54: Chapter 54: Follow me, and I can give you a chance for revenge!

When they left Saint Spirit Village, the night was already deep.

Lu Jing and Wang Donger did not take the main road; borrowing the moonlight, they traveled along the forest trails. Their figures were like two wisps of smoke, sneaking back into Nuoding City silently.

The gates of Nuoding City were already closed. The soldiers guarding the city were dozing off while hugging their spears, and the light of the torches flickered in the night wind.

Lu Jing and Wang Donger climbed over the wall and entered. When they landed, they didn't even disturb a single fallen leaf.

"Where are we going now?" Wang Donger asked in a low voice, her powder-blue eyes particularly bright in the night.

The Spirit Bone in her arms emitted a gentle warmth, making her feel that everything was still somewhat unreal.

"We are going to Nuoding Academy," Lu Jing replied.

"Nuoding Academy? What are we going there for?" Wang Donger was puzzled.

"You'll know when we get there!"

Nuoding Academy was located in the northeast corner of the city. At this moment, the lights were already out, with only a few patrol lanterns swaying inside the courtyard walls.

The two avoided the patrolling guards, climbed over the wall like agile cats, and moved quickly through the shadows of the teaching buildings.

Lu Jing's Mental Energy had already locked onto the target—the student dormitory located on the east side of the academy.

He remembered very clearly that Tang San and Xiao Wu lived in the small room in the very corner.

Arriving outside the dormitory window, Lu Jing signaled Wang Donger to keep watch outside, while he held his breath and gently pushed open the slightly ajar window.

The room was pitch black, and one could only vaguely see two simple wooden beds. On one of the beds, a petite figure was curled up in a deep sleep, with a long scorpion braid hanging by the bedside. It was none other than Xiao Wu.

Lu Jing snuck in silently. With a flick of his hand, a wisp of gentle Soul Power condensed at his fingertips, and he quickly and accurately struck the back of Xiao Wu's neck.

Xiao Wu's body trembled violently, and without even a groan, she completely lost consciousness.

Lu Jing nimbly picked her up. This girl looked thin and small, but she was soft in his arms, carrying a fragrance unique to a young girl.

He turned and jumped out of the window, signaling to Wang Donger. The two withdrew rapidly. The entire process took no more than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, completely undetected.

Once they were out of Nuoding City, Wang Donger looked at the girl in Lu Jing's arms, frowning slightly, and said, "Everything was fine, so why have you turned into a kidnapper? Also, who is she? Why did you capture her?"

"Why don't you take a guess?" Lu Jing asked with a smile while they continued on their way.

After thinking for a moment, Wang Donger's pupils constricted slightly, and she asked tentatively, "It couldn't be her, could it?"

"Oh my, how did my Sister Donger become so smart all of a sudden?" Lu Jing teased with a smile.

"I have always been smart, okay!"

Wang Donger gave a soft huff, said this very proudly, and then couldn't help but ask, "Are we just going to take her away like this? Won't it be too risky? If Tang San discovers she's gone tomorrow, he will definitely investigate."

"So what if he investigates?"

Lu Jing gave a soft scoff and said very nonchalantly, "They don't have any feelings or relationship right now, so would Tang San care? As for Tang Hao..."

A cold sneer curled the corners of his mouth. "Even if he finds out, what can he do? Don't forget, we are enemies with him, and we will eventually fall out sooner or later. One more thing doesn't make a difference."

Wang Donger fell silent.

She knew Lu Jing was right. They came from ten thousand years later and joined the Spirit Hall Elder Hall, so they were already standing on the opposite side of the Clear Sky Sect and Tang San. Taking Xiao Wu away was merely intensifying the conflict in advance.

However, was it really appropriate for her to do this? She was the Young Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect from ten thousand years later!

Not only did she follow someone else to steal Tang San's mother's Spirit Bone, but she also took away Tang San's original wife. This didn't look like something the Young Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect would do.

But the problem was, what choice did she have? Ask Lu Jing not to do this?

That was impossible; after all, he wasn't a member of the Clear Sky Sect!

They didn't know how long they had walked, but the horizon began to turn a fish-belly white, and only then did Lu Jing and Wang Donger stop.

"It's safe here, let's rest for a while."

Lu Jing said, "Sister Donger, you can absorb it now. I will guard you."

Wang Donger held the blue-gold Spirit Bone. The morning dew dampened her skirt, but it didn't affect her mood at all. She asked, "Can I absorb it now?"

"Yes."

Lu Jing nodded and said softly, "This Spirit Bone has immense energy. Don't rush, guide it slowly."

Wang Donger acknowledged, found a clean stone to sit on, crossed her legs, and placed the Spirit Bone on her right leg.

She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and slowly injected her Soul Power into the Spirit Bone.

The blue-gold Spirit Bone lit up instantly, and a majestic aura of life surged out from within, like a warm stream, slowly flowing along the meridians of her arm.

