**CHAPTER 10: THE GIRL IN THE CAGE**
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The following morning arrived with the golden glow of the sun spreading over the sea's horizon. Waves crashed gently against distant rocks, while the salty scent of the sea breeze filled the air with a refreshing vigor. The carriage of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan finally passed through the gates of Vast Sea City.
It was Tianlong's first time visiting a coastal city.
He gazed out the vehicle's windows, his golden eyes sparkling with interest at the vibrant scenery before him. Vast Sea City was a bustling place, built in tiers on slopes leading directly to the ocean. Ships of all sizes anchored at the grand southern port, unloading goods with precision in every direction.
The streets were wide and made of white stone, polished by centuries and the constant flow of carriages, spirit masters, and merchants. Colorful banners hung from stalls, shops, and mansions, displaying the crests of influential families and local trading houses.
Crowds moved in all directions: sailors carrying crates, vendors shouting their offers, and even armed spirit masters hired for protection. The pace was chaotic but mesmerizing at the same time.
The carriage slowed on one of the main avenues. Patriarch Yu Yuanzhen raised his hand, signaling for the vehicle to come to a complete stop.
"We've arrived," he said, opening the door with a faint creak.
Tianlong leaped to the ground, feeling the warm stones beneath his feet. His gaze darted around, absorbing every detail with the curiosity of someone who, despite his unusual maturity, was also a soul from another world and had never seen a city or a world like this.
Beside him, Yu Leihao stepped out of the carriage with an agile, discreet movement, his eyes already scanning the surroundings cautiously. The Patriarch, meanwhile, took a few steps forward, observing the intense activity on the streets before turning back to the two.
"As we agreed earlier... we'll split up here," said Yu Yuanzhen, his voice low but firm.
Tianlong and Leihao looked at him attentively.
"I sent some secret letters to trusted suppliers before we left. I've arranged meetings with them for this morning—I want to secure a direct supply of Whale Rubber before rumors about its effects spread. With luck, I'll close the contracts by the end of the day."
"Understood," nodded Leihao, crossing his arms. "Want us to stay nearby, or can we explore?"
Yuanzhen cast a brief glance at Tianlong, then returned to Leihao.
"You can explore. Take the chance to get to know the city, but keep a low profile. Vast Sea City is relatively safe, but we're still outside clan territory. And with Xiao Long around..."—he glanced sidelong at his grandson—"anything could happen. That's why I insisted on bringing you along, Leihao. Just don't let this kid start a civil war, please."
Leihao laughed, throwing a teasing look at the young boy beside him.
"Hear that, brat? If you cause trouble, I'm the one dragging you back by the ears."
Tianlong merely smiled, his golden eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. "I promise I'll be the picture of composure. As much as possible..."
Yuanzhen let out a low chuckle, clearly unconvinced, and adjusted the dark hood of the tunic he wore. To avoid drawing attention, his attire bore no clan symbols—he was just another traveler among the crowd.
"We'll meet at the inn at noon," he said finally, and without further ado, turned and vanished into the throng of passersby on the main street.
Now alone, Tianlong and Leihao exchanged a glance before starting to walk down one of the side avenues.
"So, got any goals in mind?" asked Leihao, his attentive eyes scanning everything around—from the buildings to the pedestrians.
"I want to find a mineral shop. We need to look for magic silver," replied Tianlong, slipping his hands into his pockets casually. "It'd be good to stock up a bit for Kongkong before we head back."
Leihao furrowed his brow slightly, pondering.
"Magic silver in Vast Sea? That'll be tough. This city focuses on maritime trade—fish, spirit shells, pearls... Don't expect to find much in terms of rare metals."
"I know," said Tianlong with a faint sigh. "But it's worth a try. Who knows, we might get lucky."
A few minutes later.
Following a local vendor's directions, Tianlong and Leihao navigated several streets until they reached a modest-looking shop in the city's northern sector. The facade was simple, with a weathered wooden sign hanging from rusty chains. The interior, though organized, carried the distinct smell of salt and old metal, with a fine layer of dust covering the higher shelves.
Despite its neglected appearance, the place was legitimate—and, to Tianlong's surprise, better stocked than he had expected.
