The Golden Generation of Douluo Continent, starting with the inheritance of the Flame Emperor.

The two rode at full speed and finally arrived in the town before sunset.

After a quick night's rest, the next morning, while having breakfast, Resack spread out the map and checked the route again.

"We're heading into the mountains today. Following this trail trodden by hunters, it should take about half a day to reach the outskirts of Greystone Town."

Greystone Town is small, but it's a supply point for those going in and out of the mountains, so it's fairly popular.

The last confirmed sighting of the blood bats was near an abandoned mine about five miles east of the town.

After we arrive, we won't rush into town. We'll explore the surrounding area first, especially the mine.

Yan carefully studied the map, memorizing the route and several key locations: "Are there any members of our Spirit Hall in town?"

"There is a Soul Master on duty, accompanied by two Great Soul Master deacons. Their main tasks are to maintain basic order and relay messages."

They knew that Fallen Soul Masters had been active in this area recently, and they had increased their vigilance, but it was impossible for them to catch the Blood Bats. Resack tore off a piece of bread and stuffed it into his mouth.

"We need to keep our actions secret and not rely on them too much, lest our plans be leaked." Resac said meaningfully, implying that the Spirit Hall's control over the border region was not all-encompassing.

After having dinner, the sky outside gradually brightened. The two quickly packed up, left the town, and hiked into the vast mountains and forests.

The mountain road was rugged, and the towering trees blocked most of the sunlight, making the forest dim and the air filled with the smell of decaying leaves and damp earth.

Resak was clearly experienced in mountain walking, his steps steady, while Yan followed silently behind.

Along the way, they encountered several low-level soul beasts that were ten or a hundred years old. Sensing the intimidating aura emanating from the two, they all avoided them.

As noon approached, they crossed a mountain ridge, and a cluster of sparse buildings came into view in the valley ahead.

Most of them are built of gray-black stones, bearing the marks of years of wind and rain.

We've arrived in Greystone Town.

The town is nestled in a valley between two mountains, with only one main street running through it, and the houses are low-lying.

It was lunchtime, but there was hardly any smoke from cooking fires. The streets were deserted, and the pedestrians were hurrying along with worried expressions. A sense of oppression and unease permeated the entire town.

Resak and Yan did not enter Graystone Town, but instead went around to the east side of the town.

"Look there."

In a dense thicket of bushes, Resak pointed to a pile of rubble formed by a landslide, where a dark cave entrance could be vaguely seen.

That was an abandoned mine. According to intelligence, the last remaining traces of the Blood Bat's soul power were near the entrance of that mine.

He likely used that place as a temporary hideout, or at least a frequent haunt.

Outside the cave entrance, there seemed to be no one, but Resak led Yan to a secluded woodland outside the mine, where a group of Soul Masters from the Spirit Hall were lying in wait.

The other party was very vigilant, but after Resak presented a higher-level token, the leading Soul Sect captain breathed a sigh of relief and reported in a low voice.

"Lord Resak, we have been guarding this place for three days, and we have carefully searched both inside and outside the cave entrance, but we have not found any fresh traces of anyone entering or leaving recently."

We also sent people to explore the depths of the cave, and found only some old household garbage and dried bloodstains, which looked to be at least half a month old.

The scent had also been deliberately masked; it was very faint, suggesting the blood bats had likely already moved on.

Resack frowned: "The latest intelligence doesn't say..."

"The latest intelligence is here." The Soul Sect captain handed over a slip of paper treated with a special potion, the handwriting on it was very small.

"We arrived two days ago in the city of Kesora, northeast of Graystone Town and near the border of the Star Luo Empire, and discovered signs of activity that appear to be blood bats."

Someone was buying large quantities of blood-based foods and drugs that concealed one's presence on the black market, and the description of their characteristics closely resembled his.

That's a border trading town, a melting pot of all sorts of people; it would be easy for him to sneak in.

"Ksora City?" Yan recalled the map in his mind.

It was a border trading city located at the border between the Kingdom of Barak and the Star Luo Empire, known for its chaos and shady dealings.

With various factions deeply entrenched, it was indeed a good place to hide and obtain supplies.

Resac led Yan on a tour of the mine, and indeed, as the Soul Sect captain had said, there were signs of life dating back at least half a month ago.

"It seems the Blood Bats are moving quickly; we can't delay any longer."

After they came out, Resac said to Yan, "The situation in Xorra City is complicated. We need to get there immediately, find him before he can establish a firm foothold, and then kill him."

Resak then ordered the Soul Master squad to continue their stakeout there to prevent the Blood Bats from launching a surprise attack.

He then turned Yan around and sped towards the northeast city of Korso.

On the way, Resak gave a brief introduction to the situation in Xorra: "There is no clear ruler in that place. It is jointly controlled by several large merchant guilds and underground forces."

Nominally belonging to Barak, but Xingluo also has a great influence there. The Spirit Hall has a branch there, but its power is not strong.

Once we get there, we'll proceed with caution. We'll first go to the branch hall to get the latest information before deciding on our next step.

As evening fell, the two, weary from their journey, arrived in the city of Xorra.

Unlike the oppressive silence of Graystone Town, the city of Korso remains bustling even as dusk approaches.

The area is filled with eclectic stone buildings, wide streets, but the ground is filthy, and the air is thick with the mingled smells of spices, livestock, cheap alcohol, and unidentified excrement.

A diverse crowd moved about, including merchants dressed in luxurious furs, mercenaries carrying weapons, and others with shifty eyes who moved swiftly through the flow of people.

There were only a few lazy guards at the city gate, who basically did not check the flow of people in and out.

The Spirit Hall branch is located in the relatively quiet western part of the city; it is an inconspicuous three-story gray stone building.

After showing their tokens, the two were led into the back hall, where the head of the branch hall was a lean Soul King in his fifties named Horn.

"Lord Resac, you've come at the right time." Horn skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point, his face showing fatigue and seriousness.

"The information about Bloodbat Morris was provided by one of our informants who was lurking in the black market."

Yesterday evening, someone bought enough healing herbs for half a month at a pharmacy in Snake Alley. The quantity was large, and the payment was made with gold soul coins, not the local barter system.

The buyer was wrapped in a cloak, but his exposed hands were pale and slender, and he had a faint smell of blood on him.

Our informant followed him for a while and saw him enter an abandoned warehouse in the dock area, where he never came out again.

According to my informant, he caught a glimpse of the face beneath the cloak; it was none other than the wanted Blood Bat, Maurice.