Chapter 45: True Danger

Half an hour passed quickly; Tie Li and Zhang Yang each held a piece of whale glue, and by their assessment the age of the whale glue in their hands was probably around eight hundred years.

Everyone was watching the clock; failing to find satisfactory spirit material, they took the previously earmarked backup spirit materials, hoping to find what they needed, which would be ideal.

Before leaving the treasury, the Ao Supervisor would conduct a routine inspection to confirm no extra spirit materials were hidden, then allow the group to depart.

After returning to the venue, everyone assumed Kaiqi would take them out of Bainuoia City the next day.

"Aren't you only with Zhang Yang and Tie Li? Why have you added two more?"

"Do I need to report to you for my actions?" The cold voice made Kaiqi's body shiver.

The gap in status between the two was huge; in his eyes, Kaiqi was just a dispensable minor character.

"Get out!"

"Yes."

The next day, besides keeping Tie Li and Zhang Yang, Kaiqi also retained You He and Duolangbu.

As for the specific reason, Kaiqi did not explain, but instructed them to obey the Ao Supervisor's orders.

In the Great Soul Battle Arena of Bainuoia City, after staying for seven days, that night the Ao Supervisor summoned them to his office.

When Tie Li and the three others entered the room, they saw the usually aloof Ao Supervisor standing to the side like a servant.

An elder sat on a comfortable soft couch, smiling warmly.

"Little Ao, have you told them?"

"Not yet." the Ao Supervisor replied respectfully.

"Then tell them now, so I, an old man, don't have to do this work."

"Understood."

Even from just their dialogue, any observant person could see the huge disparity in their statuses.

Is this still the same Ao Supervisor as usual?

"This is Elder Cheng, a patron of our Great Soul Battle Arena; from now on you will follow Elder Cheng to temporarily leave the Soul Master World."

"Are we going to Ku Hao Island?" Zhang Yang said excitedly, having learned relevant information from Fu Zhuguan.

Ku Hao Island is where the Great Soul Battle Arena cultivates its own Soul Masters.

It may not compare to the Spirit Hall or the Seven Major Sects, but it is certainly not simple, possessing unique methods of cultivating Soul Masters.

"Exactly, you come from humble origins; relying on yourselves you cannot obtain cultivation resources. Even if your talent is decent, you will miss the optimal cultivation window;

By training on Ku Hao Island, the Great Soul Battle Arena will tilt resources toward you, and in return, your future will be bound to the arena's interests."

The courting of a major power is almost impossible for a Soul Master of humble birth to refuse.

"Soul Masters from humble backgrounds find it hard to obtain cultivation resources; without allying with a major power, relying solely on talent, they will eventually run out of strength."

"This is an opportunity for you," the Ao Supervisor added.

"Alright, I won't waste words; tonight I will take you away," the elder said more authoritatively, leaving no room for refusal.

However, regarding this matter, none of the four would refuse.

Tie Li always felt something was odd, but couldn't put it into words at that moment.

When night deepened, the elder would take the four out of Bainuoia City.

A dense aura of soul power enveloped the four bodies.

"Hoo"

The air's booming crack rang in their ears, and everything before their eyes blurred.

"Hahaha, Old Pigeonhead, finally caught you."

The four, including Tie Li, hadn't reacted yet when the scene cleared; the physical discomfort made them half‑kneel and vomit.

The elder was blocked by someone.

The leader bore an extremely strong soul power fluctuation, and beside him were dozens of Soul Masters.

One of them was, astonishingly, Anbu Luo, who had once annihilated the Jinli clan.

"Your Spirit Hall hasn't left Bainuoia City yet?" A hint of stiffness entered the elder's tone; the information he received had clearly stated that the red‑cloaked Cardinal of the Spirit Hall had left the city long ago.

"I haven't caught you yet, how could I be willing to leave? To create this illusion, I paid a huge price, only then pacifying the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect's wrath;

But I think, as long as I capture you, I can make up my loss." Ni Er Ge looked at the ghost pigeon, his heart ablaze.

"A ten‑thousand‑year soul bone—this is indeed a ten‑thousand‑year soul bone. If I absorb it, I'll have a chance to challenge a Title Douluo in the future."

He has even already decided what his future title will be.

The elder's expression turned sour; with the opponent bringing so many Spirit Hall Soul Masters, he might not be able to keep the soul bone.

If the soul bone in his own body weren't the same part as this one, absorbing two soul bones would make him unafraid even if his Soul Power Level were lower.

He glanced at the four beside him, took four iron boxes from his chest, and placed one into each of their arms.

A surge of soul power wrapped the four bodies; the elder suddenly exerted force, hurling them in four directions. In just three breaths, they vanished into the sky.

"Take the soul bone and leave; wait for me to come find you."

"Hahaha, Old Pigeon, are you playing this trick on me? Rest assured, none of you will escape today."

Ni Er Ge's gaze signaled the Soul Masters beside him to chase after the four.

He stayed behind to deal with the ghost pigeon; Ni Er Ge would not truly think he had placed the soul bone on those four.

But to be safe, he still dispatched four Soul Masters to pursue.

Ni Er Ge struck first; two yellow, three purple, and three black Soul Rings appeared on him, making him a bona fide Eight Ring Soul Douluo.

The elder dared not be careless; both were Eight Ring Soul Douluos, yet the opponent's Soul Power Level was considerably higher.

Three yellow, two purple, three black!

Ghostly vapors swirled around the elder; spreading his wings to evade Ni Er Ge's attack while seeking a chance to flee.

……

"Damn." Tie Li muttered inwardly.

He already sensed a massive soul power wave behind him drawing nearer.

He held the elder's iron box in his hand; it contained nothing, just an empty box.

The elder's soul power enveloping his body gradually faded, and the moment Tie Li hit the ground he immediately fled forward.

Given his cultivation as a Great Soul Master and being a Strong Attack-type Soul Master focused on strength, his speed was far lacking.

"Kid, hand over the iron box you're carrying." The voice came from not far behind, growing ever closer.

Tie Li didn't hesitate and tossed the iron box out, causing the Soul Master behind him to pause in surprise.

But when the iron box was opened, it was completely empty.

"Bastard, I want you to give me your soul bone."

"My iron box doesn't contain a soul bone; it's just an empty box."

Unfortunately, the other party clearly didn't believe Tie Li's explanation.

Suddenly, a deadly danger surged in his mind.

He strained all his strength to shift his body.

"Sss"

A scorching long spear pierced him from one side behind; although he didn't dodge, it missed his vital points.

The searing soul power surged into his lungs, recklessly destroying the life force within his body.

Severely wounded, Tie Li rolled aside, blood staining the corner of his mouth.

(End of chapter)