Doulou Dalu 49

After Liu Erlong walked into the lounge, Lin Fan noticed that her usually radiant face looked pale, and her fiery red ponytail was slightly disheveled, as if she had just experienced something unpleasant.

Seeing her hesitation, Lin Fan immediately asked, "Erlong, what happened? Did someone hurt you?"

Liu Erlong's lips trembled slightly before she shook her head and replied, "No, it's nothing like that. I was recognized by my family and taken to their rest area. I had a dispute with them, but I'm fine." She paused before continuing, her expression turning serious. "Xiaofan, I came to warn you. You must not participate in tomorrow's match against the Blazing Fire Sect or the upcoming ones. Someone has ordered them to kill you in the ring. Even if you're stronger than them, they might resort to despicable means."

Lin Fan's eyes narrowed. "What? Where did you hear this?"

Liu Erlong hesitated. She recalled a sorrowful yet determined look she had seen in the forest—one belonging to the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall. As a woman, she could tell that the saint cared deeply for Lin Fan. And from what she had observed, Lin Fan had shown concern for her as well.

"If I tell him the truth—that the Holy Maiden passed me this information—he might recklessly seek her out. That would be dangerous."

Suppressing her unease, Liu Erlong finally said, "I overheard it. On my way back from my family's rest area, I saw a few guards discussing something in secret. I got closer and heard them mentioning a plan to kill the Haotian Sect disciple who fought in the previous matches. My family's rest area is close to the Spirit Hall's, so I think this information is credible."

Lin Fan observed her carefully. He wasn't naive—her behavior suggested she was withholding something.

"Did she really overhear it? The Spirit Hall wanting me dead is no surprise, but how could ordinary guards know of such plans?"

Despite his doubts, he nodded. "Alright, Erlong, I understand. I'll discuss this with the captain tomorrow. Thank you. You look exhausted. Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine, just worried about you," Liu Erlong said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Please, don't participate tomorrow."

Lin Fan remained silent for a moment before replying, "It's not that simple. If there's really a plot in the ring, then no matter who fights, it will be dangerous. I need to think of a countermeasure. You should rest."

Liu Erlong sighed but nodded. "Alright, I'll leave now."

After she left, Lin Fan lay on his bed, deep in thought.

"It has to be Qian Xunji behind this, but a Pope wouldn't openly orchestrate something like this. Even the elders of the Spirit Hall wouldn't necessarily know. So how did Liu Erlong find out?"

What Lin Fan didn't realize was that it was Bibi Dong who had taken the risk of informing Liu Erlong. In his mind, Bibi Dong had always been under the strict watch of the Spirit Hall's elders and Ju Douluo. He never imagined she would endanger herself for him.

The Next Day—The Battle Begins

Lin Fan did not attend the VIP seating today. As soon as he reached the Haotian Sect's section, Tang Huo'er grabbed his arm.

"Lin Fan, let me fight today. Erlong told me about the plot. If the Spirit Hall is behind this, it's dangerous. The Blazing Fire Sect's team is strong, and they have a Soul King. Let me handle them."

Lin Fan considered her words carefully. Tang Huo'er didn't know the full extent of his conflict with Qian Xunji, which was good. If she knew, she might not let him fight at all.

But he was aware—Qian Xunji was not the type to leave things to chance. If the Blazing Fire Sect couldn't kill him outright, they might use poisoned weapons. While hidden weapons existed in this world, they were not as deadly as those Tang San would one day create. However, poison was a different matter entirely. The Haotian Sect had encountered poison masters before—some integrated lethal toxins into their weapons.

If Qian Xunji had given one of the Blazing Fire Sect members a deadly poison, then Tang Huo'er would be in danger too. They wouldn't dare attack her since she was part of the sect, but Lin Fan, an outsider disciple, was an easy target.

Lin Fan met Tang Huo'er's concerned gaze and said firmly, "Sister, let me handle this. Since they're targeting me, I want to teach them a lesson. Even if I can't defeat them, I can escape from the ring. They can't kill me that easily."

Tang Huo'er hesitated. "Xiaofan, you don't understand. Every year, the Blazing Fire Sect has a Soul King on their team. If something happens to you—" She stopped, her expression complicated.

The announcer's voice echoed through the arena.

"The next match: Haotian Sect versus the Blazing Fire Sect! Contestants, please enter the ring!"

Before anyone could stop him, Lin Fan dashed forward, leaping onto the stage.

"This is a good opportunity to test my new ability. The Sky Eye should reveal who's carrying the poisoned weapon. If it can't, I'll retreat immediately."

From the VIP section, Bibi Dong's eyes widened in shock.

"What's going on?! Didn't that girl warn him?" Her fists clenched in anger. "Damn it. If she deliberately misled him, I'll make her pay."

Despite her fury, Bibi Dong knew she couldn't intervene. But as she looked at Lin Fan, she saw no fear in his expression—only calm determination.

"Does he have a plan? Bastard… I risked so much to protect you, and you're walking straight into danger."

Her heart wavered between anger and admiration.

In the Arena

The seven Blazing Fire Sect members took their positions. Five men, two women—all in fiery red robes. Their captain, a slender girl with short red hair, stepped forward and addressed Lin Fan.

"I know you're just a Soul Master. It's unfair for seven of us to fight you, but our sect master has ordered us to go all out against the Haotian Sect. If you're afraid of getting hurt, you can step down now."

Lin Fan raised an eyebrow.

"She doesn't seem to know about the plot. That means only one of them has been bribed."

Suddenly, Lin Fan noticed a man standing behind the female captain. His eyes flickered with panic before he quickly regained his composure.

"There he is."

The female captain smirked. "So, what do you say? Want to give up?"

Lin Fan smiled faintly. "I appreciate the offer, but I'd like to give it a shot. Do your best."

"Suit yourself," she said, her tone playful.

The match began. The seven Blazing Fire Sect members released their martial spirits, and Lin Fan immediately activated his new ability.

"The Eye of Origin—Sky Eye, activate!"

A golden mark appeared on his forehead, his vision expanding. Suddenly, he could see everything—not just in front of him, but in every direction. His perception sharpened, slowing down movements as if time itself had adjusted to his rhythm.

His third eye swept over the battlefield—and then he saw it. A hidden weapon, laced with poison, concealed within the sleeve of the same man who had panicked earlier.

"So, that's your game."

Before the fight could truly begin, Lin Fan smirked.

"Let's see who the real hunter is."