Chapter 47: Ready Player [Bonus Chapter]

...

It's getting windy!

A gentle breeze filled the shop, surprising Tang San, Xiao Wu, and the store owner.

Their gaze turned to Zeng Yi, who was playing a tune, and they could clearly feel the flow of air around him.

This wind is somehow related to his martial soul!

That's what they thought in their hearts.

Tang San watched Zeng Yi, listened to the deep sound of the flute, and felt the emotions of sadness, loneliness, and solitude within it. He seemed to see this person's life, walking alone on the road, with only the cold and sharp long sword accompanying him.

Tang San could clearly feel this kind of sentiment because he came from a different world, and this has always been his deepest secret. Fortunately, he met someone who can protect him for a lifetime.

A lonely swordsman!

Looking at Zeng Yi's figure, Tang San couldn't help but sigh, feeling sorry for him.

Listening to the music, Xiao Wu's emotions became immersed in it. She looked sad, with red eyes and tears shimmering at the corner of her eyes, as if they were about to fall at any moment.

"Mom..."

This distant melody, carrying a sense of loneliness and sorrow, echoed in the shop for about ten minutes, until the music ended and the wind subsided.

"Boss, how was my performance?"

Zeng Yi put away the bamboo flute and calmly asked the shop owner. His voice broke the silence in the shop, bringing everyone back to reality.

"Excellent!"

The store owner exclaimed, standing up from his recliner and looking at Zeng Yi with a bright gaze.

"So lonely."

"That's how my whole life has been." Zeng Yi replied lightly, looking directly into the owner's eyes without any hint of evasion.

"But you can change." The boss said affirmingly.

"I have been on this path, hoping and longing for change."

The conversation between the two puzzled Xiao Wu and left her clueless. Tang San, on the other hand, lowered his head, lost in thought.

After a few seconds of confrontation, the boss withdrew his gaze.

"What is this piece called?"

"The Distant Melody of the Deer."

"The Distant Melody of the Deer? Such a good piece. Okay, I'll give you this bamboo flute as a gift." The boss said casually, lying back on the recliner and lazily closing his eyes.

Seems like he really keeps his promises!

Hearing the boss's words, Zeng Yi felt somewhat delighted. He put the bamboo flute into his spatial bracelet and then thanked the boss.

"Tang San, now that I've obtained what I wanted, I'll take my leave. Good luck to you! Xiao Ju." Zeng Yi looked at Tang San and said, then called out to Xiao Ju on Xiao Wu's shoulder.

"Well, goodbye then." Tang San nodded at Zeng Yi, having a good impression of him.

"Why are you leaving so soon? I haven't had enough fun yet!" Hearing Zeng Yi's intention to leave, Xiao Wu pouted unhappily and reluctantly handed Xiao Ju back to him.

Taking Xiao Ju back, Zeng Yi walked towards the shop door.

"Nice meeting you both! Hahaha~"

As he walked out of the shop, Zeng Yi stopped, turned around, and laughed heartily at the two of them before leaving.

"This person is so strange! Just a moment ago, he showed a sad and lonely expression, and now he can laugh so freely." Xiao Wu said to Tang San as she watched Zeng Yi's departing figure.

"That's what a Ronin Swordsman is like! Striding through the world, hiding their loneliness and sadness in their hearts, laughing as they move forward." Tang San calmly replied.

"Seeing this person, I feel so sorry for him!"

This time, Tang San remained silent, silently watching Zeng Yi's figure until it disappeared. Then he turned around and looked at something on the wall.

"Boss, how much is this crystal? I'll take it."

"One hundred gold soul coins."

...

After leaving the shop, Zeng Yi wandered alone in the city of Suotuo, not knowing how long he walked until he arrived at the central area of Suotuo City.

Here, Zeng Yi suddenly stopped as he walked on the road, staring fiercely at a tall building not far away. This building was huge, estimated to be over a hundred meters high, standing in the center of Suotuo City, magnificent and imposing.

What is this place?

"Hey, brother! Can you tell me what that building over there is?" Zeng Yi stopped a passerby, pointing towards the tall building not far away, and asked.

The passerby looked at Zeng Yi with some astonishment when asked.

"You're not from around here, are you?"

"Uh... no."

"I knew it! How can a local not know about that place? That's our Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena. Such places are only found in major cities like Suotuo!" The passerby explained proudly to Zeng Yi.

"The arena?"

"It's where soul masters fight each other. Winning can earn you a lot of money and fame. It's a great place for soul masters to shine." Seeing Zeng Yi's confusion, the passerby explained further.

Upon hearing this, Zeng Yi nodded in understanding and looked towards the Suotuo Arena with interest.

"Are you a soul master, brother?" The passerby noticed Zeng Yi's curiosity and asked again.

"Yes!"

"Do you want to go to the arena?"

"I'm considering it." Zeng Yi replied.

"Brother, let me tell you, although the arena is a great place to gain fame and fortune, it's also very dangerous. If your strength isn't enough, it's not bad to meet someone with a good temper, but if you encounter someone cruel, you may not die, but you could be disabled! You have to be careful." The passerby kindly warned Zeng Yi.

"Thank you for the advice, brother. I'll keep that in mind." Zeng Yi thanked the passerby and bid him farewell, then headed towards the Suotuo Great Soul Arena.

Upon entering, Zeng Yi was even more amazed by the grandeur of the Suotuo Great Soul Arena. With a slightly excited mood, he walked into the arena, his eyes constantly observing the magnificent building.

Inside the arena, Zeng Yi asked the staff about becoming a participant in the arena and found the registration area. He began his journey as a combat soul to earn money.

The staff gave him a registration form to fill out basic information such as name, age, and martial soul. After completing the form, he handed it to the staff.

However, when Zeng Yi heard that he had to pay ten gold soul coins as a registration fee, his face darkened. But they said that as long as he wins a match, he can earn ten gold soul coins, so his expression improved.

After paying the fee, the staff gave him a black iron badge with three characters engraved on it - "Ronin Yi," which was the name Zeng Yi used on the registration form; he didn't write his real name.

The staff also gave him a piece of paper that explained the rules of the arena, the purpose of the iron badge, and information about promotion.

With the paper in hand, Zeng Yi carefully read it and understood the rules of the combat soul arena.

In general, it was all about fighting each other, either one-on-one, two-on-two, or group fights.

But Zeng Yi was particularly interested in the badge's promotion system.

The badge had eight different levels: iron, bronze, silver, gold, purple gold, sapphire, ruby, and diamond. Promotion was based on participating in combat soul battles and gaining points through victories.

To promote from an iron combat soul to a bronze one, a hundred points were required. Winning one match would earn one point, losing one match would deduct one point, and after winning five consecutive matches, winning the next one would add ten points. To advance to a silver combat soul, a thousand points were needed, winning would add ten points, losing would deduct ten points, and the ratio of points for winning and losing remained the same in subsequent ranks.

Interesting! Isn't this similar to the game ranking system? Playing ranked matches?

Thinking this, Zeng Yi's lips couldn't help but curve up into a smile.

Looking at the black iron combat soul in his hand, Zeng Yi chuckled.

Even if he said it, he was now a black iron player?

Let's play ranked matches then, let's at least promote to silver first. It's a bit embarrassing to be black iron.

...