Douluo: The Blind Ascendant

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The Blue Silver Emperor immediately tied a light blue silk scarf around the lower half of her face, adding a touch of mystery to her elegant demeanor. It gave her an air of intrigue, making one eager to unveil the secrets behind the veil.

"This scarf smells quite fragrant. It must have been soaked in some kind of incense. Wearing it should help avoid unnecessary trouble," the Blue Silver Emperor remarked as she adjusted the scarf.

"Let's hope so," Lin Yongming nodded in agreement. He then turned to her and asked, "A-Yin, should we find a place to eat first or look for a hotel?"

"Let's find a hotel first. It's been hard to properly wash up in the forest, and I haven't had a good bath in a while. We should freshen up at the hotel, then go out to eat, and finally do some shopping for new clothes," the Blue Silver Emperor suggested.

"Alright, I'll follow your lead. If I'm not mistaken, we're currently in the eastern district of Heaven Dou City, right?" Lin Yongming smiled.

"Yes, that's correct. The eastern district borders the Sunset Forest to the east and the Arctic Ice Plains to the north. However, Heaven Dou City is massive. Just the eastern district alone is probably as big as the entire Suotuo City. We should get a map of Heaven Dou City to navigate better," the Blue Silver Emperor explained, looking at the complex network of streets before them.

"Then let's do what we did in Suotuo City—buy a map first and find a hotel near the Great Spirit Arena. How does that sound?" Lin Yongming suggested calmly.

"There's a map vendor right ahead. Let's go," the Blue Silver Emperor said, pulling Lin Yongming along.

When arriving in a new city, the best way to familiarize oneself quickly is to get a local map.

Perhaps due to its proximity to the Sunset Forest, there were many schools in the eastern district, which also meant there were many spirit masters in the area. As a result, most activities here were related to spirit masters. For example, the Great Spirit Arena was located at the intersection of the eastern and southern districts, as the southern gate led to Spirit City.

Additionally, the Spirit Hall's Heaven Dou City branch, known as the Spirit Hall Sanctuary, was also situated in the eastern district, close to the city center.

One could say that the headquarters of major organizations were all located near the imperial palace at the heart of Heaven Dou City.

With the Blue Silver Emperor now wearing her silk scarf, the two of them made for an unusual pair on the streets—a young man with a black cloth covering his eyes and a woman with a light blue scarf covering the lower half of her face. They certainly drew a lot of attention.

By the time they found a suitable hotel, it was already past noon.

The cost of hotel rooms in Heaven Dou City was quite high. Lin Yongming rented a room that was nearly 150 square meters for 33 gold spirit coins per day. Fortunately, the room was fully equipped and luxuriously decorated. Most importantly, it was a safe place to spend the night.

"Ah! Such a soft sofa. It's been so long since I've sat on something this comfortable," the Blue Silver Emperor exclaimed as she entered the hotel room's living area and immediately plopped down on the large sofa in the center. The sofa consisted of two single seats and a long seat that was nearly three meters long.

"There's even a large balcony. This room is quite spacious. It's very comfortable and perfect for staying in!" the Blue Silver Emperor added, looking toward the window where a large balcony offered a broad view of the city outside.

The hotel was six stories tall, and their room was on the third floor.

"Of course, this room costs 33 gold spirit coins per day," Lin Yongming said, feeling a slight pang of regret.

"Alright, alright. I'll allow you to earn some money at the Great Spirit Arena. After all, the cost of living in Heaven Dou City is so high," the Blue Silver Emperor said, walking over to comfort him.

"Really?" Lin Yongming was surprised.

"Yes, but only a few times. Just enough to cover our expenses," the Blue Silver Emperor cautioned.

"A-Yin, you're so kind. Otherwise, I was planning to go to the Spirit Hall to collect my stipend," Lin Yongming said with a smile.

"You're already a Spirit Ancestor. Can you still collect it?" the Blue Silver Emperor asked, puzzled.

"Of course. I have a Yellow Record Medal, which marks me as an outstanding member. I can collect 1,000 gold spirit coins every month," Lin Yongming explained, showing her the medal.

"In that case, let's not gamble. We can just go to the Spirit Hall to collect the money. That should be enough. After all, the Spirit Hall might assign you tasks in the future, so it's better to take what's owed to you. Besides, the hotel we're staying at is already close to the city center, and the Spirit Hall isn't far from here. We can stop by on our way to shopping later," the Blue Silver Emperor suggested.

"Alright, I'll follow your lead," Lin Yongming nodded.

"Alright, enough talking. I'm going to check out the bathroom. After I freshen up, we'll go eat. I'm starving," the Blue Silver Emperor said, heading to the bathroom first.

