Chapter 258: The Soul Hunt Begins, Tang Chuan Returns!
Meanwhile, in the secluded garden of the Crown Prince's residence in Heaven Dou City,
Qian Renxue was calmly watering a rare orchid with an exquisite white jade watering can, her posture elegant and composed, like a true leisurely noblewoman.
Behind her, a man in black was kneeling on one knee,
reporting top secrets from the Spirit Hall in a low, rapid voice.
Suddenly, Qian Renxue's watering motion abruptly stopped, as if frozen in place.
The next second, she abruptly turned her head, her usually gentle and handsome face instantly filled with shock and disbelief, even a hint of suppressed anger.
"What? What did you say?"
"That crazy woman Bibi Dong, the Soul Hunt operation is going to attack the people of Heavenly Path Academy?!" The white jade watering can in her hand fell to the bluestone slab with a crash, shattering into pieces. Water splashed onto Qian Renxue's clothes, but she was completely unaware.
"She's gone mad! She's truly gone mad!"
A surge of indescribable anger and lingering fear welled up within Qian Renxue. The brutal ambush outside Spirit City not long ago flashed through her mind.
Tang Chuan was critically injured and on the verge of death, ultimately rescued by a mysterious soul beast.
Those scenes were etched into her heart like a nightmare.
At that time, Qian Renxue, under the identity of Xue Qinghe, had been by Ning Fengzhi's side, witnessing all of this unfold, yet she had no suitable opportunity to intervene.
Countless times she had felt the urge to expose her identity and forcefully intervene, regardless of the consequences.
But reason ultimately prevailed over impulse.
Qian Renxue knew very well that even if she had revealed her long-hidden identity and strength, with her Soul Saint level cultivation, what could she possibly change against the peak Douluo Bibi Dong? She simply couldn't save Tang Chuan from her grasp!
The helplessness and the anxiety of watching someone important perish transformed into Qian Renxue's intense resentment towards Bibi Dong. She even went to Spirit City to confront Bibi Dong, demanding to know why she had been so resolute.
And now, the Soul Hunting Operation was targeting Tianxing Academy?
This was undoubtedly extinguishing the last glimmer of hope she had managed to preserve!
At this moment, Qian Renxue's chest heaved with rage, her golden eyes flashing with a cold light. After a moment of silence, she took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turbulent emotions within her, and coldly said to the kneeling man in black:
"Continue the surveillance! Any news about the Soul Hunting Operation, especially those involving Tianxing Academy, must be reported to me immediately! No mistakes!"
"Yes, Young Master!" The man in black respectfully accepted the order, his figure disappearing into the shadows.
…
Three months passed in a flash.
A dark and windy night outside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School castle.
Two disciples on night patrol were listlessly strolling along their designated one-kilometer route around the castle.
The chill of the night and the ever-present drowsiness made their faces look tired, and their steps somewhat sluggish.
As one of the seven great sects, after the Clear Sky Sect went into seclusion for many years, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had become a de facto leader of sects besides the Spirit Hall, and was renowned for its immense wealth.
Its status in the Soul Master world was extremely high, and its foundation was deep.
Because of this, the castle where the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was located had been peaceful for far too long.
So long that these disciples on patrol didn't really think they needed to be too serious. After all, who would have the audacity to mess with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School?
"Achoo—"
The disciple on the left suddenly shivered, rubbed his arms, and said to his companion on the right, "I suddenly feel... a little cold."
This coldness didn't seem to come entirely from the night wind, but from a murderous intent.
"You have a cold?"
The patrolling disciple on the left shook his head and said, "No! We Soul Masters rarely get sick. Maybe I'm just too sensitive."
He then rubbed his stomach and said,
"Wait for me, I need to relieve myself in those bushes over there." He then jogged towards a dimly lit patch of bushes not far away.
However, just then, he caught a faint, almost imperceptible glint in the corner of his eye, like metal reflecting moonlight!
Immediately afterward, he heard a barely audible whooshing sound! His sleepiness was instantly jolted away.
However, it was too late!
The next second!
"Pfft—!"
A strangely shaped spear, crackling with golden lightning, shot out of the shadows behind him without warning, like a venomous snake emerging from its hole.
Then, with a speed imperceptible to the naked eye...
It pierced his chest precisely and cruelly!
This disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School didn't even have time to scream; he only felt a chill in his chest, an irresistible pain and coldness instantly stripping him of all strength and consciousness.
"Kill—!!"
