The Power of Fortune

Inside the carriage.

Lin Hai reclined comfortably against the unbelievably soft Mink Cushion.

Feeling the steady rhythm of the wheels rolling over the stone pavement beneath him, he let out a soft sigh.

Since he had not chosen the Inkstone of No Return as his Fourth Spirit Ring, all he could do on this long journey was... enjoy himself.

The Saintess Carriage he rode in was by no means something that could be casually lent out.

When traveling abroad, the carriage itself was a silent proclamation. Its symbolic significance and intimidating force were much the same as the Saintess Token's.

Though its appearance had been deliberately kept understated, the noble mark belonging to the core of Spirit Hall had long since been carved into every inch of its frame.

With his talent and the merits he had rendered for Spirit Hall, becoming the Holy Son would have been only natural.

Bibi Dong had mentioned it several times, but he had politely declined each time. There was no real need for it in the short term.

The resources and status he currently enjoyed within Spirit Hall were no different from those of the Holy Son.

Taking on that dazzling title too early would only draw the attention of every faction and bring needless trouble.

The wise pursued substance; fools fought over empty fame. Zhong Da's words perfectly matched his own thinking.

Besides, an understated exterior did not prevent him from enjoying the carriage's supreme luxury and comfort within.

"Tut, tut..." His gaze swept across the exquisite furnishings inside the carriage.

"This White Tiger Fur Blanket... was it presented by the Star Luo Spirit Hall some days ago? Its condition is remarkably intact. Judging by its size, it must have come from a Tiger King close to ten thousand years old..."

"This small table... is fashioned entirely from ten-thousand-year Bright Wood. Smooth and lustrous as jade, and it can calm the mind as well. What extravagance..."

He savored each item in the carriage one by one, warmth surging through his heart.

How was this merely a means of travel? This was clearly his teacher's love, heavy as a mountain! And she still insisted on acting tough...

Nor were these priceless objects the only extraordinary things. Even the "coachman" driving the carriage was anything but ordinary.

The moment Lin Hai saw him, his far surpassing senses had already detected it—

The "coachman" seated on the driver's bench, whose aura was steady and restrained and whose control over the horses was as natural as moving his own limbs, was in fact a high-ranking Spirit Douluo with profound Soul Power!

A powerhouse of such strength, within the Spirit Hall system, would have been qualified to oversee an entire region or serve as the master of a Spirit Hall in a prosperous major city.

Yet now, he was willing to serve as a coachman and escort Lin Hai.

Feeling that meticulous protection and favor, Lin Hai's heart suddenly turned cold, deep malice churning in his eyes.

For every bit better Bibi Dong treated him, his hatred for the name Yu Xiaogang grew tenfold!

It was buried deep in his heart, waiting only for the right moment.

Several months later, Nuoding City, Spirit Branch Hall.

Within the hall, bronze lamps cast wavering halos of light, stretching the lofty shadows beneath the dome into the shapes of crouching beasts.

The air was frozen; one could have heard a pin drop.

Lin Hai stood quietly at the center. His Deep Purple Robe seemed to drink in every ray of light in the hall, while his silver hair flowed with a cold, gleaming sheen in the darkness.

The gaze beneath that Silver Half Mask was like a tangible probe, yet also like invisible pressure, slowly sweeping over the row of figures before him, all holding their breath with lowered heads and respectful postures.

At last, his clear voice rang out.

"Who is Sisi?"

"I am." A capable-looking female deacon stepped forward.

"Who is Ma Xiunuo?"

"I am." An elderly deacon bowed.

"Who is... Su Yuntao?"

"Here!" Su Yuntao's reply was especially loud, carrying a trace of barely perceptible nervousness.

Worthy of being an uncrowned king of his generation—even his response stood out from the rest, carrying a strong "Duolong flavor."

Lin Hai's gaze lingered on Su Yuntao for a moment longer. That scrutinizing look sent a faint chill down Brother Tao's neck, alarms blaring in his mind.

Why is this distinguished man, with such extraordinary bearing and unwillingness to reveal his true face, looking at me like this? What does he want?

