While traveling aboard the Star Luo Empire's merchant ship en route to Moon Hub Island, Xu Zihuang had already studied the island's map and gained a general understanding of its layout.
Moon Hub Island contained seven cities in total. Apart from the main city, Moon Hub City, the other six cities were significantly smaller, each with a population of just around ten thousand to one hundred thousand.
In the distance, the sky stretched cloudless, with sunlight pouring down unabated. Moon Hub City, built along the coast, stood resplendent, resembling a paradise on earth. Towering, imposing walls loomed into view, unmasked and awe-inspiring in their grandeur.
The northern port of Moon Hub Island led directly to the city gates of Moon Hub City. On either side of the road, a steady stream of carriages moved amidst a lively, bustling atmosphere.
Xu Zihuang raised his right hand slightly to shield himself from the blazing sunlight. Having grown up in the more temperate northern central region of Mingdu City within the Sun Moon Empire, he wasn't entirely accustomed to the southern climate.
Yet, this discomfort was negligible. With his current physical constitution, he was unaffected by both cold and heat. He quickly adjusted to the piercing sunlight, unrelenting in the absence of cloud cover, and confidently strode toward the gates of Moon Hub City.
Amid the lively chatter of the crowd, he even overheard accents from the Star Luo Empire, as well as the Heavenly Soul Empire and Dou Ling Empire, and their numbers weren't small.
Stopping casually at a fruit stall selling local specialties from Moon Hub Island, Xu Zihuang ordered a chilled fruit juice. In passing, he asked the busy middle-aged shopkeeper, "Old man, isn't Moon Hub Island part of the Sun Moon Empire? Why do I hear so many accents from the three major empires of the Douluo Continent?"
The shopkeeper glanced at Xu Zihuang, whose every gesture exuded nobility, and then at the five guards standing respectfully behind him. It was clear that Xu Zihuang's identity was extraordinary. The shopkeeper replied respectfully, "Young master, you must not be a native of Moon Hub Island, right?"
"More than four thousand years ago, the Sun Moon Empire often clashed with the three major empires of Douluo Continent. Many people fled here during those times, including a significant number from the Star Luo, Heavenly Soul, and Dou Ling Empires. Although the Southern Moon Islands aren't vast, they were never touched by war. Over four thousand years, through intermarriage, this has become the current situation."
As he explained, the shopkeeper's hands moved skillfully. He cracked open the hard shell of a gray-brown fruit, inserted a slender green bamboo straw into it, and handed it to Xu Zihuang with a grin.
"That'll be five copper soul coins."
Without Xu Zihuang needing to give orders, Meng Lang, standing behind him, placed a silver soul coin onto the counter and continued to follow his young lord.
Sipping the chilled, fragrant juice, Xu Zihuang's curiosity remained piqued.
This Moon Hub Island, as the starting point of his journey, warranted some exploration to gain a better understanding of the area.
The northern port was only a few kilometers from Moon Hub City. After paying a silver soul coin as an entry fee, Xu Zihuang and his entourage entered the city.
The main thoroughfare was spacious and well-maintained, wide enough for ten carriages to pass side by side. Towering buildings lined the streets, predominantly painted in white and gold tones, setting them apart from the cities of the Sun Moon Empire.
As the shopkeeper had mentioned, after four thousand years of intermarriage, the people in Moon Hub City were no longer purely of Sun Moon Empire descent. Skin tone was the most apparent difference. While Sun Moon Empire citizens generally had darker complexions, fair-skinned individuals like Xu Zihuang were not uncommon in Moon Hub City.
Moreover, the fashion was quite bold. From time to time, a few charming young women passed by, their exposed skin glistening, leaving behind trails of faint fragrances.
Although Xu Zihuang was dressed modestly in a fitted black outfit, his exquisite features and noble, deep purple eyes drew considerable attention. Combined with the steady presence of Meng Lang and the other guards behind him, it wasn't long before whispers and gazes followed wherever he went.
Most onlookers offered friendly smiles.
Whoever Xu Zihuang might be, it was better to befriend him if possible. If not, offending him would be unwise. After all, a smile costs nothing.
Feeling a touch of exasperation, Xu Zihuang lost interest in wandering further. He had underestimated the impact of his own appearance.
Just as he passed a storefront, his pupils suddenly contracted. He paused mid-step and turned his gaze toward a red-clothed tray visible through the glass window. His sharp perception, honed as a spiritual-type soul master, picked up an inexplicable, razor-sharp aura emanating from within.
Noticing his reaction, Meng Lang immediately asked, "What's wrong, Young Lord? "
"Let's check out this shop," Xu Zihuang replied, pushing the door open without further explanation.
Behind the counter sat a plump, middle-aged man with small, squinting eyes and thick eyebrows, giving him a distinct appearance.
The moment Xu Zihuang entered, the man's eyes lit up as he began rubbing his hands eagerly.
"Young master, what might you be looking for? We offer various rare metals, exquisite soul tools…"
Xu Zihuang scanned the shop with a faint smile, saying nothing. The shopkeeper's cheerful monologue soon faltered as awkwardness crept into his expression.
"Young master…"
"Bring me the item on that tray," Xu Zihuang interrupted, pointing directly at his target.
The plump shopkeeper followed Xu Zihuang's gaze, his brows twitching. After a brief hesitation, he resumed his obsequious grin.
"Young master, you have an excellent eye. That's the most precious item in our shop."
He carefully lifted the tray and placed it before Xu Zihuang, removing the red cloth covering it with a flourish.
There was no dazzling brilliance or otherworldly glow. What appeared was an item that looked as ordinary as it could be. a small object about half a foot long and as thick as a finger. It tapered from a wider base to a sharp tip. The blade, about half an inch wide, was ancient and black, adorned with faintly engraved patterns, exuding a subtle, rustic aura tinged with melancholy.
For both Xu Zihuang and the guards behind him, the object was immediately recognizable.
A carving knife is an essential tool for soul engineers to inscribe core arrays. Both ends of the knife had specific purposes, varying depending on the array being crafted. No soul engineer could do without one.