"Shhk."
A creature that stood upright and walked like a human, yet had a wolf's face, leered at the small village in the distance, strings of drool dripping from the corners of its mouth.
"Ahhh! Wolves—Wolf Bandits! Run, Wolf Bandits!"
A piercing scream shattered the quiet night in the small village.
A large pack of Wolf Bandits roared as they stormed into the village, leaping into houses. The smell of blood in the air grew stronger and stronger.
"D-don't panic." A middle-aged man who seemed to be the village chief clutched a pitchfork, forcing himself to remain calm as he reassured and directed the villagers.
"Lote, take the women and protect the children first..."
In the darkness of night, the villagers listened tensely as the chief gave his instructions, then suddenly realized he had fallen silent.
"C-Chief?"
A villager tremblingly struck a fire starter and held it up in front of the chief.
The air suddenly fell into a tense silence.
The chief, who had been giving orders just moments ago, now stared wide-eyed in shock. Though the light had left his eyes, a hint of disbelief remained.
A sharp claw covered in coarse fur had pierced through the chief's chest.
A somewhat undersized Wolf Bandit crouched behind the chief's corpse.
When it saw the firelight, a trace of amusement crossed its face. It poked its head out and eyed the many "meals" before it, a greedy gleam flashing in its eyes. Then it pulled out its claw and pounced.
"Ahhh~"
Screams rang out without end.
Corpses littered the ground, all of them human. The only Wolf Bandit among them was a weakling.
A young man leaned against a wall, a terrible gash torn across his abdomen. His internal organs had visibly been cut in half. The wound had already turned black, and only a little blood seeped from it. His body had begun to grow cold—a sign of severe blood loss.
"Why? Why?" the young man murmured weakly. "It was only... only one Wolf Bandit. E-everyone's dead."
His wound throbbed, but he could no longer feel the slightest pain.
"God, please, I don't want to die. Save me."
The light in his eyes gradually dimmed. Clearly, his god had not protected him.
"Tap, tap, tap."
Slow footsteps sounded. A figure carrying a green-glowing lantern walked among the corpses in the darkness.
"Souls... the scent of souls."
A hoarse voice rang out. The lantern in the figure's hand flickered faintly, and countless green specks rose from the corpses, all sucked into the lantern.
The figure did not pause, heading straight for the center of the village.
"Ghh."
The Wolf Bandit Chief, who had been crouched over a corpse, gorging itself, seemed to sense something. It raised its head and warily stared into the darkness. Its animal instincts alerted it to a dangerous presence lurking there.
"Step, step, step."
Footsteps sounded, and the figure appeared. It gazed at the wary Wolf Bandit. No one could tell what expression lay beneath its hood.
"Mm. A beastlike body provides a sturdy framework for the soul, while humanlike intelligence yields high-quality Soul Essence. A nourishing delicacy."
The hoarse voice was full of delight.
The figure looked at the Wolf Bandit as it slowly rose, baring its teeth and brimming with aggression, and grinned. Of course, no one could see the smile.
"Heh. Resisting? A defiant soul is worth more. So hand over your soul."
"Roar!"
A ruthless glint flashed in the Wolf Bandit's eyes. With a howl, it charged at the figure first.
The lantern glowed a brighter green, flickering faster and faster.
Five Soul Rings of different colors appeared behind the figure. Their configuration was astonishingly beyond even the perfect ratio: one yellow, two purple, and two black.
The Yellow Soul Ring flashed with brilliant light. Green radiance surged from the lantern in the figure's hand, enveloping the sickle-shaped Hook at the end of the rope in its right hand.
Watching the Wolf Bandit Chief rush toward it through the air, the figure raised its hand and swung. The strengthened Hook slammed into the chief's chest from below, sending it flying.
A mistlike green light spilled from the Wolf Bandit Chief's body as it fell nearby, most of it coming from its head.
The Wolf Bandit Chief staggered, trying to get up, but kept falling. It shook its head and looked at the figure again, fear now visible in its eyes.
The figure shook its head, its words full of disdain. "It's still just a beast, after all."
With a powerful flick of its arm, the Hook shot out, tightly wrapping around and catching the Wolf Bandit Chief's body. The second purple Soul Ring behind the figure blazed brightly. A wave of energy raced along the rope to the Hook in an instant. The Hook quivered, turned semi-corporeal, and passed through the Wolf Bandit Chief's waist. When it flew back, an emerald-green soul had appeared on it—the Wolf Bandit Chief's soul.
