A small town near Dongyang City in the Sun Moon Empire. Located in the north, even with the sun hanging high in the sky, there was still a chill lingering in the streets.
Inside a roadside restaurant, an old woman walked into a private room.
"Xingyun, have they arrived yet?" a burly man asked impatiently when he saw her enter.
Xingyun Douluo gently shook his head.
"Alas," the burly man sighed once more.
"Julang, keep it down. Haven't we still got some time before the agreed hour?" another voice said calmly.
"You don't understand how strange the Sun Moon Empire's Soul Guidance Devices are," Julang replied. "Even though we crossed the border separately to reduce attention, I was almost discovered."
The burly man, Titan Warhammer Douluo, rubbed his head. "The time's almost up and no one's here yet, so of course I'm anxious. But Suixing, why haven't you said a word this whole time?"
Shattered Star Douluo, who sat beside him, lifted his gaze slightly, shook his head, and replied, "Don't rush. Nothing will happen."
Just as he finished speaking, the private room door was pushed open.
Titan Warhammer Douluo looked up and saw two dusty middle-aged men standing in the doorway. There was no visible spirit power on their bodies, and deep wrinkles marked their foreheads. They looked exactly like two ordinary travelers who had come in for a meal.
One of the men's gazes happened to meet Titan Warhammer Douluo's. In that instant, his mental force wavered slightly.
"Sorry we're late."
The two men were naturally Wang Nan and Huo Yuhao in disguise. As Wang Nan spoke, he closed the door behind them, his mental force quietly spreading to cover the entire room.
"Duke Heaven's Equal."
Shattered Star Douluo immediately stood up and cupped his hands.
Titan Warhammer Douluo sharply turned his head toward him, then looked back at Wang Nan, carefully scrutinizing him.
"So it's Peerless Douluo." He also cupped his hands, then glanced at Shattered Star Douluo with mild dissatisfaction. "No wonder you were so calm while I was jumping with anxiety. You should have told me earlier and saved me the trouble."
If I had told you earlier, with that mouth of yours, it would probably have spread through the entire street.
Titan Warhammer Douluo was well aware of his own temperament, so he smacked his lips and said nothing further.
"Since everyone is here, we should head for Dongyang City," Shattered Star Douluo said after looking around. "However, Dongyang City isn't like this place. Under the surveillance of Soul Guidance Devices, we likely won't be able to enter directly."
"How about splitting up like we did when crossing the border?" someone suggested.
"Seniors." Huo Yuhao spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. "We can walk in openly."
"What do you mean?" Titan Warhammer Douluo asked, his face filled with confusion.
"As long as the seniors restrain your auras, I can conceal the fluctuations of our spirit power, making us indistinguishable from ordinary people. With a bit of disguise, the Sun Moon Empire's Soul Guidance Devices won't be able to detect us."
"Like how you two just entered?" Shattered Star Douluo asked.
"Exactly." Huo Yuhao nodded confidently.
"This…"
"This town is small. Why don't we head outside and let Yuhao demonstrate?" Wang Nan suggested, glancing at the cautious Shattered Star Douluo.
"Good." Titan Warhammer Douluo looked at Huo Yuhao and nodded decisively. "If you truly have such an ability, I'll follow your lead for this entire mission."
Huo Yuhao looked to Wang Nan for confirmation. Seeing him nod slightly, he led Titan Warhammer Douluo out of the town.
Xingyun Douluo and Xuanji Douluo, who had remained silent, followed behind.
Only after they left did Shattered Star Douluo step forward and cup his hands toward Wang Nan once more.
"Duke Heaven's Equal, you've worked hard on this mission."
"You're too polite, Shattered Star Douluo."
"The news of Sealing God Douluo is suspicious, and His Majesty has his doubts. Still, a ninth-rank Soul Master is far too important to the Empire. If real danger arises, I'll have to rely on Duke Heaven's Equal to assist."
Among those sent to the Sun Moon Empire, Shattered Star Douluo had the highest cultivation aside from Wang Nan, making him the de facto leader of the rescue operation.
"There's no need for courtesy. I had long wanted to visit Dongyang City but never found the chance. This time, I can see for myself what's hidden there."
"Many thanks, Duke Heaven's Equal."
---
When Wang Nan and Shattered Star Douluo reached the outskirts of the town, Titan Warhammer Douluo was standing there with eyes wide, staring at where Huo Yuhao had vanished.
"Julang, how did it go?" Shattered Star Douluo asked as he approached.
"Amazing. Truly Star Luo damned amazing!" Titan Warhammer Douluo exclaimed, rubbing his head. "I've seen plenty of Spirit Masters, but this is the first time I've seen such an ability."
"So we can really just walk straight into Dongyang City?"
"I don't see any problem at all."
Shattered Star Douluo also looked toward the empty space. He could not sense anything, and even his mental force had been concealed. Such an ability was more than sufficient to hide spirit power fluctuations.
"Good." He nodded. "Then we'll prepare and enter Dongyang City before nightfall."
---
Deep within Dongyang City's underground water dungeon, Sealing God Douluo was imprisoned.
A Soul Guidance Device that sealed spirit power was fastened to his body, preventing him from mobilizing even the slightest trace of spirit power or mental force.
He had never imagined that the Soul Guidance Devices he once designed and crafted for the Sun Moon Empire would one day be used on him.
Although his physique was still that of a Titled Douluo, prolonged confinement had left him haggard, his lips pale.
"Clang…"
The sound of the cell door opening jolted him awake from his half-daze.
Looking up, he saw not the familiar jailer, but a petite figure completely wrapped in a black robe.
With his spirit power and mental force sealed, he could not perceive much, only vaguely sensing that the person before him was different from ordinary Spirit Masters.
"Who are you?" Sealing God Douluo frowned.
"Come with me."
The voice from beneath the robe sounded youthful, almost childish.
"Heh… so my time has come?" Sealing God Douluo leaned back slightly. The chains on his wrists rattled as he moved. "I've heard of your Evil Soul Master methods. Falling into your hands, even death is probably a luxury."
He let out a long sigh, uncertain what he was lamenting.
The black-robed figure did not respond. She merely stepped forward, extending hands of an eerie, unnatural color, and reached out to pull Sealing God Douluo to his feet.