As they crossed the entrance, his eyes scanned the narrow interior of the shop. There was a bit of everything: shells, sea crystals, hardened scales of marine beasts, pearls… And, surprisingly, even a decent variety of terrestrial minerals stacked on more discreet shelves.
As they calmly browsed the shelves, the old shopkeeper—a thin man with a braided gray beard and small, wary eyes—watched them closely from behind the counter, his expression slightly bored.
Tianlong approached first, direct as always.
"Do you have magic silver?" he asked bluntly.
The old man raised an eyebrow, still showing little real interest.
"I've got some bars in the back. But we don't sell much of it around here. It's expensive, hard to come by, and nobody in this coastal region seems willing to spend money on it."
"Great," replied Tianlong with a calm smile. "I want all of it."
The shopkeeper frowned, eyeing the boy skeptically. Tianlong didn't look older than six, and despite his confident demeanor, it was hard to believe he was serious.
"You messing with me, kid?" he muttered, casting a sideways glance at Leihao, expecting some explanation.
But instead of words, Leihao simply stepped forward and released a small fraction of his spiritual pressure.
The effect was immediate.
The old man paled, his eyes widening like saucers, sweat trickling down the side of his face. He swallowed hard.
"H-H-H-How many did you say?"
"All of them," repeated Tianlong, his voice calm. "And you can set aside other things too. We'll take a look."
As the shopkeeper hurried to fulfill the order, Tianlong and Leihao continued exploring the space. At that moment, a voice echoed in the boy's mind, carrying Xiao Bao's characteristic calm:
"Master... bottom left corner. Those metals… they're special. I don't know exactly what they are, but they smell like treasure."
Tianlong raised an eyebrow, intrigued. He trusted Xiao Bao completely. That creature wasn't just intelligent—its species was renowned for being among the most precise in identifying valuable resources. If he said there was something there, then there definitely was.
Tianlong turned to the indicated spot and found a pile of large, dark gray—almost black—metal bars stacked near the floor. Even from a distance, it was clear their weight was slightly deforming the wooden crates they rested on.
He pointed at the minerals.
"And that pile over there... what kind of ore is it?"
The old man, who had returned carrying a box of magic silver bars, followed Tianlong's gaze and replied with disdain:
"Oh… that? Heavy Silver. Pulled from the depths of the sea. Pretty common around here. It's too dense, hard to transport, and not good for much besides balancing boats or molding industrial weights. Nobody wants it, so it just sits there on the floor."
Tianlong recognized the name immediately. Heavy Silver. From his past life, he remembered it well—this was a special ore, highly valued in the future. Used both in constructing mechas and as a base for forging heavy weapons or even spiritual storage devices, though on a smaller scale than Spatial Source Crystal.
A faint smile spread across his face.
"We'll take all of that too."
The old man froze.
"All of it? But kid, there's over three hundred kilos there! Even if it's common, it's not cheap!"
Ignoring the comment, Tianlong simply pulled out his spatial storage pouch. He began storing the magic silver bars already on the counter and then walked over to the pile of Heavy Silver, storing them one by one.
Yu Leihao watched him with a raised eyebrow, arms crossed.
"And what do you plan to do with all this dead weight, huh? We came for magic silver, not sea junk."
Tianlong shrugged, still smiling.
"Heavy Silver is perfect for body training. It's highly dense, extremely durable. Ideal for creating custom weights to boost my physical strength. Plus, it can be refined and used in simpler spiritual forges. It'll work for me… and maybe even for training the clan's youths."
Leihao fell silent for a few seconds… then let out a laugh.
"Hah… you always have a well-thought-out reason, don't you?"
"Of course," replied Tianlong, winking.
Soon after, with all the materials gathered and secured, Tianlong returned to the counter.
"How much for everything?"
The old man consulted his record tablet for a moment, muttering quick calculations. Finally, he looked up.
"Adding up the magic silver and all the Heavy Silver… seventy thousand gold coins."
Tianlong nodded slightly, without hesitation.
With a firm gesture, he pulled out three sturdy-looking spatial storage bags. These were the same ones he had found among the supplies of the dead bandits, a valuable haul now being put to use.
He placed them on the counter. The heavy sound of gold coins echoed through the room like muffled thunder, causing the old shopkeeper to widen his eyes discreetly.
