Journey to the Breaking Clan

"This is Level 15 soul power!"

The crystal ball Ignaz took out wasn't the low-grade kind used during spirit awakening ceremonies—it was the advanced type used for academy admissions, capable of measuring soul power up to Level 30.

But wasn't it common knowledge that once someone hit the Level 10 bottleneck without a soul ring, their cultivation slowed dramatically? So how could A'Man, who was considered one of the weakest among the youths of the Western Stone Kingdom, already have a staggering Level 15 soul power? And he was only around eleven years old!

"Level 15... That means I can already absorb my first soul ring!"

A'Man was overjoyed. He started counting on his fingers. One ring would mean one new skill; two rings meant two skills—plus the two self-developed techniques he'd created for chopping wood and hunting. That meant he could now use four different soul abilities.

Ignaz paused to think, then looked at the excited boy and said, "Based on my estimates—judging from your soul power and that black sword martial spirit of yours—your innate soul power must be around Level 4 or 5."

At that, Ignaz couldn't help but express his admiration. If even someone like A'Man, the lowest-ranked in the Western Stone Kingdom, had innate power at Level 4 or 5... then what about that other kid? The one who split the wood first during the spirit awakening? How terrifying must his talent be?

"Master Ignaz, does that mean I can still get four more soul ring skills in the future?"

A'Man looked down again, counting on his fingers once more. Ignaz gave a helpless sigh. A'Man, at the end of the day, was still just a barely civilized child from a primitive tribe, obsessed with the number of skills he could wield.

Seeing A'Man's happiness, Ignaz chuckled awkwardly, then led him out to hunt for his first soul ring. He carefully explained every step of the ring absorption process in detail.

Seven days later, the ocean currents had finally calmed, signaling the end of the sea soul beast riot. One by one, the creatures returned to their territories, and Ignaz prepared to return to the mainland.

"A'Man, this has some things I've prepared for you. I still hope you'll venture out into the wider world one day—to see the true world of soul masters. If that time comes, just follow the route marked on this map."

He handed A'Man a soul tool he had won in a previous competition. Then, mounting a ferocious five- or six-thousand-year-old Raging Bite Shark, Ignaz waved goodbye to the villagers gathered to see him off.

"Farewell, Master Ignaz."

"Come visit us again when you get the chance!"

…

Guiding the Raging Bite Shark northeast, Ignaz deliberately took a longer route to avoid soul beasts with power exceeding ten thousand years. By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, he finally reached shore.

Without delay, he headed straight toward the academy. Not long after, Director Lu came running up, practically bursting with excitement.

"I knew it! I said you were too lucky to die at the hands of a few soul beasts."

"Director, has the Headmaster returned yet?"

Lu draped an arm over Ignaz's shoulder as they walked toward the inn. With a weary smile, he said, "Don't get me started. Ever since they went to the Blue Silver Forest to get Bing'er her second soul ring, her cold ailment's been completely cured—and her cultivation speed has shot up. But now the Xue Clan, also from the Skywater Alliance, has been pestering the Shui family with marriage proposals for her."

"Thankfully, Bing'er has incredible talent, and now that she's fully recovered, it's all thanks to you."

Suddenly, Director Lu pulled out several letters with a teasing grin.

"These are from Bing'er—she's been writing to you. Consider these returned to their rightful owner. Don't worry, I didn't read them!"

Ignaz accepted the letters. A faint floral scent lingered on them, bringing a wave of warmth and familiarity.

"Now that you're a Soul Expert, my advice is—don't go back to working as a caravan guard. Especially not for sea routes. You don't need me to tell you how dangerous those are. With your current strength, you should be studying at an advanced soul master academy. Skywater Academy would be perfect for you."

Hearing yet another pitch for Skywater Academy, Ignaz couldn't help but sigh internally. This was the fifth time Director Lu had brought it up—even before he went to the Western Stone Kingdom.

Lu always tried to lure him in with tales of beautiful teachers and talented female students, but Ignaz knew what was really going on. They clearly wanted to strengthen ties with the Shui family—and have him marry into it eventually. Graduating straight into their clan registry? No thanks.

That said, under both Lu and the Shui Headmaster's influence, Ignaz did have a good impression of the Shui family. But marrying in? Sorry, not happening.

He gave Director Lu a deep bow and said sincerely, "I have my own path to follow. I'm deeply grateful to the Shui Headmaster for all he's done, but I'm not ready to enroll in an advanced soul master academy just yet. There are still things I need to take care of."

…

After catching up, Ignaz hired a carriage and headed south toward Sky Star Province in the eastern part of the Star Luo Empire.

Along the way, he saw countless breathtaking landscapes. Only then did he realize how dull life had been, staying in one place for too long.

He was reminded of travelers from his past life—how rich and vibrant their lives seemed. Even when exhausted, it was the kind of exhaustion that felt deeply satisfying.

During this journey, he also dealt with a few uninvited guests—desperate rogue thieves, looking to die.

Two months later, Ignaz stood beneath the towering walls of a colossal city. The silver-white fortress stretched dozens of meters high, practically touching the clouds. Armored guards stood solemnly on either side of the massive gates.

"This must be Sky Star City. What a shame… The Breaking Clan should've been in the Heaven Dou Empire. Instead, they've been forced to flee again and again, surviving in this city at the very southern edge of the continent."

With a heavy heart, Ignaz stepped into the city.

Crash! Crash! Crash!

The sound of shattering glass echoed as one man after another was thrown out of a shop. Several of them were seriously injured—some even knocked out cold. Nearby pedestrians scattered in panic, terrified they'd get caught up in the violence.

A group from the Spirit Hall strutted out of several apothecaries with smug arrogance.

"Listen up! The Breaking Clan is forbidden from selling medicinal pills in Sky Star City. Next time you try it—even if your old poison master is healed—we won't go easy on you!"

"Let's move!"

A man in a black uniform—bearing the Spirit Hall's Black Deacon insignia over his heart—smirked with satisfaction at the battered members of the Yang family. Then he turned and strolled off toward the Spirit Hall's main hall.

Ignaz walked up to one of the less severely injured men and helped him up.

"Why's the Spirit Hall so arrogant? Attacking people in broad daylight like this? Doesn't Sky Star City's lord—or even Star Luo's law—do anything about it?"

"Law?"

The man shot a furious glare in the direction the Spirit Hall men had gone and spat bitterly, "Star Luo's laws are only useful if you're a regular citizen. People like us—from the Breaking Clan—we're fair game for the Spirit Hall to crush however they like. And all thanks to the damn Clear Sky Clan..."