Longxing City, located in the far north of the Star Luo Empire and only two hundred li from the border between the two great empires, sits truly on the frontier.
Longxing City isn't directly administered by the Star Luo imperial family—it's under a subsidiary kingdom's domain. Trade has made this modest city bustling, with merchants constantly coming and going.
Kingdoms and duchies under the nominal rule of the empires actually operate independently and often control vital economic hubs, challenging imperial power.
Yun Chuan arrived in Longxing City with the petite Bai Chenxiang, committed to seeing her home safely. Since Star Dou Forest is nearby, he hired a carriage and, unable to use light-speed (which would pulverize her), took her by road.
At the city gate, the carriage stopped.
Inside, Yun Chuan turned to the still-red-eyed Bai Chenxiang. "Xiang Xiang, do you know the meeting's location?"
The Agile Clan doesn't reside in Longxing City. But every two years the Four Great Single-Attribute Clans convene, bringing the clan here this time. Because Bai Chenxiang had just reached level twenty and needed a soul ring, their clan leader had sent Ye Congling, a soul emperor, to take her to the forest, while the rest of the clan continued ahead to the city.
Of course, the clan couldn't have predicted what happened: a routine, "safe" hunt turned tragic when Ye Congling ran into a wild ten-thousand-year soul beast from the forest's inner regions—their natural nemesis. A soul emperor died unexpectedly.
"...I know," Bai Chenxiang nodded softly. She'd been here before; every two years she attended the event.
"That's good!" Yun Chuan sighed; Longxing City isn't huge but still large enough to get lost searching for one place.
"Let's go," he told the driver.
"Yes, sir." The driver flicked his whip, and soon they joined the traffic entering the city.
Guided by Bai Chenxiang, the carriage quickly stopped before a grand manor. Yun Chuan peered out and saw a plaque reading "Yu"—the Residence of the Yu Clan, one of the Four Great Clans.
Originally, the four clans "Li, Min, Po, Yu" were attached to the Clear Sky Sect. When the sect clashed with Spirit Hall and retreated into seclusion, the clans suffered greatly from Spirit Hall's wrath, losing many members.
Each clan had its specialty:
Li Clan (Strength): Great power, shock resistance.
Yu Clan (Defense): Durable, tough, focus on defense.
Min Clan (Agility): Speed and evasion, but weaker attacks.
Po Clan (Attack): Best at piercing, strong offensive techniques.
Additionally, each clan excelled in an area aiding the Clear Sky Sect:
Li: forging,
Yu: construction,
Min: reconnaissance and scouting,
Po: pharmaceuticals.
At the manor gate, a guard walked up, noticing the dignified Yun Chuan but especially Bai Chenxiang clinging to his arm.
"Are you Miss Chenxiang of the Min Clan? Patriarch Bai He just came inside and mentioned you—please, come in!"
He looked at Yun Chuan, unsure. Yun Chuan, seeing Bai Chenxiang clinging to him in fear, changed his mind about leaving immediately and stayed by her side.
"Please, could you fetch Patriarch Bai He? There are things best explained in person," Yun Chuan requested.
"Of course." The guard nodded, signaled to a colleague, who ran inside.
Soon, an elderly voice called out,
"Xiang Xiang is back!"
Bai Chenxiang, still anxious, burst into tears and ran toward the elderly man emerging from the manor.
"Grandpa!"
The slender, healthy-looking old man with long white hair and a rosy face—none other than Bai He, Patriarch of the Min Clan and an eighty-plus-ranked soul master.
Seeing his precious granddaughter so distraught, he hugged her, heart aching, and asked, "Was there trouble? Where's Ye Congling? I'll give him a good scolding!"
Hearing Ye Congling's name, Bai Chenxiang cried harder. "Uncle Ye… Uncle Ye was eaten by a soul beast!"
"What?!"
Bai He's expression darkened, alarmed. Any clan member's life was precious—especially an accepted soul emperor like Ye Congling, despite not having the Bai surname.
"How could this happen?"
Yun Chuan stepped forward: "Patriarch Bai He? Allow me to explain."
"Who are you?" Bai He looked at Yun Chuan, puzzled.
"My name is Tang Chuan," Yun Chuan said, using a pseudonym. After all, "Saint Yun Chuan" was a well-known name in Douluo, and he wanted to avoid unnecessary attention.
"Grandpa, I owe my life to Big Brother here," Bai Chenxiang managed after settling down, explaining, "I'd have been eaten, too, without his help."
"What happened?" asked Bai He, confused. With a soul emperor escort, and using only the forest edge, how could danger strike? Even if a rare beast ventured outward, Min Clan speed should guarantee escape.
Yun Chuan recounted the story in full, neither exaggerating nor hiding details. He had no ulterior motive—helping the Min Clan was just a matter of passing kindness.
After hearing the account, Bai He only sighed: "I see. Who could have foreseen a ten-thousand-year beast in the outer forest, and—worse—one perfectly counter to us? Just fate, I suppose."
What was supposed to be a sure-fire soul hunt turned into disaster, losing a rare soul emperor in the process.
Luck, it seemed, was not on their side.
(End of Chapter 104)