Nearly an hour later, she emerged wearing a fresh set of clothes. They left the hotel, as there had been no place to wash clothes in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, which was why the Blue Silver Emperor had been insisting on buying new clothes.

Moreover, after Lin Yongming's body had been tempered by the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, his old clothes no longer fit, so he needed to buy new ones as well.

However, since they hadn't eaten anything since leaving the Sunset Forest that morning, the two of them decided to grab a bite to eat first. By the time they finished their meal, it was already past 3 PM.

After eating, they strolled along the street toward the Spirit Hall, stopping at clothing stores along the way. Lin Yongming bought five sets of clothes, while the Blue Silver Emperor bought three.

This was where the importance of a spatial spirit tool became evident—they didn't have to carry their purchases around in bags.

In addition to clothes, they also bought several pairs of shoes. At Lin Yongming's insistence, the Blue Silver Emperor even bought a pair of blue crystal high heels.

By the time they arrived at the Spirit Hall Sanctuary in Heaven Dou City, it was already a little past 5 PM.

The Spirit Hall Sanctuary was the highest-level branch of the Spirit Hall outside of Spirit City itself. In the entire continent, only the imperial cities of the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire had sanctuaries of this level.

"Xiao Ming, we're at the Spirit Hall. I won't go in with you. I'll wait outside. Come back quickly," the Blue Silver Emperor said, looking at the majestic European-style castle.

In front of the main gate, two rows of twenty guards patrolled the area. At the entrance, there were two inspectors and four additional guards, making the security quite strict.

In the small square in front of the gate stood a statue of the founder of the Spirit Hall, a figure with the Six-Winged Angel spirit.

Above the entrance, the flags of the Spirit Hall fluttered in the wind.

"Alright, wait here for me. I'll be back soon," Lin Yongming nodded, knowing that the Blue Silver Emperor preferred not to interact with the people of the Spirit Hall.

"Go ahead," the Blue Silver Emperor said.

Lin Yongming then walked alone toward the main gate of the Spirit Hall. It took him a hundred steps to reach the statue.

He then took out his Spirit Hall token and the Yellow Record Medal before continuing toward the entrance.

"Halt! State your business," the four guards at the entrance crossed their spears, blocking Lin Yongming's path.

"My name is Lin Yongming. I'm traveling through Heaven Dou City and have come to the Sanctuary to collect my stipend. This is my identity token and medal," Lin Yongming said calmly, holding out the token and medal.

"Let me see your token," one of the inspectors behind the guards said.

At his words, the four guards lowered their weapons and allowed Lin Yongming to pass.

Lin Yongming walked over and handed his token and medal to the inspector.

"The Yellow Record Medal!" The inspector's eyes widened in surprise as he examined the medal.

"What? The Yellow Record Medal?" The other inspector also stood up and looked at the medal.

"This is indeed a rare sight—the Yellow Record Medal, an honor bestowed personally by the Pope. Lin Yongming," the two inspectors quickly recognized the medal and confirmed the name on the back of the token.

"Sir, our apologies for the delay. Please take back your Yellow Record Medal," the two inspectors said respectfully, standing at attention as they returned the token and medal to Lin Yongming.

"May I now enter to collect my stipend?" Lin Yongming asked calmly as he took back the items.

Lin Yongming hadn't expected the two inspectors to be so respectful toward him—or rather, toward the Yellow Record Medal.

This medal had been personally awarded by the Pope of the Spirit Hall, so the two inspectors naturally didn't dare to offend him.

"Of course, but since you hold the Yellow Record Medal, you'll need to have your stipend approved by Bishop Salas," the inspector, who appeared to be around thirty years old, explained.

"I see. This is my first time here. Could you take me to meet Bishop Salas?" Lin Yongming asked.

"Please follow me."

Lin Yongming followed the inspector through the gates of the Spirit Hall and down a corridor. After nearly ten minutes, they arrived at the main hall of the Sanctuary.

"Subordinate Shi Liang requests an audience with Bishop Salas," the inspector announced at the entrance to the main hall.

"Enter," a deep, powerful voice called from inside.

"Bishop Salas! He's already the bishop here at this time?" Lin Yongming was slightly surprised. He remembered the name from the original story, but in the original timeline, Salas would have been in his sixties or seventies by the time he appeared. However, considering the current timeline, it wasn't too strange.

"The bishop has agreed. Let's go in," Shi Liang said to Lin Yongming before stepping inside.

"Greetings, Bishop Salas!" Shi Liang knelt on one knee.

"Lin Yongming greets Bishop Salas!" Lin Yongming clasped his fists in respect. He wouldn't kneel unless it was the Pope of the Spirit Hall. For a bishop, a respectful bow was sufficient.

