Determining the Target

Spirit Hall, Douluo Hall.

This was an exceptionally solemn place. Not only was it spacious, but it was also magnificent, with carved beams and painted rafters, glittering in gold and jade. The four corners of the hall swept high into the air, as graceful as four swallows spreading their wings to take flight.

At the very front stood an enormous angel statue, carved with such nobility and sanctity that one could not help but feel the urge to worship it.

And the most devout believer standing beneath the angel statue was the current Grand Priest of Spirit Hall, the level 99 Ultimate Douluo known as invincible in the skies—Qian Daoliu.

At that moment, two items lay before Qian Daoliu: a letter from his granddaughter and a dossier on Dongfang Yu.

"Big Brother, what do you intend to do?"

A voice came from behind him. There was no need to turn around to know that it was the Second Priest, Golden Crocodile Douluo, a level 98 Super Douluo and the second-in-command of Douluo Hall.

Qian Daoliu looked through Dongfang Yu's dossier. Everything was recorded in meticulous detail, from when Yue Guan had brought him back to when Bibi Dong had taken him as her disciple.

"This child... Bibi Dong seems quite confident in him," Qian Daoliu murmured to himself.

Golden Crocodile Douluo frowned. "Dongfang Yu's talent is no less than Little Xue's. If we let him live, he'll become a threat sooner or later. Why don't we..." As he spoke, he made a slicing gesture across his throat. His meaning was obvious.

"No. This child's martial soul also belongs to the Angel lineage. He cannot be killed." Qian Daoliu rejected the idea.

Golden Crocodile Douluo looked unwilling to accept that. "Big Brother, are we really going to let him grow up and oppose us?"

Qian Daoliu smiled meaningfully, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes. "Does Bibi Dong have that ability? Heh heh... Let her raise this child for us."

"Bibi Dong will understand in the end that no scheme can compare to possessing overwhelming strength."

Seeing that Qian Daoliu had put it that way, Golden Crocodile Douluo could not suggest anything further. Qian Daoliu had that kind of strength. As long as he remained, Bibi Dong would ultimately be nothing more than a puppet.

Finally, Qian Daoliu glanced once more at Qian Renxue's letter. Its contents were precisely her inquiries about Dongfang Yu, as well as... his martial soul.

"Senior Sister, do I have flowers on my face?"

Dongfang Yu and Hu Liena had already left Spirit City and were now sitting in a carriage. Hu Liena had been staring at him the entire time.

Hu Liena continued looking at him without blinking. "Junior Brother, aren't you happy that a beautiful woman like me is looking at you?"

Dongfang Yu's mouth twitched. Who does this little girl think she's talking to? She actually dares to tease me?

"That isn't what I meant," Dongfang Yu said with a curl of his lips.

Hu Liena let out a soft laugh. "I was just thinking, with how handsome you are, which girl will be lucky enough to have you?"

Dongfang Yu was speechless. This body of his was only six years old, yet his senior sister was already thinking about finding him a wife? That was ridiculous.

Besides, as long as he remained under Bibi Dong's control, it would not be appropriate to look for a girlfriend. Or perhaps... it would be best to simply win Bibi Dong over. But the road ahead was long indeed.

"Senior Sister, you're joking. I have no such plans for now," Dongfang Yu said perfunctorily, unwilling to continue the topic.

"Really?" Hu Liena asked thoughtfully.

This is impossible. You only caught me once... Dongfang Yu grumbled inwardly.

"Heh... heh." Dongfang Yu could only laugh awkwardly, unsure how to answer.

"All right, get some rest first. It'll still take two or three days to get there." To Dongfang Yu's surprise, Hu Liena actually ended the conversation herself and closed her eyes to rest.

Time flew by, and three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The two got out of the carriage and were immediately received at Spirit Hall's branch in Nuoding City, where they were treated to fine food and drink as honored guests.

Neither of them was particularly used to it. This old fellow was far too enthusiastic, and his ability to flatter others was truly impressive.

"Bishop, there's no need for this," Dongfang Yu said seriously.

"Oh, I would never dare accept being called 'my lord,'" said the bishop, Xiao Enzuo. He was the resident head of Spirit Hall's Nuoding City branch, while his older brother, Xiao Wu, was the Lord of Nuoding City.

(I don't know Xiao Chenyu's father's name, so I made one up. Just treat it as though I changed it. This line does not count as part of the story.)

Dongfang Yu seemed to suddenly remember something. Smiling faintly, he asked, "Bishop Xiao, do you happen to have a nephew named Xiao Chenyu?"

Xiao Enzuo asked in surprise, "Young Master Dongfang knows Chenyu?"

"No, I don't. All right, tell us about the clues regarding the Evil Soul Masters first," Dongfang Yu said.

Hu Liena nodded slightly as well. "Yes, business comes first."

At those words, Xiao Enzuo's expression turned unpleasant. He seemed frightened, as if he had recalled something terrifying.

"Young Master Dongfang, Your Holiness the Saintess... I... I... if I tell you, you mustn't be afraid," Xiao Enzuo finally forced out.

Dongfang Yu and Hu Liena exchanged a glance, then merely smiled. "We are soul masters. We won't be afraid."

Seeing how relaxed and unconcerned they both appeared, Xiao Enzuo sighed softly. "It happened a week ago. At first, people only went missing occasionally.

Later, more and more people reported that witnesses had personally seen Evil Soul Masters committing the crimes, so I sent people to investigate. But the result... the people I sent barely survived. Out of ten, only one came back alive. I had no choice but to report it upward and request that someone be sent down to handle the matter."

"How can you be certain it was the work of Evil Soul Masters? Do you have any evidence? After all, hearsay is not proof," Dongfang Yu asked after thinking for a moment.

Xiao Enzuo wore a bitter expression as he explained, "The victims died horribly, their bodies in a dreadful state, and their blood had completely dried up. Other than Evil Soul Masters... who else would use such methods? Besides, more than one person has personally reported seeing Evil Soul Masters. It can't be wrong."

Dongfang Yu and Hu Liena both nodded slightly. Based on those signs, it was indeed possible that Evil Soul Masters were responsible.

"Let us examine the victim's corpse," Hu Liena said.

"This... all right, all right." Xiao Enzuo hesitated briefly, but ultimately agreed.

Very soon, the corpse was carried in.

When the white cloth was lifted, Dongfang Yu nearly threw up. What the hell! Anyone who didn't know better would think they were filming a zombie movie!

The corpse looked eighty percent like the zombies he had seen on television in his previous world, and Dongfang Yu's scalp immediately went numb.

Hu Liena had already crouched down to inspect the corpse. She first moved the body around, then lifted one of its eyelids for a look. Dongfang Yu clicked his tongue inwardly as he watched. Who would've thought? This little girl usually acts so gentle and refined, but when it matters, she really knows what she's doing! Even I, a grown man, can barely take it, yet she doesn't care at all.

"It can be confirmed that Evil Soul Masters did this. The method is the same as what I encountered before," Hu Liena said as she stood up a moment later.

Since Hu Liena, who had experience in this matter, said so, there was no doubt that Evil Soul Masters were behind it.

Next, they had to find a way to catch them without putting their own lives in danger.