You provoked someone powerful,
likely with a big background. My master can't afford to keep him here any longer, the housekeeper said, cutting off the other speaker. When he'd received the news, he was stunned that a one-ring soul master could be so formidable.
No small faction could produce someone like that.The two men before him, blinded by greed, had dared to target such a person. Kidnapping him was like trying to wrangle hundreds or even thousands of ordinary people.
Does the city lord know?
the Flower Martial Soul master asked, his face paling.Nothing escapes the city lord. Get ready, the housekeeper replied sharply.Since you say so, we'll hand him over.
Those two aren't simple either—they're still the same, the Flower Martial Soul master said, his expression growing grimmer.Don't worry about that. Just lay low and don't drag the city lord into this, the housekeeper warned.We understand, sir, the other soul master said quickly.You've got some sense, at least. No wonder the city lord entrusted this to you, the housekeeper said with a nod.We messed up this time, the Flower Martial Soul master admitted.What about those two? They're the gift for Earl Luoxue, the other soul master asked, concern creeping into his voice.
We wouldn't dare neglect the city lord's orders. I'll take you to them, butler, the Flower Martial Soul master offered.No need. Rest up. I know the way, the housekeeper said, brushing them off.Ding Quan overheard their conversation, stunned by their decisiveness to flee. Their assumptions were off—he had no grand background. More shocking was the city lord's gift to the earl: two people? The corruption of the Tiandou Empire's nobles was laid bare. Only nobles could become city lords, typically requiring Soul King strength or an inherited title.
This city's lord didn't seem particularly powerful, given his lackluster subordinates, who could only throw their weight around in a place this small—barely comparable to Notting City.As the housekeeper and a soul master left, Ding Quan glanced at the injured pair and the six great soul masters nearby, still sorting their belongings.
The manor also housed several one-ring soul masters, their soul power fluctuations similar to his own. Eyeing the group, he trailed the housekeeper under the cover of night, moving toward the deepest part of the valley manor, where a small, unguarded courtyard stood.
The courtyard's simplicity surprised him. Scaling the wall, he watched the two enter a room and crept closer. Peering through the window, he saw a stone chamber within—a hidden world inside the modest structure. The outer rooms likely housed the soul masters, explaining the lack of guards.
As the housekeeper and soul master entered the stone chamber, Ding Quan approached its open door. The chamber stretched deep, too risky to enter.
The housekeeper's soul power was weaker than the Flower Martial Soul master's—Ding Quan could likely kill him with a sneak attack. But with so many soul masters around, a siege would be trouble unless he could thin their numbers with his compound bow.A faint mental power fluctuation brushed his senses, strong and distinct.
A spiritual attribute? Ding Quan's expression shifted. His own mental power stirred in response. Another fluctuation followed, similar yet different, both slightly weaker than his own but far beyond an ordinary soul master's.
In this era, spiritual power was undervalued, growing passively with level. Only spiritual attribute soul masters—or those at the eighth-ring Soul Douluo level—could wield it effectively. Soul Douluo could even detect transformed soul beasts with it.
Were these fluctuations from the two
"gifts"
mentioned?
Spiritual attribute soul masters?
Footsteps echoed from the chamber—four sets, two light, likely children. Don't pull us, we can walk! a young female voice snapped.Hurry up.
Don't waste the lord's time, the housekeeper barked.Ding Quan's eyes lit up. The housekeeper was in front. Channeling soul power, he formed a subtle airflow in his palm, condensed and ready.
As the housekeeper turned to glance behind, a figure flashed in his peripheral vision.
Before he could react, Ding Quan's palm blade struck his throat.Low-level soul masters, despite their power, had fragile bodies, especially at the throat.
Ding Quan, seasoned from sword-forging competitions and years of fish-killing, knew exactly where to strike. His blow shattered the housekeeper's trachea, vocal cords, and cervical vertebrae with precise force, keeping the body from flying back. The man died painlessly, his eyes wide with horror and confusion.
Ding Quan caught the body, dragging it a few steps before laying it down gently. Sir? the soul master behind called, noticing the housekeeper's sudden movement.Ding Quan readied his Longyuan Sword martial soul to enter the chamber and deal with the other. You bastard, rushing to die? Walking so fast! a sharp, young female voice rang out, followed by, If you stare at me again,
lackey,
I'll chop you up and feed you to that jerk!The soul master snorted, glaring at the speaker. Footsteps drew closer. Ding Quan froze, intrigued.