Wang Donger's brows gradually relaxed, and a faint halo appeared around her body. She had clearly entered the state.

Lu Jing stood guard nearby, his gaze vigilantly scanning the surroundings to ensure no one would disturb them.

"Interesting. It seems that after the time travel, the Sea God Tang San, who existed in Wang Donger's sea of consciousness, shows no signs of waking up."

Lu Jing understood. If it weren't for this, Wang Donger certainly wouldn't have been willing to follow him in doing such a jerk move. However, fortunately, due to good luck, although Wang Donger was somewhat conflicted inside, she didn't hesitate or refuse too much, because she knew very well that if she wanted to return to ten thousand years later, she had to have strength.

Anyway, the item was already in their hands and couldn't be returned. Rather than letting someone else absorb it, it was better for her to absorb it herself to increase her strength.

Lu Jing sat down and looked at the girl beside him.

This girl was sleeping soundly. Her long eyelashes cast faint shadows under her eyelids, and her cheeks had a healthy pink tint. She looked no different from an ordinary young girl.

But Lu Jing knew what an astonishing secret was hidden beneath this innocent and naive appearance.

He reached out and gently pinched Xiao Wu's philtrum.

Xiao Wu's eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.

When she first woke up, she was still a bit dazed and rubbed her eyes, but when she saw the surrounding environment clearly, she instantly became fully awake.

This was not the Nuoding Academy dormitory!

An open space, the scent of the forest... and the youth in black robes before her, looking at her with a half-smile.

"Who are you? Where is this?" Xiao Wu sat up abruptly, extremely vigilant and solemn. Her pink, tender face instantly tightened, and her eyes were filled with wariness.

She instinctively tried to circulate her Soul Power, but discovered that the Soul Power in her body seemed to be blocked by something; she couldn't mobilize even a trace.

"Don't waste your energy."

Lu Jing leaned against a large tree and said in a calm tone, "I have temporarily sealed your Soul Power to save you from acting rashly."

Xiao Wu's heart sank.

With her Soul Power sealed, it meant she now had no power to resist.

The youth before her didn't look old, but his eyes were bottomless, making her feel an inexplicable chill.

"Why did you capture me?" She pretended to be calm, trying hard to make her voice sound less shaky.

She carefully recalled the events of last night, only remembering that she was sleeping soundly when her neck suddenly went numb, and then she knew nothing.

Lu Jing did not answer directly, but instead pointed to Wang Donger, who was absorbing the Spirit Bone in front of them, and asked with a smile, "Girl, do you know her?"

Xiao Wu looked in the direction he pointed. It was a peerlessly beautiful woman, her powder-blue long hair particularly conspicuous in the morning light.

She frowned and shook her head. "I don't know her."

But as soon as she finished speaking, she felt something was wrong.

This face... it seemed to have an inexplicable sense of familiarity, as if it were... a connection in her bloodline?

"But..."

Xiao Wu hesitated for a moment, then said, "It feels a bit strange, as if I've seen her somewhere before, but I can't quite put my finger on it."

The smile on Lu Jing's face deepened. "That's normal. After all, your connection is much deeper than you imagine."

Xiao Wu was even more confused. Just as she wanted to press further, she heard Lu Jing ask, "Do you know who we are?"

"I don't know."

Xiao Wu shook her head, stared at him vigilantly, and asked, "Who on earth are you? Why did you capture me?"

She was calculating rapidly in her heart.

The other party was able to take her away from Nuoding Academy without anyone noticing and could seal her Soul Power; they were clearly not ordinary people.

But they didn't look like bad people either... No, bad people wouldn't have the words "I am a bad person" written on their faces.

What puzzled her most was that the other party shouldn't know her true identity.

After all, to be able to see that she was a 100,000-year Spirit Beast in human form, one would at least need to be a Titled Douluo-level powerhouse. The youth before her looked at most fifteen or sixteen; how could he have that kind of strength?

Just as Xiao Wu was letting her imagination run wild, Lu Jing spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of playfulness. "We are from Spirit Hall. You tell me, why would we be looking for you?"

"Spirit Hall?!"

Xiao Wu's delicate body trembled violently, her face instantly turning pale, and even her lips lost their color.

She bit her lower lip tightly, trying hard to look calm, but her slightly trembling body betrayed her fear.

How could it be Spirit Hall?!

How could they have set their sights on her? Could it be... they knew?

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

Xiao Wu took a deep breath and said, pretending to be calm, "I... I don't know what you are talking about. I am just an ordinary Spirit Master student. My Spirit is a rabbit. Why did you capture me?"

Lu Jing looked at her feigned calmness and found it somewhat amusing.

He leaned forward, his eyes sharp as a knife. "Ordinary student? Girl, your acting isn't very good. A 100,000-year Soft Bones Rabbit in human form, hiding in Nuoding Academy as a student, how long did you think you could keep it hidden?"

"100,000... 100,000-year..."

Xiao Wu panicked completely, her body going limp, and she almost collapsed to the ground.

