The marketplace fell utterly silent after Liu Erlong's outburst.
"It's a Soul Saint…!"
"I've seen the Soul Saint with my own eyes!"
The crowd scattered respectfully, faces paling as they bowed. Even the bolder women who'd tried to "adopt" Su Bei earlier now shivered, their backs soaked in cold sweat.
Seven spinning rings beneath Erlong's feet glowed like burning suns. Seventh-ring Soul Saint—this was power!
If a mere level 29 soul master could become a local figure in Notting City, then a Soul Saint was at the very ceiling of its hierarchy. No one dared show even a hint of insolence.
Some trembling soul masters dared apologize. "Under the honorable Soul Saint crown, forgive our offense. Your children's beauty stunned us—but we are guilty of overstepping. Please forgive us."
Someone added hurriedly, "To have such perfect children, your husband must be equally heroic… We sincerely wish you lifelong happiness."
Their flattery only deepened Erlong's frown. For she had no husband… only betrayal.
The women retreated before her icy eyes, knowing any further words risked igniting her flames.
At that moment, a mad cackling persisted—a simpleton with a pockmarked face stumbled from the crowd, muttering curses. His distorted features twitching, he strode forward as though mocking the tension.
Several strong men groaned, sweating. "Forgive him, Lord Soul Saint! He's Erha-zi… always wandering. His mother calls him for dinner even now. We'll drag him away!"
They hauled the fool by his armpits, muttering apologies as he yelled nonsense.
Erlong's glare seared them all. "Scram!"
The roar carried flame, instantly dispersing the remainder of the crowd.
Quiet once more.
Su Bei, calming Xiao Wu with one hand, patted her shoulders soothingly. "Xiao Wu, don't be afraid. Everything's fine now."
But in his other fist, he clenched harder. His heart was heavier than his words.
Too weak! Right now, if not for Erlong-mother, how could I face even a trivial Soul Elder? My beauty invites danger, Xiao Wu's innocence invites harm. Without power, we're nothing but prey.
Within his mind, Su Bei swore. Strength is everything. Only by conquering more goddesses, seizing every chance, climbing to the limit—can I protect them all.
Scum-man's creed, yet wrapped in undeniable truth.
Xiao Wu hurriedly wiped at her damp cheeks. She wasn't a crying child, but today's confrontation had shaken her deeply. Though she had a hundred-thousand years of cultivation in her past, in this human form she was fragile, only a child.
At that instant, she remembered clearly her mother's sacrifice—dying to shield her from humans.
The similarity made her tears burn hotter. But she clenched her little fists, eyes fiercer than before.
"I'm fine," Xiao Wu declared strongly. "I won't cry because of fear. In the future—I'll be stronger than my mother ever was! Strong enough to never need protecting!"
Erlong's heart softened at her words. She touched the rabbit girl's hair gently, warmth threading through her fire. "Silly child… exactly. With determination like this, you'll surpass even me one day."
Her eyes flicked briefly to Su Bei—his strange aura, the faint spark of martial power he nearly unleashed in violence earlier. His beauty was unmatched, but so too was his courage.
This child is not a so-called vase. He's a prodigy. A genius.
The thought only tightened her resolve to guard him and his "sister."
But she sighed then, muttering, "Your charm, Xiao Bei, is perilous. Just walking here, countless eyes covet you. If we return to Lanba Academy directly, similar problems will hound us everywhere. Though I fear nothing, repeated annoyances will weary even me. Best we arrange proper travel."
She glanced up. Across the street, a wide wooden plaque read "BMW Hall." Beneath it, ornate carriages gleamed in a showroom.
She strode forward. "Let's end this annoyance before it begins."
The shopkeeper nearly tripped meeting them at the door. He had felt the Soul Saint's fires earlier.
His smile stretched desperately. "Crown Soul Saint! It blesses my humble store to see you. You fill our meager hall with golden light!"
"Do you sell spirit beast carriages?" Erlong's tone was unarguably direct.
"Yes, yes!" He bowed repeatedly, sweat shining his forehead.
He glanced discreetly at Su Bei and Xiao Wu, and even he nearly collapsed at the sight. By the Heavens… such children…! Not only beautiful, but radiating noble air… who wouldn't fight to possess them?
His thoughts sharpened, but one glare from Erlong froze them solid.
The shopkeeper, eager to please, rattled quickly, "Our BMW Hall belongs to the noble Seven Treasures Glazed Sect. All stock here is of top craftsmanship. Carriages are classed in five tiers. Sadly, the highest two are rarely stocked in Notting; only the main capital acquires such treasures. Still, the other three levels exceed anything common. Strong enough for cross-empire travel."
Erlong rubbed her temple at his chatter. Too many words.
She cut him short by slapping a heavy bag of coins onto the counter. The clink of gold rang sharp. The bag bulged full—no less than hundreds of gold soul coins.
Her voice rolled flat, decisive. "Bring me your best and your fastest carriage. The one which runs smoothest. I want my children riding comfortably, without being disturbed."
The shopkeeper's eyes bulged, throat choking. Hundreds of gold coins! In a city where one silver coin fed families for a fortnight, this was sky-shattering wealth.
He swallowed hard and shouted, "Yes, yes! Soul Saint Crown, truly mighty! This boss is atmospheric, unparalleled!"
Currency in Douluo ran simple: one gold soul coin = ten silver = one hundred copper. But in Notting, even most nobles rarely tossed more than a single gold piece.
Erlong's casual throw of hundreds silenced the store itself with shock.
Even Su Bei swallowed faintly, eyes bright. Rich. Young. Beautiful. Fierce. Loaded. Truly a walking definition of a rich woman. This system doesn't hand me goddesses—it hands me goddesses plus their wallets.
The shopkeeper nearly tripped scrambling back, barking for assistants to bring out the finest winged carriage.
Within moments, a majestic beast-drawn vehicle rolled out, pulled by two snow-feathered colts, bridled finely in jade harness.
The shopkeeper rubbed his palms nervously. "This carriage, fast as storm winds, smooth as gliding air. Inside, leather cushioned, soft as clouds. Crown Soul Saint—please inspect."
Erlong nodded faintly.
Su Bei, however, leaned back with playful satisfaction, whispering to himself:
A rich woman buying me a luxury ride with her own coin… I think I've truly transcended Tang San's script into a sweeter realm.
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