Deep in the Star Dou Great Forest, the shadows of the trees raced backward.
Bai Jin seemed to move slowly, yet with every step, the distance ahead of him quietly shrank. Tang San kept pace using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, while his Blue Silver Domain spread across the ground. Countless blades of grass fed everything they touched into his mind.
The farther northeast they went, the more broken Blue Silver Grass they found.
Some had been shattered by Soul Power; some were stained with blood. The traces were faint, with only a drop appearing every few dozen yards. Someone had clearly changed direction on purpose, trying to draw the pursuers away from the forest's heart.
Tang San's expression darkened.
"It's Xiao Wu's blood."
"I smelled it."
"You can smell blood?"
"No." Bai Jin pointed ahead. "But it's on their blades."
More than thirty Spirit Hall Soul Masters swept out of the trees. Every one in the front rank carried a curved blade, its edge stained with red that had yet to dry. Their leader was a Six-Ring Soul Emperor whose Martial Soul was a Black-Patterned Hound. His nostrils twitched constantly.
When he saw Bai Jin, he faltered.
"Lord Bai Jin?"
"If you know me, this is easy." Bai Jin raised a hand. "Clear the way."
The Soul Emperor gripped his blade tighter. "His Holiness the Pope has ordered that no one enter the core area."
"She didn't even fight for me last night. Who do you think I'll listen to?"
The man failed to understand.
Bai Jin had no intention of explaining.
His Second Soul Ring lit up, and azure points of light suddenly spread through the forest. More than thirty curved blades flew from their owners' hands. The Signal Tubes at their waists rose with them, filling the air