"Where is she...?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo darted like a ghost across the rooftops of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, his brows tightly furrowed in concentration.
Regardless of his motives, this mission of his was not exactly one he wanted seen by others.
Thus, the more concealed his movements were, the better.
As he gracefully glided from rooftop to rooftop, he couldn't help but think longingly of Ghost Douluo's martial soul.
That ghostly martial soul was perfect for stealth. Shadowy work like this? Absolutely his specialty.
And given how Ghost Douluo always kept his face hidden and his identity shrouded in mystery, few knew what he even looked like.
Sigh! "If only I'd transmigrated into Ghost Douluo instead!"
Muttering to himself, Chrysanthemum Douluo pressed onward, heading deeper into the sect.
As he advanced, a large golden gate stood imposingly in the middle of the path ahead.
Peering past it, he saw a row of far more lavish courtyards—clearly the inner sanctum of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Strangely, no disciples were in sight.
Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes lit up.
This must be it!
Ning Rongrong is definitely in there. In a flash, he leapt past the gate and slipped inside.
Buzz—!
He failed to notice that as he crossed the threshold, a faint golden light flared across the gate… then quietly faded.
Outside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect
Ning Fengzhi stared in disbelief at Qian Renxue, who lay unconscious inside the ornate Spirit Hall carriage.
He was so shocked he couldn't even form words.
"This… Elder Ghost?"
He swallowed hard, casting a wary glance at Ghost Douluo. But in his heart, he was reeling.
Ghost Douluo nodded solemnly and said in a low voice, "Yes, this is Her Holiness the Saintess. Sect Master Ning, please examine her condition. We need your assistance."
"Also," Ghost Douluo added, his voice now icy cold, "this matter must remain strictly confidential. Only you and I must know."
As he spoke, he stepped forward into the light, revealing just enough of his shrouded face—and released a subtle trace of his Title Douluo-level pressure.
A chill ran down Ning Fengzhi's spine.
Though he still couldn't clearly see Ghost Douluo's face, within that veil of darkness… he could feel those murderous, ice-cold eyes locked onto him.
Ning Fengzhi regretted everything in that instant. Knowing this secret now meant it would follow him to the grave.
Worse still—should news of this ever leak, Spirit Hall's first suspect would be him.
Damn it!
Why didn't I ask more before agreeing? Why did I walk into this blind?!
A feeling of helpless dread welled up inside him. His intestines twisted with regret.
But—what's done is done.
He hadn't been sect master for so many years without learning how to navigate crises. His political instincts were far deeper than Ghost Douluo's.
Laughing to break the tension, he wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Elder Ghost, no need to worry!"
"I'm just a humble support-type spirit master. Helping others is simply what I do."
"As for who I helped, or what happened today…"
"I've already forgotten it all! Hahaha!"
His words were perfectly phrased—cooperative but noncommittal. A favor repaid, nothing more. No deeper alliance implied.
Ghost Douluo stared at him for a long moment but said nothing more.
He extended a hand slightly, clearly expecting Ning Fengzhi to release his martial soul and begin treatment.
Ning Fengzhi nodded, his face now solemn, and prepared to summon his martial soul—
But then—
A sudden jolt of alarm went off in his mind!
His expression changed instantly. He turned and clasped his hands toward Ghost Douluo. "Elder Ghost, something urgent has come up. Please excuse me for a moment—I'll return shortly to tend to Her Holiness."
Ghost Douluo frowned. "What's so urgent, Sect Master Ning?"
"There's a rat," Ning Fengzhi said coldly, "that has slipped into my sect."
Spirit Hall – Spirit City – The Pope's Palace
Towering black stone walls glimmered in the sunlight, their thick layers radiating a sense of power and grandeur.
A glowing sheen shimmered across the surface, highlighting their formidable presence.
At that moment—
A young man with black-and-red hair strolled into Spirit City with a faint smile on his lips, heading straight toward the Pope's Palace.
Walking beside him was a stunning young woman. Her long, dark purple hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall.
Her scarlet eyes drew immediate attention.
But what truly shocked onlookers were the twisted, terrifying, dark-purple bone wings protruding from her back.
Thankfully, this was Spirit City—the sacred ground of spirit masters. Most people here were knowledgeable and sharp-eyed.
They stared in amazement at the bone wings, silently speculating.
An external spirit bone, perhaps?
Still, many couldn't help the flickers of greed in their eyes as they gazed upon the pair.
The young man noticed immediately. Though his smile didn't fade, a single glance from him was enough to make those covetous stares vanish.
Because—
His eyes were terrifyingly cold.
Anyone who met his gaze would feel their soul tremble beneath the sheer killing intent and bloodlust.
He was like someone who had climbed out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. Every inch of him radiated slaughter.
Spirit masters along the street instinctively shivered and gave him a wide berth.
"Who the hell is that freak?"
"I don't know… that aura… is he an evil spirit master?"
"An evil spirit master? Are you nuts? Walking into Spirit City?!"
"..."
Lin Fan sighed and rubbed his ear, looking bored.
Thanks to his powerful perception, he could hear every single whisper around them.
With a shrug, he muttered to Xiao Wu, "Have none of these people ever experienced real combat with spirit beasts? What are they gawking at?"
Xiao Wu giggled softly, teasing him, "Fufu~ My lord, you do know the killing aura on you is heavier than most evil spirit masters, right?"
"Hmph, fair enough."
Lin Fan casually shot a glare at a leering creep staring at Xiao Wu. The man backed away immediately, terrified.
With a dismissive snort, Lin Fan said, "Hmph. So these are the great Spirit City soul masters, huh?"
"They call this the number one city of the continent? The holy land of spirit masters? What a joke."
Before Xiao Wu could respond, a voice cut in sharply from behind them.
"Hmph! You're rather full of yourself, aren't you?"
Lin Fan raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at his lips.
"Oh? Maybe I wasn't clear enough the first time—"
"I meant, everyone on this street—every single one of you—is trash."
****
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