Chapter 141: The Stranger

The giant turtle advanced steadily, one deliberate step at a time.

Inside the small building, Si Wenming held Manman by the ear, earnestly lecturing her on the importance of caution and humility when venturing outside. Manman, clutching her tattered storage pouch, grumbled softly, complaining that Zhuruo Tong’s bow was nothing but a piece of junk.

Ji Hao stepped out of the small building and leisurely strolled through the wondrous turtle-backed city of the Turtlespirit Caravan.

The city, spanning six li in length and width, was no small settlement. Moreover, it was not just a single layer but comprised three tiers—upper, middle, and lower. Ji Hao and his companions were in the uppermost district, the only area open to outsiders.

The city’s streets were paved with metal, the widest avenue barely over three meters across. Flanking the roads were neatly arranged small buildings and courtyards, interspersed with towering arrow towers and watchtowers. Occasionally, guards clad in sturdy armor patrolled the streets.

Though Ji Hao was not permitted to visit the middle and lower tiers, his divine sense penetrated unhindered.

The middle tier housed the caravan’s own people. Unlike the upper district’s scattered buildings and courtyards, the middle tier resembled a beehive—densely packed small rooms separated by thick metal walls. The labyrinthine corridors twisted and turned like a maze, leaving no doubt that this design served as a formidable defense.

Should enemies invade, this urban layout would significantly hamper their advance.

The lowest tier was the warehouse, constructed of metal and nestled against the giant turtle’s carapace. It was several times larger than the upper districts. Inside, vast quantities of roughly refined metal ingots were stacked neatly—each forged with shamanic power, incredibly dense.

Besides these southern wilderness specialties infused with fiery elemental energy, the warehouse also stored mountains of jade blocks, gold ingots, and countless rare accompanying crystals. Among these treasures were a thousand vats of exquisite “Earth Vein Nectar”—each vat large enough for Ji Hao to luxuriate in a comfortable bath.

Most of the warehouse goods, however, were frozen ferocious beast carcasses, sealed within icy crystal stones. Over half radiated shamanic power at the Lesser Shaman level, nearly forty percent had been formidable Shamans, and a rare few were preserved so meticulously that their aura rivaled that of the Lava Giant commander Ji Hao had once encountered in the Zhuruo Divine Army.

Ji Hao’s divine sense swept through the warehouse, overwhelmed by the richness of the stockpile.

Even just the ferocious beast corpses alone—if he could consume them all—he was confident his **power would surge to the Shaman King realm. His mastery of the Patchwork Void Technique should then break through to its second layer.

Alas, these were the caravan’s goods, and Ji Hao was not lowly enough to consider theft.

Patting the pouch at his waist, which he had snatched earlier, Ji Hao reluctantly realized that even all his possessions combined would not suffice to purchase a Shaman King-level beast corpse. He sighed deeply and dismissed the idea.

In the upper district, aside from Ji Hao and his two companions, there appeared to be other lone travelers hitching a ride on the Starry Sky Spirit Turtle toward the Central Land.

Ji Hao discreetly observed these variedly dressed travelers—fewer than a hundred in total. They were mostly young and able-bodied elites from southern tribes out on a journey, but a few hundred were oddly attired and mysterious, their origins impossible for Ji Hao to discern.

Wandering leisurely, Ji Hao arrived at the city wall near the giant turtle’s head. At that moment, Gui Lao San hopped down from a watchtower, grinning as he bounded over to several men waiting in the nearby woods.

With hands clasped behind his back, Gui Lao San bowed politely to the five men and said warmly, “Honored guests, are you heading back to the Central Land? Our Turtlespirit Caravan has been around for ten thousand years—our prices are fair and honest. One hundred jade coins per person, no negotiations!”

Ji Hao watched the five men with curiosity.

Unlike Ji Hao and his group or the other casual travelers in the city, these five wore matching black robes. Their heads were shaved clean, revealing pale blue scalp skin adorned with dozens of twisted, thumb-sized black runes—clearly marking them as members of a well-organized, powerful faction.

Especially notable was their leader, a man with a small black monkey no bigger than a fist sitting neatly on his shoulder. The delicate little creature’s tail curled upward, its long tail extending well beyond its body length, making it irresistibly cute.

The pitch-black monkey was evidently a rare species of the world’s wilds. It had three emerald-green eyes on its face. Noticing Ji Hao’s gaze, the seemingly docile monkey suddenly bared its teeth and screeched sharply at him, flailing its arms aggressively. Its claws sliced the air with a sharp ‘shhh’ sound.

Gui Lao San frowned and glanced back at Ji Hao with displeasure before sternly addressing the five men: “Honored guests, our Turtlespirit Caravan has rules. If any battle beasts, demon pets, or contracted beasts dare to harm others, don’t blame us for taking action!”

He glared at the monkey and warned, “Keep your ferocious creatures restrained. Should you break the rules in the void where there’s no ground beneath your feet, and we have to expel you, don’t blame us even if you perish.”

The man with the monkey on his shoulder smiled coldly, casually tossing five jade discs to Gui Lao San. His tone was icy and indifferent: “This little monkey? It’s just timid and bluffing—it wouldn’t dare harm anyone. We wouldn’t break your rules.”

Gui Lao San frowned again. From his years roaming the southern wilderness, he felt an uneasy aura from these men.

Yet, upon closer inspection, nothing seemed overtly wrong about them. After a moment’s silence, he stuffed the five jade discs into his sleeve, then looked up and greeted the giant turtle: “Ancestor Turtle, please take care of them. It’s been hard on you this journey.”

The giant turtle slowly lowered its head and cast a deep gaze at the five men, its voice muffled and resonant: “Don’t worry, little turtles. Nothing will happen. Hmph, why would I stir up trouble? We have ten Shaman King-level captains among the guards. Isn’t that enough to handle you?”

Gui Lao San chuckled and nimbly leapt back up to the watchtower.

Ji Hao smiled, shaking his head. Gui Lao San and Old Ghost’s words had been clever—subtly emphasizing the caravan’s formidable strength, warning these five men not to cause trouble.

Indeed, Gui Lao San had even indirectly warned Ji Hao: the caravan had ten Shaman King-level guard captains standing watch, so it was wise to behave... especially to keep the violent little girl by your side in check!

The five men remained motionless, then, like phantoms, gradually ascended the city wall.

Their icy, inhuman gazes swept coldly over Ji Hao before they drifted silently into the city like ghosts.

The little monkey bared its teeth at Ji Hao, eyes unblinking, staring him down. (To be continued.)