Yan Shaozhe dared not delay. After entrusting the group to Xue Di's care, he immediately set off back toward Shrek Academy.
The rest of them stood atop the mountain peak, watching his figure vanish into the distance.
Wang Dong'er was the first to speak.
"So… where do we go next?"
Jiang Shengyu crouched down, scooped up a handful of soil, and tossed it lightly into the air. Watching the dust drift on the wind, he pointed in that direction.
"Let's go that way."
The dust blew east—toward the direction of Heaven Dou City. So, following its lead, they traveled eastward as well. To the east of Heaven Dou lay the Dou Ling Empire. The group found a small town near the border between the Heavenly Soul Empire and the Dou Ling Empire, where they decided to rest for a while.
Yet the moment they entered the town, the townspeople's eyes filled with wariness and distance.
Xiao Hongchen muttered under his breath,
"What's with those looks? Do we have dirt on our faces or something?"
"Probably something happened around here," Jiang Shengyu guessed.
Ling Luochen thought for a moment, then offered,
"Maybe it's because we're near the Dou Ling Empire's border. The Heavenly Soul Empire and Dou Ling Empire were rivals for centuries. Even though relations have eased recently—mostly due to the threat from the Sun–Moon Empire—people still don't trust each other."
In the past, when the Heaven Dou Empire's royal line weakened and Spirit Masters of the Swan Spirit grew rare, even the Tang Sect's support couldn't hold up the empire's vast rule.
A noble faction gradually rose to power, seizing control of the court and plotting to usurp the throne. Though the royal family was frail, they didn't go down without resistance—civil war broke out across the empire.
After the conflict, the old Heaven Dou royal bloodline, along with their loyalists, retreated to the northeast and founded the Dou Ling Empire.
The noble faction declared their own rule in Heaven Dou City, establishing the Heavenly Soul Empire.
Thus, the Dou Ling Empire could be said to be the true successor of the original Heaven Dou royal line—their hereditary martial spirit remained the Swan. The Heavenly Soul Empire's royal spirit, on the other hand, was the ice-attribute Snow Lotus.
For that reason, the two empires had been bitter enemies for generations.
Even though their governments now publicly united against the Sun–Moon Empire, old hatreds among common folk were far from gone.
But when Jiang Shengyu and the others tried to check into the only inn in town, they were flatly refused. The innkeeper claimed they weren't taking in any outsiders—neither from the Heavenly Soul Empire nor the Dou Ling Empire.
That only made everyone more puzzled.
"So, this has nothing to do with imperial politics,"
Jiang Shengyu said, frowning alongside Jiang Qingtong as they watched the nervous clerk.
Wang Dong'er stepped forward and said firmly,
"We're Spirit Masters."
The clerk froze, eyes widening in shock and alarm. He waved his hands frantically.
"Please, sirs and madams! Forgive me! But… truly, it's not convenient right now!"
Ordinary folk across the three kingdoms of the continent had a deep-rooted fear and awe toward Spirit Masters. Wang Dong'er had thought revealing her identity would make the innkeeper comply immediately.
To her surprise, despite his obvious fear, he still refused them.
The group exchanged confused glances.
Ling Luochen narrowed her eyes at the clerk.
"What are you hiding?"
The man shook his head vigorously, his face filled with unease.
"N–Nothing! I swear, I'm not hiding anything!"
Just then, a young man and woman descended from the inn's second floor.
The clerk's eyes lit up as though seeing salvation, and he rushed over.
"Honored guests! These people are Spirit Masters—they wish to stay here!"
At his words, the young man and woman turned to regard Jiang Shengyu's group.
Their own soul power was obvious but not particularly high—around the third or fourth ring.
The young woman asked cautiously,
"Where are you all from?"
Wang Dong'er crossed her arms, frowning.
"So it was you who banned everyone from staying here? How domineering."
At that, the young man stepped forward, face stern.
"Watch your tongue! We are disciples of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!"
The moment he said it, Jiang Shengyu's group exchanged amused looks.
Wang Dong'er lifted her chin, a teasing smile playing on her lips.
"Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, huh? So what? I'm from the Clear Sky Sect."
The young man frowned sharply.
"How dare you! Do you think you can impersonate someone from the Clear Sky Sect? Careful—we might just report you to them and have you punished!"
Wang Dong'er said nothing.
Instead, she spread out her hand—and the Haotian Hammer appeared.
As her fingers closed around it, an overwhelming pressure flooded the room.
The two young disciples immediately stiffened, and even the innkeeper went pale with terror—he had never imagined she was actually from the Clear Sky Sect!
The young woman stared in disbelief.
"You really are from the Clear Sky Sect?!"
Ling Luochen stepped forward, producing an insignia from her robes.
"We are students of Shrek Academy's inner court."
The moment their identities were revealed, the young woman's face lit up with joy. She hurried down the stairs, grasping Wang Dong'er's hand excitedly.
"That's wonderful! To think we'd meet you here—it must be the blessing of our ancestors!"
Wang Dong'er, startled, pulled her hand free and looked at her in confusion.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Ahem…" The young woman cleared her throat and introduced herself.
"My name is Ning Luosheng, of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. This is my guard, Yu Nian."
Once introductions were made, Jiang Qingtong asked,
"What's really going on here? Why won't anyone let travelers stay?"
"Please, sit down," Ning Luosheng (OC) said warmly, motioning for them to join her. Her sudden friendliness made them even more curious.
Once everyone was seated, Ning Luosheng finally explained the situation.
It turned out that not long ago, a Dark Spirit Master had taken control of the area. Using his power, he abducted many villagers. Ning Luosheng and Yu Nian's (OC) arrival had disrupted his plans, forcing him to flee—but before leaving, he swore he would return with reinforcements.
That was why the entire town was now living in fear.
Ning Luosheng went on,
"We've already sent word back to our sect, but the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is more than half a month's journey from here. The messenger's only been gone three days—it'll take at least a month before any reinforcements can arrive."
Yu Nian added grimly,
"We even tried requesting help from the border troops of both empires, but they all refused—claiming border defense duties as an excuse."
His face darkened with frustration as he spoke.
Jiang Shengyu nodded slowly.
"Understandable. No one wants to deal with an evil soul master."
He looked between Ning Luosheng and Yu Nian and remarked,
"Still, it's quite brave of you two to stay behind."
Ning Luosheng sighed, but her voice was firm.
"If we leave too, what will happen to the people of this village? As disciples of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, we do not run from our duty."
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