"Second Brother, our Body Sect is going to rise in a big way this time!"
Yu Tao, carrying Jiang Jue on his back, was sprinting like crazy, already out of Star Luo Square, heading toward the small courtyard where they had dug an escape tunnel in advance.
"Shame though — there was still that spirit master from Shrek Academy with the eye martial soul."
Lang Ya followed closely behind Yu Tao. Don't be fooled by him being a spiritual-type soul master — when he ran, he wasn't slow at all.
You could tell at a glance that this sort of thing wasn't new to him; he was experienced and smooth.
"Bah, no big deal. This time we brought too few people, if only we had—"
Before Yu Tao could finish, a huge purple hole suddenly appeared right in front of them. An old man in a purple robe stepped out from it.
"Super Douluo!"
Yu Tao and Lang Ya glanced at each other — instantly feeling that this was bad news.
Whoever this was, he was definitely no friend. Their Body Sect might be powerful, but its reputation across the continent was basically terrible.
They stayed holed up in their sect, with almost no real external alliances, and when they did have connections, they were mostly hostile.
Just as Lang Ya and Yu Tao braced themselves for a fight, the purple-robed old man suddenly spoke.
"You two are too slow. Let this old man give you a lift."
The moment the words left his mouth, Lang Ya and Yu Tao felt strong spatial energy surging under their feet. A heartbeat later, two purple holes opened up — and they both fell straight in.
"Spatial power really is convenient."
The man stroked his beard, smiling as he spoke. He was none other than the Fragment-Star Douluo who had vanished just moments ago.
Watching the two disappear, Fragment-Star Douluo waved a hand — and vanished himself, as though nothing at all had happened here.
"Hey, Second Brother — that didn't feel like an enemy."
A moment later, in a remote courtyard, Lang Ya and Yu Tao's figures reappeared.
On Yu Tao's back, Jiang Jue silently sensed everything around them and thought to himself:
"Didn't think the Star Luo Empire would wade into these muddy waters too. But as it stands now, everything's moving in my favor."
Lang Ya and Yu Tao had spent their lives in the Body Sect, so it was normal that they didn't recognize the Star Luo Empire's worshipped Fragment-Star Douluo.
But before coming, Jiang Jue had already reviewed Star Luo Empire's top-level combatants thoroughly, so of course he knew who this was.
"Doesn't matter. The courtyard's right ahead. Maybe that senior just now is an old friend of our Sect Master."
Lang Ya, with his big brain, couldn't figure it out either. So he decided not to think about it — and kept running with Yu Tao.
But as they neared the target courtyard, Lang Ya suddenly noticed that in front of the gate stood a burly old man.
Judging by the aura he exuded — he was a Titled Douluo.
"Doesn't look friendly. Didn't think someone would discover such a hidden tunnel entrance."
"Yeah — and wearing a black hood just like ours. Could they be another crew trying to snatch people?"
Lang Ya and Yu Tao exchanged another glance, readying themselves for another fight.
This time, since they were blocking the gate itself, it almost certainly meant they were enemies.
But in Jiang Jue's perception, that burly old man was actually the Mighty Strength Douluo, Cheng Gang — only now he was wearing a black hood like Lang Ya and Yu Tao, hiding his face.
"What the hell is the Star Luo Empire playing at?"
For a moment, Jiang Jue couldn't make sense of Star Luo Empire's mysterious moves.
At this moment, Cheng Gang spotted the three of them, his eyes lighting up. He quickly strode over.
"Quick, quick, I've already opened the tunnel entrance for you — move!"
Cheng Gang spoke as he walked, looking even more anxious than Lang Ya and Yu Tao.
"???"
Lang Ya and Yu Tao froze, completely dumbfounded.
"Second Brother — is this one also one of the Sect Master's old friends?"
"How would I know…"
Lang Ya was no clearer than Yu Tao. Everything happening now was overturning his worldview.
Since when did their Body Sect have so many friendly contacts outside?
At this point, Cheng Gang had already reached them, leading them into the courtyard like it was his own home.
"Hurry — jump down."
Cheng Gang pointed at a hole in the ground and spoke.
Meanwhile, at close range, Jiang Jue probed Cheng Gang's flicker of soul-fire — and finally understood what was going on.
This had all been arranged by Xu Jiawei. As of yesterday, he had secretly instructed several of the Star Luo Empire's Titled Douluo to assist the Body Sect in abducting Jiang Jue. Cheng Gang was the one assigned to guard the tunnel entrance.
"That Xu Jiawei really is a genius…"
Jiang Jue couldn't help but sigh to himself.
Didn't think Xu Jiawei would be this helpful — every step making things easier. Without him, Jiang Jue would have had to expend much more effort.
But at this moment, Lang Ya and Yu Tao, looking at the tunnel they themselves had dug, couldn't help feeling that it all seemed unreal.
"How can it be going this smoothly?"
"I dunno…"
"Second Brother, do we jump or not?"
"…"
They exchanged a look. Lang Ya thought about it, his big head weighing it over for a moment, and then made a decision.
"Jump!"
Clearly, people were helping them every step of the way. They didn't know who was behind it, but for now, it was to their advantage.
"This brother, thank you kindly. If you ever visit our sect, we'll see to it you're treated with the best wine and finest meat."
Lang Ya cupped his fists and bowed to Cheng Gang.
"No need — just go, quick."
Cheng Gang urged them on.
"Let's move!"
Lang Ya expanded his spiritual power and jumped in first. If there was danger, he'd sense it early. Yu Tao, carrying Jiang Jue, followed right after.
"Cheng Gang, do not forget your task."
At this moment, a cool, oppressive voice sounded in Cheng Gang's mind. He watched the two disappear down the tunnel and nodded slightly.
"I will never forget the young master's task: to infiltrate the Star Luo Empire as much as possible, and wait for the young master's return.""From this day on, my codename shall be — Pangolin!""Everything is for the young master!"
Before this, Jiang Jue had told Cheng Gang that he could not remain in Star Luo City for long, and that the soul-fire could only relay messages within a limited range.
Therefore Jiang Jue had instructed Cheng Gang to contact Zhang Peng in the future. If anything came up, Zhang Peng would be informed.
Now, Cheng Gang was fully loyal to Jiang Jue.
Looking at the dark tunnel ahead, Jiang Jue couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
"The Body Sect really are masters at digging tunnels. In another timeline, they even dug straight into Mingde Hall's underground base. Now they've dug another one here."
And the only reason Yu Tao could dig such a stable tunnel was simple:
Just pure skill from long practice!
"Second Brother, I still feel something's off about this, we—"
"No worries. Whatever happens, our Sect Master will shoulder it all. We just need to get out of Star Luo City and meet up with the Sect Master."
"Alright!"
Yu Tao responded firmly. The three of them sped quickly through the tunnel.
Meanwhile, in Star Luo City, the restaurant where Mu En was seated had fallen silent.
Watching Xuanzi descend from the sky, Mu En forced down his rage and said:
"Xuanzi — can you tell me what happened?"