Word Count: 2,906 Words
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’Slaughter City... That explains everything.’
Ling Bai fell into deep thought within his Spiritual Sea. Slaughter City was originally the inheritance ground of the Asura God. The Rakshasa God, harboring a deep grudge against the Asura God, had secretly infiltrated Slaughter City to plant a hidden sche. Tang Chen fell victim to this trap, becoming controlled by the Blood Red Nine-Headed Bat Emperor and transforming into the Slaughter King.
Later, Tang San won one hundred consecutive matches in the Slaughter Arena and traversed the Hell Road. The immortal herb Snowy Swan Kiss caused the Blood Sea to surge upward, engulfing Slaughter City. The prison that had only ever allowed eight villains to escape over countless years was destroyed overnight.
Ling Bai surmised that the blood springs erupting across the continent were likely fragnts of that Blood Sea. The Bloodsea Heart was most likely the core of Slaughter City itself, containing the divine powers of two Gods. The Death Abyss Spider Emperor, possessing the Rakshasa’s evil power and fragnts of mory from two generations of Rakshasa Gods, had naturally gone berserk upon sensing the Bloodsea Heart’s aura.
"Give... that... to... ," the Death Abyss Spider Emperor said, its eight scarlet beast eyes flashing. "I... guar... an... tee... I... won’t... inter... fere... with... you... anymore."
"Then, you’ll be a well-behaved spider from now on?" Ling Bai appeared persuaded, as if considering turning this foe into a friend.
The Death Abyss Spider Emperor closed its eyes. After a long pause, it reluctantly nodded, as if it had finally convinced itself.
"O... bey..."
"Good, then be obedient. We don’t need any evil junk around here."
"Ling Bai, you filthy son of a—! I’ll f*ing kill you! You &$#!!!"
The Death Abyss Spider Emperor was first stunned, then imdiately burst into angry curses. It pointed one of its spider legs at Ling Bai’s nose, its speech becoming surprisingly fluent in its fury.
It had initially planned to endure humiliation and bide its ti, only to realize Ling Bai was still toying with it. Noticing the Snow Empress and Electrolux watching the spectacle with amusent, the Death Abyss Spider Emperor felt a suffocating anger in its chest that it had to vent.
"Oh, lost your temper?"
Ling Bai thoroughly enjoyed the Death Abyss Spider Emperor’s impotent rage. I just won’t give it to you, and what can you possibly do about it!
The level of trust Ling Bai held for the Death Abyss Spider Emperor was exactly the sa level of trust it held for him.
In short, he didn’t believe even a single punctuation mark of the Death Abyss Spider Emperor’s guarantee.
"Ning Bai? Ning Bai?"
In the wrecked VIP lounge, Xu Jiujiu noticed Ling Bai appearing to be in a daze and called out softly.
Returning from his Spiritual Sea, Ling Bai took the Bloodsea Heart. It felt wet and slippery with a slight stickiness. Its pulsating frequency varied, sotis fast, sotis slow, until it synchronized with his own heartbeat.
"The Bloodsea Heart is indeed a divine relic. How did such a precious treasure end up in your possession?"
Ling Bai was puzzled. If he were the Star Luo Emperor, he would have secured the Bloodsea Heart behind ten massive locks in the deepest part of the Star Luo Treasury and studied its secrets day and night. Giving it to Xu Jiujiu, a re princess, didn’t seem very reasonable.
Xu Jiujiu sighed. "The Bloodsea Heart is the grand finale item of the Starlight Gala. The Star Luo imperial family is using it as bait to simultaneously target both the Illustrious Virtue Hall and the Body Sect. I’m the Star Luo Empire’s princess as well as the chief auctioneer of the Starlight Auction House. Hence, my imperial brother gave it to ahead of ti for safekeeping."
The Death Abyss Bone Dragon crawled back into the Spectral Demiplane. Ling Bai released a signal of goodwill and asked, "Targeting the Illustrious Virtue Hall and Body Sect? Tell more."
Since the Bloodsea Heart was already revealed, there was no point hiding the plan. Xu Jiujiu explained, "The imperial family has studied the Bloodsea Heart for a full ten thousand years but remains unable to decipher it. Therefore, my imperial brother is willing to sacrifice it to execute a strategic plan.
