Zi Dian rose from beside Gu Ci's feet, its golden pupils fixed on the northeast as a low growl rumbled from its throat.
Night Shadow emerged from the shadow of the city wall and silently followed behind Gu Ci.
Thunder Emperor opened one eye within the Soul Spirit Space, then closed it again—it had caught the scent of prey, but there was no rush.
After the time it took to burn an incense stick, the fifteen figures appeared at the edge of the battlefield.
Leading them was a brawny man in his fifties, his face covered in flesh. A long scar ran down the left side of his face, stretching from his forehead to his chin and seeming to split his face in two.
His Martial Soul was the Ironback Grey Wolf. Eight soul rings stood beneath his feet—two yellow, three purple, and two black.
He was a Soul Saint, but his soul ring configuration was a mess. Clearly, he had acquired them through improper means.
Fourteen people followed behind him, every one of them sinister-faced and greedy-eyed.
They stared at the corpses and equipment scattered across the battlefield, their eyes brimming with excitement.
A tall thin man edged closer to the leader and lowered his voice. "Boss, the Heaven Dou Empire people are still cleaning up the battlefield. If we go in now, won't it be..."
"What are you afraid of?"
The Scar-Faced Man sneered. "They're just a bunch of battered remnants. How could they possibly beat us?
"Besides, we aren't here to fight. We're here to pick up loot.
"We take what we can and leave. They won't be able to catch us."
The Tall Thin Man said nothing more, though unease still lingered in his eyes.
The Scar-Faced Man led the group stealthily into the battlefield.
They