"Puchi!"
Huo Yuhao extended his Darkgold Terror Claw and dug into the soil ahead. A narrow tunnel just wide enough for one person appeared. Huo Yuhao bent his body and slipped straight down into it.
"This should be a tunnel dug by the Body Sect."
Huo Yuhao's eyes showed a trace of contemplation, but feeling the violent vibrations above and the constantly falling dirt, he gritted his teeth and quickly moved forward along the tunnel.
"Let's escape the danger zone first."
…
"Rumble—!"
"Rumble—!"
At the very moment Du Busi led his people to start the battle, another "zero-cost shopping" team from the Body Sect also rapidly infiltrated the underground core vaults of Mingde Hall.
Jiang Jue was among this team. In order to avoid being discovered and triggering Jing Hongchen's return defense, their group was deliberately kept small.
Inside Underground Core Vault No. 4.
"Level-nine soul-guided cannon shells, level-nine high-altitude detectors, level-nine linked soul devices… what are all these things? I can't understand any of them!"
Lang Ya held a pile of blueprints and complained irritably.
"What the hell could you understand? Hurry up and pack them away. The Sect Master said these are things the Heavenly Soul Empire asked us to retrieve."
Lang Ya slapped Yu Tao on the shoulder and said helplessly.
Jiang Jue was also holding a soul tool blueprint, but his heart was completely calm.
Inside his Soul-Refining Banner lived a level-nine soul engineer. If he wanted any soul tool, he could just give an order — no need for all this trouble.
"Young Master, let's go. We should hurry to the next vault and find that hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo as soon as possible."
Before long, the huge vault was completely emptied — to the point that even if a mouse came in, it would have to leave behind two bags of rice.
Lang Ya stood beside Jiang Jue and spoke.
There were a total of seven underground vaults in Mingde Hall, and they were scattered across different locations, so they needed to hurry.
"No need to rush. The hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo will obediently come into our hands."
Jiang Jue slowly shook his head.
He didn't know where the embryo was — but he knew where Huo Yuhao was.
"Give me the blueprints."
Jiang Jue extended his hand toward Lang Ya.
Though confused, Lang Ya handed over the storage ring containing the blueprints.
Jiang Jue casually took out a few and gave them back.
"Just give the Heavenly Soul Empire a few as a token."
The next All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament was approaching, and after it ended, the Sun-Moon Empire would launch its war of continental unification.
Giving these blueprints to the Heavenly Soul Empire was clearly aiding the enemy.
"Yes, Young Master!"
Lang Ya nodded and left with Yu Tao.
"Wait."
"You two go to Vault No. 4 first. I need to go somewhere else."
Just as they exited, Jiang Jue suddenly stopped, sensing something, a smile curling at his lips. After giving the order, his figure flashed and he disappeared down another passage.
"Second brother, the Young Master…"
"Do as he says. He's stronger than both of us now. No need to worry."
Lang Ya cut Yu Tao off and pulled him away.
Jiang Jue entered a narrow tunnel. With a wave of his left hand, the Soul-Refining Banner appeared, its crimson patterns flickering as Nangong Wan emerged.
"Young Master, what are your orders?"
"Come. Let's replenish some spiritual essence."
Jiang Jue smiled faintly and continued forward.
…
"You… you're not the Sect Master!"
A black-clad Body Sect disciple pointed at "Du Busi" in shock.
"You're talking nonsense!"
"I can feel the Sect Master fighting outside — you're a fake! Die!"
The disciple's eyes turned sharp, purple light blooming on his arms as he punched forward, while the other hand reached for the treasure box in "Du Busi's" hands.
This "Du Busi" was Huo Yuhao's simulated form. The box was the hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo he had just tricked from the disciple.
The moment he was exposed, Huo Yuhao knew he was in mortal danger.
He raised the box defensively as protective barriers activated.
At that instant, a crimson light shot out, severing the disciple's arm soul, followed by a black palm strike to the neck that knocked him unconscious.
"Eh?"
Huo Yuhao gasped in relief.
"The danger's passed."
"No — it's only gotten worse," Tianmeng Ice Silkworm shouted inside his spiritual sea.
A figure wrapped in black mist appeared.
"Kekeke… Long time no see, old friend."
Nangong Wan laughed strangely.
(End of Chapter)