Word Count: 2,747 Words
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I've run all the way to the Sun Moon Continent!
And this bastard Death Abyss Douluo still managed to catch me!
Huo Yuhao was about to lose it. The smile on his face looked worse than crying; or rather, he truly wanted to wail right now.
When the Body Sect ambushed Illustrious Virtue Hall, he hid under a lab table during the crisis and frantically dug a hole. He happened to dig into the tunnel the Body Sect had used to infiltrate Illustrious Virtue Hall and followed it straight into Underground Secret Chamber Number Two.
He had discovered an incredible secret. Just when he thought he'd struck gold, fighting sounds suddenly erupted outside. His Spiritual Detection barely poked out before the spirit power storm shredded it to pieces.
With no other choice, he could only use his Spirit Eyes' second spirit skill, 'Imitation', to turn invisible, gambling that he would not be discovered.
Obviously, he had lost that gamble.
Ling Bai raised an eyebrow slightly. "Where's the King of Kings among spirit beasts? Why not come out and say hello."
"Oh my, Lord Death Abyss, blessings upon you!"
Skydream eagerly made its appearance. Its spiritual form materialized as a baby silkworm with its upper body arched, comically bowing like a human.
"First time by chance, second time by fate. Since I've caught you two yet again, I'm sure you have some mental preparation."
Ling Bai said with a faint smile, thrusting four fingers in front of Skydream's face. "I want this many."
400,000 years of origin power!
"Awooo—"
Skydream instantly straightened up, then flopped flat on Huo Yuhao's head with a thud, as if it had suffered some irreparable trauma.
"Playing dead won't work. I don't fall for such tricks."
Ling Bai needed only the Seraphim's first four spirit rings to achieve the feat of having all 100,000-year spirit rings for both his Martial Spirits. He planned to accomplish everything in one stroke, seizing this opportunity to extort them thoroughly.
Skydream slowly crawled back up. It had initially hoped to flatter Death Abyss Douluo into lowering his demands, but seeing the man remained unmoved and clearly intended to extract a hefty sum, it sighed deeply:
"Death Abyss Douluo, let's speak frankly. Yuhao and I have fallen into your hands today, and it's only right that we pay some ransom for our lives.
I already gave you 300,000 years of origin power in the Extreme North and Star Luo City. Today's demand for 400,000 years of origin power truly exceeds our limits. You possess a spiritual-attribute Spirit Guidance Device; if I only have 300,000 years of origin power left, even my self-destruction might not threaten your life.
Human nature is greedy, and Evil Spirit Masters, in particular, are demons who cultivate by devouring living beings. Should that happen, we would both be mere meat on your chopping board. I don't believe you would be merciful enough to let us go."
The atmosphere instantly dropped to a freezing point. Only the occasional sounds of battle from above broke the silence in Secret Chamber Number Two. Skydream mustered its courage to meet the gazes of Ling Bai and the Death Abyss Bone Dragon. Huo Yuhao quietly clenched his fists as cold sweat gathered on his forehead, ran down his jaw, and dripped onto the metal floor, spattering into tiny water blooms.
"200,000 years of origin power, plus six million spirit gold coins."
Even a cornered dog will leap over a wall, let alone a 1,000,000-year spirit beast.
If reducing the sauce on high heat didn't work, then it was time to simmer slowly on low heat.
Ling Bai knew exactly when and where Huo Yuhao would appear. He wasn't worried about him slipping from his control.
"This..."
Skydream thought about negotiating the amount down to 100,000 years. The next second, the ferocious, murderous glares from both the man and the dragon terrified it. It immediately fell silent like a cicada in winter and obediently presented two golden rings.
"Death Abyss Douluo, I don't have six million spirit gold coins..." Huo Yuhao said weakly.
Back in the Star Dou Forest, he and Wang Dong had demanded their share from the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear's right palm bone according to the Spirit Master world's rule of 'finders get a share'. In total, they had received 5.4 million spirit gold coins.
Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao, showing their magnanimity, said they weren't short of this bit of money, so the entire 5.4 million went into his pocket.
His net worth suddenly inflated to over five million. Huo Yuhao transformed from a poor youth selling grilled fish at the city gates into a wealthy tycoon. Now, it seemed he was on the verge of returning to square one overnight.
"Hand over however much you have." Ling Bai was implacable.
Huo Yuhao wore a bitter expression as he rummaged through his Storage Spirit Guidance Device. He eventually pulled out gold cards worth 5.5 million spirit gold coins in total.
"Not bad."
Ling Bai counted the gold cards in his hand, an irrepressible smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
One can't help but be pleased when tribute is offered!
Everything Huo Yuhao had gained in the Star Dou Forest, he had coughed it all back up, not a single coin left!
"Can we leave now?"
Huo Yuhao and Skydream asked cautiously.
"Of course, provided you give me what's in this secret chamber."
Huo Yuhao's expression immediately changed at these words. After much deliberation, he reluctantly nodded and pulled out a pale blue gem slightly larger than his palm, resembling a heart-protecting mirror.
A Starlight Sapphire, a magical gemstone imbued with spatial power, the perfect medium for creating Storage Spirit Guidance Devices.
Ling Bai took the Starlight Sapphire and released the Spirit Guidance Device stored within.
A massive humanoid metal construct appeared. Its height reached fifteen meters. The enormous body was entirely cast from metal and engraved with thousands of core arrays.
The Humanoid Spirit Guidance Device condensed thousands of years of the Sun Moon Empire's Spirit Guidance technology. Possessing it was equivalent to having an encyclopedia of Spirit Guidance Devices published by Illustrious Virtue Hall.
If a Spirit Guidance Master could thoroughly study this Humanoid Spirit Guidance Device, their attainments in Spirit Guidance Devices could rival Illustrious Virtue Hall's top Spirit Guidance Masters.
Huo Yuhao took a deep breath and tried to calm himself as much as possible. He said casually, "Death Abyss Douluo, this is just an unfinished Spirit Guidance Device. It's not very useful to you. Perhaps you could leave it with me?"
"Unfortunately, I find it somewhat interesting."
Ling Bai snapped his fingers. A pitch-black Spectral Gate rose from the ground, and two stout spectral creatures emerged, huffing and puffing as they carried away both the Humanoid Spirit Guidance Device and the Starlight Sapphire.
Huo Yuhao's heart bled as he watched the metal figure disappear before his eyes. Spiritual Detection had its limits. The Spirit Guidance Device blueprints he could memorize were at most Class 7, while many on the Humanoid Spirit Guidance Device were Class 9 core arrays. It would definitely help Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect rapidly develop their Spirit Guidance technology.
"Goodbye, Student Yuhao. Don't let me catch you next time."
After Ling Bai and the Death Abyss Bone Dragon departed, Skydream knocked on Huo Yuhao's head and said:
"Yuhao, this Death Abyss Douluo appears and disappears like a ghost! Half the origin power I prepared for you went to him! From now on, we absolutely won't step half a foot outside Shrek Academy, even if it kills us!"
"That won't work, Brother Skydream. I still need to participate in the next Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament..."
"I... I don't want to live anymore!!!"
The Death Abyss Bone Dragon split open the heavy metal door of Underground Secret Chamber Number One with a claw. This chamber's layout was very simple, with just a metal table. A blood-red heart as exquisite and translucent as a ruby was placed on top.
Bloodsea Heart.
Ling Bai picked up the Bloodsea Heart. This supreme treasure was most likely an energy crystal from the underground blood sea of Slaughter City. It contained the divine power of both the Asura God and Rakshasa God. He could clearly sense the Death Abyss Spider Emperor Martial Spirit's craving for the Bloodsea Heart.
Having obtained the treasure, there was no rush. He stored it in the Spectral Demiplane as well and commanded the Death Abyss Bone Dragon to charge out from Illustrious Virtue Hall's underground secret chamber.
