Chapter 94: The Plot of the Dark Soul Masters

"Heh, there's no need to rush off, sir! That would make it seem like we, the Spirit Hall, lack hospitality, wouldn't it?"

"Now that you're here, you might as well finish what you came to do. Otherwise, we might have to pay a little visit to your house instead!"

Since she'd heard about this noble from Mu Yan, Hu Liena couldn't help but chuckle as she watched the middle-aged aristocrat try to slip away. Her tone seemed gentle, but there was an unmistakable hint of menace beneath her words.

The nobleman caught the hidden threat in her remark: if he didn't pay up, the Spirit Hall would come and take it directly from his home! With sweat beading on his brow, he let out a dry laugh.

"I… I'll return right away, yes… immediately!"

Reluctantly, he sank back into his seat.

Once he was seated, Hu Liena turned her attention to the members of the Soul Hunting Guild, her voice ringing out clearly.

"All right, those of you who've reported your findings can leave. Anyone who hasn't yet, come forward, report to me, and then claim your reward!"

With her announcement, the guild members who had received their compensation began to turn and prepare to leave. Meanwhile, a few who hadn't yet claimed their share sent representatives to join the line again.

This time, however, it wasn't Austin sitting behind the desk—it was Hu Liena.

"Alright, one at a time, please."

With Hu Liena directing them, the guild members stepped forward, taking turns to report.

"Did your team notice anything unusual in the Evernight Forest?"

"Um… I'm sorry, Lady Emissary, we didn't…"

"Hmm… very well, go claim your reward."

"And you? Did your guild find anything?"

"My apologies, Lady Emissary, we found nothing either…"

"All right, you may go as well…"

…

After listening to a few guild representatives, all reporting no findings, Hu Liena felt a headache coming on. She pressed her slender fingers against her temples, sighing. Not even a hint of the Dark Soul Masters… How were they supposed to locate anything in such a vast forest?

Although a bit frustrated, she remembered her training in dealing with Dark Soul Masters and their ruthless methods. If any guilds had indeed encountered them in Evernight Forest, it was likely they'd never made it back!

Finally, it was Lin Ye and Shi Yue's turn.

"What about you two? Do you have any news?"

Hu Liena asked casually, not expecting much.

"Lady Emissary, if we provide information about Dark Soul Masters, will our reward be the same?" Shi Yue inquired cautiously.

Hu Liena's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that they had actually encountered Dark Soul Masters?

"Rest assured, the reward remains unchanged. We, the Spirit Hall, guarantee priority in future soul-hunting missions for any guild that provides Dark Soul Master intel. That's a promise. If anyone denies you, come find me."

"As for the promised five million gold soul coins from the nobles—you'll receive that, too. If they refuse, the Spirit Hall will collect it for you!" Hu Liena stood up, brushing a golden lock behind her ear, her tone resolute.

"That's a relief…"

Hearing her promise, Shi Yue finally relaxed.

"So, do you have information on the Dark Soul Masters? If you do, tell me now. The five million soul coins are yours, and if the nobles try to hold out, I'll personally ensure you're paid!"

Seeing Shi Yue's hesitation, Hu Liena was convinced he had useful information and pressed him further.

"Heh, I don't know much about the Dark Soul Masters. It's him," Shi Yue replied, pulling Lin Ye forward.

"Do you have information about the Dark Soul Masters?" Hu Liena asked as she turned to Lin Ye.

"Yes, I do," Lin Ye nodded.

"Today, while breaking through to level 20, I went to Evernight Forest to hunt soul beasts. There, I accidentally stumbled upon a group of Dark Soul Masters and overheard them talking."

"Where are they? What did you hear?"

Hu Liena pressed on, intrigued.

Although she wondered how Lin Ye managed to eavesdrop on Dark Soul Masters undetected, she knew that on Douluo Continent, the diversity of martial souls often allowed for such unusual feats, so she chose not to question him.

"I don't know their exact location in Evernight Forest, but I saw two groups—one dressed in black and blood-red robes, obviously Dark Soul Masters, while the other group seemed disguised as nobles."

"I heard part of their conversation. One of the red-robed figures referred to a Dark Soul Master in noble disguise as 'Thousand Faces,' while that Dark Soul Master called the red-robed man 'Blood Bat.' Those disguised as nobles had apparently infiltrated Evernight City, issuing soul-hunting missions to lure guilds into the forest, where they'd be easy prey for the other group of Dark Soul Masters."

"They also mentioned someone called 'Lord Blood Infant,' who seems to be the focus of some major scheme. According to what I overheard, they're gathering blood for this 'Blood Infant' and believe that if they succeed, they'll finally break free from the Spirit Hall's control."

"One of them—the Thousand Faces, I think—suggested they move on from targeting soul masters in Evernight City and instead just wipe out a whole town for convenience. But Blood Bat refused, saying it would be too risky. He insisted they continue luring soul masters from Evernight City or elsewhere to the forest."

Lin Ye recounted everything he'd overheard in a calm, measured tone.

"Black robes… blood robes… Thousand Faces… Blood Bat… Blood Infant…"

Hu Liena was pleasantly surprised as she listened to Lin Ye. Initially, she assumed he'd only picked up minor information, but this was significant intelligence on the Dark Soul Masters.

Other factions on the continent might not know much about the Dark Soul Masters, but the Spirit Hall was their sworn enemy and was well-informed.

The Dark Soul Masters had, over time, organized themselves into a group known as the Dark Soul Hall, with ranks marked by robe colors. Those with the highest status wore blood-red robes adorned with gold threads, followed by ordinary blood robes, and finally, black robes for the lowest ranks.

As for the code names Lin Ye mentioned, Hu Liena didn't recognize Thousand Faces or Blood Bat, but Blood Infant was another story. Blood Infant was none other than the current leader of the Dark Soul Hall, the strongest among the Dark Soul Masters—a Soul Douluo of level eighty-eight.

However, that information was over a decade old. Blood Infant was likely already at level eighty-nine by now. Was this grand scheme of theirs meant to help Blood Infant collect the blood necessary to reach the rank of Titled Douluo?

No! This plan of theirs had to be thwarted at all costs!

Hu Liena's resolve hardened.

But this matter might involve an incredibly powerful Dark Soul Master, possibly one at level eighty-nine. The forces she brought might not be sufficient. She needed to alert her master immediately.

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