“What’s that?”
Suddenly, Ling Xiao spotted a peculiar vessel, completely encased in a metal shell, almost airtight, impervious even to water.
“That’s called a submersible, only accessible to those at the Elder or Demon General level.”
Tu Yan explained, “Submersibles are typically used to search for secret treasures on the ocean floor. This sea has long been rumoured to house a cultivation cave left by the Human King, but despite years of searching, nothing has been found.”
“The Human King’s cave!”
Hearing those four words, Ling Xiao’s heart jolted.
No matter what martial arts he practised or what inheritance he received, the Mountain River Martial Soul remained his core, so he was eager to enhance its level as soon as possible.
The Human King had changed cultivation sites many times in his life, leaving behind numerous caves, any one of which might contain something related to the Mountain River Martial Soul.
He thought to himself that coming here was indeed the right choice.
“Yes, but the Human King’s cave is incredibly hard to find. Fortunately, there’s a very special plant deep in this sea that bears a fruit called the ‘Martial Soul Fruit’. Even the lowest quality ones sell for a billion low-grade spirit stones outside, and the best ones, well, even a billion top-grade spirit stones might not be enough.”
Tu Yan continued, “The Sea Clan has been searching relentlessly over the years and only found three Martial Soul Fruits.”
“What exactly does this Martial Soul Fruit do to be so valuable?”
Ling Xiao was genuinely shocked. He had thought his wealth was substantial, but now it seemed all his riches combined wouldn’t buy a single Martial Soul Fruit.
“It has four effects:
First, it can extend lifespan by one to ten years, which isn’t too remarkable, less effective than a Longevity Fruit, but it’s just a side benefit;
Second, it can grant a new martial soul, understand, a new martial soul, without affecting the existing one, but each martial artist can only use one in their lifetime, or they’ll explode and die, this is the most terrifying use of the Martial Soul Fruit;
Third, it can strengthen and advance existing martial souls;
Fourth, it can bolster the soul!
These four effects make its value utterly staggering.”
Tu Yan explained, “To be honest, little brother, I came here for the Martial Soul Fruit, only to fall into the Sea Clan’s trap.”
Now Ling Xiao suddenly understood why so many human experts were lured to this Demon Fortress City. They were likely after the Martial Soul Fruit and the Human King’s cave, only to recklessly arrive and fall into the Sea Clan’s trap.
Tu Yan wasn’t the only one deceived; there were probably many others like him.
As they chatted, they disembarked and headed toward a building.
“That’s the slave registration office. Once inside, just tell the guard you don’t want the slave mark, and they’ll understand.”
Tu Yan pointed at a large building.
“Thank you!”
Ling Xiao didn’t doubt Tu Yan’s words. If Tu Yan wanted to harm him, he could simply abandon him, and Ling Xiao would soon be exposed for not knowing the rules, no need for such trouble.
Besides, Tu Yan was upright by nature, and though more cautious now, his character hadn’t changed.
“In short, little brother, this is as far as I can help you. Take care!”
Tu Yan patted Ling Xiao’s shoulder and left with his group.
Following Tu Yan’s instructions, Ling Xiao indeed met a deacon at the slave registration office.
This man was clearly a ninja clan expert, wearing their distinctive forehead protector, his true essence identical to that of the ninja clan.
He appeared to be in his forties, with a cultivation level of Mortal Realm Second Layer.
Such strength qualifying as a deacon showed that this Demon Fortress City was still a step below the Twelve Sects.
Of course, this was because the Yin-Yang Demon King had taken most of the strong fighters away, otherwise, Ling Xiao wouldn’t have dared to venture here lightly.
“What’s your cultivation level?”
The ninja clan deacon asked directly.
“Mortal Realm Fifth Layer!”
At Mortal Realm Fifth Layer, one could avoid the slave mark by paying ten thousand low-grade spirit stones, a trivial amount for Ling Xiao, who was confident he could recoup the loss in Demon Fortress City.
The ninja clan deacon seemed skeptical but, after staring for a while, couldn’t discern anything and finally slammed the table.
“Pay thirty thousand low-grade spirit stones, and you can avoid the slave mark, but you’ll need to wear a slave collar!”
The ninja clan deacon declared.
“Thirty thousand? Sir, isn’t there a mistake? Shouldn’t it be just ten thousand low-grade spirit stones?”
Ling Xiao asked, clasping his hands.
“Less nonsense, you’re the one asking me, not the other way around. Thirty thousand low-grade spirit stones, not a single one less, or you’ll obediently get the slave mark. Even if you leave here later, you’ll be hideous!”
The ninja clan deacon sneered.
In truth, this wasn’t personal against Ling Xiao.
The unwritten rules were set by higher-ranking Demon Generals and Elders.
The deacon had to hand over most of the spirit stones to them, keeping only a small share, so adding a few extra spirit stones to the rules was normal for them.
And so far, no one had dared to refuse.
But this deacon hadn’t realised he’d met his match today.
Ling Xiao pondered for a moment, deciding to endure it, as thirty thousand low-grade spirit stones were a mere trifle to him.
He’d settle the score later.
With that thought, he nodded, “Alright, sir, here are thirty thousand low-grade spirit stones. Please count them.”
“Very good, you’re smart. Smart people usually stay out of trouble.”
Seeing Ling Xiao yield, the ninja clan deacon smirked coldly.
Ling Xiao placed the thirty thousand spirit stones on the ground.
The space was large enough not to worry about fitting them.
The ninja clan deacon counted, confirmed it was thirty thousand, collected the stones, and smiled at Ling Xiao, “Alright, hand over your storage ring or anything like that. Slaves aren’t allowed to carry such things.”
Ling Xiao frowned slightly but complied.
His storage ring held little of value anyway, his real treasures were stored in the Mountain River World.
“Sir, please register me.”
After handing over the items, Ling Xiao looked at the ninja clan deacon.
All this was just to gain a legitimate identity in Demon Fortress City.
Though still a slave, it was better than being an unknown.
“What’s the rush? It’s just registration. Seeing how readily you handed over your storage ring, you must be a wealthy martial artist outside, right? How about this, I’ll keep your storage ring, how’s that?”
The ninja clan deacon grinned, his eyes gleaming with cunning and greed.