Meanwhile, Tianlong kept his gaze cold and calculating. From the amount of gold, he strongly suspected it wasn't from ordinary looting. It was too much money for mere roadside thieves. The only plausible explanation was that the gold had been payment—the reward for selling the girl they mentioned before dying.
"Count it. It's all there."
The old man stood still for a moment, as if unsure whether this was real. Then he began storing the coins, almost in a trance.
Tianlong finished storing the last batches of ore, adjusted the pouch on his shoulder, and left the shop alongside Leihao.
Outside, the sun was already beginning to tilt in the sky. The light reflected in golden gleams off the rounded rooftops and maritime banners decorating the port city.
Tianlong breathed in the fresh air with satisfaction.
"We didn't find as much magic silver as I hoped… but the Heavy Silver was a great find."
Leihao nodded, walking beside him.
"That was to be expected. If you really want to buy a large amount of magic silver, your best bet would be to go to Gengxin City someday. That's where you'll find most of the continent's ores."
"It's on the list," said Tianlong, adjusting the pouch on his belt.
But then he stopped.
His golden eyes narrowed as he noticed unusual movement across the street. A group of men marched in formation, in tense silence. They didn't wear imperial armor, but their attire looked luxurious, reinforced with leather and iron plates.
At the center of the group, four of them carried a large iron cage covered by a thick, dark cloth, secured with chains at each corner.
Tianlong tilted his head slightly, observing closely. His gaze fixed on an insignia embroidered on the back of one of the men.
"That symbol…" he murmured. "It's from the Auction House."
Leihao furrowed his brow, also focusing on the scene.
At first, Tianlong watched with mere curiosity… but then, something hit him like a bolt of lightning.
His body froze for a moment.
An aura. Powerful and extremely familiar.
"Impossible..." whispered Tianlong, his eyes widening. "That's the aura of a spirit beast... and not just any one."
Leihao immediately noticed the change in his nephew's expression. Without wasting time, he closed his eyes and released a wave of his mental strength, discreetly probing the area around the entourage.
His spiritual perception easily pierced through the tarp covering the cage and penetrated the illusory layers disguising it. Inside, he found a small, hunched figure. Even with a sack over its face and its body wrapped in heavy chains, there was no doubt: it was a child.
A little girl with long, light blue hair cascading over her shoulders, and a small frame that barely occupied half the space of the cell.
But the most shocking thing came from within. The aura inside her body was completely different from that of a human.
"Impossible..." murmured Leihao, astonished. "She really is a spirit beast. And... a hundred-thousand-year one."
Tianlong nodded, his fists gradually clenching. "I knew I wasn't mistaken."
Leihao stared fixedly at the entourage, silent. The implications of that scene churned in his mind. A hundred-thousand-year spirit beast was an absolute rarity—something sects would kill for and empires would wage wars over.
"They have no idea what they're transporting," said Tianlong in a low voice. "If they knew... they wouldn't be using mere mercenaries. And they definitely wouldn't sell her in Vast Sea City. A treasure like this would be auctioned in the capital, under imperial protection and the scrutiny of major sects."
Leihao let out a long sigh. "This could be a clandestine operation. Someone discovered her value and hid her from their own superiors. Or... maybe they genuinely have no clue what they're holding."
"Either way... we can't leave her like this," said Tianlong with an unusual coldness. "She's like me. A beast that took human form. I won't let her be auctioned off like some object."
Leihao turned to him, hesitant. "We could try to buy her. The auction house wouldn't refuse a good offer from our clan."
"And if another clan outbids us?" countered Tianlong. "What if a bigger sect decides to take her? You know what they'll do if they find out what she is... They'll kill her to extract her ring and spirit bone. We can't take that risk."
Silence hung in the air for a few seconds.
Leihao ran a hand over his face, visibly torn. He knew Tianlong was right—and he also knew nothing would stop him from pursuing this plan.
"Alright. But what's your plan? They're not simple mercenaries like you said; all of them are spirit masters above rank 40, and the leader up front seems to have an aura equivalent to someone above rank 60," said Leihao, using his mental strength to check each one.
"I can easily deal with all of them, but the problem comes afterward. The moment I attack them, people will panic and run, and the empire's soldiers will quickly arrive to assist them."
"You know," he added, "the auction house may not be an imperial force, but it has strong commercial ties with them. Attacking the carriers would practically be declaring war on the Heaven Dou Empire itself."
