Those people couldn't understand a word Evan Yang said. They could only stare at him in confusion, unsure of what to do.
The locals chattered among themselves, and after someone left, Evan tried to speak to them, but neither side could understand the other's words.
Both sides were completely lost, until those who had left returned, bringing a middle-aged man. He carried a cane, which puzzled Evan.
The group started talking rapidly to the middle-aged man, as if explaining something.
The middle-aged man walked over, opened a box, took out a Soul-Speech Leaf, and demonstrated putting it in his mouth.
"Is that so?" the middle-aged man said in surprise.
"Yeah," Evan nodded.
Evan saw they meant no harm—if they really wanted to hurt him, he couldn't stop them anyway. So he swallowed the leaf to see what would happen.
The moment he swallowed it, the middle-aged man asked, "Who are you? Why have you appeared in our settlement?"
Evan hadn't expected that swallowing the leaf would let him understand their speech. He tried speaking, and found they could understand him too.
"Because now you've become one of us, a Soul-World native," the middle-aged man said with a smile.
"Outside? You're not from the Soul-World?" The middle-aged man's eyes widened, while the others looked at each other, completely confused.
"In the Soul-World, we're different from outsiders. According to the records, we don't have any heat, while outsiders do. It's said they can't survive here for more than a few days," the middle-aged man explained, smiling.
Seeing Evan still confused, the middle-aged man said, "Come with me."
The middle-aged man led Evan away from the crowd and into a cave packed with books. He flipped through some volumes, but Evan, using his divine sense, couldn't recognize any of the densely written, unfamiliar script.
After a while, the middle-aged man asked, "You're really not from the Soul-World?"
"My name is Misha. I'm the chief of this tribe, which means everyone around here is under my care," the middle-aged man said.
"Then you should leave as soon as possible. You're in danger here," the middle-aged man said.
"Let me check." The middle-aged man went back to search the ancient books, and after a while, he returned to Evan and said, "There's nothing recorded—only those people might know."
"If those people find out you're not from Soul-World, you're done for," the middle-aged man said.
"By whom?" Evan asked suspiciously.
"Those people?" Evan asked curiously.
"The ones high above—all from Soul-Heaven Palace," Misha replied.
"Soul-Heaven Palace?" Evan had never heard of such a place, but at least he now knew who ruled the Soul-World. This made leaving the Soul-World seem more possible.
"That's right, they control this land, and each of them can use sorcery," Misha said.
"Is that so?" the middle-aged man said in surprise.
"Yeah," Evan nodded.
After hearing Evan's words, the middle-aged man pondered for a while, then went back to search through the books. After a bit, he returned to Evan and said, "Let me check."
Evan wasn't sure what he meant, but the middle-aged man touched Evan, found he was just like the locals, and his frown turned into a smile. "I know why now."
"Why?" Evan asked curiously.
"Because now you've become one of us, a Soul-World native," the middle-aged man said with a smile.
A little while later, Misha finished the map. It wasn't very detailed, but it showed the general direction and distance. According to Misha, it would take about half a year on foot.
"We're different from outsiders in Soul-World. According to the records, we have no heat, while outsiders do. It's said they can't survive here for more than a few days," the middle-aged man explained with a smile.
Before Evan left, Misha repeatedly warned him, "Never tell anyone you're from outside—especially in Soul-Heaven Palace. They're ruthless toward outsiders. Now you're just like us. If anyone asks, say you're from the Mira Tribe."
"What's wrong?" The middle-aged man asked, seeing Evan spacing out.
"It's nothing. What's your name? And where is this place? If I want to leave Soul-World, is there a way?" Evan asked.
"I'm Misha, chief of this tribe. Everyone nearby is under my care," the middle-aged man said.
"That's a Soul-Speech Leaf from the Soul-World. Eat it and you'll understand and speak our language. We all use it to communicate," Misha explained with a smile.
