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Three days later.
In Heaven Dou City, on the second floor of the Seven Treasure Hotel, a man and a woman were having a meal at a window-side table. The man was holding a little girl in his arms—a delicate, doll-like child—who was munching on a large chicken drumstick. Her small mouth was covered in oil. Maybe she had suffered from hunger in the past because she ate voraciously and never seemed to be picky about food.
From the next table, voices of conversation drifted over.
"Hey, did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"Tang Hao! That Haotian Sect guy, the youngest Titled Douluo in the continent—he died a brutal death. His whole head got smashed into his chest, and when they pulled it out, it was covered in bloody holes from a spiked club. It was absolutely gruesome. The Haotian Sect is furious. I heard that Xiaotian Douluo has already led people out of the mountains, searching everywhere for the killer."
"Is that even possible? That's Haotian Douluo we're talking about! He couldn't have died so easily. If he wanted to run, who could stop him? You better not be making stuff up."
"It's real this time! You know my cousin, right? He married into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect two years ago. He told me this in secret. Besides, if it was fake, why would Xiaotian Douluo be personally leading a search?"
"You make a good point. So, do they know who the killer is?"
"No idea. My cousin didn't say, and he probably doesn't know either. But if I had to guess, it's gotta be Spirit Hall. They've had beef for a long time, and only Spirit Hall has the strength to take down Haotian Douluo."
"Ah, so it was Spirit Hall!"
They just got blamed for it.
Whether they did it or not, Spirit Hall was going to take most of the heat.
Lu Xian and the little kitten exchanged glances, lips twitching slightly.
"Looks like Ning Rongrong didn't rat you out…" she whispered.
"Not necessarily," Lu Xian replied, glancing at the bustling street outside the window. Maybe Ning Rongrong hadn't spilled the truth to the Haotian Sect, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect definitely knew what really happened.
"Ever since we entered the city, someone's been tailing us. We just don't know who they belong to. What's your guess? Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Spirit Hall, or Haotian Sect?"
Lu Xian chuckled, completely unfazed.
"Three factions?" Zhu Zhuqing frowned slightly. "If it were the Haotian Sect, they'd have attacked by now, so we can rule them out. Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect makes sense. But why would Spirit Hall be watching us? They're based far away in Spirit City…"
"That's not necessarily true. Some of those Spirit Hall people have big plans, and they're quite close with Ning Fengzhi, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's leader."
"You stay here with the little one and get a room. I need to head out to Sunset Forest to collect some things and figure out who's been tailing us."
Lu Xian stood up calmly.
"Alright." She nodded, knowing that with her current strength, following him would only be a burden. It was better to wait for news and see how things played out.
After paying the bill, Lu Xian wandered around Heaven Dou City, buying some ironware and jade trinkets in preparation for gathering immortal herbs in Sunset Forest.
Since his soul power had strengthened, many once-fuzzy memories had become crystal clear—including those about picking immortal herbs.
One of the main reasons he came to Heaven Dou City was because of those herbs in Sunset Forest. Even if they couldn't help him open his "bitter sea," they would at least help him level up his soul power.
As for running into Dugu Bo? He didn't care. Worst case scenario, they'd fight—he wasn't afraid.
Once everything was ready, Lu Xian casually left the city.
Lu Xueqi: I successfully opened my Bitter Sea!
"Whoa, Milk Qi is fast. No wonder she's the king of the grind."
Lu Xian: Congrats!
Yan Lingji: Congrats!
Ye Fan: Congrats!
Xiao Yan: Breaking formation here, but damn, I'm jealous. What does it feel like to open the Bitter Sea?
Lu Xueqi: My blood energy is surging, and my body feels much stronger and tougher. The most obvious change is my strength—it's grown so much that even I find it unbelievable. No one in my sect might be able to take my sword now.
Lu Xueqi: (Video: Effortlessly pulling out a tree the size of a bowl with one hand.)
Lu Xian: Holy crap! Lin Daiyu pulling up willow trees!
Ye Fan: Holy crap! The girl next door has grown up—strong enough to lift mountains!
Xiao Yan: Holy crap! A single soft lip, yet she could punch a guy to death!
The conversation had suddenly taken a wild turn.
Lu Xueqi's face darkened.
Lu Xueqi: Are you three implying my sword isn't sharp enough?
Sharp—too sharp!
With this kind of strength, paired with the legendary Tianya Divine Sword, she could slice through iron like mud. Even Ye Fan might not be able to block her now—only Lu Xian using his invincibility technique might stand a chance.
Xiao Yan: Qi-jie, you're incredible! I'm your loyal little fanboy! Cut down those two jerks!
Lu Xian: Oh no! We have a traitor in our squad! Ye Hei, what's your response?
Ye Fan: Qi-jie, you're incredible! I'm your loyal little fanboy! Cut down Lu Xian, the mastermind behind this slander!
Lu Xian: You mother—You two spineless fools! Look at yourselves!
Lu Xueqi: ?
Lu Xian: Qi-jie, you're incredible! I'm also your loyal little fanboy! Do you have any extra spiritual ginseng left? Spare one for your little fanboy so I can open my Bitter Sea? Please?
Lu Xueqi: Nope.
Lu Xian: Heartbroken...
Lu Xueqi: I can request one from my sect.
Lu Xian: Qi-jie, please!!!
Lu Xueqi: We can only request one per year.
Lu Xian: Heh, tui—
Yan Lingji: ...
Xiao Yan: Lu Xian, you never fail to impress!
Ye Fan: The ultimate chameleon!
Outside Heaven Dou City, beneath a shady grove, Lu Xian suddenly stopped and spoke coldly, "You've been following me for a while. If you keep at it, it's going to be rude. Do I need to invite you out myself?"
Swoosh!
A shadow leapt from the dense trees behind him. A middle-aged man with an unremarkable face landed lightly, his five soul rings glowing—he was a Soul King.
Lu Xian remained expressionless. "What do you want?"
"My master wishes to see you," the man said succinctly.
"Hah."
Lu Xian sneered. "Your master sure has a lot of nerve, thinking I'd go just because he invited me? If he wants to see me, he better drag himself over here. You're not qualified. Either leave or die."
The man's face darkened. This brat was insufferably arrogant.
Lu Xian casually picked up a meter-long tree branch and tossed it onto the road.
The man squinted at his retreating back. What's this supposed to mean?
Cross the line and die?
He refused to believe it.
Just as he stepped forward, he suddenly felt something foreign in his mouth. Before he could react
...
BANG!
A gunshot rang out. He felt a cold sensation on his forehead before he dropped dead.
"Idiot. Eat shit."
Lu Xian blew the smoke from his Desert Eagle's barrel and walked away.
"....."