Just as Qian Jue opened his eyes to signal Dai Mubai, an aged voice—half-laughing, half-serious—cut in and continued his words.
That voice made both Qian Jue and Dai Mubai jolt in alarm. They hurriedly scanned their surroundings, trying to pinpoint the source.
'Damn it, don't tell me we've run straight into him already?!'
Qian Jue's heart turned cold. He had just overheard that the one coming was at least a ''Spirit Emperor'', level 60 or higher. Against such a powerhouse, the two of them—mere low-level Spirit Masters in their twenties—were nothing more than helpless chicks.
'How is this possible? I've been keeping my guard up the entire time. How did someone get so close without me noticing at all?!'
Dai Mubai was equally shaken. During Qian Jue's earlier scouting, he had described the secret chamber entrance, the underground environment, and the imprisoned civilians. But when it came to the final eavesdropping on the conversation, Qian Jue had not relayed the details in real time. So Dai Mubai was still in the dark about who this person truly was.
Finally, they spotted the speaker—a figure perched leisurely atop the wall near them.
It was an old man, far older than Flender and the others. He looked down at them with a broad smile, his hand gently stroking his long white beard. That peaceful and kindly bearing made him appear more like a benevolent elder than a sinister heretic.
Yet Qian Jue knew better. This man was most likely the very "Protector of the Holy Church" the middle-aged man underground had spoken of.
Seeing that they had discovered him, the old man chuckled and leapt down. Qian Jue and Dai Mubai had just about released their spirits to flee when his right hand swept outward.
A wave of soul power surged over them.
Instantly, the soul power they had just gathered scattered and dispersed, refusing to condense again no matter how they tried. Their consciousness grew hazy, darkness swallowed their vision, and the next moment their bodies collapsed limply onto the ground.
The old man laughed lightly, walked over, and casually picked them up—one in each hand. With effortless grace, he vaulted over the wall and landed inside the residence.
"Fan Hong! Where are you?"
His voice rang through the courtyard. He tossed Qian Jue and Dai Mubai down like sacks of grain, then called out with a tone filled with authority.
"Protector of the Holy City!"
The moment his voice faded, the study doors opened. The middle-aged man from before stepped out with his son, both bowing deeply in respect.
"Fan Hong, Soul Envoy of Suotuo City, with my son Fan Huan, greets the Protector. Forgive us for not welcoming you sooner."
"Hm. This old man is Gu Lan, Protector of the Nether Essence Hall of the Holy City. I have come to collect the tribute of the past two years."
As he spoke, Gu Lan lifted his left hand, revealing the ring on his thumb—a finely crafted skull ring.
The ring was stark white, not of metal but carved entirely from some special bone. Its hollow eye sockets and nose cavity glimmered faintly, within which rested a piece of jet-black stone.
The sight of that clearly superior ''Death Soul Ring'' made Fan Hong's heart jolt. He quickly bowed once more.
"Welcome, Protector Gu. The tribute has been prepared. You may collect it whenever you wish."
He cast a quick glance at the unconscious Qian Jue and Dai Mubai lying on the ground, suspicion flickering in his eyes. But he didn't dare ask and instead waited humbly for instructions.
Gu Lan noticed his hesitation and rebuked lightly.
"These two I found outside your residence, hiding by the wall and spying on you."
"What?!"
Fan Hong and his son Fan Huan both paled.
Fan Huan, recognizing Dai Mubai, was stunned. "These two… they're the brats who saw me kill that woman earlier!"
Gu Lan nodded. "Yes. Especially the black-haired one. He seems to have some sort of spirit ability. He's already discovered the secret chamber beneath your residence. In fact, from what I overheard, he even grasped the layout of your underground compound."
Fan Hong's face twisted with shock and fury. "Then these two must not be allowed to live! Protector Gu, please grant me permission to execute them immediately!"
Gu Lan waved a hand leisurely.
"Hehe… why the rush? Take me below first. We'll deal with them afterward."
With that, he bent and hoisted Qian Jue and Dai Mubai again.
"As you command, Protector." Fan Hong no longer insisted. After all, their lives were already in their hands. Killing them sooner or later made no difference.
Fan Hong respectfully led Gu Lan through the secret passage beneath the study. They soon arrived at the underground fork guarded by the burly men.
This time, none of them were gambling. Instead, they stood respectfully in two neat rows. When they saw Fan Hong leading Gu Lan, they all dropped to their knees.
"Greetings, Protector!"
Fan Hong continued to lead Gu Lan down the prison corridor.
"Protector, there are 176 tributes in total, gathered over these two years through various means. Please inspect them."
Gu Lan's gaze swept over the rows of cells filled with men, women, the elderly, and children. A satisfied nod escaped him.
"The numbers are sufficient. But… is there any chance of exposure? You know the rules of the Holy City. If word leaks to Spirit Hall, you know your fate."
Fan Hong bowed deeply. "Rest assured, Protector. All of these people's identities in the outside world are already 'dead.' No one will come looking for them. Exposure is impossible."
Gu Lan gave a cold chuckle. "Impossible? Then what about these two?" He raised the limp bodies of Qian Jue and Dai Mubai slightly.
Fan Hong stiffened. With no choice, he recounted Fan Huan's blunder earlier.
Gu Lan listened with a flat expression, then waved his hand. "Enough. Let's interrogate them first."
He followed Fan Hong into another chamber meant for receiving guests. There were chairs, tables, and benches within. Gu Lan casually tossed Qian Jue and Dai Mubai onto the floor, then sat himself at the main seat while Fan Huan quickly served him tea.
"Alright, little ones. Open your eyes already. I know you're awake."
His calm words rang out.
'Haaah…'
Unable to keep up the pretense any longer, Qian Jue exhaled slowly and opened his eyes. He sat up cross-legged, looking at Gu Lan and Fan Hong, his mind racing desperately for a way out.
Dai Mubai also stirred. Anxiety filled him as he saw the two powerful figures staring at them. Regret gnawed at him—why had he followed along, dragging Qian Jue into this as well?
Fan Hong looked at Gu Lan, but seeing he made no move to speak, he took the lead.
"Where is your third companion? Did he go for reinforcements? How long until they arrive? And that woman's corpse—where did you leave it?!"
His barrage of questions left both Qian Jue and Dai Mubai stunned. They exchanged a helpless glance. This time, things truly looked grim.
But Qian Jue steadied himself. He couldn't give up. He hadn't crossed into the world of Douluo, gained the mysterious Kindred spirit, just to die here in some underground lair.
He had to live. He 'would' live—at least until Flender and Zhao Wuji arrived.
So he lifted his eyes and locked them onto Gu Lan, the strongest man present. His only chance lay in him. He studied every detail of the Protector's expression, searching for an opening.
But Gu Lan merely looked back with faint amusement, as if entertained by his stare.
"Answer me!"
Fan Hong's bellow suddenly shattered the tense silence. Seeing Qian Jue remain wordless, he grew furious. His martial spirit flared, and the phantom of a bluish-gray wolf flickered behind him.
Three yellow rings and one purple ring rose at his feet, shining brightly. He raised his hand, murderous intent surging forth.
"Wait! Wait—I'll talk!" Qian Jue quickly raised his hand to stop him.
"Actually…"
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