Chapter 279: The Cunning Villain
Shi Nian, the infamous treasure giver, had struck again.
If one were to statistically analyze his head spirit bone's ownership over time, it would have changed hands thousands if not tens of thousands of times.
Of course, such statistics only existed on fiction forums.
Given recent events, Cang Hui Academy had already been warned once.
Han Li originally thought Shi Nian might escape fate this time, but… it seemed unlikely.
Han Li had no intention of directly killing for the treasure.
Shi Nian's head spirit bone was decent, but not particularly valuable to him.
At most, he might leak the information to others someday, letting them do the dirty work while he reaped political favors.
But while Han Li wasn't interested someone else was.
The black robed figure following Shi Nian?
Han Li didn't even need to guess.
It was undoubtedly Tang Hao.
Only someone like him could have detected Shi Nian's subtle energy fluctuation earlier.
Shi Nian was clearly in a foul mood.
Who wouldn't be?
His ultimate technique had been used exactly once before getting countered.
Sure, it was still effective against other teams, but it wouldn't have the same mystique.
Han Li silently mourned for him.
It was all butterfly effect.
In the original timeline, Elephant Armored Academy had been eliminated early due to Salas' meddling.
Meanwhile, Cang Hui Academy had lasted longer, but ultimately lost their minds after just one match.
In comparison, this was actually a much better outcome.
Shi Nian wasn't actively targeting anyone this time.
His attempt to harass Yu Xiaogang had been relatively mild just a nightmare suggestion.
Yet
Tang Hao had seen through him.
And now, he was being stalked.
A head spirit bone.
A rare spirit bone specializing in mental attacks.
For Tang Hao, this was an opportunity he couldn't ignore.
Even Sword Douluo or Bone Douluo might have done the same.
Not to mention
Shi Nian's reputation was terrible.
If he died, people would assume it was a revenge killing.
Cang Hui Academy had no power to avenge him anyway.
Thus, three men followed in a silent line.
Shi Nian led the way.
Tang Hao trailed behind him.
And Han Li followed Tang Hao.
Shi Nian eventually reached a tavern.
Unlike Flender, Shi Nian was wealthy.
As an honored guest at a prestigious academy, he had plenty of money and was highly familiar with Heaven Dou City's nightlife.
After several twists and turns, he arrived at an elegant private lounge.
At the entrance, he flashed an exclusive token and was respectfully invited inside.
Now, Tang Hao had a problem.
Despite being a Title Douluo, he was flat broke.
He rummaged through his pockets.
The total?
2 silver spirit coins.
30 copper spirit coins.
That was barely enough for street food let alone entry into a high end tavern.
Tang Hao stared at the building.
Even without looking at the menu, he knew he couldn't afford it.
So
He found a shadowed corner near the entrance and squatted down, waiting.
Behind him
Han Li had watched everything.
And he was barely holding back laughter.
Still
There was no way Han Li was squatting outside like a beggar.
Shi Nian had just arrived.
He would be drinking for hours.
Han Li needed somewhere comfortable to wait.
So
Using his concealment ability, he strolled casually into the tavern, unseen.
He picked an unoccupied private room, sat down, and pulled out a bottle of fruit juice from his spatial wristband.
He didn't drink alcohol.
Then, he settled in to observe.
Shi Nian, meanwhile, was thoroughly enjoying himself.
Drinking fine wine.
Watching elegant dances.
Relaxing in luxury.
He was finally de stressing.
If he could, he would have shouted:
"Keep playing the music! Keep dancing!"
Han Li, on the other hand, found the novelty wearing off quickly.
At first, he was mildly entertained.
But after thirty minutes, he was bored.
In his past life, he'd seen too much internet content real life performances just weren't exciting.
So, he left part of his mind monitoring the situation…
And started meditating.
By the time Shi Nian finally emerged, it was already night.
He had stayed long enough to drink, dine, and fully recover his mood.
Before exiting, he circulated his soul power to sober up instantly.
As a Spirit Saint with many enemies, Shi Nian was cautious.
His ability to eliminate rivals while staying alive for decades was largely due to this paranoia.
Yet
Tang Hao, after waiting for so long, was growing impatient.
As soon as Shi Nian stepped outside, Tang Hao accidentally leaked a hint of killing intent.
Shi Nian's footsteps paused briefly.
Then
He continued walking.
However
His body swayed unnaturally, like a drunken man.
He seemed unsteady, as if the alcohol had finally taken effect.
Tang Hao saw this and relaxed slightly.
Shi Nian had been inside for half a day.
Plus, this was Heaven Dou City one of the safest places in the empire.
It wasn't strange that he was tipsy.
But in reality
Shi Nian was acting.
As he staggered forward, his mind raced.
Did he offend someone recently?
He searched his memories.
Most of his old enemies were long dead.
He had been careful there shouldn't be any lingering grudges.
Yet
The killing intent just now had been real.
Someone was hunting him.
