Chapter Thirty-Nine: Black Soul

"This sword accompanied the master throughout his life. It possesses a natural sensitivity to the martial arts of the Crane Sect. The reason I was able to sense someone cultivating the Second Crane Body Force is thanks to this sword. Carry it with you—it will help you find the one you seek. I do not know who that person is, but I have faith in your abilities. If even you cannot save the Crane Sect, then perhaps it is destined for destruction."

"Go now, and bid farewell to your mother."

The old crane's gaze was deep and wise, his face etched with wrinkles and softened by a gentle smile.

Crane carefully fastened the sword to the silver sash at his waist, smoothed the folds of his garment, immaculate and spotless. His expression became composed once more. He bowed respectfully to the old crane, then turned resolutely and departed.

The youth in white, sword at his side, descended the winding mountain steps with graceful poise. The mountain breeze lifted his silver hair, his face serene and resolute, refined as jade.

The disciples of the Crane Sect who passed him watched with eyes full of complex emotions.

Faced with that upright silhouette, sharp as a blade, words seemed pale and powerless.

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The Northern Yan library, in terms of scale, far exceeded even Tianjing. It seemed every headmaster through the generations was an avid collector, and after years of dedication, the library had grown into a truly astonishing repository.

Access was strictly regulated, but Han Bingning had the highest privileges, allowing her to peruse any tome at will. The library was sparsely populated and silent, making it her favorite place to pass the time.

But today, she had not come to idle away the hours.

She moved along the bookshelves, pulling out volumes and shelving them again, repeating the process throughout the morning.

Suddenly, she halted, her gaze riveted by the ancient text in her hands.

"Entering madness—a special state triggered by an outburst of negative emotions in extreme circumstances. Those who succumb to madness see their strength greatly enhanced, their instincts governing their actions, while emotions like slaughter and brutality take precedence.

The likelihood of an ordinary person succumbing is small.

There are two groups prone to madness: those with special bloodlines, and dark martial artists. Martial artists with unique bloodlines, when confronted with extreme situations, awaken the deeply hidden power within their lineage, triggering a state of madness. Assassins and killers, the dark martial artists, accumulate too much slaughter and negativity, making them equally susceptible..."

Han Bingning read carefully, word by word. The memory of Tang Tian entering madness during his battle with the Iron Armored Rhinoceros had left a deep impression on her.

Tang Tian was a person wrapped in mysteries that appeared accidental, but as time passed, Han Bingning felt that none of these coincidences were truly coincidental!

Dark martial artist? Han Bingning thought of Tang Tian's cheerful and carefree demeanor, and could not help but shake her head. How could such a person be a dark martial artist?

That left only the special bloodline.

Could it be that Tang Tian possessed some extraordinary bloodline?

Han Bingning stood frozen, lost in thought.

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Jade Marsh Bamboo Sea.

Tang Tian darted through the bamboo forest, lightly tapping his feet on bamboo branches, using their springiness to propel himself forward. His movements were devoid of elegance, but his speed was astonishing, and each step was precise. Whenever he encountered a bamboo leaf bee, he would dispatch it with a Shadow Palm, knocking it from the air.

Both the Shadow Palm and his agility skills progressed rapidly in such an environment as the Jade Marsh Bamboo Sea.

A few days ago, he had produced a second little crane, only to discover that this one was completely unresponsive. No matter how Tang Tian tried to activate it, it remained motionless. The Soul General Card for the Crane Energy Technique offered no insight, and even Old Wei was baffled.

Tang Tian simply set it aside. Yet, during his agility training, he found his endurance had notably improved.

Tang Tian paused as he moved through the bamboo sea, glancing at the time. Why hadn't Nannan arrived today?

Normally, she would have come by now. Was something unexpected holding her up?

A hint of worry crept into Tang Tian's heart. He moved swiftly, body twisting as he headed deeper into the bamboo sea towards Nannan's home. He knew where she lived and decided to check on her.

His movements lacked grace, but his speed was impressive, especially given the stamina of his true energy—he often covered long distances in a single breath, without needing to pause.

Suddenly, shouts and the clash of blades rang out ahead.

Tang Tian's eyes flashed with blazing light. Without hesitation, he tapped lightly and his figure left a trail of afterimages in the air.

Soon, a small bamboo hut appeared ahead.

That was Nannan's home!

Tang Tian did not rush forward recklessly. He narrowed his eyes, crouched low, and quietly parted the bamboo leaves.

Nannan's mother was wielding a steel sword, desperately blocking a man in black. The man wore a black mask, revealing only sharp eyes. He fought with twin blades—his technique strange and chilling, the cold gleam of his blades like ice. Around him, clusters of snowflakes drifted.