The Illustrious Virtue Hall of the Sun Moon Empire possesses wealth rivaling nations, while the Body Sect of the Heavenly Soul Empire behaves with arrogance and tyranny. Unless sothing unexpected occurs, the Bloodsea Heart will inevitably fall into the hands of the Illustrious Virtue Hall. The imperial family will then spread news and issue a bounty, hiring the Body Sect to raid the Illustrious Virtue Hall. Both factions will suffer heavy losses, creating a developnt opportunity for the Star Luo Empire."
"It’s a clever plan, but..."
It sounded strangely familiar.
Ling Bai suddenly realized. Wasn’t this just like the role of the Snow Empress embryo in his mories?
He had preemptively intercepted the Snow Empress, leaving the Star Luo imperial family without a treasure enticing enough for the Body Sect to risk attacking the Illustrious Virtue Hall. They were forced to reluctantly part with the divine power-infused Bloodsea Heart instead.
"Previously, Vajra Douluo Xiong Mo contacted the imperial family about a Class 9 Spirit Guidance Master who crafted the continent’s first sealing-type Class 9 Spirit Guidance Device. The two of them went together to the Extre North to seal a 100,000-year spirit beast, but whether they failed or changed their minds, they never ca to the Starlight Auction House again. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have needed to use the Bloodsea Heart!" Xu Jiujiu gnashed her teeth.
Well, actually, he just died.
Ling ’Culprit’ Bai smiled brightly. Robbing the robbers was such a tempting opportunity that even a saint couldn’t resist!
Bang—
A blood-red object suddenly flew back into Xu Jiujiu’s hand. The Bloodsea Heart had returned to its rightful owner.
"What are you doing?" Xu Jiujiu was dumbfounded.
"The Illustrious Virtue Hall versus the Body Sect—this grand spectacle will be extrely entertaining. Rember to notify when the imperial family issues the bounty."
From the Douluo Continent’s perspective, the Sun Moon Empire’s Illustrious Virtue Hall was an enemy. From the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan’s perspective, the Body Sect was an even greater foe. Ling Bai had no reason to prevent this dog-eat-dog drama from unfolding.
Besides, before thoroughly resolving the Death Abyss Spider Emperor issue, he didn’t want to analyze or rge with the Bloodsea Heart. Who knew if that would simply empower the Death Abyss Spider Emperor further?
"You want to participate?"
Xu Jiujiu keenly detected his implied aning. The Body Sect would be the mantis stalking the cicada—the Illustrious Virtue Hall—while the Evil Super Douluo would be the oriole waiting behind. This arrangent would likely cause both top factions to suffer devastating losses, which perfectly aligned with the Star Luo Empire’s interests. She fervently hoped Ling Bai would eliminate as many Illustrious Virtue Hall and Body Sect experts as possible.
"Let’s keep that between us." Ling Bai smiled slightly. "Co, let’s visit the Star Luo Treasury."
"Mm."
Before departing, Xu Jiujiu gazed worriedly at Star Cloud Douluo Yi Man lying amidst the rubble. Ling Bai’s voice ca at just the right mont.
"She won’t die. She’ll simply need to lie in bed for a year or so. When she regains consciousness, tell her to study the street lamps outside—they always remain clear about their own position."
"Your insults are truly sophisticated..."
Xu Jiujiu felt sowhat relieved. After all, Star Cloud Douluo had watched over her since childhood, and they shared deep emotional bonds.
The Star Luo Treasury was located beneath the imperial palace. As they headed toward the Star Luo Palace together, Ling Bai paid little attention to the Titled Douluo stationed within. The Star Luo Empire had no Rank 98 Titled Douluo among its Guardians; with the Death Abyss Bone Dragon, he could co and go as he pleased.
"Ning Bai, what’s your title?"
Just before stepping through the palace gates, Xu Jiujiu suddenly asked.
"Death Abyss."
"Then, Lord Death Abyss Douluo, I dare ask..." The princess fixed him with an intense gaze. "This Super Douluo cultivation of yours... was it built upon the flesh and blood of countless humans?"
"Quite the pointed question." Ling Bai smiled and gently tapped her forehead. "What exactly are you trying to accomplish?"