Were these girls helping him? His attack had been swift, and the voice suggested they hadn't seen him act.Two figures emerged from the chamber. Despite their bound hands, rough clothes, and disheveled hair, their beauty was striking.
About Ding Quan's height, they looked young, their figures just beginning to develop. Their delicate features were similar, but their temperaments differed sharply. The silver-haired girl with light blue eyes exuded gentleness, while the golden-haired girl with yellow-brown eyes had an odd, wild aura.
Furry tiger ears sprouted from her head, and a patterned tail swayed behind her—an innate martial soul possession, likely from an unusual awakening.Ding Quan recalled a similar case: a cat-woman auctioned off, bought by Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Though Ning claimed to free her, such rarities were coveted by nobles.
These girls, likely twins, were clearly the earl's "gift" due to their unique traits.They glanced at Ding Quan, surprise flickering in their eyes. They nodded subtly and walked out casually.
Ding Quan returned the nod, confirming their spiritual power as the source he'd sensed.
Their distraction had helped him avoid a direct confrontation, preventing an alarm.The soul master emerged, and Ding Quan struck again, his soul power forming a breeze-like blade that severed the man's cervical vertebrae.
The soul master collapsed without seeing his attacker. The girls, witnessing this, exchanged stunned looks. To kill without releasing a martial soul, using only soul power?
Their eyes followed the fading breeze in Ding Quan's palm.Who are you? the silver-haired girl asked, her voice steady but her eyes betraying nerves.Someone like you, maybe, but with a bit of strength, Ding Quan replied, pulling a dagger from his storage soul guide to cut their ropes.
Thank you, the silver-haired girl said, clutching her tiger-eared sister, relief washing over her.Ding Quan sensed their spiritual power—both had spiritual attributes, the silver-haired girl's stronger. No wonder he'd felt one dominant fluctuation earlier.
Sisters?
Twins? he asked.Yes, they answered. Their differing hair colors likely stemmed from distinct martial souls.Be careful, Ding Quan said, glancing at the corpses. Killing them hadn't fazed him—years of fish-killing had hardened him.Wait, can we keep the dagger?
We can help, the silver-haired girl said softly, her eyes resolute.Ding Quan nodded, impressed by their calm. He pulled two short swords from his soul guide and tossed them over. Use these.The girls caught them, joy flashing across their faces. Alright! they said in unison.
Stay sharp, Ding Quan said, heading toward the outer rooms. The girls followed, the tiger-eared one drawing her sword. Sister, what now?
We follow him, the silver-haired girl replied, unsheathing her blade.Did you sense something earlier? I felt something odd, the tiger-eared girl whispered.Yeah, I felt it too—killing intent, her sister replied.No wonder you spoke up, the younger said.Ding Quan glanced back.
Their spiritual attributes were clear, but their soul power hovered around level ten, without soul rings. At twelve or thirteen, they were young, even by Douluo Continent's accelerated growth standards.
He scaled the courtyard wall, returning to the soul masters' rooms. He needed to eliminate some before they noticed anything. Less than ten minutes had passed since he'd killed the housekeeper, and the soul masters likely hadn't caught on, especially given their strained relationship with him.
Drawing his compound bow, Ding Quan loaded an arrow. Speed was key to reducing their numbers before a counterattack. Peering through a window, he saw the group still packing, unaware. His eyes locked on the healing soul master, meditating after treating the Flower Martial Soul master.
She was vulnerable, her soul power depleted.With her around, the others could shrug off injuries, so she was the priority. Ding Quan aimed at her forehead. The bowstring twanged, and an arrow pierced her skull, leaving a small bloodied hole. Her eyes snapped open before she collapsed.
The arrow continued, embedding in the floor, its tail quivering.The noise alerted the others. Not good! the thin great soul master shouted, spotting the arrow and the fallen healer. His cat martial soul manifested, two rings—one white, one yellow—appearing. An agility-attack type, fast as expected.The others reacted, summoning their martial souls: a turtle for defense, a bear for power, and the Flower Martial Soul for control.
A standard soul master team, now down one member.
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end of this chapter)