In the blink of an eye, more than ten days had passed. After leaving Heaven Dou City, Aether and Paimon once again set off on their journey together.
This time, however, they weren't without a goal.
Back when Aether gifted Qian Renxue a Dull Blade, it allowed him to sense the sword's location within a certain range.
Perhaps due to the great distance, the signal came and went, but it still guided him and Paimon generally in the direction of Spirit Hall.
The note Qian Renxue had left behind simply read "Spirit Hall in danger." Though the meaning was unclear, with no other clues to her whereabouts, heading toward Spirit Hall was their best shot at uncovering something.
And if all else failed, they could still seek out Bibi Dong—she was, after all, the person most likely to know what had happened to Qian Renxue.
"Traveler, your sensing seems kinda off, huh?" Paimon hovered in midair beside a tall tree where Aether was resting, shielding her eyes from the sun as she peered into the distance. Her small head tilted in thought before she turned toward him.
"This doesn't feel like the direction to Spirit Hall at all!"
"Mm…"
Aether frowned slightly and spat out a stem of unknown grass he'd been chewing.
"The signal's not wrong. There is a Dull Blade this way."
"Then could it be… Qinghe never returned to Spirit Hall in the first place and went somewhere else instead?"
"That's hard to say."
Aether shook his head. Logically, it didn't add up.
After Qian Renxue left Heaven Dou, the only likely place she'd go was Spirit Hall. Could something in that cryptic note have led her elsewhere?
He didn't even know what this current place was called. There were no villages or cities nearby—he and Paimon had followed the faint signal all the way out here.
At first, he thought that heading toward Spirit Hall would make the signal stronger. But as they traveled, he suddenly picked up the presence of another Dull Blade.
And this one… felt even closer to him.
After a bit of thought, Aether decided it was best to check out the source of this nearer signal. Whether it was Qian Renxue or that kind-hearted boy they'd met once by the roadside, he was determined to find out.
"Let's go. We'll know soon enough."
He stood up, brushed nonexistent dust from his clothes, and led Paimon in the direction of the signal—which was now not far at all.
"Mm-hmm!"
Paimon nodded and stayed close behind.
After half a day of travel, a city finally appeared in the distance.
"Traveler! There's a city ahead!"
Paimon flitted higher into the air, excitement in her voice.
For half a month, they'd been trekking through forests and narrow paths, with barely a trace of human civilization. It had been a long time since they'd seen a proper town.
"Yeah. Let's take a look. Seems like… the Dull Blade is somewhere inside that city."
Aether stared at the city ahead. If nothing went wrong, someone he had once given a sword to—and their story—awaited inside.
"S-Soto City?"
Paimon read aloud the three characters engraved on the city gate.
How did they end up here?
Aether immediately sifted through his memory for this city's background.
Soto City lay near the border between the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire. The original site of Shrek Academy used to be in a small village just outside of it.
"Let's go see."
He led Paimon toward the city gates. Expecting the usual inspections or a soul coin toll, he was surprised when they passed through without issue.
Apparently, none of that applied here.
"This place is so lively~"
Paimon looked around at the bustling crowd with a look of wonder.
Though not a central imperial city, Soto was a bustling trade hub thanks to its border location. Soul Masters and bounty hunters often passed through, making it a favorite resting point—resulting in a densely packed population.
Just past the gates, Aether could already feel the eyes following them—mostly curious glances aimed at Paimon.
He didn't react to them and instead focused on the signal, letting it guide them through the crowded streets.
Eventually, they arrived in front of an old courtyard.
The courtyard wall was covered in moss. The gate was shut tight, its rusted lock keeping two rotting wooden doors barely held together. It looked like a strong breeze would blow them off their hinges.
From its appearance alone, the place hadn't been lived in for years.
"Traveler, this place seems abandoned. Is Qinghe really inside?"
Paimon peered through a crack in the door, taking in the overgrown weeds and desolate yard beyond.
"Why don't you fly over and take a look?"
Aether gestured to the low courtyard wall.
"No way!"
Paimon shook her head rapidly like a rattle drum, clearly remembering past experiences.
Entering someone's home uninvited was rude enough—and what if the place was crawling with snakes or rats?
She might die from fright!
"Scaredy-cat~"
Aether teased lightly before leaping effortlessly over the wall and landing inside the courtyard.
"H-Hey! Wait for me!"
Paimon called out, flying after him. She hovered tightly by his shoulder, her big eyes darting around warily.
Creak—
A door opened on the right.
Both of them turned toward the sound.
"Eh? Someone's there!"
Paimon's voice rose in surprise as a ragged-looking boy with a dirty face stepped out, a longsword in hand and a fierce gleam in his eyes.
"Tch… Persistent bastards. You actually found this place…"
The boy growled, stepping into the courtyard with sword raised and hostility clear.
But the moment he saw Aether's face clearly, his whole body froze. His lips moved in disbelief.
"Y-You…!!"
"Mao Mao?"
Aether's expression also shifted slightly in surprise.
Though the boy's appearance and aura had changed, Aether instantly recognized the Dull Blade in his hand.
This was the same boy he'd once met on the roadside—who had knelt before a Title Douluo of Spirit Hall to protect his family.
A filial, kind-hearted boy named Mao Mao.
"Sir! It's really you!"
Tears welled up in Mao Mao's eyes as he recognized Aether. With trembling voice, he rushed forward and dropped to his knees.
"Get up."
Aether gently raised a hand, and a soft breeze lifted the boy to his feet.
"Sir! I never thought I'd see you again. I—I…"
Words choked in Mao Mao's throat, his excitement too overwhelming to express.
….
T/N: Mao Mao is the boy from chapter 54 who almost got hit by the carriage. Aether gave him a Dull Blade which merged with his martial soul.
_
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