The next second, countless black figures swarmed out from behind the surrounding dense forest, bushes, and rocks. They were like silent killing machines, their spirit rings gleaming, carrying overwhelming killing intent.
Then, like a black tide, they launched a fearless charge towards the nearby Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School castle!
Instantly, the sounds of battle shook the heavens!
The tranquil night sky was instantly torn apart by screams, roars, and the deafening roar of clashing spirit skills!
...…
The next day, at Tianxing Academy, in the principal's office.
The door was suddenly pushed open with a bang!
The next second, Ning Fengzhi, supported by Bone Douluo Gu Rong,
stumbled in, panting and unsteady!
At this moment, his face was as pale as paper, his forehead even covered with fine beads of cold sweat, his breathing was rapid, and his magnificent robes were somewhat disheveled, stained with dust and dark red stains.
This was almost unthinkable for Ning Fengzhi, who was extremely particular about his appearance.
Beside him, Bone Douluo Gu Rong looked even more disheveled, his face equally pale. His signature skeletal frame was now somewhat hunched, his right arm hanging limply at his side, clearly indicating a serious injury.
"Sect Master Ning, Bone Douluo? What happened to you? What's going on?"
Seeing this, Dugu Bo, who was in his office, frowned slightly, slowly rising from his seat, his face filled with doubt and gravity.
He had never seen Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong in such a disheveled state.
Ning Fengzhi's face was extremely grim. After a moment of silence, he said,
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School... is destroyed."
"What?! The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is destroyed?!" Upon hearing this, Dugu Bo's pupils contracted sharply, his face filled with disbelief. That was one of the most powerful sects in the world!
He knew the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's strength well; it possessed two top-tier Title Douluos, Bone and Sword, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, empowered by Sect Master Ning Fengzhi, was practically heaven-defying. The total number of disciples and affiliated Soul Masters within and outside the sect exceeded five thousand! How could such a powerful force have vanished overnight…?
Dugu Bo quickly handed over a cup of hot tea, his tone slightly heavy as he said,
"Sect Master Ning, please catch your breath. What exactly happened? Tell me slowly."
Ning Fengzhi suppressed the overwhelming anger and grief in his heart, taking several deep breaths before managing to steady his trembling voice, and said,
"Last night… the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was attacked. The enemy… seized the opportunity perfectly. It was precisely when forty percent of the sect's disciples were out on business, leaving the sect at its most vulnerable."
As he said this, a hint of lingering fear and relief flashed in his eyes.
"Fortunately, before they launched their final attack, they were spotted by patrolling disciples on the perimeter, who promptly alerted us. This gave us a brief opportunity to prepare."
"The battle... lasted for a full two hours."
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School suffered heavy losses; more than two-thirds of its disciples perished!"
Upon hearing this, Dugu Bo's expression changed again. He already had a guess in his mind and asked in a deep voice, "Is... the Spirit Hall attacking you?"
Ning Fengzhi nodded painfully and said in a deep voice, "In the entire continent, besides the Spirit Hall, who else possesses such a vast power and can launch such a precise and ruthless attack?"
"I must go to see His Majesty immediately to report this matter."
"I came here specifically to remind Dean Dugu Bo. Because I have just received definite information that your Heavenly Path Academy is also among the targets of the Spirit Hall's Soul Hunting Operation!"
"What did you say?!"
Upon hearing this, Dugu Bo's expression changed drastically for the third time, and a chill suddenly rose from the bottom of his heart.
...
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away. The Star Dou Great Forest, a place of great danger.
Tang Chuan, who was deeply cultivating, suddenly felt a brilliant golden light emanate from between his brows. Immediately afterward, a golden vertical eye mark appeared, radiating a scorching light!
At this moment, his spiritual sea churned violently, and countless images uncontrollably surfaced in his mind: Tianxing Academy engulfed in flames, familiar figures like Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling falling one after another under the onslaught of the men in black, the entire academy reduced to scorched ruins!
"Ugh—!"
A roar escaped his lips as Tang Chuan abruptly awoke from his cultivation state, his eyes snapping open, filled with shock, anger, and anxiety!
The next second, he stood up without hesitation and strode quickly towards the outside of the cave.
Seeing this, Xiao Ruier, who had been standing guard beside him, changed her expression slightly and quickly followed, asking with concern, "You... what's wrong? What happened?"
Taking a deep breath, Tang Chuan's face looked extremely pale, but he continued walking forward without stopping, his voice trembling slightly as he said in a deep voice,
"I don't know either, but I must go back to Heaven Dou City immediately!"
"Over there... something big is probably going to happen!"
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(End of Chapter)