One week later—
Lu Tianming woke up early, just as he always did. After completing his morning exercises, however, he did not sit down to cultivate.
Today was different.
Today was the day he would enroll in the Gengxin City Soul Master Academy.
Instead, he stood before the spirit tablet of his mother. The room was quiet, filled only with the faint scent of incense.
Kneeling down, he lowered his head respectfully.
"Good morning, Mom," he said softly, yet with unwavering determination. "Today, I'm about to embark on the path of a Soul Master. Please… give me your blessings."
After a moment of silence, he stood up.
He packed his few personal belongings into a simple cloth bag, then carefully placed his mother's spirit tablet into his storage ring. Taking one last look around the house; he stepped outside and locked the door with care.
His next stop was Chief Tyson's home.
When Lu Tianming arrived at the courtyard, everyone was already waiting for him. A horse-drawn carriage stood nearby, ready to depart.
"Xiao Lu! Why are you so slow? Hurry up!"
Xiao Ling stuck her head out of the carriage window and shouted loudly.
Tyson, who was adjusting the reins, chuckled upon hearing her voice.
Qing Wei stepped out of the courtyard as well, holding neatly packed lunches in her hands.
"You're late today, Xiao Lu," she said with a gentle smile.
"Ah… sorry," Lu Tianming replied, scratching his head in embarrassment. "I was busy preparing."
"No worries," Tyson said, patting the horse's back as he finished his preparations. "Since you're here, let's set off quickly. Gengxin City is quite far—we'll need a few hours to get there."
"Alright," Lu Tianming nodded firmly.
Lu Tianming climbed into the carriage, pulling the curtain aside as he settled in. With a sharp flick of the reins, Tyson urged the horses forward.
The wheels began to turn.
Slowly, the familiar paths of the village slipped behind them. Wooden houses, narrow roads, and memories of a quiet childhood faded into the distance as the carriage rolled onward.
…
…
…
After a two-hour journey, the carriage finally reached Gengxin City.
Peering through the carriage window, Lu Tianming saw towering stone walls rise ahead of them, vast and imposing. This was the boundary of Gengxin City—and beyond it, the main gate.
Gengxin City was famous throughout the Star Luo Empire.
It was said that no other city possessed as many blacksmiths—both in number and in skill. Nearly ninety percent of the weapons used by the empire's army were forged here. Because of this, Gengxin City was regarded as one of the most important and heavily guarded cities in the Star Luo Empire.
As the carriage approached the gate, several armored guards stepped forward and raised their halberds, signaling them to stop.
However, Tyson had already anticipated this.
He calmly retrieved an identity token issued by the Star Luo officials and presented it to the guards. After a brief inspection, he paid the required entry fee without complaint.
Seeing that Tyson was a trusted citizen of the empire, the guards nodded and stepped aside, allowing the carriage to pass through the gate.
As the carriage entered the city, the scenery changed dramatically.
The streets were lined with weapon stalls, ore merchants, and blacksmith shops. The rhythmic clang of metal striking metal echoed endlessly, while furnaces burned day and night. Clothing stores and restaurants were few and far between, almost drowned out by the city's true trade.
From a distance, the entire city seemed shrouded in smoke. The air carried a heavy mixture of sulfur and molten iron, giving Gengxin City a harsh, suffocating scent.
This was not a city of comfort—
it was a city of blacksmiths and weapon merchants.
"Haha, are you surprised to see the city like this?" Tyson asked, glancing back from the driver's seat.
Before Lu Tianming could reply, a dissatisfied voice rang out from inside the carriage.
"Yeah! And it smells terrible too," Xiao Ling complained, wrinkling her nose. "This doesn't feel like a city at all."
Tyson burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, you're not wrong. Gengxin City is unlike any other city you might imagine."
He flicked the reins lightly as he continued,
"There are many cities like this across the empire—places that don't match the usual image of bustling markets and lively streets. That's because each region has its own specialty."
"Our Tie Luo Province is rich in metallic ores," Tyson explained. "The empire depends on these resources for weapons, tools, and construction. Naturally, the cities here developed around blacksmithing and metallurgy."
Seeing Xiao Ling still frowning, Tyson added reassuringly,
"But don't worry about living conditions. The Soul Master Academy is located in the northern part of the city. That area is strictly regulated by the Spirit Hall—no forges, no heavy smoke, and no deafening noise."
"It's a place meant for cultivation," he concluded, "so children can train in peace."
Lu Tianming listened quietly, his gaze fixed on the smoke-filled streets outside.
This city might be harsh and unforgiving—but it was also a crucible, one capable of forging both weapons… and people.
After her brief complaints, Xiao Ling gradually fell silent. Tyson guided the carriage steadily toward the northern part of the city—their destination.
After nearly fifteen minutes of travel, they finally arrived.
The difference was immediately apparent.
Unlike the smoke-filled streets near the city gates, this area was clean and orderly. Rows of residential houses lined the roads, and shops selling clothes, daily necessities, and food were neatly arranged along the streets. Vegetable stalls stood by the roadside, adding a touch of life and warmth to the surroundings.
"Hmm… this place is pretty nice," Xiao Ling said with a satisfied smile. "Now this feels like a proper city."
"Mm," Tyson replied from the driver's seat with a faint chuckle. "That's why I told you not to worry about your living environment."
Lu Tianming remained silent.
His eyes wandered across the unfamiliar scenery, absorbing sights he had never seen before. Yet, for a fleeting moment, vague and blurry memories surfaced within him—images of another world, of towering buildings that seemed to reach the clouds.
Compared to those, this city felt small.
But he did not linger on the thought. That was another world, another life. This world—this place—was where he belonged now. Shaking off the lingering emotions, he refocused his attention on the present.
"Uncle Tyson," he asked, "how much longer until we reach the Soul Master Academy?"
"Hmm… not too long," Tyson answered after a brief pause. "But before that, we need to make a stop."
"A stop?" Lu Tianming asked in confusion.
Xiao Ling also leaned forward, her ears practically perking up at the sudden change.
"Hehe." Seeing their curious expressions, Tyson smiled mysteriously.
"My father-in-law's house."
The carriage continued forward, carrying them not only toward the academy—but toward an unexpected encounter.
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