"That will obviously bring huge consequences for our clan... The Patriarch told you not to cause trouble, but here we are, about to cause a massive problem," concluded Leihao with a sigh, though his mind was already racing to find another way to save the girl.
"Uncle, don't worry, we don't need to fight," replied Tianlong with a slight smile. "We'll steal her. Quickly. And silently."
"Hmm? How do you plan to do that?" asked Leihao, raising an eyebrow.
Tianlong closed his eyes, diving into his spiritual sea.
"Kongkong. I need a favor."
The response was immediate.
A faint spatial distortion appeared around the two, and in the blink of an eye, they vanished from the street and reappeared on a nearby rooftop, with a direct view of the activity on the street below.
"What the…?" murmured Leihao, surprised by the sudden shift.
Tianlong was already focused. With a soft glow on his forehead, he summoned Xiao Bao, who appeared floating in the air, his eyes lively and expression animated.
"Summoning two spirit beasts in the middle of the city... you really have no fear," said Leihao, crouching to avoid being seen.
"We're on a rooftop; no one's going to look up here," murmured Tianlong, confident.
"Xiao Bao, I need you. Those men are transporting a girl. We need to get her out of there without drawing attention. Can you do it?"
The little fox yawned and then spun in the air, excited.
"Yes, Master! A complete perception illusion should do the trick. I can make it seem like they're still walking normally. All their senses will be dulled. It'll look like nothing's changed."
"How long?" asked Tianlong.
"It depends on their strength, but I'm absolutely certain we'll have a safe window of up to one minute."
"That's all we need," he said. "Uncle, you'll go down, open the cage, and take the girl. After that, Xiao Bao dispels the illusion, and we disappear from here."
Xiao Bao nodded, and his eyes began to glow in shades of purple.
Tianlong turned to Leihao with a serious look.
"We're about to steal a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast... in the middle of Vast Seal City, right under the nose of one of the continent's biggest auction houses."
Leihao looked at him for a few seconds, then let out a sigh.
"Hah... After everything I've seen you do… honestly, this doesn't even surprise me anymore."
Tianlong gave a sly smile.
"Then let's do this right," said Tianlong, his eyes fixed on the entourage ahead, already analyzing the pace of their march and the surroundings.
Before they could move, he discreetly pulled a few metal fragments from his spatial storage pouch—dense pieces of the ore they had bought minutes earlier.
"Before we act, Uncle... take these with you," he said, handing the pieces of Heavy Silver to Leihao.
The elder held them, examining them curiously, wondering why Tianlong had given them to him.
"What's this for...?"
"When you take the girl from the cage, put these in her place. The weight should keep the load stable and fool the carriers. If all goes well, no one will notice the switch until it's too late," replied Tianlong, his voice low.
Leihao stared at him for a second. His eyes narrowed, as if trying to decipher what was going on inside that boy.
"You're six years old... and you think like a veteran strategist."
"When the whole world wants to kill you, you grow up twice as fast," replied Tianlong with a faint smile.
Leihao let out a brief sigh and shook his head, preparing himself.
"Let's wait until they enter a less crowded street. Fewer witnesses, less risk, and more control of the situation for us."
Tianlong nodded, turning his attention back to the men marching ahead, pulling the large covered cage.
A few minutes later, the group turned a corner and entered a narrow alley flanked by high white stone walls. The bustle of the main street faded, muffled by the distance.
"Now," whispered Tianlong.
Xiao Bao closed his eyes, floating beside the boy. His body emitted a faint purple glow, and with a flick of his tail, he released a soft wave of spiritual energy—invisible to human eyes.
The illusory mist slid through the alley like a veil, enveloping the mercenaries in an instant. Their bodies froze. They stopped walking, their expressions neutralized, their eyes fixed like enchanted dolls.
"Complete illusion. They don't even realize they've stopped," said Xiao Bao, cheerfully floating around.
"Now it's your turn, Uncle," said Tianlong.
Yu Leihao took a deep breath and, in a single step, summoned his martial soul.
The Holy Light Dragon roared silently behind him. Nine spirit rings descended with force beneath his feet, radiating intense light. A sacred aura enveloped the entire area, as if the heavens themselves bowed to his presence.
He then quickly activated his first skill:
1st Spiritual Skill: Light Strength
A total enhancement skill that amplified his strength, defense, and speed by over 100% for a short period.
