Chapter 2404: Fortune Teller
Chapter 2404: Fortune Teller
Chapter 2404: Fortune Teller
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The interior of the building was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of incense and dust. Cobwebs clung to the corners, and the furniture was covered in a thick layer of grime, suggesting that no one had lived here for quite some time.
The only source of light came from a flickering candle on a small table in the center of the room, casting long, dancing shadows on the walls.
Yun Lintian's eyes scanned the room, his senses on high alert. He could feel a faint trace of the strange energy he had sensed from the creature lingering in the air, but there was no sign of the thief itself.
"Is anyone here?" he called out, his voice echoing through the empty building.
Silence met his question. Just as he was about to turn and leave, a raspy voice spoke from the shadows.
"Welcome, young man."
An old woman emerged from a darkened corner, her form hunched and withered, her face etched with wrinkles. She wore a tattered robe, and her grey hair was pulled back in a messy bun. Her eyes, however, were surprisingly bright and sharp, fixated on Yun Lintian with an intensity that made him uneasy.
"Are you the fortune teller?" Yun Lintian asked, his eyes narrowing.
The old woman chuckled, a dry, rattling sound that echoed through the room. "Indeed I am," she replied, her voice hoarse. "Have you come seeking a glimpse into your future?"
Yun Lintian didn't reply immediately. He hadn't come here for a fortune telling, but something about the old woman intrigued him. He could sense a strange energy emanating from her, an energy that was both familiar and unsettling. It was similar to the energy he had sensed from the creature, yet somehow... different.
"Perhaps," he said cautiously, "But first, I have a question for you."
The old woman raised a gnarled eyebrow. "Ask, and I shall answer... if the spirits are willing." Yun Lintian stepped closer, his gaze fixed on the old woman's eyes. "I saw a creature enter this building," he said, his voice low. "A creature made of energy. Have you seen it?"
The old woman's expression remained unchanged, but Yun Lintian could sense a flicker of something in her eyes, a hint of surprise or perhaps... recognition.
"Many creatures roam these lands, young man," she replied cryptically. "Perhaps you were mistaken."
Yun Lintian shook his head. "I was not mistaken," he insisted. "I followed it here. It disappeared into this building."
The old woman chuckled again, her eyes gleaming with an unsettling light. "This old woman is but a humble fortune teller," she said, her voice dripping with feigned innocence. "I deal with spirits, not creatures of energy."
It was clear that the old woman was hiding something, and Yun Lintian was determined to uncover the truth.
He activated his Eyes of Heaven, his gaze piercing through the old woman's facade. He focused on the strange energy emanating from her, tracing its source, unraveling its secrets.
And then, he saw it.
A faint, ethereal thread, woven from pure soul energy, connected the old woman to something hidden deep within the building. It was a connection that was both subtle and profound, a testament to a mastery of soul arts that surpassed anything Yun Lintian had ever encountered.
"Soul art," he muttered, his eyes widening in realization.
"Oh, you can see it?" The old woman was surprised slightly. The way she looked at Yun Lintian changed a little.
Yun Lintian nodded calmly. He understood now. The creature he had seen was not a separate entity, but an extension of the old woman's own soul, a manifestation of her mastery over soul arts.
"You are the thief," he said.
The old woman's expression hardened, the feigned innocence replaced by a cold, calculating gaze. "Indeed," she admitted, her voice devoid of remorse. "And you... you will be my next victim."
She raised her hand, and the ethereal thread connecting her to the depths of the building pulsed with energy. The air around them crackled with power as the old woman prepared to unleash her soul art.
Yun Lintian, however, simply looked at her, his eyes transforming into a pair of draconic eyes. The old woman gasped in surprise, her entire body shuddering. Her face filled with awe as she retracted her power.
"The Primordial Azure Dragon God Soul," she said, turning to look at Nantian Fengyu, Linlin, and Mumu. "What an impressive lineup."
Yun Lintian was surprised by her reaction. He couldn't sense any malice from her.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"Please take a seat," the old woman beckoned, sitting down behind the table.
Yun Lintian exchanged glances with the others before they sat down.
The old woman stared at Yun Lintian for a while and said, "Interesting... Your fate is interesting. You are similar to that person called Yun Tian, but his fate is insignificant compared to yours."
Yun Lintian was taken aback. "You have met him?"
"Not exactly," the old woman said gently. "I merely caught a glimpse of him."
Yun Lintian could see that the woman's profound strength was at the God Ascension Realm, but he couldn't understand why he felt a fatal threat from her. This was the first time he felt this way toward one of his peers.
"My name is Ling Qian," the old woman said. "You shouldn't have come to this battlefield. It's not the right time."
Yun Lintian cupped his fists. "I'm Yun Lintian. Please elaborate, Senior."
Ling Qian smiled and said jokingly, "Aren't you going to call me a thief anymore?"
She glanced at Hongyue. "I've robbed your friend twice."
Hongyue's face darkened. It was indeed this old woman who stole her items.
Yun Lintian shook his head. "With your power, Senior, it wouldn't be a problem to earn resources. I'm afraid you have a reason to do this... For example, the children in your
backyard."
When he used the Eyes of Heaven earlier, Yun Lintian had discovered a group of young children in the backyard. Each had crystals on their body and seemed to rely on pills to survive. Ling Qian smiled faintly. "Robbing and stealing is the fastest way to get money."
"Perhaps I can help. I am a doctor," Yun Lintian offered.
Ling Qian shook her head. "It's no use. At most, you can extend their lifespans. They were
brought to this world by irresponsible people."
"I can take them away if you need," Yun Lintian said seriously.
Ling Qian looked at Yun Lintian with an interesting expression. "This is why your fate is truly interesting. Your personality and the power you possess are not aligned."