"Shi Liang, who is this young man?" Bishop Salas, whose hair and beard were still black and who was quite thin, looked at Lin Yongming with curiosity.

"Reporting to the bishop, this individual holds the Yellow Record Medal. His name is Lin Yongming, and he has come to Heaven Dou City on his travels. He is here to collect his stipend," Shi Liang explained.

"Oh? He holds the Yellow Record Medal? Are you certain?" Salas looked at Lin Yongming's face with suspicion.

"Wait, with that black cloth covering his eyes... Lin Yongming... I remember now. You're the blind young man who helped the Holy Maiden defeat the evil spirit masters three years ago, aren't you? That's why the Pope awarded you the Yellow Record Medal," Salas said, pausing as he noticed the black cloth over Lin Yongming's eyes. He then recalled the story.

"Bishop, that is indeed me," Lin Yongming nodded.

"Here is my Yellow Record Medal," Lin Yongming said, presenting the medal.

Bishop Salas swiftly moved from his seat to stand before Lin Yongming, taking the medal to examine it.

"Indeed, it is genuine. You're here to collect your stipend, correct?" Salas confirmed.

"Shi Liang, go to the finance department and have them prepare one thousand gold spirit coins," Salas instructed.

"Understood, Bishop!" Shi Liang acknowledged before leaving the main hall.

"Thank you, Bishop," Lin Yongming said, clasping his fists.

"If I recall correctly, last year, because of you, the Pope conducted a major overhaul of the Spirit Hall. You're from the Kingdom of Barak, aren't you?" Salas said casually as he handed the medal back to Lin Yongming.

"Why have you come to Heaven Dou City? I thought you would have gone to Spirit City to train."

"No, I've been training at home. Recently, I broke through to the 40th level, so I decided it was time to go out and gain some experience. That's why I came to Heaven Dou City. I just obtained my fourth spirit ring not long ago," Lin Yongming replied casually.

"What! You're already a Spirit Ancestor? If our records are correct, you're not even twelve years old yet, are you? Is this the advantage of having innate full spirit power?" Salas exclaimed in surprise.

"Bishop, you flatter me. It's all thanks to the Pope and the Holy Maiden for providing me with resources to aid my cultivation," Lin Yongming replied humbly.

"Good, good. The Pope and the Holy Maiden will be pleased to hear this. Keep up the good work. The future of the Spirit Hall will be in the hands of young talents like you," Salas said approvingly.

"Not at all! From the sound of your voice, Bishop, you're still in your prime. I'll be relying on your guidance during my time in Heaven Dou City's Great Spirit Arena," Lin Yongming said modestly.

"Gaining combat experience, huh? The Great Spirit Arena is indeed a public place. With your talent, you're bound to attract attention. But don't worry—as long as I'm in Heaven Dou City, no one will dare to touch you if you mention that you're with the Spirit Hall. Anyone who dares to harm you will be making an enemy of the entire Spirit Hall," Salas said confidently.

"Thank you, Bishop!" Lin Yongming replied politely.

"Now, do you have a place to stay? Would you like to stay here? I can arrange a quiet room for you," Salas suddenly offered.

"No need to trouble yourself, Bishop. I have a friend with me, and we've already found a hotel," Lin Yongming quickly declined.

"Very well. If you encounter any trouble during your time in Heaven Dou City, feel free to come to me," Salas said warmly.

"Understood," Lin Yongming nodded.

"Subordinate Shi Liang greets the Bishop!" At that moment, Shi Liang and a few others entered the hall.

"Give me the gold spirit coins," Salas instructed.

"Yes, Bishop!"

Salas took the bag of gold spirit coins and walked over to Lin Yongming. "Lin Yongming, although you hold the Yellow Record Medal and can collect your stipend once a month, any uncollected stipends from previous months cannot be accumulated. So, I can only give you one thousand gold spirit coins this time. This rule was set by the Pope at the headquarters."

"Bishop, I understand," Lin Yongming nodded.

"Good. However, since it's already the middle of the month, if you're still in Heaven Dou City at the beginning of next month, you can come to collect your stipend then. Of course, if you run out of money before then, you can always borrow from me. It's no trouble," Salas said kindly.

"Bishop, you're too kind. I understand. I'll come to you if I need anything," Lin Yongming said as he took the bag of coins.

"It's getting late. Would you like to stay for dinner?" Salas suddenly offered.

"No, thank you. My friend is waiting outside, and she's not comfortable around strangers. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now," Lin Yongming said, clasping his fists.

"Very well. Feel free to visit anytime," Salas nodded.

"Shi Liang, escort him out."

"Yes, Bishop!"

Shi Liang was inwardly surprised but knew better than to voice his questions. Some things were better left unasked.

Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 165 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 160 power stones I will publish the next chapter.