In a dark, damp dungeon, the sound of children crying echoed in the air, waking Lin Xiao from his drowsy haze. Forcing open his heavy eyelids, he looked around to find himself surrounded by children no older than five or six.
"Tap, tap—"
Clear footsteps sounded from outside the dungeon. Soon, a thin figure appeared at the entrance. Beneath the black robe, their face was hidden, yet the sinister smile gleaming from the shadows was unmistakable.
"Quiet, all of you."
A hoarse voice cut through the air, and a chill instantly spread through the dungeon. The young children huddled together, struggling to suppress their sobs, but their trembling bodies betrayed their fear.
"To serve the Holy Emperor is your greatest honor." The black-robed figure licked his lips, the smile widening. "Let's see... who will be today's lucky one?"
His cold gaze swept slowly across the dungeon and soon stopped on Lin Xiao.
A sudden wave of icy dread surged from within Lin Xiao's body, freezing him in place as though his soul were being pulled from his flesh.
Something within him stirred restlessly under that gaze—a strange, uncontrollable energy began to flow through him.
"Hm?" The man beneath the robe let out a sound of surprise. "You. Come here."
Lin Xiao felt his body move against his will toward the man. Behind him, bright crimson flowers began to bloom one after another, their scarlet petals dazzlingly vivid in the gloom, exuding a strange, demonic beauty.
"You've awakened a spirit related to death." The black-robed man's tone carried both surprise and delight as he studied Lin Xiao. "A fitting disciple for our Holy Church. Very well, today's servant to the Holy Emperor—how about you decide who it shall be?"
Lin Xiao didn't know when but as he turned around, the black-robed figure had already vanished, leaving only the familiar faces of the children he'd grown up with. They were still so innocent, gazing at him with pleading eyes.
His vision blurred, and a warm sensation streaked down his face, starkly distinct in the cold dungeon air.
…
"Hah—"
Lin Xiao gasped awake, wiping at his face. Aside from a fine layer of sweat on his forehead, there was nothing there.
"Had a nightmare?"
A hoarse voice sounded beside him. Under the moonlight filtering through the window, an elderly man cloaked in black stood silently at his bedside, though Lin Xiao had no idea when he had appeared.
"Teacher." Lin Xiao quickly rose from bed. "Just some memories from childhood. Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I could have welcomed you properly."
"The matter is urgent," the old man replied, sitting down at the table. "Besides, too many people knowing of my visit would be unwise. Recently, the Holy Church's movements near the Heavenly Soul border have drawn attention. Someone has even spotted members of the Shrek Inspection Group."
"The Shrek Inspection Group?" Lin Xiao repeated the familiar name.
"Heh, just a bunch of inexperienced brats," the old man said with a low chuckle. "But Shrek Academy hides many powerful experts behind them, and their disciples are spread across the entire continent. Their eyes and ears are everywhere—troublesome indeed."
"The nearby branch halls can no longer remain," he continued. "Clean up the remnants. Don't let Shrek Academy catch your trail."
"I understand, Teacher." Lin Xiao bowed his head.
"You've handled matters like this before; I don't need to remind you further." The old man nodded approvingly. "Once it's done, I'll take you back to Radiant City to claim your reward. With that credit, our Holy Church will no longer have to live so cautiously."
"All right. Go now..."
His voice faded into silence. The room grew still again. After waiting a moment, Lin Xiao lifted his head—only to find that the old man had already vanished.
He reached out and turned on the soul-tool lamp on the table. The orange glow illuminated a youthful face—delicate, perhaps fifteen or sixteen years old.
Lin Xiao frowned slightly. He knew he was diligent in his cultivation, never neglecting nightly meditation. Why had he suddenly fallen asleep tonight—and dreamed of his childhood, no less?
It was likely not unrelated to his teacher, the Titled Douluo known as the Nightmare Douluo.
Nearly ten years had passed since the Nightmare Douluo had taken him from that dungeon. Though they called each other teacher and disciple, there was little true affection between them.
The Nightmare Douluo's spirit, the Nightmare Demon, was a type that fed on others' fear to grow stronger. To him, Lin Xiao was probably nothing more than a durable tool for cultivation.
His thoughts churned for a long time. Finally, Lin Xiao rummaged through his storage soul-tool, drew out a large black cloak, and draped it over his shoulders before stepping out into the night.
No matter what, the gap between him and a Titled Douluo was vast. There were things he had no choice but to do.
Under the pale moonlight, Lin Xiao's figure darted swiftly through the forest. The trees on either side blurred past, the rush of wind filling his ears. Occasionally, the distant rumble of exploding soul-tools echoed through the night—signs of skirmishes along the border.
Four thousand years ago, the collision between the Sun and Moon Continent and the Douluo Continent had plunged the four great empires into chaos. The wars between the Sun and Moon Empire and the three empires of the original Douluo Continent had dragged on for many years.
Even after all these centuries, though no large-scale wars erupted, minor frictions continued endlessly, leaving the borderlands difficult to govern.
The Holy Spirit Church's branch halls were hidden precisely in such places.
The surrounding forest looked nearly identical in all directions, making navigation difficult, but Lin Xiao clearly knew the route. His pace never slowed, and he pulled a mask over his face as he ran. Soon, faint glimmers of light appeared through the gaps between the trees.
"Who's there?"
The light came from a small, inconspicuous hill. At its base lay a man-made cave entrance, half-hidden by weeds. Two shadowy figures stood guard, their wary eyes scanning the darkness.
One of them sensed something amiss. Just as he opened his mouth, a gust of wind sliced through the air—an object flew past his cheek and buried itself in a nearby tree trunk.
Startled, he turned to look and saw a black token, carved with several tiny skulls faintly visible under the moonlight.
"It's me."
Before he could react further, a low voice spoke from behind.
Instantly, the man straightened and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Holy Envoy."
He stepped forward, struggling to pull the token free from the tree, then presented it with both hands.
"Where is your Great Holy Spirit?" Lin Xiao asked, his voice muffled behind the mask.
"Inside. Both the Great Holy Spirit and the Second Holy Spirit are within," the man replied quickly, pointing toward the cave. "The Great Holy Spirit ordered us to stay cautious recently. Hardly anyone from the branch has gone out."
"Perfect. You two—come in with me."
(End of Chapter)