A Bloody Struggle, a Blind Spot Beneath the Lamp

A heavy snowfall had only recently drawn to a close.

Wu Qi and his party hurried along the snow-covered road.

Suddenly, everyone stopped in unison.

Ahead of them lay a great many footprints that the wind and snow had yet to bury.

"It seems someone besides us has their sights on these ruins." Sun Buyu frowned.

Following behind this group, they might yet play the oriole waiting behind the mantis.

But would they be that oriole?

No one knew whether anyone else was preparing to approach from behind.

"Lie in wait nearby first. Don't rush to act. Observe the situation before we decide," Wu Qi instructed. "Old Freak, that Soul Douluo and the outer battlefield are yours. Make absolutely certain no one escapes, and above all, don't give them a chance to seek reinforcements."

Outside the village.

Two groups faced each other.

On one side were the New Mountain Sect disciples guarding the village; on the other was the Hagendas Royal Family's Soul Master Army.

Zhou Congping looked grim as he took the initiative to negotiate. "Who are you? Why have you surrounded our village?"

Bokov, the leader of the Soul Master Army, sneered. "Stop pretending. This is where a royal predecessor passed away in meditation. It was recorded in the Royal Court Secret Annals long ago."

"Did you think building a village over it would keep us from knowing?"

There was no way to verify whether that claim was true.

But one thing was certain: the Hagendas Royal Family knew very clearly when the Soul Tool here would cease functioning.

Zhou Congping's expression darkened, and he silently prayed that the sect elder concealed nearby would step forward to resolve this.

But his hopes were soon dashed. The sounds of battle in the distance came from two Soul Douluos