Lin Yang first spent some time resting properly in Pelagi City, and used the chance to buy a carriage and replenish supplies.
The next morning, dawn was just breaking.
A thin fog still clung to the streets, last night's dew lingering on the grass at the roadside. Yet the entire city was already waking, coming alive with motion and noise.
After feeding his horses, Lin Yang prepared to set off for the Calamity Mountains.
"This time, it's just you and me."
Seated on the carriage, Lin Yang muttered softly.
A leaf of the Blue Silver Emperor quietly stretched out from his collar, brushing against his cheek as if in a gentle caress.
Lin Yang scratched the leaf. "That tickles…"
Man and plant chatted idly as he drove the carriage toward the Calamity Mountains.
The Calamity Mountains lay to the east of the Pelagi Kingdom, straddling the border with the Nanaun Duchy.
In the soul beast compendium Su Hong had given him, Lin Yang had read about a soul beast unique to those mountains: the Geng Metal Sword Bamboo.
Though a plant-type soul beast, it leaned heavily toward metal attributes.
Geng Metal Sword Bamboo only grew atop geng-metal ore veins.
By absorbing geng-metal qi, they strengthened their bodies until they were as hard as steel, even able to unleash sword energy sharp enough to cut through metal and shatter stone.
If he could obtain a Geng Metal Sword Bamboo as his second soul ring, Lin Yang would very likely gain a soul skill with piercing attributes, further enhancing the cutting edge of his Nichirin Blade martial soul.
In the future, it might even reach an extreme level.
That was why Lin Yang had gone to such trouble to reach the Calamity Mountains — just to find a suitable Geng Metal Sword Bamboo.
The seven-day journey was dull and monotonous, but peaceful and smooth.
Just when Lin Yang thought nothing unexpected would happen, another caravan appeared in the distance, heading toward him.
Riding the wind, he easily caught a faint hint of blood in the air.
In the middle of that caravan, several wagons were covered in black cloth, their silhouettes faintly cage-like.
The stench of blood was seeping out from under the black covers.
Lin Yang frowned. This caravan was very likely a slaver convoy disguised as merchants.
Slave-hunting parties were infamous on the continent.
Together with fallen soul masters and the Swift Wolf Bandits, they were called the three most evil organizations on the Douluo Continent.
On the surface, both great empires cracked down hard on slavers.
But in reality, such activities had merely shifted from the light into the shadows, never truly eradicated.
After all, only highborn nobles were willing to spend vast sums to collect all sorts of "maids."
Where there is demand, there will be trade — and where there is trade, evil will grow.
Lin Yang chose not to intervene.
This was not just an issue of a single slaver convoy, but a symptom of the entire continent's sickness.
Yet while the tree may wish for stillness, the wind refuses to stop. The more Lin Yang wanted to avoid trouble, the more trouble sought him out.
Just as the convoy was about to pass his carriage, a shrill, androgynous voice sounded from the most luxurious wagon in their group.
"Wait."
The slaver guards were well-trained. At the sound, they halted at once in perfect order and silence.
Lin Yang's brows tightened. A bad premonition rose within him.
The curtain of the luxurious wagon was lifted slightly, revealing a narrow gap. That same voice drifted out again.
"Little brother, meeting on the road is a matter of fate. Why not let this humble one escort you for a while? We can look after each other."
It was impossible to tell whether the voice was male or female, yet it sent a chill crawling up Lin Yang's spine. He shook his head at once.
"Your kindness is noted, but our paths do not coincide. Farewell."
He flicked the reins, ready to drive his carriage away.
At the same time, in one of the caged wagons covered in black cloth behind, a pair of bright eyes suddenly snapped open, a trace of puzzlement flickering in their depths.
Just as Lin Yang was about to move on, a finely forged steel spear suddenly thrust out and barred his way.
Lin Yang's face darkened. He turned toward the weapon's wielder.
It was a young man with fair skin and sharp features, looking to be in his early twenties.
Though young, his place riding close to the luxurious wagon clearly indicated his high status in this group.
"What is the meaning of this?" Lin Yang asked coldly.
The young guard's expression did not change. His voice was as hard and cold as stone.
"I advise you to behave yourself, if you wish to live—"
Lin Yang actually laughed in anger. "And if I refuse?"
"Even if you refuse, you'll comply. To catch my master's eye is your good fortune for ten lifetimes."
His face and tone were as icy as stone, leaving no room for argument.
"That kind of 'fortune' is more than I can bear. Move."
Lin Yang's shout was low and deep, and an invisible aura of pressure instantly surged out from him.
Swish!
The surrounding guards moved as one. Weapons lifted, blades and spearheads all pointed toward Lin Yang.
Forest of spearpoints, killing intent filling the air.
The young guard looked at Lin Yang, a fleeting hint of pity flashing through his eyes before disappearing just as quickly.
"I'll say it again. Obey the honored one, and you live…"
"Hmph. Then come and try."
Cold light flashed across Lin Yang's eyes. He met the guard's gaze straight on, unflinching.
He didn't know who was sitting inside that wagon, but anyone who commanded a slaver convoy was unlikely to be decent.
Combined with this inexplicable "invitation," their motives were clearly impure.
The young guard took a step back, glancing toward the carriage.
A moment later, a quiet sigh drifted out from within.
"Be gentle. Don't mar his face. Just teach him a lesson. I'll need him tonight."
"Yes, Master."
At that moment, Lin Yang felt goosebumps break out across his skin.
No wonder most of the guards were pale-faced, cold-featured, and strikingly handsome.
So the person inside that wagon was this kind of filthy creature.
And that filthy creature had set their sights on him.
In an instant, the killing intent in Lin Yang's heart surged to its limit.
Swish!
The guard's spear shuddered and shot forward, whistling through the air.
He struck fast. The spearpoint gleamed coldly, aimed straight at Lin Yang's shoulder, clearly intending to capture him alive.
Lin Yang snorted coldly and raised his hand, catching the spear in an instant.
The guard was stunned, muscles tensing as he tried to wrench the spear free, but Lin Yang's palm might as well have been an iron clamp — it didn't budge.
By now, Lin Yang's body was that of the Demon Body, further strengthened by a hundred-thousand-year soul bone. His physique far surpassed any ordinary person.
With the slightest exertion, the steel spear twisted in his grip like soft dough, warping into a braided spiral.
The young guard's heart lurched. He quickly released the spear and leaped back a few steps.
"A soul master?"
From the luxurious wagon, the shrill voice let out a soft "Oh?", and the curtain lifted further, though only a single fingertip, wearing a jade thumb ring, was revealed.
"No wonder you're so bold. Little brother… this humble one finds you even more to their taste now."
Hearing that, the young guard's heart tightened. As if remembering something horrifying, he no longer held back.
A flash of light, and a bronze shield appeared in his hand.
Thorny patterns crawled across its surface, and its rim glinted with a cold metallic sheen. At his feet, three soul rings rose in sequence.
One white, one yellow, one purple.
Soul power surged around him.
This guard was actually a three-ring Soul Elder.