Yu Tiancheng's heart tightened.
This question was dangerous.
If he said it was a Soul Skill, the other party might ask him to demonstrate it.
If he said it was a Soul Tool, the other party might ask to inspect it.
Either answer could expose his secret.
Just as he quickly considered how to respond, Hu Liena suddenly spoke.
"Elder Ju, everyone has their own secrets."
She smiled to smooth things over, her voice gentle. "Since Lin Xiaodi can hunt Spirit Rings alone in the Mixed Zone, it's only natural he has a few ways to protect himself."
She paused, then turned her gaze to Yu Tiancheng. "Still, Lin Xiaodi, your Stealth Technique was truly impressive. Even the two elders nearly failed to notice you. That kind of ability... is very useful in the forest."
It sounded like praise, but there was an underlying probe.
Your stealth is too good. Abnormally good.
Alarm bells rang in Yu Tiancheng's mind, but he put on an embarrassed smile. "I was simply lucky enough to obtain a Heirloom Stealth Soul Tool. It works reasonably well. Please forgive this junior for making a spectacle of himself."
He attributed his "stealth ability" to a Soul Tool, explaining the reason without the trouble of demonstrating a Soul Skill.
As for the Soul Tool itself—it was a family heirloom, so he couldn't show it.
It was a clever answer.
Understanding flashed in Yue Guan's eyes.
If it was a special Soul Tool, that would explain it.
There were indeed some ancient families on the continent that had inherited unique Soul Tool crafting techniques.
"I see." Yue Guan nodded and asked no more.
But a deeper curiosity flashed in Hu Liena's eyes.
A family heirloom Soul Tool?
She remembered that although the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was powerful, it wasn't known for making Soul Tools.
Was this "Lin Fan" actually Yu Tiancheng?
She needed more evidence.
"Did you see or sense any Special Soul Beasts nearby just now? Especially any with spiritual or charming attributes?"
Hu Liena stepped forward, her voice warm and naturally engaging. "We're looking for a suitable Spirit Beast."
Yu Tiancheng shook his head. "This junior was focused entirely on absorbing the Spirit Ring and didn't pay attention to my surroundings. Once I finished, I sensed the presence of you seniors and didn't dare move."
His answer left no room for fault.
Hu Liena looked at him, then suddenly smiled brightly. "I see. It seems we disturbed you."
She shifted the subject and turned to Yue Guan and Gui Mei. "Elders, since Lin Xiaodi didn't see anything, why don't we continue our search? The Spirit Beast's aura was vague to begin with. If it's been disturbed, it'll be even harder to find."
On the surface, she was helping Yu Tiancheng out. In truth, there was more to it.
Disturbing the Spirit Beast—Hu Liena had planted the seed.
Yue Guan's brows furrowed. The light of the Golden Chrysanthemum at his fingertips grew stronger as he carefully examined the Soul Power fluctuations around Yu Tiancheng.
A moment later, a trace of confusion crossed his face. The youth's Soul Power really was only around Level 21. His Martial Soul's aura was somewhat unusual, but it certainly wasn't as domineering and powerful as the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
And his Soul Power Level did check out.
Could this really not be Yu Tiancheng?
He hadn't forgotten the task Bibi Dong had given him.
Just then, Gui Mei's hoarse voice rang out. "Yue Guan, Nana makes a good point. Our primary goal is to find a Spirit Beast suitable for Nana. We shouldn't invite complications."
He paused and looked at Yu Tiancheng. "Still... it is suspicious for this young man to be here alone."
"If we let him leave, he might accidentally disturb the Spirit Beast we're searching for—or bring us some other trouble..."
Understanding flashed in Yue Guan's eyes.
He understood what Gui Mei meant. Whether or not the youth was Yu Tiancheng, they couldn't let him leave just yet.
If he really was Yu Tiancheng, letting him go would mean abandoning the mission.
If he wasn't, letting him roam the forest alone might alert the Spirit Beast and disrupt their search.
The best option was to keep him with them for now.
"Old Ghost is right."
Yue Guan spoke slowly, his voice carrying unquestionable authority. "Lin Fan, we're searching for a particular Ten Thousand Year Spirit Beast, and this matter is of great importance. Since you're here alone, something could easily go wrong."
He looked at Yu Tiancheng. His tone was even, but it carried the pressure unique to a Titled Douluo.
"How about this—you'll travel with us for now. Once we find our target and finish hunting it, you can go on your way. Until then, we'll ensure your safety."
It sounded like a suggestion, but it was really an order.
Both Titled Douluo had spoken. He had no room to refuse.
Refusing would be like admitting he had something to hide, and he might be seized on the spot.
