Chapter 89: Brutal Dream, Shi Nian, The Thing a Girl Fears Most
"It was very sudden."
"Miss was clearly right in front of us, but after turning a corner, our vision blurred for a moment, and we lost her."
The thin Soul Emperor looked on the verge of collapse.
Setting aside the possibility that Ning Rongrong wandered off on her own, even an agility-type Soul Douluo, or even a Titled Douluo, couldn't have taken her away without leaving the slightest trace.
Most importantly, even with their martial souls possessed, they couldn't detect Ning Rongrong's aura at all.
It was as if she had vanished into thin air.
"I was just about to contact others from the sect to search together."
The fat Soul Emperor pleaded, "For the sake of being acquaintances, please help us search. There will definitely be a great reward afterward!"
Zhu Zhuqing didn't care about the reward. Instead, she suddenly caught a key detail:
"You said your vision was blurred?"
"Yes! We… Wait! We?!"
The thin Soul Emperor suddenly realized—
It was normal for one person's vision to blur, but for both of them at the same time? That wasn't right!
Something was wrong!
"Could it be… this wasn't an agility-type kidnapping but a premeditated move by a control-type soul master?"
The fat Soul Emperor also panicked.
Thinking about it this way, everything seemed to fit!
"There are indeed residual fluctuations of a spiritual illusion nearby."
Bai Lu's voice sounded within the spiritual sea space:
"To deceive Soul Emperors, even with preparation, the opponent's strength must be at least at the Soul Saint level. Otherwise, this wouldn't be possible."
"So that's it."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded inwardly and asked:
"Does Ning Rongrong have any enemies?"
"No!"
The thin Soul Emperor shook his head firmly. "Miss may have a bit of a temper, but she has a kind heart and has never made enemies."
"I see…"
Zhu Zhuqing fell silent for a moment, then asked inwardly:
"Bai Lu, can you help find her?"
She couldn't detect Ning Rongrong's aura nearby. If she relied only on herself, it would take a lot of effort.
"Call me big brother, and sweeten your tone a bit."
Bai Lu's voice carried a hint of amusement.
"…"
Zhu Zhuqing was speechless for a moment. "Big brother."
"One 'brainwave' service later."
Bai Lu continued bargaining.
"…Fine!"
Suppressing her embarrassment, Zhu Zhuqing agreed.
"Southwest direction, at least five kilometers away."
Bai Lu answered immediately.
"Southwest?!"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded to the two Soul Emperors:
"I have a lead. I'll go check first."
As her words fell, she immediately used her martial soul possession.
"Hell Rush Stab!"
Her first soul ring lit up, and her whole body turned into a streak of black light, rushing toward the southwest.
The moment she left their line of sight, she decisively activated Phantom Flash!
One hundred meters of instantaneous movement, activated continuously!
Her figure flickered through the forest like a ghost, traversing several kilometers in just a few breaths.
"So… so fast?!"
"Soul… Soul King?!"
The two Soul Emperors stared at each other, unable to hide their shock.
"Last time at the Great Soul Arena… wasn't she only a Soul Elder?"
The thin Soul Emperor was bewildered.
The fat Soul Emperor hesitated, "Maybe she encountered some opportunity recently."
"Then tell me, what kind of opportunity allows someone to rise so many levels in less than three months?"
The two looked at each other, both speechless.
It wasn't just her level. Even her speed far surpassed theirs!
Something was off about this girl!
—
Southwest direction, within a hidden valley.
"D-don't… don't come closer!"
Ning Rongrong's face was pale, her misty eyes filled with fear.
Around her, the sky and earth appeared normal; everything looked unchanged.
But in her eyes, it was a completely different scene—
Within a gloomy forest, ferocious soul beasts howled as they chased after her.
This terrifying scene scared her out of her wits as she ran desperately, scrambling with both hands and feet.
The surroundings kept shifting, yet the soul beasts pursued relentlessly.
No matter how hard she tried, the distance between her and the beasts, between her and death, only grew closer.
"Hahaha…"
Not far from the girl, an old man in white robes with a sinister face watched this scene and burst into laughter.
This man is Shi Nian. His martial soul is Brutal Dream. He is a teacher at Blue Sunshine Academy.
Petty and vindictive, his greatest pleasure was tormenting soul masters, especially talented ones, driving them insane to death within dreams.
"Little girl, don't blame me. Blame your bad luck."
Shi Nian looked at the terrified Ning Rongrong, who was running in place, a twisted delight appearing on his face.
As early as two months ago, he had heard about how teachers and students from his academy had been humiliated by Shrek Academy on the soul-hunting path.
From that moment, he remembered that the academy was filled with monster-level geniuses.
A few days ago, after hunting soul beasts, he casually passed by to take a look.
Unexpectedly, that glance changed everything.
He happened to see Ning Rongrong, who had withdrawn from Shrek and was planning to travel before returning home.
"You, little girl, are simply a gift from the heavens to me!"
"Don't be afraid. After all, you are the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"I'll let you live a little longer, then slowly let you die in despair."
Looking at Ning Rongrong, whose expression was gradually turning hopeless, the joy and madness in Shi Nian's eyes grew stronger.
His whole body trembled with excitement.
He had no other merits, except for being bold!
Ning Rongrong had a powerful background?
So what?
As long as no traces were left behind, even if the heavens collapsed, no one would know it was him!
"I'll play with you for another ten minutes, then I'll send you on your way, hahaha."
"Who are you planning to send on their way?"
A cold voice suddenly sounded.
Boom!
A figure descended from the sky, landing in the center of the valley.
Zhu Zhuqing tried to shake Ning Rongrong but couldn't wake her.
"Tsk tsk, didn't expect another genius to arrive."
Shi Nian stared fixedly at Zhu Zhuqing.
Or rather, his gaze was locked onto the five soul rings beneath her feet that had changed color.
"At such a young age, you've already reached Soul King level. What a pity, today you met me!"
"I'll give you a chance. Let her go."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Shi Nian, whose appearance and voice were obscured by illusion, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.
For some reason, this person gave her a strange feeling.
"Let her go? Just you, a mere Soul King?"
Shi Nian chuckled, his eyes filled with ridicule.
His Brutal Dream martial soul was extremely bizarre. Even a Soul Douluo would find it hard to catch him without prior knowledge.
Thus, he had no fear that the girl would pose any threat!
"Since you're here, don't even think about leaving!"
He revealed a confident smile. "Today, neither of you will leave!"
"Are you very strong?"
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly asked.
"Of course I am the strongest Soul Saint!"
Shi Nian grinned cruelly as his seventh soul ring suddenly lit up.
Nightmare, activate!
"Now this is interesting."
Bai Lu watched with great interest, not intending to warn the girl.
Partly to temper her, but also because he remembered the effect of Shi Nian's soul skill—
It could create the thing the target feared most in their heart!
He was quite curious what Zhu Zhuqing feared the most right now.
What surprised him was that this illusion was somewhat strange.
—
End of Chapter