Dark Undercurrents

Outskirts of Heaven Dou Empire

Flames blazed across the surroundings as the cinders of ashen buildings lost all integrity. What once was a bustling city of a great clan morphed into nothing more than rubble, a relic of the past, a graveyard where even the fallen souls could find no rest. Limbs strewn across, dried husks of men and women painted a picture of desolate despair. In this land now tainted by darkness, all life was non-existent in the span of a few hundred miles.

Purple and Gold winds flashed by followed with a darker shade of black and red. One tall lanky man draped in a black flowing suit and a hood materialized from space, his face hidden by a white mask marked by purple claw prints, a ghastly aura emanated out of him. Appearing from behind was a feminine man having long hair and a somewhat petite body.

Yue Guan hugged the masked man from behind and rubbed his cheek on his head. Stifled, Gui Mei patted the man's head "Guan not now." Voice although cold, it carried with it a hidden trace of gentleness.

Undoubtedly both were men, though their bond resembles not of brothers that had fought together for more than sixty years, instead, Yue Guan and Gui Mei were more like lovers.

"Knock it off you two." Bibi Dong's expression turned ugly upon seeing the two gay birds engaging in a public display of affection. Leaving a peck on Gui Mei, Yue Guan hopped off then snickered at the Supreme Pontiff "Ah! Ah! Don't be so jealous your eminence, one day you'll find a man who will take care of you." Gui Mei suppressed a small chuckle at his companion's teasing, and a vein bulged on Bibi Dong's forehead.

As much as she didn't admit, she was envious at the two. 'How hateful.' The pontiff could only sigh and ignore their insolent actions.

Unlike the time the two douluos were in the vicinity of the Grand Elder, they were much more relaxed around Bibi Dong. They didn't fear her much but respected her since her temperament may be a little aloof, she wouldn't punish the two over something as trivial as this.

The three's sights focused on the ruined land, the surroundings had darkened to the point that it was even rotting. Bibi Dong crouched, scooping up a handful of blackened dirt and scanning it using her soul power.

Upon contact with the soil, the woman's soul power seemed to be eaten as it disappeared into the sample in her hands. "Curious…" She knitted her brows, there was some familiar feeling ingrained on the sand, it was familiar but at the same time highly different to that certain essence she knows of.

Its nature was evil, a twisted evil that wanted to drain everything of life. Even now Bibi Dong felt the soil in her hands start to erode her soul power by a tiny fraction.

Gui Mei having seen the pontiff examining the soil closed his eyes then spoke out. "Your grace, this land was once the main territory of the Elephant Armored Clan." Bibi Dong threw away the dirt and leered at Gui Mei. "Elephant Armored Clan? If its them they wouldn't die off this easily."

The Ghost Douluo shook his head "That's the problem… Under the Grand Priest's instructions, Yue Guan and I roamed the other cities under the Heaven Dou Empire." Yue Guan stopped poking one of the dried corpses on the massive broken estate. "Little Mei and I separated one night since we sensed a strong spirit beast pop up in Silvers City, probably around more than fifty thousand years in strength. I pursued the beast and Mei Mei went here to check since he felt another fluctuation coming from here." Yue Guan snorted after finishing his words.

Upon arriving at silver's city, there was indeed signs of a spirit beast attack judging from broken buildings and many wounded soul masters ranging from rank sixties up to even seventies. Upon further inquiry, it was even stranger that those who have been assaulted did not even know what attacked them albeit being poisoned greatly. As if the culprit could efficiently hide under the veil of the night, an assassin well versed in toxins.

The eyes under Gui Mei's mask darkened. "Everyone was dead, children, elders, men and women. Even the corpse of the Clan head could be found in here. All their faces are non-recognizable although I managed to tell since the stronger someone with the Diamond Mammoth martial soul was, the bigger and bulkier their bodies and the special emblems they possessed. A study of the surrounding area indicates wide scale poisoning of the land and signs that the event was only a day or two old, but I quite not understand…" The man revealed a troubled expression from his eyes alone. "The bodies, their life and soul were seemingly sucked out, if that's the case then why poison the earth? If it's the attack of a powerful soul master or even a spirit beast, I can understand since it would be the method of killing them all."

Yue Guan touched another corpse and it dissolved into ashes. A certain poisonous man came into mind but he shook his head. "This isn't Old Du's poison. And I'm not sure if its poison too that darkened the earth, if it was poison then it would have corroded the bodies of everyone present, not suck the life out of them. I've never heard of poison that functions that way your grace…"

Digesting the information presented by the elders she brought with her, Bibi Dong rubbed her templates and felt a head ache forming. "This is far too problematic. The Elephant Armored Academy is one of the seven great clans, unless it was us that did this, there was no way all of them will die as easily as this."

"Although ranked six and having no titled douluos, this clan's head can still go toe to toe with a normal titled douluo despite staying at the soul douluo rank. You said there were no survivors?" Bibi Dong turned to Gui Mei who nodded. "None survived except those who were out on a journey or stationed elsewhere, as far as my investigation says, all that was in the main base perished together. I already silenced the strays."

