Three Paths Diverge

The two exchanged a glance, their hearts filled with bitterness. It seemed their boss had abandoned them. Without concealing their auras, how could they possibly evade the pursuit of a Titled Douluo?

But they had no choice. The situation before them was stronger than they were. If they did as their boss said, they might still have a slim chance of survival. If they did not, they would likely die on the spot.

"We understand, Big Brother."

"Mm. Take this extra map."

Xiula sneered inwardly, but he put on a satisfied expression as he pulled a spare map from his robes and handed it to them.

"Big Brother, take care!"

The two accepted the map. Though their hearts were full of resentment, they still cupped their fists in salute, keeping up appearances.

"Mm. You two brothers take care as well. We'll meet in Zhenchi City!"

"Farewell!"

With that, the two released their auras and ran in the direction Xiula had indicated. The Blood Fiend Energy they left behind along the way was immensely dense and lingered without dispersing.

"Heh, let's go too."

Xiula gestured, leading the other two away. One of them was a level 83 Soul Douluo, while the other was a level 77 Soul Saint. They were still somewhat useful to him.

"Alright."

The two nodded, showing no pity toward those two Soul Saints. In their eyes, those two fellows were far too burdensome. They were perfect as bait.

Following the plan, the three crossed a large river and hurried eastward along the coastline toward Zhenchi City.

Zhenchi City was about a week's journey from here. Though the three were highly cultivated, this world was not particularly advanced. Even at their fastest, it would take around three days.

Not long after leaving, the two Evil Soul Masters stopped. One was a bald man with huge muscles all over his body, and he looked toward the other, a thin and sinister-looking man.

"Zala, are we really just going to throw our lives away like this?"

"Heh." Zala sneered. "Are you stupid? Big Brother isn't here. Does that mean we have to do whatever he tells us to?"

A thoughtful look appeared on Suoba's face. He then asked tentatively, "You mean we go back?"

"Idiot! Wouldn't going back be courting death?"

Zala cursed speechlessly. This big lump was powerful, but his brain was not very sharp. If not for his strength, he would have long since been devoured without even his bones left behind.

"Then we..."

Zala waved a hand, spread out the map, and pointed at a city near the Delake Mountain Range.

"We'll go here. Although it's only a main city, there's at least one Soul Saint stationed there. But we won't provoke them. We only need to slowly hunt the prey in the villages outside the city."

At that point, Zala licked his lips, revealing a cruel smile.

"As long as we move quickly enough and slaughter a few villages, using their blood energy to rapidly increase our strength, once we break through to high-level Soul Saints, the Soul Saint inside the city will become our prey as well."

A scarlet gleam flashed through Suoba's eyes, and the corner of his mouth curved into a cruel grin.

"Heh, your brain really works better. Let's go. My Bloodthirsty Battle Axe can hardly wait."

"It's good that you know. As long as you listen to me, there definitely won't be any problems. Let's go."

A cold glint flashed in Zala's eyes. Just wait. As long as he survived this, he would soon be able to use these Mortal Realm Elixirs to break through to the realm of Titled Douluo. Then, he would surely repay the grudge of being abandoned today.

Half a day later, Light Feather Douluo led the Angel Legion in a mad dash to the southern exit of the mountain range.

The Angel Legion members possessed Two-Winged Angel Martial Souls and all carried the attribute of Holiness. They were exceptionally sensitive to Blood Fiend Energy, especially such completely undisguised Blood Fiend Energy.

"My lord, they fled west. We..."

Before the captain could finish, Light Feather raised a hand to stop him. He then took out a map and examined the situation in this region.

"They tried their best to conceal their Blood Fiend Energy while inside the mountain range, but now they've suddenly released it. I'm afraid someone was abandoned and used as bait to draw us over."

As he spoke, his gaze turned eastward. Though it was concealed extremely well, he could still sense a faint trace of Blood Fiend Energy.

"Earth Dragon Mountain City has the Demon Bear Elder stationed there. It's unlikely that they went back."

"That big one may have fled east along the coast."

Light Feather lowered his head slightly. If that dense Blood Fiend Energy belonged to that Titled Douluo...

He shook his head. Even if it was, it was already too late. He looked at the squad captain and said, "Split into three groups. I'll take three people east in pursuit. You take five people west, following the fiend energy. The remaining one will return to Earth Dragon Mountain City and inform the Demon Bear Elder, telling him to secretly head to Dragon Flame City."

This place was too remote, near the southernmost edge of the continent, and these Evil Soul Masters were all too powerful. Every minute of delay posed an enormous threat to the lives of the people in these border cities.

In his haste, Light Feather could only make the clumsiest yet most optimal choice available.

"Understood."

No one hesitated. They immediately split into three groups and continued the pursuit according to the plan.

Two and a half days later, a small village outside Dragon Flame City was stained in blood, with dense Blood Fiend Energy filling the air.

"No, no, no... Don't kill me, don't kill me..."

A plainly dressed man sat on the ground in terror, his legs constantly kicking backward.

"Hehehe, it's been so long since I've had such a satisfying drink of Bloody Mary."

A crazed smile tugged at the corner of Zala's mouth. His long, pointed tongue licked the remaining blood from the corner of his mouth. With a one-handed grab, he instantly seized the man by the neck and pulled him before him. Red light flared in his eyes as he viciously bit down.

"Urgh...!!"

The man's throat was bitten through in an instant. He could not even make a sound, only watching in agony as his blood sprayed out and his life gradually slipped away.

"Hehehe, hahahaha, hahaha!!!"

Zala wiped the crimson blood from his face and burst into wild laughter. Then he ripped the man's heart out with one hand, extracted the most potent heart's blood, and absorbed and refined it.

Such a bloody scene was simply too terrifying.

The eyes of a little girl who had been hiding in the cellar were filled with terror, and she nearly cried out. Fortunately, the older girl beside her covered her mouth in time, preventing their exposure.

Standing atop the roof, Suoba tossed aside the lifeless woman in his hand and inhaled deeply in intoxication.

"Ah, truly delicious. This scent is simply intoxicating~~"

"Hehehe, I can smell the aura of living people nearby. Where are they?" Zala licked his lips, his face full of intoxication and madness, but even more so mockery.

As he spoke, he slowly walked toward the cellar where the older and younger girls were hiding.

How could two ordinary people possibly evade a Soul Saint's senses?