Chapter 329

That night, Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong went again to participate in the soul device competition held by the underground black market.

The competition required making a milk bottle of at least third level; if they could successfully make a fourth-level or higher milk bottle, they could skip the next round.

After learning the condition for exemption, Huo Yutong hesitated not at all; she spent only a dozen minutes making a fourth‑level milk bottle and handed it to the judge.

In fact she could have made it faster, but since the competition had just begun, she thought it better to hide a little.

Showing off too much is never a good thing in this underground world.

Even if she didn't show off much, she had already attracted the attention of certain people.

During this competition, Huo Yutong sensed a familiar aura from the spectator stands.

She scanned with her spiritual detection and immediately realized that the black‑clothed old man was the Third Elder.

But the woman beside him…

Huo Yutong furrowed her brows without changing her expression and sent a mental message to Tang Wulin: 'The Third Elder is here again, and this time he brought a Titled Douluo with him.'

And it's not an ordinary Titled Douluo.

According to the Ice Emperor in her Sea of Spirit, that black‑clothed woman's cultivation is probably already close to hers.

That means the black‑clothed woman's cultivation is likely at ninety‑seventh level or higher.

She had set up a perception‑shielding barrier around herself; if Huo Yutong's spiritual power weren't now far stronger than before, she might not have detected these two.

Consider that even Mu En's disciple Yan Shaozhe doesn't have such high cultivation; this discovery made Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong feel a bit heavy‑hearted.

After the competition ended, Huo Yutong did not hide herself; she took Tang Wulin and walked straight toward the two evil soul masters.

Seeing the two approach her directly, the black‑clothed woman looked somewhat surprised.

"You found us?"

Huo Yutong smiled politely and said:

"I had long guessed that Elder Sir would come looking for us again, so during the match I paid special attention to the spectator stands and indeed found you; I just didn't expect Elder Third Sir to bring a senior along—may I ask how the senior should be addressed?"

The black‑clothed woman gave her a deep look and introduced herself: "I am the Vice‑Leader of the Holy Spirit Sect, Evil Phoenix Douluo Feng Ling."

She would not look down on Huo Yutong just because of what she said.

Feng Ling is a ninety‑seventh‑level Titled Douluo; the barrier she set up with her spiritual power is hard to detect even for a Titled Douluo, and even if Huo Yutong searched deliberately, without spiritual power at the Titled Douluo level she would hardly notice her presence.

This moment sparked her interest in the cute‑looking little girl.

Hearing her openly admit her identity, Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong's mood instantly grew tense.

Feng Ling actually announced her title openly in broad daylight, showing she is confident in her absolute control of the scene.

Tang Wulin stepped forward without changing his expression, standing closer to Huo Yutong.

If Feng Ling intended to attack the two, he had to aid Huo Yutong immediately, at least enabling her to successfully summon the dragon bones of the two Dragon Kings.

Feng Ling saw his movement, smiled lightly, and said:

"Don't worry, I bear you no hostility; after all we are of the same kind, both oppressed by the mundane world—why make things difficult for each other?"

Tang Wulin gave a faint smile, said nothing, but felt even more contempt for these evil soul masters in his heart.

Oppressed by the mundane world, what a fine case of being oppressed by the mundane world.

If evil soul masters could fully restrain themselves and not harm others, how could they end up in the current situation where everyone shouts to beat them?

Such rhetoric that inverts right and wrong and justifies one's actions is what Tang Wulin despises most. Seeing that Tang Wulin had not lowered his guard, Feng Ling also felt somewhat helpless.

She could sense the extremely vigorous qi and blood in Tang Wulin's body; this kid's combat ability is absolutely strong, and even among Soul Douluo he would likely be outstanding.

For a talent of this caliber, if possible, it's best to first try to win him over.

Most importantly, she could see from Huo Yutong's gaze at Tang Wulin a very obvious affection.

Abilities can be hidden, names can be fabricated, but the look of liking someone cannot be concealed; seeing that look, Feng Ling had no doubt that if she dared to harm Tang Wulin even a single hair, Huo Yutong would surely wage a deadly feud with the Holy Spirit Sect.

She adjusted her expression, trying to appear as gentle as possible, and said:

"You two needn't worry; since Old Three has already sworn a poison oath with his own martial soul, we certainly won't attack you during this competition. As for sincerity, we will naturally show it to you after the competition ends. I came this time merely to see personally what level of genius Old Three considers outstanding. Tang Liuer, can you demonstrate your ability?"

Huo Yutong furrowed her brows, looking somewhat displeased.

"Didn't I already demonstrate to the Third Elder before?"

Feng Ling chuckled and said:

"But I haven't seen it with my own eyes; besides, according to Old Three, the undead knight you pulled out, though special in attribute, is only about as strong as an ordinary Soul Emperor—is that really your full power?"

"..."

Huo Yutong fell silent.

Feng Ling wasn't in a hurry either, just standing there waiting for her decision.

After a full three minutes, Huo Yutong finally said:

"I can show you my ability, but you have to help shield me from outsiders."

Feng Ling nodded.

"That's natural."

Having said that, she gave the Third Elder a look.

The Third Elder nodded in understanding, waved his big hand, and flung out a series of blue‑black pillars that formed a large net, enveloping several people and cutting them off from the outside world.

Huo Yutong's pupils contracted instantly.

"This is… a ninth‑level soul device?"

The Third Elder was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected Huo Yutong's eyesight to be so keen.

But seeing Huo Yutong's astonished expression, he felt quite pleased and nodded proudly.

"That's right; I am both an evil soul master Titled Douluo and a ninth‑level soul engineer."

"I see, that's truly impressive."

Huo Yutong took a deep breath, forcing down her surprise.

She really didn't expect the Holy Spirit Sect would have a Ninth‑rank Soul Mentor.

The Evil Soul Master's power is itself perverse, and the Soul Conduits he creates are mostly not good things.

Huo Yutong couldn't help recalling the Zhongli Three Brothers she once met in the Star Dou Great Forest.

At that time each of them held a staff that served as an Eighth‑rank Soul Conductor, and the staff's effect was to seal souls; now it seems it was most likely made by the Third Elder right here.

(End of Chapter)