Boom—
The Death Abyss Bone Dragon charged recklessly and tore a hideous crack in the earth. Ling Bai saw the devastated underground base where the battle between Illustrious Virtue Hall and the Body Sect continued unabated.
Jing Hongchen's face was ashen as he continuously swept out overwhelming red light toward Du Busi, who had transformed into a green giant on the opposite side.
Body Sect Master Du Busi was extremely frustrated. They had rehearsed countless times for today's ambush on Illustrious Virtue Hall. Who could have imagined a variable like Death Abyss Douluo would appear? Moreover, Tiger Arm Douluo Chen Hu, who was responsible for the theft, was missing with his fate unknown. The Body Sect now found itself caught between a rock and a hard place.
The Sun Moon Imperial Academy was located in Mingdu. The strongest of the five Guardian Hands, the Sun Moon Imperial Spirit Guidance Legion, was stationed there. The palace also housed several Class 9 Spirit Guidance Master Worshippers. Based on the attack timing, they should be arriving soon.
Ling Bai considered this point and did not linger at Illustrious Virtue Hall. The Death Abyss Bone Dragon departed in grand fashion, encountering no obstacles along the way.
"We're withdrawing!"
Du Busi glared viciously at the Death Abyss Bone Dragon's retreating figure. He decided to abandon Tiger Arm Douluo. The Body Sect members retreated at top speed into the tunnel they came from, taking all their fallen comrades' corpses and leaving not a single trace behind.
"After them!"
Jing Hongchen was beside himself with rage. He transformed into a streak of light and pursued them into the tunnel first. Numerous Illustrious Virtue Hall powerhouses followed closely.
Throughout the entire incident, Ning Tian and Wu Feng remained hidden motionless under a lab table. Lin Jiaran had blocked most of the battle's aftershocks, so they hadn't suffered significant impact.
Huo Yuhao secretly returned to his own lab table. Steeling himself, he directed a Spiritual Shock into his own Spiritual Sea, then collapsed unconscious with his tongue lolling out.
The crisis was resolved. Medical teams rushed in to rescue the wounded and tend to the dead. The Shrek exchange students were arranged into rooms with better privacy due to their special status.
Men and women were housed separately. Ning Tian and Wu Feng shared a room, while Huo Yuhao occupied a single room next door.
Initial examinations found no injuries on the two young women. The doctor instructed them to rest for a while before hurriedly rushing to the next room.
Wu Feng said with relief, "That scared me to death. The Body Sect is truly bold, daring to ambush Illustrious Virtue Hall's headquarters."
Ning Tian laughed lightly. "Neither side came out ahead. Illustrious Virtue Hall lost many Spirit Guidance Masters, suffering heavy personnel and financial losses. Body Sect members were already scarce; Death Abyss Douluo killed over twenty Spirit Saints and Spirit Douluo, and even a Titled Douluo. This battle has severely damaged the Body Sect's foundation."
"Serves them right, dogs biting dogs!"
Wu Feng leaped up and excitedly waved her fists.
Creak—
Ling Bai pushed open the door and saw the energetic Wu Feng. He nodded. "Your spirits seem good, jumping around like that."
Wu Feng pouted. "Such a major incident happened in Illustrious Virtue Hall's underground base, yet you didn't even come check on us."
"I trusted in your abilities."
Ling Bai said. "Illustrious Virtue Hall has lost some items and already sealed off the Sun Moon Imperial Academy. They may search everyone in the entire academy. Let me see all your Storage Spirit Guidance Devices."
"That serious..."
Ning Tian and Wu Feng were shocked but quickly realized the severity of the problem and hurriedly handed them to Ling Bai.
Ling Bai found a deserted, quiet place and summoned the Spectral Gate. He tossed the Golden Tortoise, the Class 9 Stationary Spirit Guidance Device, and all the Illustrious Virtue Hall Spirit Guidance Devices that Ning Tian had privately purchased into the Spectral Demiplane.