"Even if it was an immensely powerful soul master or spirit beast, at least a handful would've been able to run away." Bibi Dong felt that things were more deeper than she thought. Initially, she wanted to spend more time alongside her new cute disciple and watch his growth but Gui Mei firing off a special firework that only she could recognize meant bad news.

At first, hearing the report of an entire powerful clan massacred made her laugh out loud since something like that was somewhat impossible for the current peaceful times. Unfortunately, her subordinate's serious expression didn't say it was a joke.

Thus, leading to the three personally visiting this site once more.

Calculating her options, Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes. "Does the Grand Priest know of this?" She turned to the pair now standing together. Gui Mei and Yue Guan looked at each other then shook her head, "We didn't tell him and have no intentions of telling anyone but you, your highness." The elders of Spirit Hall were under the rule of the Grand Priest Qian Daoliu, they were restricted but at the same time, free.

There wasn't a rule stating that they cannot withhold information for a few months or a year, sure they would be punished but how can they be punished if no one knows?

And the two elders can make excuses as well, spirit hall asked nothing of them but to work for spirit hall's interests only. As much as they were concerned, Bibi Dong was the face of spirit hall. They preferred her over those bunch of old arrogant and terrifying fellows.

"Good, I'll make sure to mete out deserving rewards later. For now, forget about this matter, the death of the sixth clan of the bunch of seven, the tainted earth, all of it did not happen at all." Bibi Dong commanded and the two bowed to her. "As you say your grace." "Will do your highness."

Snap!

Bibi Dong snapped her fingers and an intricate red orb appeared from thin air. Runes and golden circlets revolved around the red orb and the insides of the sphere seemed to contain an ocean of fire within. Three douluos took to the air and she tossed the orb at the clan compound.

Boom!

An explosion followed by the summoning of a sea of waves swept over the span of dozens of miles. This fire couldn't be used as an excuse for the death of a clan since it can only kill those ranked sixty or lower. Instead, its function was to burn, burn everything and reduce even the tainted earth into ashes.

'No one should know, and if word gets out then things will head south.' Bibi Dong started plotting and finding ideas on what to do next. The two elders will keep their mouths shut since the three of them have a little amiable relationship between them.

Worry started clouding the woman's heart. 'None should know straight away. Information must be delayed as much as possible otherwise the chances of war starting may triple.' The Elephant Armored Clan was one of the seven great clans under Heaven Dou Empire. Even if they weren't subordinates, the seven great clans signed a treaty to assist the empire if things turn dire.

And Star Luo Empire had stronger military force compared to the former. Having a chunk of their power taken away would pose a significant advantage to said Empire. If it wasn't for spirit hall keeping things in check then the Heaven Dou Empire would've been conquered long ago.

'Heaven Dou will find out on their own, and they won't dare publicly announce it. The information would be limited only to the Emperor and that false prince lest spies find it fancy and sing songs to Star Luo.' Bibi Dong had an ambition as well, she wanted to make Spirit Hall the only powerhouse in the continent, conquering all and uniting everyone under her banner even if it means force.

'Things are still too early…' She had been scheming for years already, and now was not the time for a war to erupt. Spirit beasts running amok were troublesome already, but another external variable had appeared.

Arriving at the Pontiff's Palace once more, the three bade their goodbyes and separated. Bibi Dong finally started relaxing as she heaved a sigh of relief. "I wonder… Did he get stronger?" She was always curious about her new student, the child was pleasing to the eye and his attainments would one day even surpass her own. Both he and her other student were talents handpicked from the common populace.

Lost in happy thoughts, Bibi Dong just now noticed the awkward muscular man standing before her with a troubled gaze. The man's height was tall, around six feet and four inches, on his head was long, spiky white hair with the end fashioned into a pony tail. A par of bandages crossed through his chest and black line tattoos adorned the man's forearms.

"She Long? What are you doing here?" Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow. She Long scratched the back of his head. "Yao Guai is safe but…" The titled douluo sucked in a deep breath, it felt like if he didn't say things properly then he would get bitch slapped into oblivion.

"Yao Guai Jumped off a mountain."

Bibi Dong's world seemed to freeze. She Long shivered and bowed but the pontiff wasn't angry at him.

Bang!

The palace trembled as the gates leading to it had a massive crater forming on the ground. She Long rubbed his head as the Supreme Pontiff had disappeared.

"Someone's in trouble." The man shook his head then shrugged, he did his job of watching the child. He disappeared too and appeared at a pub later, drinking alcohol to his enjoyment.

'That stupid student!' A heart full of worry and anger, Bibi Dong flew several times faster than the speed of sound then silently appeared behind Yao Guai. The monkey noticed her but said nothing and finished his conversation with Yao then disappeared.

Yao Guai turned around.

"Good little brat… I left you alone for a day and the next you're already jumping down mountains. Tell me how should I punish you?" She grabbed the kid by the back of his shirt like a mother dog picking up her puppies.

Yao Guai's eyes portrayed helplessness and acceptance.