Chapter 53: Yoyo Forest, Safe Town, Xu Jiujiu (Part 1)
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Two days later in the evening, Ling Bai arrived at the nearest settlement to Yoyo Forest, Safe Town.
The town, named for its safe entry and exit, was about four times the size of an ordinary village. Apart from the lack of a heavy defensive wall, it resembled a small city. The streets were lined with shops, bustling with activity.
Ling Bai's glance revealed that most of the shops' main business was related to Soul Masters, offering a wide variety of goods, such as long spears and armor forged by blacksmiths, and antidotes and healing potions concocted by physicians.
This was a classic case of 'living off the land.' Safe Town was adjacent to Yoyo Forest, and Soul Masters often replenished their supplies here before entering the forest.
Ling Bai looked up at the darkening sky. Considering it was unwise to enter the forest at night, he decided to find an inn to stay in and set off for Yoyo Forest early the next morning.
Safe Inn was a simple two-story wooden building. The first floor served as a restaurant for guests, while the second floor housed individual guest rooms.
Ling Bai took out a translucent white film from his Storage Soul Conductor. The film was as thin as paper, with a liquid-like substance flowing within. He gently placed it over his face, and after a flash of white light, his features changed slightly. His dazzling golden hair and eyes transformed into more common black hair and eyes.
The fifth-level Soul Conductor, Ice Silkworm Mask, was made from a mixture of rare metals, water diamonds, and ice silk from the far north. It came with a mimicry skill that could not be seen through by Soul Saints or lower ranks.
Yoyo Forest was vast, and Medusa, the Snake Empress, was skilled at hiding. The Death Prison Spider Emperor's abilities were more suitable for this situation than the Six-Winged Angel, but once activated, they would make him look too much like an evil Soul Master.
On the Tang Sect Continent, evil Soul Masters were universally despised, and even passing dogs would kick them. If someone remembered his true appearance and he failed to eliminate them, it would be very troublesome. Therefore, Ling Bai spent a large sum of money to buy the Ice Silkworm Mask to avoid any future problems.
"A standard room, a pot of tea, and two signature dishes."
Yoyo Forest was one of the largest gathering places for soul beasts, second only to the Star Dou Great Forest. Many Soul Masters came here to hunt soul beasts, and the inn was filled with a mix of various Soul Masters. Laughter and chatter filled the air. Ling Bai went to the front desk to place his order and then found an empty table to sit down.
Next to Ling Bai, a group of seven or eight men were seated, led by a woman who looked to be in her thirties. She had rough, yellowish-black skin and a bulky, stout figure. Her large face resembled a bicycle seat, and she wore a tiger-skin skirt, eating and drinking with her subordinates without a care.
"Hey, Sister Luo, look!"
Zhang Wu, who was toasting the leader, suddenly noticed Ling Bai. His eyes lit up, and he hurriedly reported to the leader, Luo Mei.
Luo Mei took a swig of wine and rolled her eyes in annoyance, but when she followed Zhang Wu's finger, she was momentarily stunned.
Although it might seem inappropriate to describe a man as beautiful, that face was undeniably a blend of masculine and feminine allure, almost to the point of being bewitching.
Luo Mei's eyes sparkled with the excitement of a predator about to hunt. She licked her rough, dry lips. She had always used her strength to abduct handsome young men to satisfy her desires. Encountering such a rare find, she was instantly tempted, her thick, dark legs clenching and relaxing as she salivated.
"Sister Luo, should the brothers..."
Zhang Wu chuckled, his eyes gleaming with lust. As a subordinate, his top priority was to understand the leader's intentions. Since he was not picky about gender, he hoped to get a turn once the leader was done.
"Hmm... Ah!"
Luo Mei was about to nod in agreement when a sudden, intense pain struck her head, as if a sharp sword had ripped through her brain. She screamed in agony, clutching her head and falling off her chair.
"Sister, what's wrong?"
The others rushed over to help her up. Supported by her subordinates, Luo Mei sat back down, her eyes meeting those of her 'prey' across the table.
"Shh—"
Ling Bai raised a finger to his lips. The blood-red light that flashed in his dark eyes made Luo Mei's face turn pale. The intense pain she had just experienced made her dare not meet Ling Bai's gaze again. She immediately lowered her head and hissed, "Shut up! Eat!"
The others were baffled. Why would their usually unrestrained leader let such a fine young man go? Unbeknownst to them, Luo Mei was drenched in sweat, feeling incredibly lucky to have escaped with her life from the grip of death.
Soon, the waiter brought a pot of good tea, a dish of stewed soul beast meat, and a plate of Yoyo Forest's specialty vegetables. Ling Bai slowly savored the local delicacies, paying no attention to Luo Mei and her group.
Trash, not worth the effort.
"Creak—"
The wooden door creaked as a man and a woman entered Safe Inn. Both were of noble bearing.
The man was a tall, muscular middle-aged man with a fierce, rugged appearance and muscular, exposed arms. The woman had long golden hair, skin as white as snow, clear, indifferent eyes, and lips as delicate as peach blossoms in March. She was a beauty of extraordinary grace and dignity.
A true noblewoman raised in a prestigious family and her loyal guard, Ling Bai observed objectively.
The man pushed open the door, scanned the inn, and said softly to the woman, "Miss Xu, the conditions in this remote town are limited. I'm afraid you'll have to stay here for the night."
Miss Xu nodded slightly, clearly not a fussy person. She smiled and said, "It's fine, Uncle She Chong. The journey has been tiring; please go and get two rooms and some dishes for us."
"Yes, Miss."
She Chong went to the front desk to book the rooms and order food, while Miss Xu found an empty table. The inn was about 80-90% full, and the only unoccupied table was next to Ling Bai. She thought for a moment and decided to head there.
To get from the door to the empty table, one had to pass by both Luo Mei's and Ling Bai's tables. Zhang Wu's lecherous eyes had been glued to Miss Xu's face, lips, and chest from the moment she entered. They were from a small border town in the Star Luo Empire and were used to bullying others with their soul power.
Zhang Wu had set his sights on Ling Bai, but for some reason, Luo Mei had suddenly backed off. Now, faced with the breathtaking beauty of Miss Xu, his lust quickly overcame his already limited rationality!
The moment Miss Xu passed by, Zhang Wu seized the opportunity, reaching out his hands to grab her slender, tender waist, intending to pull her directly into his arms!
"Your Highness, be careful!"
She Chong, who was at the front desk, shouted in alarm. Ling Bai paused slightly as he picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks.
Traveling had its pros and cons. Hiding one's identity was necessary, but She Chong's instinctive exclamation had revealed a small flaw in their disguise. In noble families or sects, subordinates generally addressed their heirs as Young Master, Young Lady, or Miss, but 'Your Highness'... was a term commonly used for royal princes and princesses!