She looked at Lu Jing in disbelief, her eyes filled with despair.

He knew! He actually really knew!

How could this be? He clearly looked so young; how could he see through her identity?

It was over, everything was over.

Xiao Wu's tears swirled in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

She knew that falling into the hands of Spirit Hall, especially after her identity had been exposed, meant only one outcome awaited her—having her spirit ring and Spirit Bone extracted, and dying without a whole corpse.

Who on the continent didn't know the power of Spirit Hall? Even her own mother had died at their hands.

Seeing Xiao Wu's despondent state, Lu Jing instead restrained his smile and said in a calm tone, "Don't be nervous, I don't intend to kill you."

Xiao Wu lifted her head abruptly, her eyes full of suspicion. "What did you say?"

He didn't intend to kill her? How was that possible!

A 100,000-year spirit ring!

That was something all Spirit Masters dreamed of, especially for a power like Spirit Hall; it was simply a rare treasure.

How could he not be tempted?

"You don't believe me?"

Lu Jing raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a hint of disdain. "That's others, not me. Spirit Hall wants your spirit ring, but I don't."

He leaned back against the carriage wall and said slowly, "As long as you obediently follow me, not only can I guarantee your safety and ensure no one harms you, but I can even... give you a chance for revenge."

"Revenge?"

Xiao Wu was stunned, her eyes filled with confusion, and she asked, "Revenge for what? You... how do you know..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was clear. Her mother had been hunted by people from Spirit Hall; she had never told anyone about this, so how could this youth before her know?

Lu Jing smiled mysteriously. "Don't worry about how I know. You just need to tell me, do you want this opportunity or not?"

Xiao Wu fell silent.

She stared intently at Lu Jing, trying to see something on his face, but the youth's expression was too calm, leaving her unable to see any flaws.

Revenge... she wanted it more than anything!

But the other party was from Spirit Hall!

The Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall was Bibi Dong. That woman was the supreme ruler of Spirit Hall. Even if this youth before her was capable, could he really go up against the entire Supreme Pontiff Palace?

Xiao Wu gritted her teeth, her tone carrying a hint of sarcasm. "You say you can help me get revenge? Help me deal with Bibi Dong? Do you know who she is? She is the Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall! You are all people from Spirit Hall. Would you go against your Supreme Pontiff for the sake of a Spirit Beast like me? What a joke!"

"Who said we are on the same side?"

Lu Jing scoffed and explained, "We are from the Elder Hall; we are not on the same side as those people in the Supreme Pontiff Palace. Do you think Spirit Hall is a monolith? The Elder Hall and the Supreme Pontiff Palace have been fighting openly and secretly for many years; they have long been incompatible like fire and water."

He looked at Xiao Wu's still suspicious eyes and continued, "As long as you are obedient enough and help me do things, when there is an opportunity in the future, I will naturally give you a chance to kill her. By then, even if you personally slaughter Bibi Dong, the Elder Hall will only turn a blind eye."

Xiao Wu's heart jumped violently.

Elder Hall... she had heard of this name.

It was said to be the most mysterious power in Spirit Hall, led by the High Priest, with a status even above the Supreme Pontiff.

If this youth before her really came from the Elder Hall, then what he said didn't seem entirely impossible...

But she still dared not believe it.

How could there be such a good deal in the world?

Just when Xiao Wu was hesitant, Lu Jing suddenly asked, "You know Tang San, right?"

"Tang San?"

Xiao Wu was taken aback and nodded. "I know him, he is my roommate."

"His father is Tang Hao."

Lu Jing's voice carried a hint of playfulness as he asked, "You should have heard this name, right?"

"Tang Hao?"

Xiao Wu muttered to herself, and then her pupils suddenly constricted. A look of shock appeared on her face as she asked, "Are you talking about... the Tang Hao who killed the previous Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall and is known as the Clear Sky Douluo?!"

She never expected that Tang San was actually Tang Hao's son!

That legendary Clear Sky Douluo was actually in Nuoding City?

"Exactly."

Lu Jing nodded, his smile containing a hint of imperceptible calculation. "Even if I didn't take you away today, how long do you think you could stay safe? Tang Hao is a Titled Douluo; wouldn't he be able to see your identity? Do you think he wouldn't use you as Tang San's spirit ring to pave the way for him?"

Xiao Wu's face instantly turned pale.

She had never thought about this question.

In her view, it was impossible for a Titled Douluo to exist in Nuoding City; otherwise, she wouldn't have come all this way here.

But Lu Jing's words were like a needle, piercing her illusions.

Tang Hao was the Clear Sky Douluo, a powerhouse standing at the peak of Spirit Masters.

For the sake of his son, would he really care about the life of a Spirit Beast?

A 100,000-year spirit ring was an irresistible temptation for any Spirit Master, let alone for his own son...

Xiao Wu's heart was completely in chaos.

She opened her mouth, wanting to refute, but found she couldn't say a word.