As a Titled Douluo, Nightmare Douluo's heart suddenly trembled.
A faint gray glint seemed to flash in Lin Xiao's eyes, fleeting but enough to instill an inexplicable sense of fear in Nightmare Douluo.
"Did Teacher just return from headquarters?"
Lin Xiao's voice snapped Nightmare Douluo back to reality. "Indeed. The Sun Moon Empire is about to ignite a continental war, and the Leader has ordered the cult's disciples to prepare early. I've been tasked by the Leader to head to the three empires. Since you've returned at this time, I have some matters to entrust to you."
Nightmare Douluo sat down to one side, about to speak, but after glancing at Lin Xiao a few times, he abruptly changed the subject. "I see you've broken through the seventy-level bottleneck. Did you find a suitable soul ring?"
"Yes, this disciple was fortunate."
"You found it yourself? How many years, and what kind? Show me."
Lin Xiao hesitated for a moment but then activated his soul power. As a Manjusaka flower bloomed in his palm, seven soul rings—six black and one red—rose together.
The aura of a hundred-thousand-year soul ring instantly spread out. Besides Lin Xiao and Nightmare Douluo, there were two other cult disciples in the underground hall. The two felt an immense pressure, leaning against the wall as they looked at Lin Xiao, their breathing becoming labored.
Nightmare Douluo shot to his feet, his eyes fixed on the red seventh soul ring beside Lin Xiao, his expression a mix of shock and uncertainty.
It was only after a long while that his gaze slowly shifted to Lin Xiao's face, a subtle emotion flickering deep in his eyes.
"Good, very good. A hundred-thousand-year soul ring—your luck is indeed remarkable. Put it away for now," Nightmare Douluo nodded repeatedly, falling silent for a moment. His eyes kept scanning Lin Xiao, and after a long pause, he spoke again. "When did you return? Does anyone else know your whereabouts?"
"I returned not long ago. When I arrived, only these two disciples were here," Lin Xiao said, glancing at the two nearby. "No one else should know of my return."
Nightmare Douluo nodded. "Then keep it quiet for now. As I mentioned, I was about to assign someone to handle the Leader's task. Since you're back, I trust you with it the most."
"What is it, Teacher?" Lin Xiao leaned in slightly.
Nightmare Douluo glanced at the two disciples nearby. "There's a very strange valley west of Mingdu where cult disciples have mysteriously disappeared. Take them and investigate what's happening there."
West?
Lin Xiao's heart stirred as he quickly recalled that the only place west of Mingdu that could be considered strange was likely the Qiankun Love Valley. In his memory, before the Sun Moon Empire initiated its war, that place was activated by the sacrifice of a man and a woman. The cult should already know the details, so why send him to investigate?
Could it be that at this point, the Holy Spirit Cult was still unaware of the valley's peculiarities?
Though doubts lingered in his mind, Lin Xiao agreed. "Yes, Teacher."
"Good. Depart immediately. I must set out soon as well," Nightmare Douluo said, already heading out of the branch.
Lin Xiao glanced at the two disciples beside him. They seemed to still be reeling from the shock of the hundred-thousand-year soul ring, their gazes toward him tinged with avoidance.
"Let's go," Lin Xiao said without further comment, heading out through the passage. The two disciples, naturally, had no objections to Nightmare Douluo's orders and followed.
When Lin Xiao's figure reappeared, he was amidst a range of mountains. With prior suspicions in mind, his objective was clear. His flight soul tool carried him through the air, his gaze sweeping over the valleys below, searching for the lake hidden within one of them.
The two disciples trailed not far behind, occasionally glancing up at Lin Xiao before hurriedly looking away. Though the aura of a hundred-thousand-year soul ring was no match for a true hundred-thousand-year soul beast, in the confined space of the underground hall, its oppressive presence at close range still left them with lingering fear of Lin Xiao.
"Sir?"
"Hm?" Lin Xiao slowed slightly. "Have you found something?"
"N-no," the disciple who spoke quickly shook his head. "It's just that searching like this might not yield anything."
Lin Xiao's interest piqued as he glanced at the disciple. "So, you know what we're investigating?"
"No, no, Sir. I've only heard legends about this place, but I don't know specifics," the disciple replied.
"Legends? What kind?"
"Um…" The disciple thought for a moment. "I don't remember the details. It was a story my grandmother told me when I was a child, about a deity living in these mountains who punishes children who trespass in his domain."
"That's not right. I heard it was about punishing men and women unfaithful in love," the other disciple chimed in, joining the conversation.
"You've heard similar legends too?" Lin Xiao frowned, a sense of unease rising within him.
"Yes," the second disciple nodded. "Kids around Mingdu are probably familiar with this story. It's been passed down for a long time."
Passed down for a long time?
Lin Xiao began to piece things together. As a treasure site, Love Querying Valley wasn't like the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, surrounded by soul beasts or barriers like a poisonous miasma. Normally, it showed no unusual traits.
Over tens of thousands of years, soul masters or ordinary people passing through might have noticed something strange, leaving fragmented tales that became like stories.
But if such stories were so widespread, the Holy Spirit Cult should have noticed long ago. Why wait until now to send him to investigate?
Did Nightmare Douluo have another motive?
Lin Xiao carefully recalled every moment since returning and seeing Nightmare Douluo, replaying his words in his mind. Glancing at the two disciples following him, a troubling thought suddenly emerged.
Why had Nightmare Douluo asked if anyone else knew of his return? Why were the only two disciples aware of his whereabouts accompanying him on this mission? Was Nightmare Douluo truly heading to the three empires as he claimed?
As his thoughts churned, before Lin Xiao could find answers, the two Holy Spirit Cult disciples flying beside him suddenly fell behind, as if they had fainted, plummeting toward the ground without warning.
Something's wrong.
Lin Xiao's eyes sharpened. His flight soul tool veered, and he dove toward the ground. The moment he landed, he didn't look at the two disciples, now mangled from their fall, but turned his gaze to the sky.
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