The architectural style of Mingdu was vastly different from that of Heaven Dou City, which Nan Fusheng had visited before.
Heaven Dou carried a sense of cultural heritage, a blend of classical charm and modern influence.
Mingdu, on the other hand, was a pure high-tech steel jungle. Towering skyscrapers stood side by side, each with its own distinct design. Many of the buildings looked strange and unconventional, their shapes alone drawing attention.
"Main body, the thing you're looking for… it isn't already owned by someone, is it? That might get troublesome." Qian Gu Bubei asked as he looked at the massive building before them.
After all, he was both the Tower Master of the Spirit Transmission Tower in Tianhai City and a member of the Qian Gu clan. His identity was sensitive. If they seized something by force, others would certainly have grounds to criticize.
Of course, that would only amount to criticism. As a Titled Douluo and a Three-Word Battle Armor Master, as long as he didn't do something excessive—like killing indiscriminately or colluding with evil soul masters—the Federation's laws were forgiving. That was the privilege of the strong.
"I don't know. Let's go in and take a look. It's not something I absolutely need, but if I can get it, I will."
Nan Fusheng and Qian Gu Bubei approached the building. Large characters over the entrance read: 'Trustworthy Insurance Company'.
Why does this name sound familiar? Nan Fusheng thought.
As soon as they stepped inside, the staff immediately approached them with smiles.
"Welcome, sirs. Do you have any business to handle with us today? Our Trustworthy Insurance Company recently launched a new 'Soul Train Insurance'—if you're interested—"
Before the worker could finish, Qian Gu Bubei waved his hand impatiently.
"Business on behalf of the Spirit Transmission Tower. Call your person in charge."
As he spoke, he revealed a token, and for a brief moment, his nine soul rings flickered into view.
"Of course, of course, Your Majesty. Please wait a moment, I'll report immediately." The staff member's face turned pale—he had caught a glimpse of those nine rings.
"No need. We'll wait here." Qian Gu Bubei waved him off. Meanwhile, Nan Fusheng expanded his perception, searching for the thing he had come for.
Before long, the company's chairman—a slightly overweight middle-aged man—hurried over with the staff.
"Your Majesties, I am the chairman of Trustworthy Insurance. May I ask what brings you here? We will fully cooperate."
"Not yet," Nan Fusheng murmured to Qian Gu Bubei. "But it should be somewhere higher up in this building."
"We are looking for an item," Qian Gu Bubei said calmly to the chairman. "We don't know its exact location yet. We'll be taking temporary control of this building. I assume you have no objections?"
Once again, his nine soul rings flickered into existence.
"N-no problem, no problem at all." The chairman wiped sweat from his brow, relieved to hear they weren't here to punish his company. For a moment, he had feared his business had offended this Titled Douluo.
But what shocked him more was that the Titled Douluo seemed to defer to the young man at his side. For someone of his power to show such respect, who could this youth be? A direct heir of the Spirit Transmission Tower's upper echelons?
Nan Fusheng ignored the man's fawning and stepped into the elevator with Qian Gu Bubei, heading straight for the top floor.
As the elevator ascended, Nan Fusheng released his spiritual power.
Not this floor… not here either…
At last, just before reaching the top, his eyes opened sharply.
"Here. Stop."
He forced open the elevator doors and strode out. This floor had few staff. After a short walk, he stopped before a luxurious office.
His eyes, however, were fixed not on the ornate décor but on a glass cabinet beside the desk.
Inside lay a gold coin, its surface radiating the weight of ages.
The coin wasn't large—similar in size to one of the Federation's commemorative coins. Its design was ancient, the patterns worn and marked with stains of time. The faint engravings resembled a soul tool formation, though there was no soul power fluctuation left in it.
The middle-aged chairman quickly stepped forward, explaining eagerly:
"This, young master, is a family heirloom. I don't know exactly how long it's been passed down, but I can guarantee it is at least from the era of the Spirit Ice Douluo, over ten thousand years ago.
"It's actually a storage-type soul tool, though the formation has long since broken down with age. Now, it's nothing more than a pretty antique."
Then he smiled flatteringly.
"This coin is not worth much, merely of sentimental value to my family. But if the young master wants it, then take it as a gift of friendship."
The man had sharp instincts. He could tell: any youth who could command the respect of a Titled Douluo was no ordinary figure. Since he couldn't stop them from taking what they wanted anyway, he might as well present it willingly—first downplaying its value, then emphasizing his family's attachment to it, and finally offering it freely. With luck, this gesture could earn him goodwill with the Spirit Transmission Tower's elite.
Nan Fusheng, however, didn't even bother listening to his words. With a thought, he parasitized the man, turning him into a clone. It wasn't to keep secrets—he simply didn't want to waste time on negotiation.
Besides, the man wasn't insignificant. As the head of a major company, even if not a soul master, he had influence. That could be useful someday.
"Please, take care, and we look forward to welcoming you again," the chairman—now a clone—said warmly, bowing as he escorted Nan Fusheng and Qian Gu Bubei out. Staff members lined up behind, bowing deeply as well.
On the way back, Qian Gu Bubei eyed the coin curiously.
"Main body, this is what you were after? Just a broken storage-type soul tool? Is there something valuable inside?"
Nan Fusheng smiled faintly. "Of course. Watch carefully."
He picked up the coin. To anyone else, it looked useless, its formation long broken. And indeed, it was. Otherwise, the chairman would have opened it long ago.
But Nan Fusheng had his own method.
"Gate."
The essence of this ability was to open or close anything tied to the concept of a "door." That included breaking or reinforcing seals for a time.
A storage-type soul tool was, in essence, a sealed container. Naturally, it could be opened with the Gate.