A Commissioned Task

The Soul Master Competition across the entire continent was a power-based competition, where various soul masters and academies clashed to select the top contestants.

If the preliminary rounds were more for entertainment or promotion, then the knockout rounds were the true platform for various factions to select elites.

Initially, Chen Xuan entered the competition for two main reasons: to challenge powerful opponents and to join a strong faction. Aligning himself with an empire, clan, or sect would allow him to develop better and gain resources, experience, and protection.

Now, finally, someone had approached him, validating all the effort and effort he had put into the competition.

Even though he hadn't competed that many times, the result was still satisfactory.

"Uncle, there's no need for any palace visits. Just get straight to the point," Chen Xuan said bluntly, disliking unnecessary formalities and preferring to get things done quickly.

"Brother Chen, I appreciate your straightforwardness and honesty. I enjoy dealing with smart people like you," said the man dressed in noble attire, chuckling with a friendly smile.

Chen Xuan quietly muttered, "Honest? What nonsense." Compliments should at least make sense.

The two of them found a nearby teahouse, which was quiet and away from the bustling streets.

"Uncle, just say what you came here for," Chen Xuan smiled, already guessing the man's intentions but deciding to play along.

The man, dressed in luxurious clothes, nodded and, without hiding anything, revealed his purpose for coming. He was sent from the palace to invite Chen Xuan to join his faction, offering a reward of 100,000 gold coins, beautiful women, and a thousand-year-old soul bone as a token of sincerity.

However, there were conditions for obtaining the soul bone: no switching factions for five years and only after achieving significant accomplishments.

"Isn't this just an empty promise?" Chen Xuan thought to himself, refraining from speaking out loud to maintain some decorum.

In his previous life, working in a dark, grueling factory, he'd heard plenty of promises about raises and promotions, which never materialized. He was immune to such promises by now.

"Um… Uncle, can I ask how old this soul bone is?" Chen Xuan asked quietly.

Thousand-year soul bones were rare and incredibly valuable, practically priceless. However, Chen Xuan wasn't all that interested; after all, his family already had two soul bones, one aged 30,000 years and the other over 20,000.

The man in fine clothing laughed, "Rest assured, brother Chen, this soul bone is from a few years ago and is perfectly suited for an agility-type soul master. As for its age..."

He paused before continuing, "Brother Chen, soul bones are rare, as you know. I won't hide the truth from you—it's only about 12,000 years old. While it may seem low in age, it's definitely suitable for you."

Chen Xuan was left speechless for a while, unsure how to respond.

To be honest, he found a 12,000-year-old soul bone a bit disappointing. Anything under 20,000 years didn't interest him much.

Losing interest in the conversation, Chen Xuan thought, "Empty promises and not even a decent offer. Who would believe that a noble like him only has a 12,000-year soul bone?"

"Uncle, may I ask what rank you hold in the empire?" Chen Xuan asked, thinking that if the man held a high rank, similar to Prince Xue Xing, he might reconsider.

"Earl," the nobleman said proudly.

"What?" Chen Xuan's eyes widened in disbelief, thinking he must have misheard.

The man repeated with pride, "Brother Chen, I hold the rank of Earl in the empire."

Chen Xuan was stunned into silence.

An Earl? That's only one rank above a Viscount. After the preliminaries, Emperor Xue Ye had said that the captains and vice-captains of the top five academies would be awarded Viscount titles, and the champions would be promoted to Earls.

Chen Xuan now understood why the man only offered a 10,000-year soul bone and empty promises—he wasn't even a high-ranking noble.

"I've got a fire at home, gotta go!" Chen Xuan made up an excuse and left without looking back.

The nobleman stood in confusion, unsure of what had just happened.

Chen Xuan was beyond frustrated. An Earl had the nerve to recruit him? After the competition, he'd already be at the rank of Viscount. What was this man thinking?

His excitement had been wasted, along with his time. He had hoped for someone on Prince Xue Xing's level.

"Brother Chen, where are you off to in such a hurry? How about a chat?" A deep, powerful voice suddenly echoed nearby as a man appeared, blocking Chen Xuan's path.

This time, it was another middle-aged man, also dressed in noble attire.

Chen Xuan had learned his lesson and asked directly, "Uncle, what rank do you hold? Higher than a Viscount?"

The middle-aged man smiled proudly, raising two fingers. "Young friend, I am a Marquis, two ranks above a Viscount."

"My house has a gas leak," Chen Xuan muttered, turning to leave immediately.

It wasn't that he was arrogant or looking down on them, but even a Marquis wasn't influential enough. A family with just a Soul Emperor wasn't impressive to him.

For most ordinary people or mid-level soul masters, receiving such an invitation would be a dream come true, but only if they were below level 30.

Chen Xuan was genuinely frustrated. It wasn't that he despised these nobles, but they simply didn't have enough influence. Even Prince Xue Xing could hardly command much attention from Emperor Xue Ye.

He returned home to gather some belongings and check on his younger sister.

"Brother Chen, how about we have a chat?"

This time, it was a noblewoman, well-maintained and looking no older than thirty.

"Auntie, what's your rank?" Chen Xuan asked directly.

The noblewoman, though puzzled, answered honestly, "Duchess."

"My kitchen's on fire, goodbye," Chen Xuan said and left.

Finally, he reached a familiar street, approaching his home.

"Young man, stop right there. Someone wants to see you," a cold voice suddenly echoed as a man in a black cloak emerged from the shadows.

"Identify yourself, or there's nothing to discuss," Chen Xuan said, assuming this was another noble seeking to recruit him.

The man in the black cloak sneered, "Has no one ever told you how arrogant you are?"

A chill ran down Chen Xuan's spine. This wasn't an ordinary noble—this man was dangerous. There was no visible soul power, yet his presence was overwhelming, indicating his strength was far beyond a Soul Saint.

"Who are you?" Chen Xuan asked, his body tensing up, sensing the danger.

"You don't need to know who I am. I'm just here on someone's behalf to take you away," the man said coldly. "Don't ask too many questions. You're not worthy of knowing my identity yet. Just come with me."

READ 30 CHAPTERS AHEAD OF EVERYONE FOR ONLY $7!

LINK: patr eon.com/SenatusPopulus