"Very likely."
Ban Shu nodded, his expression grave. "It might be a Martial Soul we've never seen before, controlling these Wolf Bandits and capturing people alive to cultivate."
"If that's the case, we absolutely can't just leave this alone."
Yue Guan had also realized how serious the situation was. If that really was what was happening, letting them go today would only lead to more victims in the future.
"Whatever the case, we need to find evidence first."
Ban Shu exhaled softly and withdrew the Painted Halberd into his body. The pill he'd taken earlier had already restored most of his Soul Power, enough to keep him moving.
"My idea is to investigate the Wolf Bandits' lair right now. If someone is controlling them, there'll definitely be some clues."
"That makes sense."
Yue Guan nodded, turned, and whispered a few words to Li Yan. Then he led a team of people toward the Wolf Bandits' den to investigate.
Seeing this, Ban Shu hurried to his feet and followed.
"Xiao Ban, are you sure you're all right?"
Yue Guan asked with concern, "Someone capable of controlling so many Wolf Bandits is definitely no ordinary person. Don't push yourself."
"I'm fine. I'm still full of energy!" Ban Shu said with a grin, waving his hand and flexing his arm.
"This... all right."
Yue Guan knew there was no talking him out of it. It would be safer to keep Ban Shu close.
"And me! Don't forget me!"
Just then, Bibi Dong rushed over and threw her arms around Ban Shu. "Xiao Ban, you actually dared to leave your big sister behind and go by yourself. I won't let you off!"
"Ow, easy, easy!"
"Nom!"
"Why are you biting me, too?! Ah!"
Watching the two of them bicker and tussle, the adults present smiled knowingly and left them alone.
Before long, the group reached the vicinity of the Wolf Bandits' lair. Peering through the light at the cave entrance, they saw a scene that chilled them to the bone.
Countless bodies lay scattered across the cave, men and women, young and old. Most looked like dried corpses, with sunken eye sockets and mouths hanging open. It was clear their life essence had been sucked dry.
"Those beasts! They deserve to be hacked to pieces to appease the spirits of these poor souls!"
Bibi Dong gritted her teeth and whispered furiously.
"Shh~"
Ban Shu gestured for her to be quiet, though anger glimmered in his own eyes. Having been born in a peaceful country in his previous life, he had never seen anything so utterly horrific.
Though Qian Xunji had told him before about the depravity of the Fallen Ones, nothing could compare to witnessing it with his own eyes.
"Don't worry. I'll personally kill the ones who murdered you."
Ban Shu silently vowed in his heart. At that moment, an unfamiliar power began to rise within him, slowly flowing into his eyes.
"From here on, follow my lead."
Yue Guan made a few hand signals. Since Ban Shu and Bibi Dong had specifically studied these skills, they could understand them, too.
"Bishop Li Yan, take your squad and surround the area. Don't let a single Fallen One escape. Xiao Ban and I will attack from the front and take them down as quickly as possible."
Li Yan immediately nodded and waved his squad into position around the entire cave, making sure not even a mosquito could fly out.
Yue Guan steadied his breathing and focused, preparing himself for battle. A moment later, he walked toward the cave entrance. Ban Shu and Bibi Dong followed.
The two of them were ready to strike, waiting only for the chance to rid the world of these evildoers.
Inside the cave, a burly man with a face full of fleshy jowls was cursing out his underlings.
"You useless idiots! If I hadn't realized the Wolf Bandit leader was dead, were you going to keep it from me?"
"Were you hoping the Spirit Hall Soul Masters wouldn't find us?"
The man was so furious that his chest heaved. He reached down and lifted a frail man from his knees like a little chick. "Tell me exactly what happened!"
"Boss, I... I..."
The scrawny man stammered for ages without managing to explain himself. He'd been enjoying himself in the cave at the time—how could he have paid attention to what those Wolf Bandits were doing?
Just then, a short, stout man wearing an apron stepped forward with an ingratiating smile. "Boss, calm down, calm down. Getting worked up isn't good for your health."
"Exactly, Boss. We don't know why those beasts died, either. They were fine just a little while ago."
A scantily clad woman swayed her snake-like waist and leaned against the burly man, cooing, "Who could've known the Wolf Bandits would be wiped out in such a short time? There were hundreds of them! Even pigs take a long time to slaughter."
The burly man glanced at her, exhaled, and gave a cold snort. "I'll let you off this time. If it happens again, you'll become my food!"
At his words, the others went pale and quickly lowered their heads, falling silent.
The burly man glanced at them. "Now, before those Spirit Hall people realize something's wrong, get out of here. Move!"
"Yes!"
They nodded and hurried after him toward the cave entrance.
"Too bad. You won't be leaving."
Yue Guan was already standing at the cave entrance, watching them coldly.
"Who's there?"
The burly man immediately eyed Yue Guan warily. "Who are you? I advise you not to meddle in other people's business."
Hearing that, Yue Guan sneered. "As it happens, I love meddling in other people's business."
Seeing that Yue Guan meant trouble, the burly man's face gradually twisted into a menacing grin. A flash of bloody light passed, and a bloodstained ring blade appeared in his hand.
"Since you refuse the toast and choose the punishment, I'll just have to oblige you!"
As he spoke, Soul Rings rose from the burly man's body: white, yellow, purple, purple, purple, black. He was actually a Soul Emperor!
"No wonder you dared to slaughter people here so brazenly. You do have some strength."
"Hmph!"
The burly man sneered. "It's too late to surrender now. None of you are getting away!"
"Surrender?"
Yue Guan looked as if he'd just heard a hilarious joke. "I, Yue Guan, have never feared anyone in my life!"
"Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum!"
Since his opponent was weaker, Yue Guan went all out. His Soul Rings were yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black—the most perfect configuration.
"A Soul Saint?!"
Only then did the burly man's expression change. He hadn't expected his opponent to be so powerful. Though shocked, he didn't hesitate. The Blood Wheel shot from his hand straight toward Ban Shu and Bibi Dong.
"Hmph!"
Yue Guan snorted and swung the Sky Chrysanthemum in his hand, knocking the Blood Wheel aside. But the burly man bolted straight out of the cave and fled without even looking back.
"You think you can get away?"
Yue Guan sneered. Li Yan was waiting outside, after all. He'd deal with the small fry in the cave first.
Before you continue