He needed to find out who.
Unbeknownst to him
In the shadows behind him, Tang Hao remained hidden.
And further back, Han Li continued tailing them both.
His lips curled into a knowing smirk.
Leaning toward Dugu Yan and the others, he whispered a few words.
Then his figure vanished.
Now
He wasn't just watching.
He was joining the game.
So, it was about the Soul Master Tournament after all.
After long consideration, Shi Nian could only think of one possibility his Seven in One Fusion Skill must have drawn unwanted attention.
With this in mind, he changed course, deliberately avoiding his academy's residence and heading toward the outskirts of the city.
Shi Nian, being a mental type Soul Master, had observed his pursuer for quite some time.
And he came to a rather amusing conclusion
The man tailing him was a complete amateur.
No mental power.
No soul power fluctuations.
Just basic concealment using crowds and good eye movement.
If not for his own vigilance, he might not have noticed at all.
This was definitely a spy from some minor faction…
Or just some fool overestimating himself.
After all
If a true powerhouse wanted him dead, they wouldn't bother following him.
Shi Nian's eyes turned cold.
Whoever it was would pay the price for daring to target him.
His killing intent surged as he quickened his pace, heading straight for the wilderness outside the city.
Behind him, Tang Hao noticed the change in speed.
Had he been discovered?
It was possible
But seeing Shi Nian's chosen route, Tang Hao sneered inwardly.
"Leaving the city? Perfect."
With tacit understanding, the two men one ahead, one behind left Heaven Dou City, entering the desolate outskirts.
And above them, silently tracking both, was Han Li.
Once outside the city, Shi Nian accelerated dramatically, darting into a small forest.
Not a single trace of drunkenness remained.
Tang Hao wasn't surprised.
From the moment Shi Nian changed course and sped up, Tang Hao had already guessed the man was pretending.
Though he wasn't sure when he'd been noticed
It didn't matter.
If Shi Nian had been an agility type Soul Master, Tang Hao might have rushed to close the distance.
But he wasn't.
So, when Shi Nian dashed into the forest, Tang Hao remained calm, maintaining his steady pursuit.
Shi Nian was prey.
And prey couldn't escape.
Inside the forest, Shi Nian disappeared into the shadows.
He fixed his gaze on the entrance
Eyes sharp, expression cruel.
Originally, he had gone out drinking because of his frustration.
Now, someone had the audacity to follow him?
His bad mood had returned.
But this was perfect.
He needed something to vent on.
Tang Hao, despite his disdain for Shi Nian, still proceeded with caution.
The world of Soul Masters was full of bizarre martial souls and unpredictable abilities.
Shi Nian's specialty in illusions made him especially troublesome.
Before stepping into the woods, Tang Hao activated his full body defenses
And swept the area with his mental power.
Immediately
He found him.
"Hiding behind that tree, are you?"
Tang Hao's lips curled into a cold smile.
At the same time, Shi Nian's thoughts mirrored his own.
"Got you, little rat!"
Their expressions synchronized, both men smirking viciously.
"Remnant Dream."
Shi Nian's voice echoed in his mind as his head faintly glowed.
With flawless timing, he activated his soul bone skill.
A lion does not hunt rabbits with half effort.
Shi Nian never underestimated his opponents.
Yes, he enjoyed watching his enemies suffer,
Yes, he loved mocking them before their deaths.
But that never meant he would hold back.
He always struck with full power.
Only after his victim was utterly helpless would he reveal himself.
Tang Hao saw the activation of Shi Nian's skill
Yet did not dodge.
Not that he could have dodged anyway.
Mental attacks weren't physical projectiles
They weren't something one could simply evade.
Tang Hao's eyes narrowed slightly.
"A mental attack? Similar to what Cang Hui Academy used..."
Yet
He remained completely unbothered.
Because
He had a skull soul bone.
A relic from Clear Sky Sect's inheritance.
Though not part of the core ancestral sequence, it was still incredibly powerful.
After all
Did people really think he survived Qian Xunji's Angelic Roar with just brute strength?
But neither Shi Nian nor Tang Hao noticed
That the moment Remnant Dream activated…
A faint, reddish mental energy silently merged into the attack.
And then
Tang Hao froze.
His mind fell into chaos.
His defenses had been breached.
His face became dazed, as he fell into the illusion.
Seeing Tang Hao's reaction, Shi Nian grinned.
"What a pity. I can't see what kind of nightmares he's experiencing."
"Oh well time to find out where he's from."
He maintained the illusion while approaching.
A trapped enemy was still vulnerable.
Shi Nian could attack freely from the outside.
But he was more interested in interrogating his target.
After all
This directly affected his future in the Soul Master Tournament.
If this was some low level spy,
Then he'd take revenge later.
Shi Nian stood before Tang Hao and ripped off the hood covering his face.
Then
The moment he saw what was underneath
He stumbled back several steps.
His face twisted in shock.
(End of Chapter)
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