The earthiness of dust, the fresh fragrance of flowers and grass, the mingled odors of human bodies, the lingering traces of food, the cold tang of metal, the bitterness of medicinal herbs, the sickly sweetness of blood... every scent, strong or faint, fresh or stale, flooded the Calamity Hound's mind in an instant!
Before long.
The Calamity Hound growled and abruptly turned, its chains clattering as it made to charge toward Liquan Ward.
That was where Zong Chuke's residence stood.
"Not there."
Li Lingyue immediately spoke up. She shook the Redfire Stone in her hand again and pointed in another general direction. "Exclude the place where we just fought and the source of the scent at that residence. Find a better-hidden 'lair'!"
The Calamity Hound seemed to understand. It stopped, its nostrils twitching rapidly once more as it resumed its search.
Three breaths later, it changed direction without hesitation.
This time, it headed for the Ghost Market in the West District.
"Follow it!"
Li Lingyue tossed the Redfire Stone to Mu Qinghong. "Aunt Mu, take a squad of elites and stay right behind it. Make sure you find the exact location, and watch out for mechanisms and traps! Signal immediately if you discover anything!"
"Yes!"
Mu Qinghong caught the Redfire Stone and sprang into motion. Leading several formidable Inner Guard experts, she guided the Calamity Hound away and vanished into the morning light.
With everything arranged, Li Lingyue relaxed slightly. Her gaze shifted to the ancient-looking original scroll of the Essential Arts of Taiping in Lu Changfeng's hands.
Lu Changfeng was studying it intently.
Unlike the handwritten copy he had obtained last time, this original contained extremely detailed information. In particular, the core of the Way of Talismanic Arts-the mental formula for drawing talismans and the circulation routes of True