Chapter 70: Stillborn in the Womb

Was it because they had kidnapped an additional Ouyang Zixin that he was displeased?

Or perhaps… Did Di Tian also want to participate in Yuwen Dali's team-building activities?

Tsk, the dragon's true nature—lustful.

Not entirely impossible.

Di Tian gave him a speechless glance and said,"Put away your wild thoughts."

Now was not the time for music and dancing.

"Is it because of the extra Ouyang Zixin?" Uwen Dali cautiously probed.

"Yes, but also no."

"You don't need to be afraid. I have no objections to what you've done."

His concluding remark served as a stabilizing shot, easing Yuwen Dali's nerves.

"Moreover, what you did…" Di Tian's voice carried a thick undertone of curiosity and sarcasm.

"Forget it. Just leave it as is."

"In three to five days, return them in one piece… safe and sound."

Seeing that Di Tian was about to leave, Yuwen Dali hurriedly asked one last question, "Lord Beast God, are you in a hurry to send them back?"

"Not really."

"I'm just curious about how things will unfold after they're returned."

"Then I'll send them back in three days."

"Do as you see fit. The exact number of days is up to you."

As soon as he finished speaking, Uwen Dali felt a blur before his eyes, his spiritual perception momentarily flickering—by the time he focused again, Di Tian was already gone.

Meanwhile, in Eastsea City.

The Eastsea Academy grounds were in ruins, devastated beyond recognition.

Although the battle had not lasted long, the destructive power of soul masters was catastrophic—especially to ordinary buildings.

The most severely damaged structure was, of course, the dormitory where Mu Xi and Ouyang Zixin had been staying—the very center of the calamity.

Amidst the half-collapsed ruins, a beautiful woman in her nightgown sat slumped on the dusty rubble, utterly indifferent to the filth beneath her as tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.

She was none other than Mu Xi's biological mother—Yuan Bao'er.

Her sobs were interspersed with murmurs of her daughter's childhood name, "Xi'er."

Standing beside her, his body drained of strength and his face grim as water, was a middle-aged man—Mu Chen.

A sudden, jarring tone came from the soul communicator hanging from his ear.

"Beep—beep—"

"Mr. Mu Chen, we deeply apologize. So far, we have been unable to locate the traces of those evil soul masters."

Mu Chen had yet to respond when Yuan Bao'er, who had been sitting on the ground just moments before, suddenly leaped to her feet, snatching the soul communicator from Mu Chen's ear.

With a voice filled with anguish, she cried out,"Aren't you the Federation's stationed city defense force?!"

"My daughter was kidnapped by evil soul masters! An entire night has passed, and now you're telling me you have no leads at all?!"

"Please rest assured, Madam Yuan Bao'er. The Federation's War God Temple has already dispatched two of the Eighteen War Gods to dedicate themselves to the search. They will not stop until the evil soul masters are found."

The voice on the other end of the communicator held traces of guilt and unease.

Yuan Bao'er, nearly losing all reason, wanted to say more, but Mu Chen raised his hand to stop her.

Taking back the communicator, he said,"Please… I beg of you… do everything in your power. Please!"

Mu Chen's near-pleading tone was met with a solemn promise from the Federation's liaison. Reassurances were given again and again before the call finally ended with a series of final beeps.

"Beep—beep—"

The sound was like a death knell, causing Yuan Bao'er's heart to contract violently. Her vision darkened, and she nearly fainted on the spot.

Thankfully, Mu Chen was there to catch her, preventing her from collapsing entirely.

Regaining some strength, Yuan Bao'er hastily fumbled through her belongings, clumsily retrieving a personal soul communicator.

With trembling fingers, she dialed a familiar number—Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua's private line.

Mu Chen stood silently beside her, saying nothing.

He knew this was his wife's last thread of hope.

Even though he understood that not even his senior brother Zhen Hua might have a better solution, he also did not want Yuan Bao'er to fall into complete despair.

After all, Zhen Hua was the only Divine Craftsman on the continent. His options were surely greater than those of a mere Saint Craftsman.

"Beep—beep—"

The prolonged electronic ringing echoed continuously.

During the long wait, Yuan Bao'er slowly regained some rationality, casting a barely perceptible glance at Mu Chen before retreating to a quiet corner.

Finally, after a long delay, Zhen Hua answered the call.

"Senior Brother!"

"Mu Xi, she…"

Her voice was urgent, choked with sobs as she tearfully recounted the evil soul masters' crimes, describing in detail how her daughter, Mu Xi, had been taken.

When she finished, a worried and anxious voice immediately came from the other end of the communicator.

"Are you alright?!"

"I'm fine, it's Mu Xi! Xi'er!"

"My daughter… she was taken by evil soul masters!"

"Senior Brother, Senior Brother! I beg you, please help me save Xi'er!"

"She has never suffered before. How could she possibly endure the torment of evil soul masters?!"

"Xi'er, she…"

Yuan Bao'er wept endlessly, pouring out her pain.

But from the communicator, Zhen Hua only responded with a heavy silence and a deep, buzzing hum.

After a long pause, Zhen Hua finally spoke.

"Bao'er, listen to me."

"These evil soul masters went to great lengths to kidnap Xi'er. They must have a specific purpose. Since they need something from her, they will not harm her."

"Now that this incident has blown up and the Federation's War God Temple has dispatched two of the Eighteen War Gods, those evil soul masters—like rats in the gutter—will certainly hide themselves deeply out of fear."

"Evil soul masters will only take their next step once they believe their environment is safe."

"No matter what, Xi'er's safety is not at risk."

"…"

Zhen Hua's words were clearly meant to reassure her, but they carried a perfunctory tone—like someone eager to end the call.

Yuan Bao'er bit her dry lips tightly, her beautiful eyes filled with sorrow as she pleaded,"Senior Brother, do you no longer wish to help me?"

"You weren't like this before. Among the three of us disciples, you were always the most intelligent, the one who protected me the most."

Not giving Zhen Hua a chance to respond, Yuan Bao'er, in her desperation to save her daughter, spoke recklessly,

"Senior Brother… are you still holding a grudge because I rejected your marriage proposal back then to marry Mu Chen?"

Pressing her lips together, she hesitated for a moment before making a final, desperate offer.

"Senior Brother, you've been alone all these years… How about this? I'll come and take care of you for a while, alright?"

The moment her words transmitted over, Zhen Hua's immediate response was a firm and panicked rejection.

"No!"

"Don't! Absolutely don't!"

"Whatever you do, don't come looking for me!"

His voice carried an unmistakable tone of unease, but Yuan Bao'er, lost in her turmoil, failed to notice.

Instead, her expression turned utterly desolate.

(End of Chapter)