Xu Jiujiu understood this was undoubtedly a warning—that regardless of what happened, she would be the first casualty. Nevertheless, she showed no fear, her voice steady:
"Evil Spirit Masters are universally condemned. You saved and helped , so naturally I feel grateful and will repay you by keeping your secret. I won’t reveal your information to others. But this all depends on one premise—that you’re still redeemable, that your hands aren’t stained with the blood of innocent civilians.
Massacring civilians makes you a sinner of the Douluo Continent. Killing alone won’t stop the world from pursuing you. You’ll either hide like a rat for your entire life or continue killing wantonly until you eventually perish like previous generations of Evil Spirit Masters such as Blood Infant Douluo, dying at the hands of Shrek Academy and the three great empires."
As she spoke these words, Xu Jiujiu had already prepared herself for death. She gripped a golden token tightly in her hand. The Titled Douluo within the palace would swarm out as soon as she crushed it. Even if they couldn’t stop him, they had to try their best. This represented the Star Luo imperial family’s stance toward Evil Spirit Masters.
"You truly aren’t afraid of sacrifice."
Ling Bai complinted Xu Jiujiu before imdiately changing his tone: "Could you please engage your brain, dear Miss Xu Jiu’er, Princess Xu Jiujiu? In the past year, which city among the four empires has been massacred? In which region have civilians mysteriously died in large numbers? Na even one for ."
"Eh?" Xu Jiujiu was taken aback. "It seems there haven’t been any... Then how did you continuously break through major cultivation realms?"
"Haven’t you witnessed my Martial Spirit’s talent? I simply killed more spirit beasts.
Killing people risks being hunted by the continent’s powerhouses. Killing spirit beasts only requires thorough investigation beforehand and selecting small to dium-sized spirit beast gathering grounds without 100,000-year spirit beasts standing guard. It’s perfectly safe."
"So that’s how it is!"
Xu Jiujiu instantly broke into a delighted smile. She flipped her hand and tucked away the golden token. "I knew all along that you’re more righteous than them. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have extended a helping hand to in the Luminous Mystic Forest."
Her hostility disappeared without a trace the mont spirit beasts were ntioned. A different heart for those who are not of our kind. In the eyes of the vast majority of Spirit Masters on the Douluo Continent, human lives were precious while beast lives were cheap. Spirit beasts were rely livestock providing spirit rings, no different in status from the chickens raised at ho.
Even Secret thod Spirit Bones—those created purely from countless spirit beast lives—were legal. It made no difference how many spirit beasts Ling Bai slaughtered.
"A little Spirit King dares to address ’this seat’ by na?" Ling Bai said irritably. "Hurry up and say ’Lord Death Abyss Douluo, after you.’"
"I refuse! You say, ’Your Highness Princess, please open the door!’"
...
Two hours later, they departed the imperial palace together. Before parting, Xu Jiujiu suddenly rembered sothing.
"After the imperial family issues the bounty, how should I contact you?"
Ling Bai considered for a mont, then produced an interlocking yin-yang bracelet. With a flash of light, it separated into two distinct bracelets—one black, one white. He handed the black bracelet to Xu Jiujiu and explained:
"A Twin Spirit Guidance Device. Shatter it, and I’ll sense it regardless of my location."
The Twin Spirit Guidance Device was one creation of the Class 9 Spirit Guidance Master Xu Cong. Its rank wasn’t particularly high—rely a Class 3 trinket he had casually crafted. Its only attached skill was called ’One Body, Two Lives’: if one bracelet was damaged, the other would similarly be damaged. Ling Bai hadn’t paid much attention to it before, relegating it to gather dust in his Storage Spirit Guidance Device. Now, it finally had a purpose.
Xu Jiujiu’s professional instincts kicked in. Holding it against the sunlight, she began appraising: "Another Illustrious Virtue Hall product. Judging by the craftsmanship, it’s made by the sa person who created the Aura Barrier. Did you raid his ho?"
"Ask less, do more."
Xu Jiujiu slipped on the black bracelet, which accentuated the fairness of her snow-white skin. She pouted unhappily and complained, "You took the Essence of Mystic Fire from the treasury, and I can’t even ask a single question!"
The Essence of Mystic Fire was obtained by a previous emperor of the White Tiger lineage after refining a 300,000-year Great Beast, the Celestial Mystic Fla Tiger. Because the Star Crown Sect had saved the Star Luo Empire, the White Tiger lineage presented it to them before abdicating the throne.