The light engulfed his body, turning him into a silver blur.
In a snap, Leihao vanished from the rooftop.
Amid the illusory mist, he appeared in front of the cage with a whisper of wind. The mercenaries' unmoving eyes didn't react.
They were in a complete trance.
Leihao quickly examined the chains, then raised his light-enveloped hand and delivered a single strike. The black steel lock shattered like glass, bursting into sparks. The door creaked with a muffled sound.
The girl was curled up at the back of the cell, the chains still binding her limbs. But she didn't resist when he carefully lifted her, supporting her over his shoulder with one arm.
"Don't worry, you'll be fine," murmured Leihao.
With his other hand, he pulled the Heavy Silver fragments from his cloak and placed them precisely inside the cell—covering them with the dark cloth that had previously hidden the prisoner.
It was all extremely quick and precise, taking no more than five seconds.
Then, with a second leap, he vanished again, reappearing on the rooftop with his body enveloped in light and the unconscious girl in his arms.
"Done," he said, his breathing slightly quickened. "And she's lighter than I expected."
Tianlong approached and looked at her closely.
"Because of the chains. Some of them have properties that drain spiritual energy. She must be weak."
"Good," murmured Xiao Bao. "The illusion was maintained the whole time. They didn't even notice they stopped walking."
In the alley, the guards slowly began moving again, their steps resuming the previous rhythm, as if nothing had happened.
On the rooftop, Tianlong watched the scene below with a cold, calculating gaze.
"Let's get her out of here. Fast."
**
Seconds later, in a secluded, quiet alley, the two gently placed the girl on the ground. The spot was shielded by dense shadows and high walls, ideal for hiding without drawing attention.
Leihao began removing the chains, while Tianlong untied the knot of the sack covering her face.
As the cloth fell, the faint morning light revealed her face: delicate, almost ethereal features. Long, blue-tinted hair framed her pale, porcelain-like skin. Even dirty and bruised, there was an extraordinary beauty in her appearance.
Tianlong approached, but before he could say anything—her deep blue eyes snapped open.
In a sudden, fierce movement, the girl rolled to the side, distancing herself with agility. The chains still dragged on her ankles, but they didn't hinder her momentum.
In the blink of an eye, she landed on her feet and summoned her martial soul.
A single yellow ring appeared beneath her feet, and behind her, like a living shadow, a colossal beast manifested:
A Demon Great White Shark.
One of the three strongest beasts of the ocean.
The monster's spiritual fangs gleamed, its presence filling the alley with a suffocating pressure for ordinary people.
Leihao immediately raised his hand, ready to react.
"She's going to attack," he murmured, but didn't summon his martial soul to avoid scaring the girl, as she wasn't a threat to either of them anyway.
"Wait!" said Tianlong, stepping forward.
Without hesitation, he spoke mentally:
"Xiao Bao. Release my aura."
The little fox, within his spiritual sea, quickly obeyed its master's command.
In that instant, a completely different aura surged from Tianlong.
The true aura of a spirit beast filled the air like a silent thunder—dense and wild, but only another spirit beast or a Titled Douluo could sense it.
The girl froze, her blue eyes widening in surprise.
"You… you are…?" she murmured, her voice weak, almost a whisper.
"Yes," said Tianlong. "I'm like you."
She remained still for a few seconds, as if trying to comprehend whether this was a dream, a trap… or a miracle.
For she could never have imagined encountering another hundred-thousand-year spirit beast outside the sea.
"Calm down," said Tianlong, softening his tone. "We're not your enemies. We just saved you and got you out of that cage."
The girl's gaze flickered between him and Leihao, then returned to Tianlong—and stayed there. Something in her heart made her believe these people were trustworthy, not just because he was a spirit beast like her, but because of something more she couldn't quite understand.
Her martial soul slowly dissipated. The giant shark faded into the air, and the ring beneath her feet vanished.
Her body relaxed.
Leihao still kept his guard up but didn't move. He merely watched in silence.
Tianlong then took a step forward, crouching to be at her level.
"What's your name?" he asked gently.
The girl hesitated for a moment, still panting. Then, finally, she answered in a restrained, faint voice:
"…Bai Xiuxiu."
Tianlong froze the moment he heard that name.
...