Just as Brother Tao's thoughts were about to take a dangerous turn, Lin Hai withdrew his gaze and said in a crisp voice, "There is something I need the three of you to handle immediately."

"Please give your orders, my lord," the three replied in unison.

"I want each of you to proceed to Nuoding City's west, south, and north gates, respectively, and wait five li outside them."

Lin Hai lightly tapped the air with one finger. "If you encounter a little girl in pink, with a scorpion braid and a Rabbit Ear Decoration on her head..."

His tone paused slightly as he emphasized, "Remember, do not alert her. You need only notify me at once five li outside the east gate."

"If you find nothing after two shichen, you may return."

"As you command!"

The three accepted their orders and swiftly departed.

Today was the opening day for Nuoding Junior Spirit Master Academy. Lin Hai had come specifically to see whether he could "run into" Xiao Wu.

Bibi Dong's ninth spirit ring of her first martial soul, wreathed in blood-red light, had come from a hundred-thousand-year Death Spider Emperor—Lin Hai knew that perfectly well.

As for her second martial soul, it was currently awaiting his Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring Pill, so she naturally would not add a new spirit ring anytime soon.

That meant Xiao Wu's mother was still alive.

But if her mother was alive, would Xiao Wu necessarily remain obediently in the Star Dou Great Forest?

Lin Hai had his doubts. That was precisely why he had come to Nuoding City.

He wanted to test whether this so-called Fortune could truly force a path open for Tang San.

If it could, then he would make things a little harder for that Son of Destiny.

The three deacons had already gone to their designated positions, while Lin Hai quietly arrived five li outside the east gate, where Xiao Wu was most likely to appear.

His reasoning was simple.

Fasnuo Province lay southwest of Heaven Dou, in the western part of the continent, while the Star Dou Great Forest occupied the continent's center. Since Xiao Wu was coming from the forest, the east gate was the likeliest route.

He had chosen a point five li out for two reasons. First, to avoid Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Douluo, who might be secretly following Tang San. Second, there were no forks in the road within five li of any of the four gates, making it difficult to miss the target.

Lin Hai used Wood Style, silently merging into an ancient tree.

Half a shichen later, a smiling face seemed to grow soundlessly from the rough bark.

She was here!

On the winding path ahead, a tiny little figure came hopping along.

Her black scorpion braid swayed merrily with her movements, like a nimble tail.

This little rabbit really was strutting about without a care, as though she were afraid people would not notice how different she was... Lin Hai secretly chuckled.

His Second Spirit Ring flashed around him before vanishing, and his spirit skill, Dream Weaver, activated without a sound!

Xiao Wu, who had been immersed in the human world, froze instantly. Her expression turned blank, her eyes filling with the sort of clear stupidity Lin Hai found all too familiar.

Subconsciously, she turned around and hopped back the way she had come.

Lin Hai used Earth Style and quietly followed.

After cautiously trailing her for roughly ten li, repeatedly sweeping the surroundings with his powerful senses and confirming that Tang Hao's aura had not appeared, the stone weighing on his heart finally fell away.

Still concealed beneath the earth, Lin Hai shifted his thoughts, and the illusion smoothly changed direction like rippling water.

Xiao Wu's dazed figure was unknowingly guided into a quiet grove beside the road...

At that moment, Xiao Wu, still within the illusion, was muttering to herself.

That person who gave me directions earlier was way too unreliable! I've walked for so long, and I still haven't even seen a trace of Nuoding City?

Suddenly, a man in purple appeared in a clearing among the trees ahead, standing with his hands behind his back.

His silver hair cascaded like a waterfall, and the lips and jawline exposed beneath his half mask were perfect. His bearing was ethereal, like that of an immortal.

Xiao Wu's eyes lit up as she thought, He's so handsome! Even Da Ming and Er Ming put together aren't as handsome as him...

Fortunately, it was only in her thoughts. Had she said it aloud, she likely would not have escaped a thorough beating on "how to compliment someone properly."