"His Highness Xue Qinghe has been waiting at the port for quite some time. Please, Son of Judgment... come at once!"
Ghost Leopard Douluo's voice was cold as clashing metal, carrying unquestionable authority as it struck Ling Feng's heart like an invisible sledgehammer. Xue Qinghe? Waiting for him? At a time when he had just crawled back from the Devil Sea, grievously wounded and cursed?
An undercurrent deeper and more treacherous than the ink-black raging sea surged through the bustling morning light of Heaven Dou Port! What did Qian Renxue—or rather, Qian Renxue disguised as Xue Qinghe—want? Had she finally lost patience and decided to lay her cards on the table? Or was there... another motive?
Ghost Leopard Douluo's golden eyes swept sharply over the savage curse patterns on Ling Feng's pale face, then over the uncertain Hu Liena behind him, before finally settling on the old fisherman, who was trembling and nearly collapsed on the deck. Expressionless, he merely lifted a hand slightly.
Two thick cables fitted with iron hooks swiftly lowered from the side of the Shadow Leopard. They precisely caught the gunwales of Ling Feng's battered fishing boat. Powerful force tugged at them, steadily pulling the small vessel toward an open side hatch on the fast ship.
"Son of Judgment, this way." Ghost Leopard Douluo's voice remained flat as he gestured toward the dark passage beyond the hatch. Two Spirit Hall Soul Masters in fitted black uniforms stood solemnly on either side within.
Ling Feng drew a deep breath, suppressing the burning pain in his chest and the turmoil in his thoughts. He knew that any hesitation or resistance now would be futile and would only expose his weakness. He glanced at Hu Liena, whose face was equally pale, and said quietly, "Nana, come with me." Then