Wu Zhangkong

Yun Ze stared for a long time, but could not find any noteworthy clues.

He glanced at the time; it was nearly evening, and the final rays of the setting sun shone upon the city, signaling the approach of dusk.

Yun Ze ultimately decided to go and investigate the situation tonight.

After the sun dipped below the horizon, Yun Ze walked out of the hotel without drawing attention and headed toward the Heaven Dou Cemetery.

The Heaven Dou Cemetery was considered an important location in Heaven Dou City, as it held the remains of many of the city's residents, so finding its location was not difficult.

Yun Ze walked toward the Heaven Dou Cemetery. Just as he entered the graveyard, he saw a blue figure sitting before a grave.

Yun Ze tiptoed over, not getting too close, and quietly hid behind a tombstone.

Yun Ze's angle was perfect; he could clearly see the words on the tombstone beside the blue figure.

[The Grave of Beloved Wife Long Bing]

Yun Ze watched Wu Zhangkong's movements with curiosity, leaning in to listen to the man's words.

At this moment, Wu Zhangkong seemed to have been drinking, his tone carrying a hint of intoxication as he spoke.

"Long Bing, you've only just been buried, and yet something like this has happened. Don't worry, I will keep watch over you until the person who digs up graves emerges."

Yun Ze immediately understood the man's intentions and prepared to quietly retreat.

However, at that moment, Wu Zhangkong heard the disturbance in Yun Ze's direction. A flash of purple light appeared in his eyes, and the Sky Frost Sword was drawn, thrusting directly toward Yun Ze's throat.

"Clang!"

Blood trickled from Wu Zhangkong's wrist, and the Sky Frost Sword was forced into his other hand as he stared at Yun Ze.

Yun Ze was holding the Heaven-Propping Spear, not in the standard grip, but near the spearhead, using it like a short lance.

"I'm not a grave robber. I'm here to investigate the grave robber, too."

Yun Ze put away his martial soul and said briefly, simultaneously taking off his outer coat to reveal his Shrek Academy Inner Court uniform.

"You recognize this clothing, right?"

Wu Zhangkong was stunned for a moment before putting away his martial soul and gently wiping his wrist.

"Are you a new disciple of the Inner Court?"

Yun Ze nodded, then shook his head.

"I am new, but strictly speaking, I don't count as Inner Court. My father is the Sea God Pavilion Master, Yun Ming."

Yun Ze spoke the last few words very softly. For Wu Zhangkong, revealing this name was not an issue.

But after all, one still had to guard against the possibility of a real grave robber lurking nearby and eavesdropping.

A look of surprise flashed in Wu Zhangkong's eyes, and he nodded.

"No wonder. If you are the descendant of that legendary figure, it is no surprise that you could catch me off guard for a moment while only at the three-ring level."

Yun Ze looked toward the grave of Long Bing and spoke.

"You didn't use your Battle Armor, and you've been idle for some time. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gained any advantage."

After stopping the bleeding on his wrist, Wu Zhangkong asked Yun Ze.

"Then, is my teacher doing well?"

Yun Ze shook his head.

"On the surface, Senior Zhuo Shi appears the same, but in reality, he is unhappy."

Wu Zhangkong lowered his head.

"It is I who disappointed my teacher."

Yun Ze smiled.

"You two master and disciple are truly interesting. According to Old Man Zhuo Shi's perspective, he actually feels he is the one who owes you an apology."

Wu Zhangkong's eyes widened. Yun Ze continued.

"You two are truly a fated disaster—a fated disaster within the bond of master and disciple. Two people with such similar personalities, yet once a conflict arises, neither is willing to say a soft word."

"You've taken a situation that could have been cleared up in a few sentences and forced it into a deadlock."

"It's made it impossible for outsiders to intervene and mediate."

Wu Zhangkong sighed softly.

"In my youth, I was arrogant and ignorant; now, in my later years, I can only sigh in regret."

Yun Ze smiled.

"Oh, stop it. Someone who can say words like that isn't truly 'old.' True old age is silent; it is a kind of silence born from the realization that life can no longer be undone."

"My advice is, regardless of what you think in your heart, and regardless of how you want to make it up to your teacher, before doing anything else, just have a proper talk with him and let him understand your feelings."

Wu Zhangkong looked at Yun Ze.

"I will consider it carefully."

Just then, the sound of footsteps came from the entrance of the Heaven Dou Cemetery. Wu Zhangkong and Yun Ze exchanged a glance and each hid in a thicket of wild trees.

A short, wretched-looking old man, resembling a goblin, walked inside.

The old man held a small, grey, bell-like object in his hand.

Wu Zhangkong used his soul power to condense his voice into a line, speaking to Yun Ze.

"This should be the person we are looking for. The bell in his hand seems to be his martial soul, but I don't see any soul rings."

Yun Ze communicated with Wu Zhangkong using his spiritual power.

"From my perspective, I can see five soul rings hidden beneath the hem of his robe. Strangely, neither his soul spirits nor his soul rings have any luster."

Wu Zhangkong replied.

"It must be some kind of secret technique to hide the aura of his soul rings. Let's see what this old man intends to do first."

As the old man walked into Heaven Dou Cemetery, he scanned his surroundings with a gloomy expression, then flicked the grey small bell he was holding with his finger.

"Hum, hum, hum."

A harsh, grating bell toll rang out, causing both Yun Ze and Wu Zhangkong to frown slightly.

After the bell rang, a tombstone in front of the old man began to shake violently, and a withered palm reached out from the soil.

At this moment, Yun Ze used his spiritual power to speak to Wu Zhangkong, puzzled.

"If he really is the one doing this, it makes no sense that the War God Temple hasn't been able to find him after so many nights."

Wu Zhangkong watched the other party and said.

"Let's keep watching. Don't act rashly. I have never seen a secret technique so powerful that one can't feel any soul power fluctuations even when using a soul skill."

Yun Ze also sensed that something was wrong with the old man, so he nodded, remaining still in tacit agreement with Wu Zhangkong to wait for the old man's next move.

Strangely, the old man waited quietly for the corpse to dig itself out of the grave, then it stood up shakily and walked in front of the old man.

The next moment, as if a game had refreshed, the old man and the corpse disappeared without a trace.

All traces of their aura were completely severed at that moment, causing both Wu Zhangkong and Yun Ze to be secretly startled.

Yun Ze used his spiritual power to signal Wu Zhangkong to stay put while he went forward to investigate.

Wu Zhangkong's strength was greater than his own; if this was a trap, Wu Zhangkong could act as the oriole behind the mantis once he stepped out.

With his twin guns in hand, Yun Ze tentatively poked at the grave that had been dug open, yet he found nothing at all...