"This is compensation I rightfully deserve. Do you think the Innate Spirit Skill ’Glorious Holy Light’ of the Luminous Wolf Emperor is so pebble tossed by a street child? To be completely honest, exchanging that supre treasure for just the Essence of Mystic Fire ans I got the raw end of the deal."
The shed skin of the 1,000,000-year spirit beast Skydream Iceworm versus the essence of the 300,000-year Celestial Mystic Fla Tiger. Not counting the Bloodsea Heart he planned to snatch back, Ling Bai felt he had lost trendously.
The Essence of Mystic Fire was specifically requested by Electrolux earlier. It would complent the Radiant Glory and nourish the future seeds of Ultimate Light and Ultimate Fire for the Seraphim Martial Spirit.
"It’s not rely a simple exchange," Xu Jiujiu held back her laughter and corrected. "There’s also the friendship of this princess and the Star Luo imperial family. We will cooperate again in the future!"
Xu Jiujiu dutifully promoted the Star Luo Empire. The imperial family’s strongest Titled Douluo was only Rank 97 and advancing in age. If Ling Bai joined, he would likely beco a pillar of the Star Luo Empire. Young, handso, and extraordinarily talented. If one overlooked the minor issue of him being an Evil Spirit Master, he was simply perfect.
A minor issue indeed, as the Star Luo imperial family possessed the ability to transform black into white:
Officially certified, our Death Abyss Douluo is a gentle soul who can’t even bear to kill a chicken. The rumors about him being an Evil Spirit Master?
Pure slander!
Anyone dare say otherwise? Watch out for imperial auditors at your door!
"Put away your abacus. Do you really think you can use as a knife?"
Xu Jiujiu imdiately realized she had overreached. She lowered her head and coughed twice to mask her embarrassnt. "A win-win situation, truly! I promise the rewards will satisfy you!"
"We shall see. Until next ti."
After turning a corner, a bone-chilling female voice suddenly resonated in Ling Bai’s mind:
"’Just kill more spirit beasts?’ What exactly did you an by that?"
"Uh... oh..."
Crap! He had forgotten about the Snow Empress in his Spiritual Sea!
"Misunderstanding! I was just talking off the cuff..." Ling Bai broke out in a cold sweat. "Spirit beast lives matter too!"
"Hmph! Co to the ice house tonight. You’d better provide with a proper explanation!"
...
At that very mont, Wang Yan sat with the Reserve Team in Shrek Academy’s exclusive eting room on the top floor of the Star Emperor Hotel.
Having traveled day and night, they had arrived half a day earlier than Ling Bai had anticipated. The three main team mbers were desperately racing against ti to heal their injuries. Ling Bai was absent, his whereabouts unknown. The eight people exchanged glances, their exhausted faces bearing solemn expressions.
"Let’s have a brief eting before everyone rests," Wang Yan said. "If anyone has questions, feel free to ask."
Bei Bei, the eldest and captain of the Reserve Team, spoke first: "Teacher Wang, tomorrow is the tournant registration deadline, and the day after that is the official start of the competition. When will the reinforcents from the Inner Courtyard arrive?"
This question concerned the entire Reserve Team most deeply. All seven mbers gazed expectantly at Wang Yan.
"I’m sorry, I don’t know..."
Under the Reserve Team’s hopeful gazes, Wang Yan could only shake his head with a bitter smile.
Hearing this, the Reserve Team mbers fell into stunned silence. Although the main team had three severely injured and three lightly injured mbers, their pressure during the journey hadn’t actually been substantial. The less ability one possessed, the less responsibility one bore. They had assud the Inner Courtyard would send other Spirit Kings to fill the positions; they, the Reserve Team, wouldn’t be held responsible.
Now the situation was developing in a troubling direction. Shrek Academy apparently had no intention of sending reinforcents.
Their formidable combination of two Spirit Emperors plus five Spirit Kings had, following the Death God Envoy incident, suddenly transford into one Spirit King, four Spirit Ancestors, two Spirit Elders, and one Spirit Grand Master. This enormous pressure now fell upon one main team mber and seven substitutes—none older than fifteen, the youngest rely twelve. The Reserve Team’s hearts filled with complicated emotions...
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