Agreeing meant traveling with tigers, but at least he'd be safe for now.
More importantly, he noticed a faint gleam of triumph in Hu Liena's eyes as Yue Guan and Gui Mei spoke.
Though Yue Guan and Gui Mei seemed to be in charge, Yu Tiancheng could sense that everything had been part of Hu Liena's plan.
The whole thing had been seamless. The two Titled Douluo might not even have realized Hu Liena had guided them into making this decision.
What a schemer!
Alarm bells rang in Yu Tiancheng's mind, but he feigned hesitation. "This junior is weak. I'm afraid I'll only hold you seniors back."
"It's fine." Yue Guan waved a hand. "We're just traveling together for a while and looking out for one another. Besides, one more person means another pair of eyes to help search for the Spirit Beast, doesn't it?"
At this point, refusing would only make him look suspicious.
Yu Tiancheng had no choice but to cup his hands. "Then... I'll impose on you seniors for a while. Thank you for looking after me."
"Don't mention it." Hu Liena's smile deepened. She turned to Yue Guan and Gui Mei. "Elders, shall we continue our search?"
Yue Guan gave Yu Tiancheng a long look, then finally nodded. "Let's go. Lin Fan, stay close and don't fall behind."
The group set off again.
Yu Tiancheng followed silently at the rear, his thoughts churning.
Why had Hu Liena suddenly returned? Was it because of the aura he'd leaked while absorbing the Spirit Ring just now? Or...
He had a guess, but he didn't dare be certain.
He stole a glance at Hu Liena's swaying figure some distance ahead.
This member of the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, the future saintess, was becoming harder and harder to read.
The group traveled through the forest at a steady pace.
Yu Tiancheng walked at the rear, deliberately keeping a distance of about three paces.
This position showed respect for the strong while still giving him room to react if anything happened.
He kept his eyes lowered, seeming to focus on the ground, but his Spiritual Power was fully alert, sensing everything around him.
Up ahead, the two Titled Douluo seemed to be walking casually, yet every step followed a certain rhythm, surrounding the group in an invisible protective circle.
The Golden Chrysanthemum at Yue Guan's fingertips kept turning slowly. A pale golden light rippled across its petals—that was the continuous use of a detection Soul Skill.
Gui Mei was like a real ghost, his form alternately solid and insubstantial, as if he could merge into the shadows at any moment.
The three members of the Golden Generation walked in the middle.
Xie Yue led the way, standing as straight as a pine tree, his right hand always resting near the hilt of the Moon Blade at his waist.
His gaze was sharp as an eagle's, sweeping constantly across the woods on either side. It was the battle instinct of someone who had trained for years.
Yan walked slightly behind Hu Liena's side, his tall frame forming a barrier almost unconsciously.
He occasionally glanced at Hu Liena, his eyes full of undisguised concern. More often, though, he warily scanned their surroundings, especially the direction where Yu Tiancheng walked.
And Hu Liena...
Yu Tiancheng could sense that although she walked with the group, at least a third of her attention remained fixed on him, never quite leaving.
It wasn't a direct scrutiny, but something subtler—as if she were observing, assessing, waiting for something.
"Lin Xiaodi," Hu Liena suddenly said, her voice gentle. "I saw you come out of a tree hollow earlier. Your clothes were neat, as if you hadn't fought a hard battle. What kind of Hundred Year Spirit Beast was the injured one?"
Here it comes—the first test.
Yu Tiancheng stayed alert, but put on a suitably shaken expression. "It was a Wind Baboon. Its left forelimb had an old injury, and it couldn't move easily. I was lucky enough to trap it for a while and find an opening."
"A Wind Baboon?"
Yue Guan's voice came from up ahead, though he didn't turn around. "Those Spirit Beasts are extremely fast. Even when injured, they're no easy prey for an ordinary Soul Grandmaster. What's your Martial Soul?"
The second question was more direct.
Yu Tiancheng had been prepared. "My Martial Soul is a Silver Scale Python, a mutated snake-type Martial Soul. It specializes in stealth and surprise attacks."
As he spoke, he deliberately gathered Soul Power in his palm, mimicking the chilly aura characteristic of a snake-type Martial Soul. It was a small trick he'd learned from his family's records, one that could briefly disguise a Martial Soul's nature.
"Silver Scale Python..." Yue Guan mused for a moment. "That's rare. Release it and let us have a look."
Yu Tiancheng's heart tightened.
Mimicking its aura was easy, but if he truly released his Martial Soul's apparition, the existence of the Time Dragon Emperor would inevitably be exposed.
His Stealth Technique could conceal his Spirit Rings and Soul Power, but it couldn't hide his Martial Soul!
Before you continue