Trap (Seeking Recommendations)

"The strength of the heretics in this stronghold is truly lackluster... No need to warn them; let them plan freely to gain some real-world combat experience."

Aaron moved stealthily through the Black Sun stronghold. Having already gauged the capabilities of the cultists within, he immediately decided to sit back and watch the show.

The next day.

Diat, Wutong Street.

A tattered, rusted sign lay on its side as a light breeze stirred up discarded old newspapers.

'Red-haired' Rem was performing his scouting mission in boredom when his eyes suddenly lit up.

He saw it: a girl of about fourteen or fifteen, clutching a bag of food, walking into a certain building.

Is this person... Lin? Although she has grown quite a bit, there is no mistaking that face.

Rem had not expected to actually stumble upon the cult's wanted fugitive, and a look of excitement involuntarily appeared on his face.

"If I can sacrifice her to the [Black Sun], perhaps my Lord will promote me directly to a 'Son of Burning', or even a 'Dark Seeker'!"

He licked his lips, unable to suppress the greed rising within him.

But soon, Rem cautioned himself: "No! This woman is sinister; she is an emissary of the moon who once caused the Blood Moon Tragedy, and many an 'Unburnt' has died by her hand... Hurry, hurry and notify Lord Mas!"

Rem pressed his body low, submerging himself into the shadows.

He did not notice that in a corner, an old spider web was currently trembling slightly.

Invisible vibrations traveled along the silk threads, extending deep into the building.

Olivia opened her eyes: "That person has left. It is clear he is quite cautious... Next, those heretics will likely swarm out in full force. I hope the trap we set is effective..."

"What a pity... I thought he would charge right in and give me some fun." Lin looked at her hands with regret.

"The fun is gone; what follows is a great battle."

Olivia's expression became firmer than ever before.

Unlike the weak, drifting girl she once was, she now possessed a faith, and this time, she was fighting for it!

"I have roughly gauged their combat strength: one Son of Burning, three to four 'Unburnt'... They will never expect that I still have you."

A faint smile appeared on Lin's face.

"Is this the place?"

Mas stared at the building before him, a cruel grin appearing on his face.

"Yes, the target entered here and hasn't come out for a long time. It should be a stronghold," the red-haired Rem said obsequiously.

"Very good. If this succeeds, I will not forget you." Mas was extremely satisfied; he even felt today was his lucky day.

Not only had he developed rapidly in the city, but he had also found an important fugitive of the cult!

"My lord, how should we execute the capture?"

An 'Unburnt' asked. He was lean and wiry, holding a revolver in his hand.

"Two men guard the back door, then we charge straight in... In the face of absolute power, that person has nowhere to hide."

Mas arranged the plan with great confidence.

Once everyone was in position, a trace of fanaticism flashed in his eyes. A ball of scorching flame appeared in his hand, and he pushed it forward.

BOOM!

The fireball expanded in mid-air, exploding against the building's entrance like a grenade.

"Move!"

The remaining three rushed into the building, led by the lean, tall man.

They sprinted through the corridor and saw a room piled with food, its door wide open.

A red dress vanished around the corner.

"Target spotted, chase!"

Mas's spirituality vibrated; he was now certain the target was indeed Lin!

The lean Unburnt ran swiftly, turned the corner, saw Lin's back, and raised his firearm.

Lin had not exposed much of her abilities in the small town, so he did not know that this girl possessed the skill to transform into blood.

After taking aim, a smile appeared on the 'Unburnt's' face, as if he could already see her back exploding and blood splattering everywhere.

Pfft!

The next instant, his expression froze. His head flew straight off, and his headless corpse collapsed to the ground.

"What's going on?"

Mas and the other cultist stopped in their tracks, suddenly noticing a transparent thread hanging in mid-air, with drops of blood sliding down it.

The other cultist swallowed hard, imagining the scene of the unlucky man, moving at high speed, having his neck collide perfectly with that thread.

"Damn it... it's the height... based on the position of these thin wires, that little girl could run right under them, but an adult would get caught right at the throat..."

Mas touched his own throat, cold sweat seeping out as well: "What a cunning little thing."

He dared not move at high speed anymore, slowing his pace as he lowered his head to bypass the trap.

Pfft!

Just then, the door beside him suddenly burst open, and a blade of blood lunged out.

Mas dodged with lightning speed as if he had eyes in the back of his head, but another cultist was struck in the chest and collapsed limply.

--Blood Blade!

Lin stepped out, pulling the door open with an expressionless face, one hand still shaped into the form of a dagger.

"After using traps to kill my men, you didn't run, but hid to ambush us instead?"

Mas narrowed his eyes: "You've grown quite a bit... Lin!"

"How is Aike?"

Lin asked in a hoarse voice.

"He's long dead. Not only dead, but his bones have been turned into an exhibit by the High Priest!"

A sinister grin appeared on Mas's face as he spat out words like the venom of a viper.

The moment Lin was distracted, he moved!

He threw a ball of pitch-black flame directly at her.

Boom!

The black flame exploded, and even though Lin had dodged, her left arm was still caught in the blaze.

Her arm instantly turned into blood, severing the attached flames before reforming into a perfect limb, though her expression turned slightly pale as she brandished her dagger and charged forward.

"Damn it!"

Mas hadn't even had time to celebrate before he noticed Lin's attack; the dagger grazed his lower abdomen by a hair's breadth, forcing him to dodge in a panic.

"Little bitch!"

He cursed, pulling a black stone from his robes, its surface crawling with flame-like patterns: "So you really have reached the second stage, but do you think I dared to pursue you because I brought a group of useless subordinates? No, it's because of this!"

As he spoke, Mas tossed the black stone into the air.

Snap!

In an instant, Lin's vision vanished.

No, it didn't vanish; it was as if all the light in the surroundings had been absorbed by that stone!

Darkness Descends!

An ability belonging to the third stage—the Dark Seeker!

And the followers of the Black Sun could maintain perfect vision within the darkness.

Boom!

From within the darkness came Lin's muffled groan, followed by several explosions.

Finally, the darkness receded.

Lin lay slumped on the ground.