Searching for the Evil Soul Master's Trail

No one would be foolish enough to linger at the scene after committing a crime, so finding the killer's trail would take considerable effort. Others might have had no way to do it, but he was facing Qian Xunji. The Qian Family's Six-Winged Angel martial soul was highly sensitive to Evil Soul Masters, almost as if they had a tracking device installed on them.

There were many ways to kill, each with its own methods and particular strengths. To hone one's techniques to perfection, it was necessary to understand every method of killing, infer how a killer acted from those methods, and consider what one would do in the same situation. This was also one of the training plans Qian Xunji had set for himself.

Killing by draining blood was one of the more unusual methods. It was not particularly difficult to identify.

According to Qian Xunji's deductions, this Evil Soul Master's martial soul was a bat, as could be seen from the previous corpses.

Bats preferred darkness and usually lived in damp mountain forests or caves. Qian Xunji had come from the south and had not encountered anyone suspicious along the way. To the north lay Spirit City. Though it was still some distance away, Spirit City's enforcers might appear at any time. Moreover, if this person was a habitual offender, he certainly would not choose that direction. After killing, the Killing Intent and Bloody Smell on one's body could not be concealed no matter what. If the man were cautious enough, he would not hide there. To the east was a plain that had long been cultivated into farmland, with nowhere to hide. That naturally left only the west.

It was also the most suitable place. Not only was the terrain complex and easy to conceal oneself in, but Spirit Hall's influence there was relatively weak, so there was no need to worry about provoking powerful people. Therefore, the place he was most likely hiding could only be to the west.

While searching for the Evil Soul Master, Qian Xunji asked the child about some basic details. He learned that the child was an orphan from Jiang Family Village. His parents had died long ago, and he had been raised by the Old Village Chief. After encountering the Evil Soul Master, the village chief had left his own life force to the child, ordering him to hide while resolutely facing the Evil Soul Master alone. The result was obvious. He had died a miserable death.

"Child, don't you have a name?" Qian Xunji asked gently.

The child shook his head, then continued, "Everyone in the village calls me Gou Dan. They said it's easier to raise a child with a humble name."

Qian Xunji was speechless. What kind of name was that? Still, he did not show it.

"Then I'll give you a name. Since you're from Jiang Family Village, you'll take Jiang as your surname. As for your given name... hmm, how about Hao? I hope your will shall be strong and unyielding," Qian Xunji said.

Only then did a smile appear on the little boy's face, and he nodded heavily. Though the deaths of his family had faded somewhat from the surface, Qian Xunji understood that the child had merely buried all his pain deep in his heart. He had not forgotten any of it.

"Follow me from now on, Jiang Hao. Are you willing to join Spirit Hall?" Qian Xunji asked calmly.

"Yes, I am. My family is dead, and you saved me. I'll follow you from now on. I will become a Soul Master, kill Evil Soul Masters, and avenge Grandfather Village Chief." Jiang Hao's tone was firm. When he mentioned Evil Soul Masters, his eyes were filled with hatred and venom.

Qian Xunji's Mental Power was extraordinarily strong, so naturally he saw the undisguised hatred and venom in Jiang Hao's eyes. His entire body radiated a violent aura. Qian Xunji thought to himself, I wonder whether allowing this boy to possess such hatred is a good thing. Hatred can drive someone to pursue great power, but it can also make one lose sight of their true heart and become a monster that knows only slaughter. Forget it. I'll deal with it when the time comes.

They headed west and gradually entered a valley. Poisonous miasma filled the valley, and venomous creatures and fierce beasts were everywhere. Jiang Hao raised his tiny arms and nervously hugged one of Qian Xunji's legs. He was still just a child; it was perfectly normal for him to be afraid.

Qian Xunji slowly used his Soul Power to raise a barrier around himself and Jiang Hao.

Jiang Hao immediately wore a curious expression. Like an inquisitive child, he stretched out one pale little finger and poked the Soul Power barrier again and again, having a wonderful time.

Qian Xunji found it both amusing and exasperating. What was wrong with this kid? Was this the time to play? He reached out with a palm as broad as a fan and pressed it against the back of Jiang Hao's head, causing Jiang Hao to pitch forward and fall to the ground.

After getting up, Jiang Hao looked at Qian Xunji with a resentful expression, as though saying, Why did you push me?

Qian Xunji said, "Enough. Look at the situation we're in—we're hunting an Evil Soul Master. Once you become a Soul Master, you'll naturally learn this move. Come on, let's find the Evil Soul Master."

As the sun set in the west, the tall and small figures formed a beautiful scene.

Qian Xunji activated his Mental Power and carefully sensed the Evil Soul Master's trail as they descended along the side of a slope. Before long, they saw a cave concealed by layers of hanging vines. Without a doubt, this was the den of thieves.

Qian Xunji used Mental Power and Soul Power for Sword Control. The Ancient Black Sword hanging at his waist seemed to be drawn by something. With a sharp whoosh, it shot forward at a speed far exceeding the speed of sound and swiftly slit the throats of several Evil Soul Masters at the cave entrance.

Qian Xunji was quite satisfied with this Sword Move. If his Mental Power reached the point where it could become tangible despite being formless, then used in conjunction with Soul Power, this move would become even more powerful. He would be able to take an enemy general's head from a thousand miles away. When Qian Xunji had first obtained this move, he could barely sleep. Every day, he had to hold his sword and practice it, his heart filled with excitement. Who would not want to ride the wind on a flying sword and roam freely between heaven and earth?

At that moment, a muffled explosion sounded from inside the cave. It was immediately followed by chaotic shouts and curses echoing through the cavern, along with dull impacts and intense Soul Power Fluctuations.

"Be careful. Stay behind me," Qian Xunji instructed.

Jiang Hao nodded and shuffled forward.

The cave entrance was small, but the interior was extremely spacious. Apart from the corpses at the entrance, they had to continue nearly fifty meters farther before more corpses appeared.

A dense Bloody Smell rushed toward them, carrying a foul stench that made Jiang Hao cover his face in disgust. But when he turned his head, he seemed to see something terrifying.

"Ah!" Jiang Hao suddenly screamed, his body trembling violently. There were more than a dozen human skins hanging from the walls on both sides of the cave. There was even an infant's corpse pierced through and suspended atop a bamboo shoot. Jiang Hao had noticed blood dripping from the corpse earlier, which was why he had looked up.

"Bastards!" Qian Xunji roared furiously. This was the sin committed by Evil Soul Masters! At that moment, Qian Xunji felt blood rush into his eyes and rage surge to the heavens. These Evil Soul Masters did not even spare children. They were worse than beasts.

At that moment, Qian Xunji silently swore in his heart that he and Evil Soul Masters would never coexist under the same sky. He would make these despicable wretches pay the price, nail them to the pillar of shame, condemn them to the eternal scorn of the people of Douluo Continent, and ensure they would never find rebirth. His fists clenched tightly, and his handsome face flushed red with fury.

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