Rewinding time a bit... Arthur's search for Evil Soul Masters wasn't going very well. Back on the Star Luo Continent, he had the full support of the Star Luo Empire.
But on the Douluo Continent, the Federal Government here was not only useless but even proved to be an obstacle.
In Skysea City, a blonde youth and a red-haired lady were strolling through the streets.
"I've run out of patience." Leng Yaozhu looked at Arthur with an unfriendly gaze. "How long has it been? How many Evil Soul Masters have we eliminated already?"
"And yet, there's still no news of my sister."
"Don't be like that, we're almost there." Arthur hurriedly tried to persuade her. "Trust me one last time; there's definitely a clue about her in this city."
During this time, Leng Yaozhu had been working for Arthur for free, and her patience was finally wearing thin.
Seeing that his 'employee' wanted the results he had promised, Arthur brought her here.
Among the Holy Spirit Cult's One Emperor, Two Sovereigns, and Four Heavenly Kings, it was hard to say about the others, but clues regarding Leng Yulai could still be found.
After all, the bond between the sisters, Leng Yaozhu and Leng Yulai, still existed.
Although they hadn't seen each other in years, Arthur had managed to find this place through the faint connection between them.
"You'd better be right."
Skysea City, a bustling hub on the east coast of the Douluo Continent, was currently basking in the afternoon sun.
Sunlight spilled over the crowded streets, and the salty sea breeze mingled with the city's hustle and bustle.
However, as Leng Yaozhu walked through this prosperity, her expression was as cold as ice.
Ever since she had believed Arthur's words that her sister might be in the Holy Spirit Cult, she had followed this mystical brat across various places.
They had wiped out no fewer than ten Evil Soul Master dens, saving many people and seizing a large amount of contraband.
But regarding Leng Yulai, there wasn't even a shred of a concrete trail. Every time, Arthur would vow that they were "almost there" or "this is the one," but the result was usually a wild goose chase or catching minor lackeys who hadn't even heard of Leng Yulai's name.
She felt like a donkey being led by a carrot.
"One last time."
Leng Yaozhu stopped in her tracks, her burning gaze almost searing a hole in Arthur's face. "Arthur, I'm reminding you as the vice pagoda master of the Spirit Conduction Tower: my time is precious. If we return empty-handed again, or if it's just some insignificant small fry, I won't mind letting you taste the warmth of my Heavenly Phoenix True Fire."
Arthur's scalp tingled under her gaze, and he quickly offered an apologetic smile. "Don't worry, this time is truly different!"
He closed his eyes and prayed, "Fate will guide us to her."
"Crazy." Leng Yaozhu couldn't help but roll her eyes at him. Just as she was about to say something, her gaze was drawn to a small, shivering figure huddled by a pile of junk on the roadside.
It was a young girl of about eleven or twelve, wearing clothes that were clearly ill-fitting and covered in patches. Her little face was dirty, and her purple hair was tied in a messy knot.
However, even this outfit couldn't hide her graceful figure.
Her large eyes timidly watched the passing pedestrians, filled with deep fear and unease.
Leng Yaozhu was not heartless; seeing such a young child living on the streets...
A hint of pity mingled with her frustration. However, she was currently more anxious to find clues about her sister. After a brief pause, she was about to look away.
Just then, the little girl seemed to suddenly summon her courage and lunged out from beside the pile of junk.
She ran stumbling, yet her target was exceptionally clear: she lunged straight for the storage device on Leng Yaozhu's waist, which looked ordinary but actually contained many spirit tools and rare Materials.
"H-hand over the money!" The little girl's voice was tearful and forced with a feigned fierceness, her thin body trembling violently from nervousness.
She reached out with a grimy little hand, trying to grab Leng Yaozhu's storage device, while her other hand tightly gripped a short sword.
This scene happened too suddenly and was too... bizarre.
A ragged little girl with Soul Power fluctuations so weak they were almost negligible, robbing a red-haired lady who, despite her restrained aura, still exuded an air of extraordinary status, on a busy street?
It was like an ant trying to trip an elephant.
A few scattered passersby noticed, casting surprised, pitying, or curious glances, but no one stepped forward.
The red-haired lady clearly held a high status.
Arthur was also taken aback, then watched with interest.
He could sense a strange sense of dissonance about this little girl, and not just because of her absurd robbery attempt.
Leng Yaozhu's brow furrowed even tighter. She had indeed never encountered such a situation.
With her strength and status, even if a Titled Douluo-level Soul Master blocked her path, she could face them without blinking.
But a malnourished little girl with low Soul Power who was clearly desperate enough to take such a risk... She easily dodged the girl's haphazard movements, not even letting the girl's fingers touch the hem of her clothes.
Without releasing any Soul Power pressure, Leng Yaozhu simply looked down at the little girl who had nearly fallen after missing her mark and was now looking up.
The little girl gazed at her with large eyes filled with a mixture of fear, despair, and something complex.
That look touched something deep within Leng Yaozhu's heart.
It wasn't because of fear, but because the child's eyes felt familiar to her.
As if she had seen them somewhere before.
In that brief moment when Leng Yaozhu was slightly distracted by that inexplicable sense of familiarity...
The seemingly panicked and clumsy little girl used the momentum of her forward lunge to twist her feet in a clumsy, almost exaggerated manner.
Her small body seemed to lose control, and with a cry of "Oops!", she crashed straight into Arthur, who was standing slightly behind Leng Yaozhu with his arms crossed, watching the show.
This sudden change seemed accidental, and it wasn't fast—it was even a bit comical.
Arthur clearly saw her movements but didn't react, as he was still pondering what exactly felt so off.
He felt that the current scene was somewhat awkward.
Under Leng Yaozhu's slightly stunned gaze, the little girl successfully tumbled into Arthur's arms. The impact wasn't great; it was more like she was throwing herself into his embrace.
Immediately after, the short sword she had been clutching was tremblingly raised.
The movement was awkward, the tip of the blade even shaking slightly as it was carefully pressed against Arthur's neck.
The little girl slowly shrunk behind Arthur, using him to block Leng Yaozhu's view.
Then, in a voice that was tearful and cracked with nervousness, she shouted, "D-don't move! You've... you've been taken hostage!"
She shouted at Arthur, but her eyes nervously darted toward Leng Yaozhu. "H-hurry up and tell your companion to hand over everything valuable! Otherwise... otherwise, I'll... I'll stab you!"
As she spoke, to increase her intimidation, she lightly pressed the short sword against the side of Arthur's neck.
The arm wrapped around Arthur's waist had no strength; it was soft and weak.
No matter how one looked at it, the scene was incredibly bizarre.
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