One morning, ten days later.
Deep in a remote mountain forest, far from human habitation, a group of Fallen Soul Masters fled in blind panic.
Hundreds of golden energy swords hovered overhead like a forest, their tips pointed down. They quivered faintly, giving off a low hum.
Their light dyed the morning mist amber, forming a vast net that slowly drew tight.
"First Soul Skill—Death Entanglement!"
Bibi Dong cried out. She spread the fingers of her right hand, and countless fine purple threads shot from her fingertips. They darted through the forest like snakes, lashing precisely around the fleeing men's ankles, wrists, and waists.
The threads were as fine as hair, yet impossibly tough, biting deep into flesh.
The Fallen Soul Masters caught in them tumbled to the ground and struggled desperately, only to find that each movement drained away a little more of their life force.
The threads were like greedy leeches, sucking at their vitality without pause.
Their faces quickly turned ashen. Their skin lost its luster at a visible rate, like withered trees drained of moisture.
Ever since her Martial Soul Evolution, Bibi Dong's Soul Ring skills had undergone earth-shaking changes.
"Death Entanglement" was a new skill that had evolved from one of her previous Soul Skills.
"No! No!"
A burly man with a face full of jowls was caught in the threads. He fell to his knees with a thud, tears and snot streaming down his face as he kowtowed frantically.
"Give us another chance! We'll turn over a new leaf! We swear we'll never do evil again!"
The others fell to their knees as well. Some wailed, some begged for mercy, and others swore solemn oaths, their voices hoarse and tears streaming down their faces.
But the golden rain of swords was already falling from the sky!
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
Hundreds of golden energy swords plunged like meteors, whistling through the air with piercing shrieks!
"Ah—!"
Piercing screams rose and fell, echoing through the valley and startling a flock of birds into flight.
In just a few breaths, the Fallen Soul Masters who had been fleeing moments ago had lost all signs of life. They lay strewn across the ground in pools of blood.
After a long while, the golden sword light slowly faded, and the air filled with the heavy stench of blood.
"I'll go clean up the battlefield!"
Bibi Dong called out cheerfully and hurried over to the corpses of the Fallen Soul Masters.
She crouched down and searched them with practiced ease, retrieving anything valuable and tossing it into her Storage Soul Tool.
Yan Lingji remained where she was. Watching Bibi Dong's cheerful, intent back, she couldn't help smiling and shaking her head.
"Why is she always like a child?"
"She is a child," Zhao Linchuan replied gently from beside her. "Just like you."
"You're saying such mushy things again."
Yan Lingji glanced at him. Then she straightened her expression and looked toward the distant, rolling ridgelines, her voice turning more serious.
"We've been circling around here for several days. We've killed all the local bullies and bandits. Why hasn't Gu Rong shown up yet?"
"Don't rush. Fishing takes patience."
Zhao Linchuan took a flask of water from his Storage Soul Tool, unscrewed the cap, and took a sip before handing it to Yan Lingji.
He wiped his mouth and analyzed the situation unhurriedly.
"That old pile of bones is probably still trying to determine whether someone's secretly protecting us."
"If my guess is right, he'll show up within the next couple of days."
"When he does, we'll do as we agreed earlier and have Dong'er record what happens with the Image Recording Stone."
"Mm." Yan Lingji nodded and handed the flask back to him. "I'll go cook for you. Tell Dong'er to hurry over once she's finished cleaning up."
"Okay."
Yan Lingji turned and walked toward the old poplar nearby. She had stacked a few stones into a simple stove. Taking a clay pot out of her Soul Tool, she lit the fire and began cooking.
About half an hour later, the air was fragrant with food and wine.
Yan Lingji ladled two bowls of soup from the pot and carried them over carefully. She handed one to Zhao Linchuan and the other to Bibi Dong, who had just finished cleaning up and was walking over, rubbing her hands together.
"Careful, it's hot," she warned.
The soup smelled delicious enough to make anyone's mouth water.
But before the three of them could start eating, a figure suddenly appeared in their line of sight.
He walked unhurriedly along the narrow path through the woods, his steps relaxed, as if he were strolling through his own garden rather than a remote mountain forest.
He wore a gorgeous black robe made of fine fabric and cut with exquisite craftsmanship. Dark silver patterns were embroidered around the cuffs and collar; it was clearly worth a fortune.
"Dear young friends."
He stopped beside the stove and inclined his head slightly. His manner was courteous, but his tone carried a casual air of superiority.
"Your humble servant happened to pass this way and has grown a little hungry."
"Might I trouble you for some food and drink?"
"Of course."
Zhao Linchuan looked up, a warm smile on his face. His tone was neither servile nor overbearing.
"The bowls and chopsticks are over there. Help yourself."
"Then I thank you."
The man in black didn't stand on ceremony. He bent down, picked up an empty bowl from the stone table, and served himself a generous portion.
The golden broth rippled gently in the bowl, and the soft-shelled turtle and black chicken piled high above the rim. He lifted it and leaned in to smell it, but instead of looking pleased, he furrowed his brow slightly.
He sighed with a trace of haughty distaste. "In the middle of nowhere like this, I suppose it'll have to do."
"This is excellent wild soft-shelled turtle and black chicken soup."
Bibi Dong set down her bowl, her brows drawing together slightly. Her voice held a note of displeasure.
"Plenty of people couldn't get their hands on this even if they had the money."
"Heh heh."
The man in black waved a hand with a chuckle. His smile was dismissive, as though indulging a child's ignorance.
"To be honest, in my household, food like this is fit only for the servants."
"Heh." Bibi Dong tugged at the corner of her mouth in a humorless smile. "Your family must be very rich, then."
She glanced at Zhao Linchuan and gave a slight nod. It was so quick and subtle that anyone not paying close attention would have missed it.
"I'm full." She rose to her feet and brushed the dust from her skirt. "I'm going for a walk to help my food settle."
With that, she turned and left.
The man in black watched her go, shook his head, and sighed with the air of someone who had seen it all.
"See? Young people are so hot-tempered. They can't take the truth."
"Then your family must be very wealthy, Senior?"
Yan Lingji picked up the thread of the conversation, her tone touched with just the right amount of curiosity, like a young girl who had never seen much of the world asking about something new.
"May I ask your esteemed name, Senior? Where do you live?"
"Heh heh."
The man in black had been waiting for just this question. He set down his bowl, straightened his back, lifted his chin slightly, and announced:
"I am Gu Rong, titled 'Bone.' I am a Guardian Elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"Now do you believe me?"
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