, "
Chrysanthemum Terrace.
" "Chrysanthemums wither, wounds cover the ground..."
...
When the two reached Soto City, it was completely dark.
Because Soto City was located inside the Barak Kingdom, it was not subject to any external threats, so its city gates were open 24 hours a day. The two entered the city smoothly.
Soto City was bustling at night, with all the shops brightly lit. Small vendors, who only operated at night, found their usual spots to sell snacks and trinkets.
Dai Mubai, familiar with the area, led Ma Hongjun straight to the inner city.
"Beauty Village!"
Contrary to Ma Hongjun's expectations of a vibrant, bustling city, the place Dai Mubai brought him to was rather gloomy.
Aside from the words "Beauty Village," the dark, heavily decorated building before them lacked any hint of feminine charm.
"Mubai, we didn't come to the wrong place, did we? Shouldn't we be in the red-light district?"
Dai Mubai asked, surprised.
"What? A red-light district? Hongjun, how could such a low-class place be worthy of our brothers?
The beauty haven I brought you to today is the real deal. The minimum requirement to get in is 1000 gold soul coins, and even with money, you might not be able to get in.
I wasn't originally planning to come here, but I changed my mind halfway through. For your sake, brother, I'll splurge this once."
Upon hearing this, Ma Hongjun realized that his words on the way had worked; Dai Mubai was willing to pay for him.
This place seemed extraordinary, probably more upscale than any bar in his previous life.
It was likely some kind of exclusive club for the wealthy and powerful.
"Beauty Village, as the name suggests, is the hometown of beauties. It's a place that produces all kinds of beauties. You could say that the beauties here are beyond your wildest imagination.
There's a very powerful and mysterious force behind Beauty Village. Only major cities have Beauty Villages, and basically only those at the level of a major city can afford them.
Come on, you'll see once you go in."
Two people stood at the door. Ma Hongjun could see that they had soul power fluctuations. The two people hadn't hidden their strength. Judging from the aura they exuded, they were probably Great Soul Masters.
Two Great Soul Masters guarding the door, indeed not simple.
Dai Mubai walked to the front and took out a black card. The two people at the door saw the black card and respectfully made a gesture of invitation.
Passing through a slightly dark circular passage, another door appeared. This time, a man in black stood at the door.
"He actually has the strength of a Soul Venerable."
Ma Hongjun was even more shocked. Two lines of energy, the second one was also a Soul Venerable.
Dai Mubai showed the black card again. The man in black pushed open the door, made a gesture of invitation, and said.
"Welcome to the Land of Beauties!"
I feel like I don't have much to say, so I'll just sing you a song, "Chrysanthemum Terrace"!
Your tearful gaze, gentle yet wounded,
the pale crescent moon hooks the past.
The night is too long, congealing into frost
…
Chrysanthemums wither, wounds cover the ground.
Your smile has faded ,
flowers fall, hearts break.
My thoughts lie quietly,
the north wind is chaotic, the night is not yet over,
your shadow cannot be severed