After clearing everything away, he returned to the room. The three of them quietly waited together for the Sun Moon Imperial Academy's inspection.
...
An hour later, Jing Hongchen stood in the underground base and nearly ground his teeth to dust. Illustrious Virtue Hall's condition could only be described as heart-wrenching.
Never since its founding had Illustrious Virtue Hall suffered such a devastating blow. The hardware losses alone reached astronomical figures, not to mention the numerous Spirit Guidance Master casualties.
Even with Jing Hongchen's position in the Sun Moon Empire, he couldn't escape responsibility for such a major incident and would inevitably face immense pressure.
"Body Sect, I swear eternal enmity with you!"
Jing Hongchen's eyes blazed with fury. Earlier in the pursuit, Du Busi had blown up the underground tunnel halfway, rendering their chase futile.
"Hall Master."
Lin Jiayi approached Jing Hongchen, head lowered, not daring to meet his gaze.
"Speak!" Jing Hongchen roared.
Lin Jiayi stammered, "The twenty-one Class 9 Spirit Guidance Device blueprints stored in Secret Chamber Number Three are gone."
Jing Hongchen snorted coldly. "What does that amount to? The three original empires of the Douluo Continent have neither rare metals nor Class 9 Spirit Guidance Masters. I could send them two hundred Class 9 blueprints and they still wouldn't understand them. By the time they're capable of creating Class 9 Spirit Guidance Devices, the Sun Moon Empire will have long unified the continent!"
"The Hall Master speaks wisely..."
Lin Jiayi flattered him, then changed the subject. "The Bloodsea Heart from Secret Chamber Number One is also gone..."
Jing Hongchen's face contorted. After a long pause, he slowly said, "I studied the Bloodsea Heart for several years. It indeed contains power far exceeding that of Titled Douluos, but that power seems to carry an evil aura. Perhaps it's better gone, saving that young fellow Xiao Hongchen from losing his life to it in the future."
Suddenly, he realized something and urgently asked, "Chambers One and Three were robbed, what about Two? Is the experimental prototype still there?"
Lin Jiayi's voice trembled. "Hall Master, the experimental prototype is also missing..."
Jing Hongchen's vision suddenly went black at these words. His body swayed and he nearly fell.
For Illustrious Virtue Hall, the Humanoid Spirit Guidance Device in Secret Chamber Number Two was worth far more than the Bloodsea Heart and the Class 9 Spirit Guidance Device blueprints combined. It represented their highest research achievement in Spirit Guidance Devices, a matter of national security.
Taking a deep breath to suppress the surging blood in his body, Jing Hongchen asked quietly, "Who else knows about this?"
"Hall Master, please rest assured. I went to check by myself."
Jing Hongchen's expression eased slightly. Fortunately, Illustrious Virtue Hall enjoyed high autonomy. As long as this matter was not exposed, there was still hope for recovery. He instructed:
"Jiayi, relay my orders! Everyone present in the underground base must remain silent. Anyone who dares speak of today's events will be executed without mercy!
Monitor high-end auctions closely. If the experimental prototype appears, acquire it at any cost!
In Illustrious Virtue Hall's name, issue death warrants to the Mercenary Guild and Assassin Guild, placing high bounties on Body Sect members' heads!"
"Understood!"
Lin Jiayi nodded repeatedly while adding, "Hall Master, we found battle traces in the underground corridor, but only a pool of highly toxic liquid."
"What use is a pool of poison? Was it the Body Sect's doing or our own people?
Wait, I almost forgot someone. There's also Death Abyss Douluo. I recall he disappeared for a while too. He may have entered the underground secret chambers...
In a few days, I need to ask His Highness the Crown Prince clearly whether Death Abyss Douluo is one of their people!
One more thing, how are the Shrek exchange students? Were they harmed? Never mind. I'll personally go check on them..."