As Xiao Meng spoke, tears streamed down her face: "I truly, truly like Young Master Xiao Yan so much… I really can't bear to part with you, Young Master."
"I also want to bear a child for Young Master Xiao Yan…"
Suddenly, an extremely powerful, terrifying force surged from her body. Xiao Yan was pushed away by this force, stumbling back several steps.
Xiao Meng floated in the air, starlight swirling in her eyes. One by one, bright yellow specks of light flew out from Xiao Meng's body, finally converging into a ball.
These were all her refined Soul Origin!
She used her body and soul as a filter, intercepting a large amount of spiritual will within, separating out a relatively purer Soul Origin that could be gradually refined and absorbed!
Then, a silver flame appeared between her eyebrows. She pointed her right index finger, drawing the Space Fire, and gently sent it to Xiao Yan's side.
Having done all this, she slowly floated towards Xiao Yan, finally falling weakly back into his arms.
"Xiao Meng!" Xiao Yan cried, his heart filled with fear and unease.
"Young Master Xiao Yan, don't cry. Crying isn't handsome…" Xiao Meng gently reached out to wipe his cheeks, removing the flowing tears.
"This is my Natal Beast Flame. Let it take Xiao Meng's place and accompany you, Young Master…
"Those are the separated Soul Origins. Young Master, if you absorb them, your soul realm can be improved.
"However, my ability is limited, and the separation isn't pure enough. Young Master, you must be cautious when absorbing them. Disperse the remaining spiritual will inside before absorbing.
"Don't think about avenging me. I'd rather Young Master Xiao Yan live happily and safely."
"Don't say any more, don't say any more, Xiao Meng, please don't say any more! No, I don't want any of this! I just want you to live, Xiao Meng, and walk on with me!" Xiao Yan sobbed uncontrollably, his mind nearly collapsing.
"Don't cry. Crying isn't handsome… I'll listen to Young Master, I won't say any more… Be careful of Amon!"
Xiao Meng's voice grew weaker and weaker. With her last bit of strength, she painstakingly squeezed that name from her throat.
The soft hand that had been touching Xiao Yan's face, wiping away his tears, fell limply.
Xiao Yan's mind was blank.
"Opportunity!" A Soul Hall Protector extended a chain, striking towards Xiao Yan's back.
But Xiao Yan seemed to know nothing, kneeling listlessly on the spot, holding Xiao Meng's corpse in a daze.
"Young Pavilion Master, be careful!" Iron Sword Venerable cut off the attacking soul chain with a sword, standing beside Xiao Yan with a serious expression.
The people from the Soul Hall gathered. They had just been intimidated by the sudden burst of power from Xiao Meng, which was why they had hesitated to attack.
Now that Xiao Meng was dead, a brightly glowing soul mass still floated above Xiao Yan's head, drawing the gaze of almost everyone towards him.
"Kill Xiao Yan and retrieve the Soul Origin." With a command from the Five Venerable, surging killing intent swept forth like a tide.
Iron Sword Venerable felt immense pressure. Although the Honored Elders of the Soul Hall were entangled with the Starcloud Pavilion guest Elders and couldn't free themselves, the numerous Law Protectors still kept him busy.
"Young Pavilion Master, pull yourself together! Whatever it is, we can talk about it after we leave the Soul Hall!" Iron Sword Venerable couldn't help but say.
But Xiao Yan remained motionless, like a puppet.
Iron Sword Venerable, with two fists, could not contend with four hands. The Law Protectors of the Soul Hall used an endless stream of strange Dou Techniques and secret arts. Even as a Dou Venerate, it was quite difficult for him to resist when they combined forces.
Most importantly, he couldn't dodge; he had to protect Xiao Yan!
Finally, a Law Protector broke through Iron Sword Venerable's defense, and a sinister hand enshrouded in black mist reached towards Xiao Yan's neck.
Just then, everything froze. Every Soul Hall Protector, Honored Elder, and guest Elder of Starcloud Pavilion maintained their original movements, unable to move at all. Only their violently trembling souls revealed their terror and shock.
In the void, Yao Chen and the Soul Hall Deputy Hall Master's figures were also delayed. The surrounding space seemed to have become a prison, confining their bodies.
However, compared to the Dou Ancestor and Dou Venerate cultivators who couldn't move at all, their situation seemed slightly better; at least they could still make some expressions and speak.
They stared at each other, both seeing the look of utter horror on the other's face.
So, it wasn't someone from your side!
Seeing the other party equally terrified, they both breathed a slight sigh of relief.
A grand, layered voice, devoid of any emotion, as if coming from an infinitely high and distant place, echoed between heaven and earth.
"Can you accept such a result?"
This voice seemed to carry a strange power that could calm one's heart. Xiao Yan's unfocused pupils gradually regained clarity.
He turned his head and saw Iron Sword Venerable, who was fighting desperately to protect him, with a hint of ferocity on his ancient face; he saw the Soul Hall Protector who had attacked from behind, his hand almost on his neck, frozen in mid-air motionless; he saw the guest Elders of Starcloud Pavilion and the Honored Elders of the Soul Hall in various postures further away…
Now, without exception, they were all motionless, like statues, frozen in place.
He couldn't see the situation of his teacher and the Soul Hall Deputy Hall Master, but since the two hadn't appeared, Xiao Yan felt that they might have received the same treatment as these Law Protectors and Honored Elders.
He realized that he was the only one who could move, and the owner of this voice was definitely a powerful figure with heaven-defying means!
"Who are you? Please, please save Xiao Meng. No matter what I have to do, I'm willing." Xiao Yan said hastily, as if grasping at his last straw of hope.
"I cannot save her. Only you can save her."
A young man wearing a black classical robe, a pointed soft hat, and a crystal monocle over his right eye slowly outlined himself from the void. He looked at Xiao Yan, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, forming a faint smile.
When he saw Amon, Xiao Yan was slightly startled and subconsciously looked at his shoulder.
He had intended to summon Qing Meng, but Qing Meng seemed unwilling to come out, transmitting an emotion of extreme fear and terror to him.
His Heavenly Flame was afraid of this man!
"That little fellow in your hand has indeed developed true sentience. Tell it that there's no need to be so afraid; it's of no use to me now," Amon said with a smile.
Xiao Yan immediately realized that the other party was talking about Qing Meng. After learning that Xiao Meng seemed to still have a chance to be saved, he gradually regained his rationality and said, half-guessing, half-certainly:
"Are you Xiao Meng's kin?"
"Not too stupid." Amon chuckled, tacitly admitting it.