The figure watched the Hook fly back and caught the soul in its hand. The Hook seemed almost alive as it released its hold and retracted to the figure's waist, disappearing beneath its robe.
The figure raised the soul in its hand to its face and took a deep breath, as if savoring something.
A moment later, the figure tightened its right hand and gave a gentle squeeze. The Wolf Bandit Chief's soul burst apart, scattering into a cloud of green mist that the lantern drew inside.
The figure closed its eyes, savoring something. After a long while, it opened them again, now filled with madness.
"Still not enough. I need... more..."
Its eyes were no longer eyeballs, but blazing green flames.
The first black Soul Ring behind the figure lit up, strangely drawing in the light around it like a black hole.
"It is no mere coincidence that our paths intersect, $n. You were meant..."
A strange, indescribable Whisper appeared deep in the minds of all the Wolf Bandits present. Every one of them grew weak and lost their reason.
"Ghh, ghh~"
The Wolf Bandits collapsed to the ground, gasping with difficulty.
"Heh."
The figure chuckled, its voice hoarse.
The Thousand-Year Soul Ring behind it lit up once more—Soul Shock.
Every Wolf Bandit present shuddered as their souls emerged from their bodies and flew uncontrollably toward the Soul-Guiding Lantern in the figure's hand.
The figure watched silently as every soul was drawn into the lantern one after another, then smiled with satisfaction. Its voice remained hoarse.
"A bountiful harvest..."
Without hesitation, it turned and disappeared into the darkness once more.
Another village had become a dead zone.
Spirit Hall was the number one power on the Douluo Continent—at least for now.
"Who's there?"
The guards at the side gate of Spirit Hall warily watched the shadows in the forest before them.
"Step, step, step."
A figure hidden beneath a Dark Green Robe slowly emerged.
Seeing the figure, the guards visibly relaxed.
"Lord Hals."
The two guards bowed respectfully, but Hals gave no response and walked straight into the palace.
"Lord Hals, His Holiness the Pope ordered you to see him when you returned."
Hals paused briefly, nodded, and continued on his way.
"Lord Hals is still as intimidating as ever," one guard said to his companion, shivering.
"That's true, but Lord Hals is already a Soul King at such a young age."
Hals walked at an unhurried pace. Only after a long while did he reach the Pope Palace. Without hesitation, he pushed open the doors and entered.
"You're here, Hals."
A grim-faced man sat on the throne. He was Qian Xunji, the current Pope of Spirit Hall.
Hals bowed slightly, still holding his lantern. He did not look Qian Xunji in the eye.
"Yes, Your Holiness."
"You've done well, Hals." Qian Xunji made no effort to hide his satisfaction. "I've seen everything you've done. Your loyalty to Spirit Hall, your loyalty to me—this is good."
"Hals, remember: although you're powerful, I can't make you the Holy Son. But don't worry. In the future, I'll entrust the Shadow Army to you. You must assist the Holy Maiden well. She will be the next Pope."
Hals bent lower.
"Yes, Your Holiness."
"Hahaha, Hals, don't always be so taciturn. Your next assignment is to help the Holy Maiden without question whenever she needs it. Understood?" Qian Xunji was in high spirits.
"Understood, Your Holiness."
"Good. You may leave. Go and take orders from the Holy Maiden."
Hals bowed, then turned and left.
Hals's residence was a small house beside Holy Maiden Bibi Dong's. Though it was called a small house, it looked more like an underground prison.
Hals did not return to his own room first. Instead, he knocked on Bibi Dong's door.
"You're back, Hals." The door did not open, but a pleasant female voice came from within.
"Yes, my master," Hals replied in his usual hoarse voice. He sounded much more respectful than he had with Qian Xunji, and bowed deeply.
"What did he tell you?"
"He ordered me to obey you, my master."
"Mm." The woman's voice sounded, then fell silent.
"Go, Hals. If I need anything, I'll call for you."
"As you command, my master," Hals replied. "I've brought back what you asked me to find. Would you like me to leave it by the door now?"
"Mm."
Hals took the item out of the lantern and placed it on the ground. After bowing once more, he turned and entered the dungeon next door.
Before you continue