Nannan's mother was at the end of her strength, barely holding on out of sheer willpower. Nannan huddled in the corner, her face full of terror, not daring to cry for fear of distracting her mother.

Tang Tian's eyes grew cold and grim. Silently, he retrieved the black iron gauntlets from his water bottle martial cabinet.

Though this was Tang Tian's first time in such a battle, he felt no fear. Instead, he was exceptionally calm. He quietly donned the gauntlets, approaching like a wildcat, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Nannan's mother's sword grew slower and weaker, while the snowflakes from the twin blades thickened, their chill biting.

The man in black's eyes gleamed; he shouted, and his twin blades merged, sending a crescent-shaped slash downwards!

Nannan's mother was horror-struck!

At that moment, Tang Tian's legs exploded with power, launching him like an arrow from a bow.

The man in black was startled, but his twin-blade attack was his killing move—he had committed everything to it, leaving no reserve. The eyes behind the mask were full of shock.

Seeing Tang Tian, Nannan's mother's face, moments ago despairing, suddenly shone with fierce hope. Her steel sword pressed forward instead of retreating.

Clang!

Sword and blade collided. The steel sword shattered with a crash.

A dazzling bolt of lightning tore through the air, crashing viciously into the man's waist.

Lightning Strike!

The man in black screamed. Tang Tian's mind went blank; acting almost instinctively, he did not pause for breath, raining blows like a storm upon his opponent.

The man in black was sent flying like a sandbag, landing motionless on the ground.

"Watch out!" Nannan's cry snapped Tang Tian back to his senses.

He shifted his stance as a sharp blade swept dangerously close, leaving a gash in his clothing.

"Di Han!"

Tang Tian growled, his face twisted with rage as he searched for Di Han's silhouette.

He had encountered this attack style just a few days ago; now, seeing it again, he recognized it instantly.

The surroundings were silent, the bamboo shadows swaying, but nothing responded.

Tang Tian dared not relax. This terrain was a natural hunting ground for someone like Di Han.

Nannan's mother struggled to her feet, retrieving a bamboo tube from her waist. A green bee, no bigger than a finger, flew out, buzzing around the area. Nannan's mother breathed a sigh of relief. "He's gone."

Tang Tian exhaled and collapsed onto the ground. His nerves had been taut during the battle, but now his limbs felt weak and heavy. Yet, for some reason, after this life-and-death struggle, he felt little fear.

Only now did Nannan burst into tears.

Nannan's mother approached the fallen man in black, used her sword to lift his mask and reveal an ordinary face. He was lifeless, and where Tang Tian had struck him, there was a wound as if cut by a sharp blade. In the heat of the moment, Tang Tian had instinctively used the Crane Body Force technique.

"What happened here?" Tang Tian recovered, stood and moved closer.

Nannan's mother sliced through the man's outer garment, exposing a copper token inscribed with a bright red character: "Soldier."

Her face changed dramatically, voice trembling. "Black Soul!"

"Black Soul?" It was the first time Tang Tian had heard the name.

Nannan's mother turned pale, her body swaying as she murmured, "Black Soul... people of Black Soul..."

"Are they formidable?" Tang Tian sensed her distress and interrupted.

She regained composure and managed a smile. "Thank you for your help, but now you've gotten yourself involved in trouble."

"I'm fine," Tang Tian replied.

"You don't understand Black Soul." Her voice was bitter. "Black Soul is an extremely terrifying and mysterious organization. Ruthless and infamous throughout the Sky Road, they're dark hunters obsessed with Star Treasures. Their power is beyond imagination, and their experts are countless. Black Soul has a long history, dating back to the discovery of the Sky Road. It's one of the oldest groups in existence."

"That powerful?" Tang Tian's eyes widened.

"You killed a member of Black Soul—they will not let this go. Be extremely careful." Nannan's mother looked at Tang Tian with deep concern. "Tonight, I'll take Nannan away, to my brother's place."

"Why did they target you?" Tang Tian wondered.

Nannan's mother was equally puzzled. "Their target seems to be Nannan."

Nannan had stopped crying, moving closer. She glanced at the dead man's face and exclaimed, "I know him! A few days ago, I saw him asking about a cross mark. Nannan thought she'd seen one on Big Brother's hand, but Nannan is clever—she didn't tell him. Did he figure it out? But I pretended so well..."

Tang Tian's heart jolted. The cross mark!

Southern Cross!

They were after the Southern Cross copper token!

Black Soul... the Southern Cross Ascetic Token...