Chapter 276

Chapter 276: The Unreliable Supervisor

You You realized this couldn’t go on. At this rate, finding the Soul Beast was impossible, and even escaping the street would be difficult. The group ducked into a nearby shop. Before the crowd caught up, they applied concealment talismans to hide their appearances and slipped out.

No one followed anymore. Even when passing others, people instinctively ignored them, finally allowing the group to search freely.

You You relaxed and signaled Yuan Qi to begin his search. Yuan Papa strode to the city center, halting mid-street to weave spell formations. Feng Rong spread his divine sense, scanning the area.

Minutes later, both stopped, their expressions grim.

“Well?” You You asked.

“Still no trace of the Soul Beast,” Yuan Papa shook his head.

“Nothing here either,” Feng Rong added. “The spiritual energy’s faint—not a single cultivator in this place.”

You You frowned. Though anxious, she’d half-expected this. “Let’s comb the city and ask around.”

They split up, questioning residents while scouring every corner. Yet no leads emerged.

“No anomalies here. The Soul Beast isn’t in the city,” Yuan Qi mused. “But did it leave willingly… or was it driven out?”

“Either way, it’s in trouble,” Feng Rong said darkly. “Whatever overpowered it must be at Golden Immortal level or higher.”

“True,” Yuan Qi agreed. “But Immortals can’t descend freely. Only Nie Zheng remains in the lower realm, and Huan Yan’s red lotus is the sole key. Since he visited Zhen Yan Sect days ago, no other Immortal should be here.”

“Then where is it?” Feng Rong scowled. “Did it slink back to the Nether Realm without a word? You You, what’s your—You You?!”

“Huh?” She blinked, snapping back to attention.

“What’s wrong?” Feng Rong eyed her. “Why zone out?”

You You pointed at the city gate. “Doesn’t that gate seem… odd to you?”

“The gate?” Both men turned. The dilapidated wooden structure barely qualified as a gate, its name plaque the only identifier.

Their divine senses swept over it, finding nothing. “What’s odd about it?”

“I felt something when we entered,” she said, uneasy. “Can’t explain it, but it’s familiar. Like I’ve sensed this before.”

Yuan Qi formed another spell array, bathing the gate in light. After multiple scans, he sighed. “Nothing.”

Feng Rong slapped a tracking spell onto the wood. “Marked it, just in case.”

You You nodded, lingering on the gate before moving on. Hours passed, night fell, and curfew bells tolled. They returned to the inn, now empty of patrons.

In the darkened room, You You summoned Qiu Zhang from the Divine Calling Order.

“Found it?” he asked urgently.

“No.” She summarized their failure. “Can you contact the Nether Realm’s Messenger? They might track the Soul Beast.”

Qiu Zhang nodded. “The Soul Beast taught me to channel dark energy.” Ignoring his flickering soul, he wove hand seals.

Candles flared green as dark energy thickened. Qiu Zhang strained, then paled. “The Messenger… isn’t answering.”

Silence.

No response? Was it a one-way link? Had they been rejected?

“I’ll try again!” Qiu Zhang’s soul dimmed as he repeated the spell. “Still… nothing. It’s blocked!”

Chaos.

（╯￣Д￣）╯╘═╛

First rejection, now a block. Typical Nether Realm incompetence!

“That Messenger’s screwing with us!” Feng Rong exploded. “Who’s actually in charge here?!”

Yuan Qi massaged his temples. The Messenger’s negligence exceeded even his low expectations.

“Should I—” Qiu Zhang began weakly.

“Enough.” You You cut him off. “Rest now. We’ll find another way.”

As Qiu Zhang vanished into the Order, gloom settled over the trio.

“We’ll search outside the city tomorrow,” Yuan Qi proposed. “Qiu Zhang was attacked there—maybe clues remain.”

“No choice,” Feng Rong grumbled. “You You?”

She nodded, then paused. “Does it feel… colder suddenly?”

Both men froze.