The entire Yunlan Sect erupted in disbelief—Yun Shan, who had broken through to the Dou Zong realm, had actually been defeated!
For a moment, even the heavens seemed to hold their breath.
Liu Xi stood below, staring up with wide eyes, momentarily speechless. He had never expected Yao Chen to have hidden such a trump card—to cripple Yun Shan in an instant, completely catching everyone off guard.
But before the shock could fade, from the shadowed depths beneath the Yunlan Sect, a ripple of sinister black mist trembled—and an eerie, hoarse voice filled with anger slithered out.
"Useless trash. The Hall Master poured endless resources into you, yet you can't even handle the remnant soul of Yao Chen…"
The voice paused briefly, then shifted, excitement creeping into its tone.
"Seems I'll have to act myself. Who would've thought that in this backwater place, I'd stumble upon Yao Chen's lingering soul! If I capture him alive and bring him back, the Hall Master will surely reward me greatly. This base... can be abandoned. But his soul—and that failure's soul—will be mine!"
---
In midair, Yun Shan's weakened body continued to fall toward the ground. Yao Chen didn't fare much better—his ethereal soul body had become almost transparent, trembling faintly like mist about to vanish.
"Go!" Yao Chen roared hoarsely, his voice echoing through the sky, urging Ling Ying to flee with Xiao Yan.
A chilling, rasping laugh answered instead.
"Jie jie jie... Yao Chen, to think you'd show yourself here of all places. Come with me obediently. Our Hall Master has been searching for you for a long time!"
The ground below suddenly erupted as a surge of pitch-black mist poured upward from beneath the Yunlan Sect, blanketing the sky. The light dimmed, and a wave of suffocating malice descended upon the mountain.
From within that mist, a shadowed figure's laughter twisted through the air—it was clear from the tone alone that this was no ally.
Yao Chen's expression darkened, his ethereal face filled with fury. "So, the rats hiding in the dark have extended their claws even here… in this remote corner of the continent."
"Hmph, and what of it? The once-revered Medicine Sovereign of the Central Plains, reduced to a wandering remnant in exile. Why not come quietly and spare yourself needless suffering?"
The shadow's tone carried mocking delight—like a cat toying with a trapped mouse.
"...The Hall of Souls."
Liu Xi narrowed his eyes as he stared up at the spreading black mist. His tone turned grim. "So they've finally appeared. If I remember right, during Xiao Yan's Three Year Agreement, it was the Hall of Souls who took advantage of the chaos to capture Xiao Zhan. Now that Yao Chen's been forced into the open early... even their Protector couldn't stay hidden."
Even for Liu Xi, this was unexpected. For the first time, he was witnessing a fragment of the true power of the most sinister organization on the continent—the Hall of Souls.
As for the Yunlan Sect disciples, they were frozen with confusion. Aside from Yun Shan, none of them even understood what was happening.
"Protector Jiu—kill him!"
Though half-dead and drenched in blood, Yun Shan's eyes suddenly gleamed with renewed light upon seeing the black mist. With a pained snarl, he shouted, "Kill Yao Chen!"
"Hmph! You dare command me, you useless husk?"
The black mist churned violently, and a dreadful suction force erupted from it.
Yun Shan's body convulsed midair, his scream tearing through the silence. In the next instant, his aura vanished completely. A faint, pale-white soul emerged from his body—sucked helplessly into the swirling darkness above.
"Teacher!"
"Grandmaster!"
"Old Sect Master!"
The cries rang out one after another. Yun Yun's beautiful face twisted in anguish, tears glimmering in her eyes. Ignoring Ling Ying, she raised her sword and charged straight toward the black mist in fury. Yun Shan had been wounded before—but now, his very soul had been taken.
"Little friend," Yao Chen's exhausted voice suddenly echoed beside Liu Xi's ear, urgent and pleading. "I know that soul beside you wields the strength of a Dou Zong. Please—help me repel this Protector. I will reward you generously afterward!"
Liu Xi's eyes flickered, but his tone remained calm. "Senior, don't take me for a fool. That black mist belongs to the Hall of Souls. Even a Dou Zong's soul body won't escape easily from their clutches."
Yao Chen was taken aback by his insight but pressed on. "Then you must also know how they crave souls. They won't stop at me—they'll target you and the soul within you as well. Only by joining forces can we stand a chance!"
Liu Xi gave a short, quiet laugh. "I'm confident I can escape with my life. And it's clear his target is you, Senior—not me. I've no desire to wade into this storm."
The young man's refusal made Yao Chen grit his teeth in frustration. He knew empty words would not sway Liu Xi. At last, he hardened his tone.
"I can offer Di Class Qi Methods, Dou Techniques, even 7th or 8th Rank pill recipes—take your pick. Just lend me your hand!"
Liu Xi's eyes gleamed slightly—he was tempted. Yao Chen's collection was legendary, far surpassing Han Feng's. But still, that wasn't enough. He shook his head regretfully.
"Senior, I could gather such things on my own, given time. They're not worth risking my life against the Hall of Souls."
Yao Chen fell silent for a heartbeat. Then, as if deciding everything in that instant, he spoke with gravity.
"I possess a Qi Method capable of fusing Heavenly Flames. Once perfected, it grants invincibility across the continent. That technique—the very one coveted by my treacherous disciple—will be yours if you help me!"
Liu Xi's eyes flashed with delight. 'So the Flame Mantra that Han Feng sought after all this time… was still in Yao Chen's hands.'
The hook was set.
Their exchange, though seemingly long, took place in the space of a few seconds.
Meanwhile, Protector Jiu's chain—engraved with eerie black runes—lashed through the air like a living serpent. It struck again and again, forcing Yun Yun back step by step. Blood trailed from her lips, and her face, pale against the darkness, looked hauntingly beautiful.
"Yao Chen! You won't escape today!"
Sensing his prey's movement, the Protector abandoned Yun Yun entirely, hurling the rune chain toward Yao Chen. The massive weapon tore through the air with ear-splitting howls, aimed straight at the fading Medicine Sovereign.
Yao Chen's expression tightened. "Little friend—if not now, then when?!"
At last, Liu Xi moved. His figure blurred—and vanished.
In the next heartbeat, he reappeared in midair, directly in the path of the incoming chain. A slender hand, wreathed in blue flame, reached out and caught it.
Sparks hissed violently as the searing azure fire ate through the black metal.
"Liu Xi," came Protector Jiu's icy growl from within the mist, "don't meddle in matters that don't concern you. My target is Yao Chen alone. Step aside. A mere 6th Tier Alchemist holds no threat to the Hall of Souls!"
Liu Xi's brows twitched, though he didn't release the chain. "You... know me?"
A low, sinister laugh echoed. "Of course. The 6th Tier Alchemist who killed Han Feng—did you think we wouldn't notice? Your soul is quite valuable, Liu Xi... there are already many who want it."
The last words dripped with cold intent.
"Now move… or I'll take your soul along with his."
(End of Chapter)
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