Baskin Town
Half a day's journey from Heaven Dou City lay Baskin Town, a place famed throughout the region for its bakery products. The air here often carried the warm scent of fresh bread and pastries, a luxury made possible by its close proximity to the Balak Kingdom, known as the granary of the Heaven Dou Empire.
After leaving the scorched remains of the grove behind, Liu Erlong's steps carried her here almost without thought.
By the time she arrived, the sun had already dipped below the horizon. Heavy, dark clouds loomed over the rooftops, swelling as if to smother the town in rain.
Her rage had dimmed somewhat, the wild flames in her chest reduced to smoldering embers, but in their place was a hollow sadness that clung to her like a shadow.
Drawn by a dim light and the muffled hum of voices, Liu Erlong stepped into a nearby pub. She ordered a mug of ale, its bitter scent mingling with the tang of rain in the air. She drank in silence, hoping the alcohol would wash away the ache in her heart.
Crackle!
Thunder rolled across the sky, low and menacing. The clouds overhead grew darker, almost pressing down upon the town.
At some point, she had drifted into a drunken slumber at the table, her head resting on folded arms. The crash of another thunderclap snapped her awake. She rubbed her temples—her head heavy, her thoughts hazy, her body still warm from the alcohol.
Crackle!
The second rumble of lightning sounded closer, sharper. Liu Erlong straightened her back, drawing a deep breath to steady herself. She reached for her pouch, counting out the coins with a practiced hand before placing them on the table.
She intended to leave. Somewhere inside her, a restless energy still simmered, anger that had not yet found its end.
Liu Erlong didn't notice the two shadows watching her from across the darkened street.
It was Qian Renxue and Ghost Douluo.
Crackle!
Lightning flared across the sky, briefly painting their figures in stark light. Qian Renxue glanced upward at the thick, roiling clouds, which looked ready to unleash a downpour at any moment.
Without hurry, she reached into her storage tool and drew out a black poncho-style raincoat. She slipped it on, the hood falling low over her brow, concealing her golden hair and features completely. The loose fabric draped over her form, blending her into the shadows.
Beside her, Ghost Douluo stood motionless, his gaunt frame straight as a spear. He gave no indication of caring whether the rain fell or not, his ghostly presence made him just stood strsight.
Qian Renxue's thoughts drifted.
'Flender should be arriving soon. The only reason I could follow Liu Erlong here so quickly was because I had already placed people to track her movements. Flender, on the other hand… he'll have to ask around and stumble upon the burned grove before realizing she passed this way.'
Her eyes flicked toward a bakery sign down the street.
'And seriously… who named this town 'Baskin'? There's even a kingdom named 'Haagen Daz.' She smirked faintly at the absurdity.
'The author of Douluo Dalu must be seriously drunk when giving names. Now that the world is real who is to for this absurd naming.'
But before her idle musing could go further, an unexpected disturbance broke out.
Not far from where Liu Erlong was walking, a ragged boy darted past a shop counter, snatching a loaf of bread fresh from the oven. Steam still curled from its crust as he clutched it to his chest and bolted.
"Hey! Hey!" the shopkeeper shouted, lunging forward, his voice sharp with anger.
However, anyone watching could tell the shopkeeper's voice that showed anger was half-hearted at best.
This was how things worked in Baskin Town. Orphans with nowhere to live roamed the streets, and the townsfolk, whose businesses thrived thanks to the nearby granaries, had developed an unspoken arrangement. Now and then, shopkeepers would "accidentally" leave fresh bread or pastries on the counter, ready for a nimble hand to swipe.
Anyone with a bit of sense could see the shopkeeper wasn't angry at all; in fact, his expression was almost indulgent.
But one person nearby did not pay much attention to the shopkeeper at all.
Still reeling from a whirlwind of grief, betrayal, and simmering rage, Liu Erlong's emotions flared violently at the sight. In her eyes, this was not a harmless street game, it was theft, wrong and blatant.
"You thief! Wait!" she roared, her voice splitting the air.
Crackle!
The thunder overhead rolled in perfect harmony with her shout, making it sound like the heavens themselves echoed her fury.
The ragged boy's eyes went wide in terror as Liu Erlong surged after him, her steps like hammer blows on the cobblestones. In the same instant, she released her martial soul, scarlet flames burst to life as the Fire Dragon spirit enveloped her, heat radiating in waves.
The ragged boy used his advantage of knowing the town better, slipped away among the alleyways. Liu Erlong followed the boy closely and it looked like she will soon be able to catch the kid. Afterall a kid who is not even 6 years old compete with a Soul King in speed and stamina.
Across the street, Qian Renxue's eyes narrowed. She and Ghost Douluo moved at once, keeping to the shadows as they followed.
But even Qian Renxue hadn't expected what happened next. Liu Erlong didn't just intend to catch the boy,she was actually preparing to strike.
Qian Renxue could hardly believe it. Yes, Liu Erlong had misunderstood, seeing only a thief before her, but was there really any need to be so merciless?