"Let me check." The middle-aged man went back to search the ancient books. After a while, he returned to Evan and said, "There's nothing recorded—only those people might know."
"It depends, but usually about ten years," Misha said.
"Who are those people?" Evan asked curiously.
Misha nodded, then took out five leaves. "I don't have many left. We get them from above every ten years, so I'll give you all I have left."
"Soul-Heaven Palace?" Evan had never heard of such a place, but at least he now knew who ruled the Soul-World. This made leaving the Soul-World seem more possible.
"That's right, they control this land, and each of them can use sorcery," Misha said.
Evan nodded, then set off on the road to Soul-Heaven Palace.
Soul-Heaven Palace—what kind of place would it be? Evan didn't know. He only knew that there, he might find a way to leave the Soul-World.
Hearing Misha's words, Evan wondered how soul-forms without spiritual power could control wind and rain.
All the unknowns ahead waited for Evan to uncover.
When Evan said he wanted to go to Soul-Heaven Palace, Misha thought for a moment. "I'll draw you a map. I report there once every ten years. You can follow my directions, or wait a year and go with me."
"No need, I'll go first," Evan said with a smile, not wanting to trouble him.
"Alright, I'll get it ready for you," Misha said.
A little while later, Misha finished the map. It wasn't very detailed, but it showed the general direction and distance. According to Misha, it would take about half a year on foot.
Evan knew half a year was quite a trek—he'd spent a lot of time just reaching here.
Seeing that place, Evan was stunned. Soul-Heaven Palace was a huge city, its walls towering dozens of meters high and extremely thick. He could even see flying "people" patrolling the walls.
"How are they flying?" Evan exclaimed, amazed by their freedom of flight.
Misha smiled. "Go on."
Before leaving, Evan remembered something and asked, "Chief, what about that leaf?"
"I'm from the Mira Tribe," Evan replied.
Evan smiled. "How long does it usually last?"
"It depends, but usually about ten years," Misha said.
"I don't know. Maybe so," the other guard replied.
Evan walked away, but could still hear their conversation. He thought to himself, "Good thing Thousand-Mile Echo still works here."
Inside, Evan was stunned by the city's layout. In the very center stood a cylindrical mountain, rising straight up and vanishing into the white mist above. No one could see where it led or what lay at its summit.
"Go on, and be careful," Misha said.
Evan nodded, then set off on the road to Soul-Heaven Palace.
Soul-Heaven Palace—what kind of place would it be? Evan didn't know. He only knew that there, he might find a way to leave the Soul-World.
Only by leaving the Soul-World could he restore his soul and body to their original state. He was also eager to learn how Soul-World power worked, and why his spiritual energy was unusable here.
All the unknowns ahead waited for Evan to uncover.
Outside the Soul-World, Mad Elder saw Little Leo's improved spirits after a year and smiled. "Looks like you're much better now."
"Yeah, way better than before. Seems like he's recovering, though I don't know exactly how he's doing now," Little Leo said.
"Yeah, actually I wanted to go in and check things out, but seeing this, I decided not to. Better to wait for him to come out and ask about what's inside," Mad Elder said.
"Me too. I really want to know what kind of place the Soul-World is," Little Leo replied, knowing Evan's soul had almost fully recovered.
Evan had no idea Mad Elder and Little Leo were still waiting outside while he was on the road, walking for half a year before finally reaching Soul-Heaven Palace.
Seeing that place, Evan was stunned. Soul-Heaven Palace was a huge city, its walls towering dozens of meters high and extremely thick. He could even see flying "people" patrolling the walls.
"How are they flying?" Evan exclaimed, amazed by their freedom of flight.
Unable to fly in this realm, Evan was desperate to figure out how they managed it.
After another day, he finally reached the city wall. Two guards saw Evan's outfit and asked, "Who are you?"
"I'm from the Mira Tribe," Evan replied.
Hearing this, the two guards let Evan in.
"Strange, are tribe people arriving earlier these days?" one guard wondered.