"You'll get used to it in time. Come with me."
The hoarse voice beneath the black robe echoed through the cold stone chamber. Without waiting for a response, the man turned and strode toward the dungeon's exit.
Warm droplets still clung to Lin Xiao's face. The small child who had huddled beside him for days had become a lifeless corpse.
Grief. Anger. Fear? He didn't know how to name what churned inside him—only that his body moved on its own. One step. Then another.
The purple light lining the walls flickered dimly. The corridor beyond was as dark as ever. Lin Xiao couldn't see the faces of the people passing by, only hear fragments of their hushed conversation.
"Old Eight, is that today's offering?"
"No. My new disciple."
He didn't know how long they walked before the surroundings changed. The black-robed figure turned at last. The dim violet glow lit his withered face—a visage so thin it was hard to tell whether he was an old man or a skeleton sheathed in skin.
"Do you know," the man said softly, "even within the Holy Spirit Church, few martial souls can truly touch death itself. But you—" his voice grew reverent, "—you were born for our sect. Come, lift your hand."
A crystal orb the size of a fist appeared before him. The child's small hand brushed its surface, and blinding blue light flooded the room.
"Ninth rank—innate ninth rank!"
The man's eyes burned with feverish excitement. "I knew it. You will become the Holy Church's sharpest blade… the most brilliant of our disciples…"
…
"—Hah!"
Lin Xiao's eyes flew open. His breath caught. Before him stood the familiar figure of the Nightmare Douluo.
"Teacher? What brings you here?"
The Nightmare Douluo said nothing at first. His gaze lingered on Lin Xiao for a long moment before he spoke. "You met Xu He, didn't you?"
"Yes." Lin Xiao didn't bother to lie; he still didn't know the full extent of his teacher's abilities.
"Where is he now?"
"He was taken away by people from Shrek Academy."
"Shrek Academy?" The Nightmare Douluo's expression darkened. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "No wonder the mark I left was erased… so it was them. That explains it…"
As he pondered aloud, Lin Xiao's eyes flickered slightly.
So the Nightmare Douluo did have other means of tracking Xu He—he had likely known the situation all along. Lin Xiao's suspicion was now confirmed.
Perhaps because his own cultivation was nearing the threshold for the Spirit Ascension Ceremony, the Nightmare Douluo's attitude toward him had changed. The old caution was fading; his teacher was growing careless, revealing more than he once would have dared.
"You've made another breakthrough, haven't you?" The Nightmare Douluo's sharp gaze turned to him.
"Yes." Lin Xiao nodded calmly. "I fought a few battles on the road and gained some insight. My spirit power rose as a result."
"Truly worthy of an innate ninth-rank talent." The elder smiled, though the expression was unsettling—more like a grimace than praise.
Lin Xiao said nothing further, standing quietly by his side.
"Still," the Nightmare Douluo continued, "Xu He being taken by Shrek isn't necessarily bad. Even if Xu Jing's men find traces of him, they won't dare make a move while he's under Shrek's protection. As for other matters… we'll deal with them later. For now, return to Radiant City."
"Yes, Teacher."
By the time Lin Xiao finally returned to the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, night had fallen. The glow of the street-lamps illuminated his path as he walked. He absently touched his left arm—the Gold-Devouring Beast's arm bone had already been absorbed.
An eighty-thousand-year spirit bone. His spirit power had surged by two full levels. The Nightmare Douluo had noticed the increase, but hadn't tested his exact rank.
More important than the leap in power was the transformation of his body. Whether it was because it was his first spirit bone or because the beast's physical strength was immense, that single left arm bone had strengthened him beyond measure.
During his admission test, his physical power had rivaled a fifty-ninth-rank Spirit King's. Now, without even needing to test, he could feel it—his body strength was comparable to, if not surpassing, that of a Spirit Emperor.
For a spirit master wielding a tool-type martial spirit, that was extraordinary.
Deep in thought, he soon reached the dormitory sector. But as he approached his door, his steps halted.
A shadow stood outside his room, peering around suspiciously.
Moving silently, Lin Xiao approached. His hand clamped down suddenly on the figure's shoulder.
"Ah! Ow, ow—!"
A startled cry rang out as the figure flinched and slapped at his hand. She twisted around, face contorted in pain.
Lin Xiao frowned but released her shoulder. He recognized the face instantly—the same girl who had spoken to him outside the Illustrious Virtue Hall on his first day.
Her expression brightened at once. "You! Where have you been these past few days? I haven't seen you anywhere!"
"What are you doing outside my dorm?" Lin Xiao asked evenly.
"I—I hadn't seen you around, and I was worried something happened," she said, rubbing her shoulder.
"The academy's big. It's normal not to run into me."
"Not normal at all! I've been keeping an eye on you this whole time…" She stopped abruptly, realizing what she'd said. Her cheeks flushed, and she stole a glance at him before quickly looking away.
Lin Xiao didn't answer, merely watching her performance in silence.
When he still didn't react, she sighed in exasperation. "Ugh, fine. I'm terrible at pretending to be one of those shy, cute girls, okay? I just wanted to see you—is that so wrong? You're handsome; can't I at least look?"
At that, Lin Xiao's expression changed slightly. The act was too deliberate—someone had coached her.
Her awkward behavior during their first encounter had made him suspicious; now she "admitted" to acting, pretending to be honest to cover her slip. A calculated move—but it only confirmed his doubts.
"What's your name?" he asked finally.
"I'm Shangguan Qing." She raised a brow and smiled with open confidence.
Shangguan?
A rare surname indeed. Lin Xiao sifted through his memory, trying to recall where he'd heard it before.
Thinking his question a sign of interest, Shangguan Qing's eyes brightened, but when he said nothing more, her smile faltered.
"Well, fine! At least you're okay. I'll head back then." She waited a moment longer, but when he remained silent, she turned and jogged off down the path.
Lin Xiao watched her retreating figure until it disappeared into the darkness, his thoughts unreadable.
(End of Chapter)