Yang Long knelt on the ground. His damaged internal organs and broken ribs made it impossible for him to stand. The Dragon Pattern Spear in his hand gradually dissipated and returned to his body.
With his body severely injured, Yang Long couldn't use his Soul Power to suppress the damage.
Soul Power carried the properties of one's Martial Soul. His Martial Soul was the Dragon Pattern Spear, mutated from the Soul Breaking Spear—it had no healing properties at all.
Circulating Soul Power would only worsen his condition.
"As expected of a beast... you're just... just cruel," Yang Long gritted his teeth, glaring at Xiao Wu with vicious resentment.
"When it comes to cruelty, I can't compare to you humans," Xiao Wu replied coldly, though she still didn't deliver the final blow.
"This time, I'll spare you. I don't care how you found out my identity, but if you dare to spread it, I definitely won't hold back next time."
In truth, Xiao Wu knew that if Yang Long died, her secret would be safe. But she couldn't bring herself to kill him.
Taking a life was still too heavy for a girl like her—ten thousand years old or not (even if that wasn't truly all cultivated time).
Yang Long watched Xiao Wu's departing figure and cursed, "This is sparing me? If I don't get treatment soon, I'll die for sure. I have to find a healing-type Soul Master."
After Xiao Wu disappeared, Yang Long took out a white jade bottle from his storage soul tool, poured out a pill, and swallowed it. His complexion gradually improved.
In addition to possessing the Soul Breaking Spear Martial Soul, the Breaking Clan was also renowned for their medicine research. Naturally, they had healing pills.
Just as he managed to stand—
A blood-red short sword pierced through his chest.
Strangely, this blood-red sword was still absorbing his blood, Soul Power, and even his very soul.
"Ah... this is... an Evil Soul Master?!"
Yang Long's face filled with horror. He wanted to resist, but after being pierced, his body froze in place. He could only tremble slightly—unable to use any strength.
"Evil Soul Master?"
An elderly voice sounded from behind, revealing a face covered in deep wrinkles.
"Hehe... aren't we called the Fallen now? But Evil Soul Master isn't a bad name either. I'll accept it, hehe!"
Accompanied by eerie, chilling laughter, Yang Long's flesh withered at a speed visible to the naked eye. In moments, life drained from his body, leaving behind a look of eternal regret.
The Fallen behind him kicked the dried corpse aside and examined the blood-red short sword in his hand. It was almost as thick as a palm and about thirty centimeters long. A satisfied expression appeared on his face.
"Humans are the best tonic, especially this one—actually a Soul Master. Even more nourishing. It raised my Soul Power from level twenty-eight to thirty... Last time, I was almost discovered by the Spirit Hall. I'll take my revenge once I obtain my third Spirit Ring... No, I still need to be more careful. I'll wait until I'm stronger."
The white-haired Fallen took the storage soul tool from Yang Long's corpse and strapped it to his waist.
"As expected of a rich young master. Even had a rare treasure like a storage soul tool. But now... it's mine. Next, I'll hunt Spirit Beasts and continue letting my Martial Soul devour other people's cultivation."
Two and a half days later.
Yang Long's dried corpse was discovered by villagers from a nearby settlement.
The City Lord of Nuoding and Ma Xiunuo from the Spirit Hall immediately sent investigators. In the end, Spirit Hall confirmed it—this was the work of a Fallen.
"Fallen..."
The City Lord of Nuoding was visibly shocked. Staring at the withered corpse, he had to accept the conclusion. Just days ago, this man had come to request a weapon seal for a long spear.
Who would've thought he'd die like this?
"Judging by the wound, this was likely the criminal we've been tracking—Blood Sword Norman," Ma Xiunuo said solemnly.
"He's over sixty years old and a Great Soul Master at the twenty-eighth level. Driven by jealousy, he embarked on the path of stealing others' cultivation."
"This kind of person typically obtains some extremely dangerous item or secret technique. They can't control their greed, fall into obsession, and their thinking becomes twisted and beyond redemption."
"We also suspect that recent disappearances on the west side of the city are related to him."
"If there's anything I can do to assist," the City Lord said immediately, "please tell me. Don't stand on ceremony. I'll cooperate fully."
Fallen were extremely dangerous individuals. They drained blood, absorbed Soul Power, and—according to rumor—even devoured souls. They were warped, eerie, and evil.
In the past, the Nuoding City authorities might have contested jurisdiction with Spirit Hall.
Now, however, they backed away.
Fallen were lunatics. Their logic didn't follow normal human patterns. You couldn't reason with them using ordinary interests or benefits.
It was best to leave such people to the Spirit Hall.
"Please rest assured, City Lord. Hunting the Fallen is the Spirit Hall's responsibility. We'll definitely find a way to capture Blood Sword Norman," Ma Xiunuo promised.
After sending the City Lord back to the mansion, Ma Xiunuo immediately summoned Su Yuntao, Sisi, and other Great Soul Master-level members. They temporarily organized three teams to search the surrounding area.
Unfortunately, they found nothing.
Blood Sword Norman clearly had anti-tracking methods, allowing him to evade Spirit Hall's pursuit.
A day later, when Tang San heard the news from Su Yuntao, he was slightly surprised.
"Yang Long is dead? Killed by a Fallen?"
Su Yuntao nodded. "That's right. I was at the scene. His body had dried completely. Not a single drop of blood left... Fallen are even more detestable than greedy, cruel nobles. At least nobles are still human. Fallen? Not anymore."
"Has Yang Long's family come forward?"
"Not yet," Su Yuntao shook his head. "Soul Masters born to large families usually awaken their Martial Souls at home. When they travel, they might register at a local Spirit Hall branch—but often under false names. It's hard to trace their origins."
"If the Martial Soul has distinguishing characteristics—like those from the Upper Three Sects or Lower Four Sects—it'd be easier to identify. But his Martial Soul is the Dragon Pattern Spear. It's rare, but likely a mutation of a common long spear. There are many families on the continent with similar Martial Souls."
Tang San understood.
In short: No way to investigate.
However, he guessed that "Yang Long" might be his real name. The surname "Yang" suggested the Breaking Clan. Unfortunately, the clan had declined. For a prodigy like Yang
Long, they no longer had the resources to provide secret protection.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have died to a Fallen.
This made Tang San realize—transmigrators weren't invincible.
Just look—one had already died.
But something didn't sit right.
Blood Sword Norman was only at level twenty-eight. Yang Long was at least a Soul Master.
Even if restricted by the environment, how had he been killed so easily in a sneak attack?
Was something wrong?
Later, Xiao Wu approached Tang San and told him what had happened: how Yang Long had followed her, how she led him into the forest… and how she defeated him.
She left out the part where Yang Long had identified her as a ten-thousand-year-old Spirit Beast.
"I was wondering why it was so easy for him to get ambushed by an old Great Soul Master. Turns out you'd already seriously injured him," Tang San said, speechless.
He also realized Xiao Wu's current strength was far beyond what it had been in the original timeline. She was no longer just a plot device to trigger the protagonist's rage.
"You're not mad at me, right?" Xiao Wu blinked her big, watery eyes, trying to win his sympathy.
"No." Tang San shook his head. "Just don't tell anyone. That guy had bad intentions. But if people find out it's related to you, there could still be trouble."