A cataclysmic event occurred in Soto City, resulting in numerous deaths!
This news was undoubtedly shocking to Ma Hongjun and his companions. Soto City was his hometown, where his friends and family resided.
From the city's garrison officer, Ma Hongjun learned the general outline of the situation.
A plague had broken out in Soto City, causing a series of deaths. Initially, the number of deaths was small and did not attract much attention, especially since the deceased were mostly civilians, and no one investigated the cause.
Gradually, the death toll increased, and even Soul Masters began to die, finally drawing the attention of the authorities. Even the Spirit Hall intervened, but the cause of the disease remained undiscovered.
Many Soul Masters who attempted to treat the disease not only failed to recover but also contracted the plague's aura.
According to descriptions, it was a black miasma that caused those afflicted to slowly lose their minds and become manic, like bloodthirsty beasts. Many died with particularly gruesome and grotesque appearances, resembling demons.
Initially, the deaths were limited to a small group, but yesterday, nearly a hundred members of the Xiang family, one of the three major families in Soto City, perished—almost the entire family was wiped out.
Their deaths resembled those of those who died from the plague.
Those afflicted were enveloped in black mist, their eyes turning red. Barak City was tightening its gates to prevent those infected from entering.
"Sister Chengxian..."
"Chengxian, please accept my condolences!"
Xiang Chengxian leaned against Dai Mubai, her face pale though she didn't shed tears.
Although she had left the Xiang family, she was still connected by blood. She wasn't grieving for Xiang Chengsheng and others who had treated her badly.
In such a large family, some had been kind to them, and many hadn't bullied them. Even though she had left the family, she hoped those people were doing well.
Hearing the news of the family's annihilation was inevitably heartbreaking.
Fortunately, Xiang Chengxian had taken her parents away early and settled them in Tiandou City; otherwise, she would have been devastated if her parents had been killed.
"I want to go to Soto City immediately!"
Ma Hongjun said worriedly.
Musu Town is right next to Soto City,
and the simple villagers of Shrek Village are people he's known for for many years. There's also his sworn sister, Cuihua, there.
Soto City also has three Fairy Robe Pavilions, whose employees are all his own people.
These are the reasons Ma Hongjun went to provide aid.
"Let's go together and see what's going on,"
Sword Douluo said. At his level, he wasn't afraid of plagues.
"I also want to see what kind of plague it is that even Soul Masters can't resist?" Poison Douluo asked curiously.
"Generally speaking, plagues are just poisons. Judging from past plagues, as long as a Soul Master has a purification Soul Skill, they can solve it.
Ye Lingling, Jiangzhu, and Di Xin—their Martial Souls all have similar effects.
Even if it's a powerful plague, with the three of them here, I think we should be able to protect ourselves.
Plus, Senior Dugu is here too.
Let's rush over tonight,"
Grandmaster analyzed. With Poison Douluo around, there was no need to worry about any poison.
After a quick meal and resupply in the royal city of Barak, the group set off again, continuing their journey towards Soto City.
The next morning
, bathed in the glow of dawn, Ma Hongjun and his group walked across the empty fields.
This should have been the season for labor, with farmers busy in the fields, but the vast fields were deserted.
Soto City lay ahead, its gates tightly shut. Gates that were never closed before were now firmly shut, and the soldiers on the city walls were bundled up tightly.
Since yesterday, the plague had suddenly worsened, as if it had erupted all at once.
From afar, wisps of black mist could be seen swirling above Soto City.
It looked eerie and sinister, as if cursed.
"Who goes there? Soto City is now off-limits!"
a soldier on the city gate shouted, stopping the group.
"We have healing Soul Masters here. Let's see if we can cure the plague. Open the city gates quickly!"
"We'd appreciate it if you healing Soul Masters could demonstrate your strength. Is it for your own good that we're not letting you in?"
"Jiangzhu, release your Martial Soul to show them."
Of the group's Martial Souls, Jiangzhu's Healing Scepter was the most distinctive.
Jiangzhu summoned her Martial Soul, and three Soul Rings appeared: yellow, yellow, and purple.
Seeing only three Soul Rings, the soldiers on the city gate lost their patience. People had been dying constantly, and even they had been infected by that malevolent aura.
"Just Soul Venerables? Useless. Go away. Don't come here to die. Even a Soul King's healer is useless." The soldier waved his hand, urging everyone to leave.
"What a nuisance!"
Poison Douluo said impatiently, flying directly onto the city wall.
Yellow, purple, black!
By the time he stood firm on the city wall, nine spirit rings were already encircling his feet.
"Open the city gate quickly, your life and death are none of your concern," Poison Douluo said calmly.
"A...a Title Douluo!"
the soldier stammered, then realized what he meant.
"Open the city gate."
The group entered the city. The air inside was no longer as fresh as outside, filled with the stench of corpses.
The streets gave a desolate and bleak feeling.
Silent and still, like an empty city.
"There's corpse poison, and some strange things."
Poison Douluo waved his hand, and a wisp of black mist in the air was summoned to his hand by a green light.
"Let's go check out the Xiang family first!"
Dai Mubai reminded them.
It took three streets to get from the city gate to the Xiang family. Along the way, they could see soldiers cleaning up corpses.
Each corpse was shrouded in black mist.
"So many people have died."
Several girls covered their noses, looking uncomfortable. Even Ma Hongjun and the others felt very uncomfortable.
The once prosperous and bustling Soto City had become like this, looking more like a ghost town.
Poison Douluo and Sword Douluo both frowned deeply.
Upon arriving at the Xiang family mansion, the vast residence was shrouded in darkness, even though it was daytime.
"Be careful, this dark energy can invade your bodies. Use your soul power to isolate yourselves,"
Poison Douluo warned.
"Old Poison, the dark energy inside is too dense. You take Hongjun and the others in to check. I'll wait for you outside with the girls."
"Okay!"
Poison Douluo led Ma Hongjun, Xiang Chengxian, Dai Mubai, Grandmaster, and Liu Erlong into the Xiang mansion.
They all summoned their martial souls.
Upon entering the dark energy zone, the dark energy attempted to invade their bodies, but the golden light emanating from Grandmaster and Ma Hongjun seemed to counteract it.
The dark energy around them dissipated.
In contrast, Xiang Chengxian seemed extremely susceptible to the dark energy's corruption. Despite using her soul power to isolate herself, the dark energy still managed to enter her body.
Finally, Grandmaster and Ma Hongjun flanked Xiang Chengxian, helping her dispel the dark energy.
After searching the Xiang family mansion, they found not a single person, not even a corpse.
People who died just yesterday, and it's all been cleared away today?
When did the official efficiency become so strong?
The corpses were handled by soldiers, and the group hurried back to the city lord's mansion.
"I think there's a Soul Master involved. This isn't a simple epidemic. In the Xiang family mansion, I sensed the power of Martial Souls.
The formation and spread of this black energy is being manipulated by a Soul Master,"
Poison Douluo said thoughtfully, even he felt apprehensive about this black energy.
"From the black energy, I sensed a familiar aura.
Cheng Xian, Mu Bai, do you remember the Soto City Family Soul Battle Tournament four years ago?
We represented the Xiang family against the Gan and Bei families.
In their team, there was that control-type Soul Master," Ma Hongjun said, looking at the two.
"You mean that Soul Master who suddenly appeared, whose Martial Soul was Tombstone?"
"No wonder, this black energy felt familiar."
(End of Chapter)