Chapter 72: The Soul Hall Extends Its Reach to Jia Ma
In Wu Tan City, at the Xiao family residence...
After finishing his words, Xiao Yan turned around and walked back to his room, closing the door behind him. His desolate figure left Xiao Xun'er with an unexplainable ache in her heart. As for Xiao Zhan, Xiao Ding, and Xiao Li, their expressions were filled with worry and sorrow.
The other clan members, however, had mixed reactions. Some sympathized with Xiao Yan, but others had their own thoughts, revealing less pure intentions.
Hidden in the void, Xiao Yin observed everything clearly. With a sigh, he muttered to himself, "If not for the leadership of the clan head back then, our Xiao Clan might have ended up like this, fragmented and full of hidden motives."
With that thought, he quietly left without stirring a sound.
Meanwhile, in the Jia Ma Empire, at the Xiao family's old residence in the capital...
After hearing Xiao Yin's report, who knelt on one knee before him, Xiao Tiance nodded with a smile. "Very well. Don't interfere just continue monitoring and protecting the Xiao family. Ignore everything else as if you know nothing."
Xiao Yin felt puzzled and uncertain. Why had the clan head instructed him to observe Wu Tan City for a decade? What purpose could it serve?
Noticing the doubt in Xiao Yin's expression, Xiao Tiance shook his head and smiled. "Don't overthink it. The time isn't right. Everyone has their own path to walk, and we must not meddle too much. However, you must persist in your mission. In a few years, you can return to Tian Wai Tian to focus on your cultivation.
I'll make an exception for you. Once you return, you may train in the Gathering Spirit Array for as long as you like."
"Yes, Clan Head. I understand," Xiao Yin replied respectfully, bowing low.
"Go."
With that, Xiao Yin's figure flickered and disappeared into the night.
After he left, Xiao Tiance gazed at the starry sky and murmured to himself, "The story is still unfolding. Xiao Yan has lost his Dou Qi, which means the real plot will begin in three years."
He sighed softly, then smirked. "If you can rise as you did in the original story, that would be ideal. But if not... perhaps it's time to choose someone else."
As he spoke, he glanced toward the Yun Lan Sect's outskirts, sensing a particularly unpleasant and evil aura emanating from the Jia Ma Empire. Even at such a distance, the sinister nature of it made him uncomfortable.
"So, the Soul Hall's claws have reached the Jia Ma Empire?" Xiao Tiance muttered to himself.
Just as he finished speaking, several figures flew over swiftly.
"Teacher! Clan Head!"
Huang Min, Huang Lingyun, Xiao Feng, and Xiao Lei all arrived.
Looking at the group, Xiao Tiance smiled. "Why are all of you here together?"
"Teacher, we were cultivating just now when we suddenly sensed the foul aura of those disgusting Soul Hall members. We came to ask if you want us to deal with them," Huang Min said earnestly.
"Clan Head, the Soul Hall's presence might interfere with our plans. Shall I go take care of them?" Xiao Lei asked in a low voice.
Xiao Lei, a nine star Dou Zong, was a member of the Long Teng Army. He had been assigned to Xiao Tiance by Xiao Tian Ming, who worried about his lack of manpower and convenience in daily life. However, since Xiao Tiance disliked being served, Xiao Lei had proven his worth by conquering the Ba Shan Men faction in the Black Corner Region.
For the most part, though, he stayed in the capital's residence, and with his strength, dealing with a mere Soul Hall Protector wouldn't be a problem.
Seeing everyone looking at him, Xiao Tiance waved dismissively, his tone filled with disdain. "A low level Dou Zong? Not worth the effort. Ignore him."
Huang Min and Huang Lingyun nodded in agreement. To them, a Soul Hall Protector was so weak that they could easily crush him with a single slap hardly a threat.
"Clan Head, judging by his direction, it seems he's headed for the Yun Lan Sect. I've visited there before. Their former sect leader, Yun Shan, has been in closed door cultivation, attempting to break through to the Dou Zong level. But with his talent, it's unlikely he'll succeed.
The Soul Hall often uses their secret methods to help people break through and turn them into puppets. This Protector is likely here to take control of Yun Shan. If he succeeds, the Yun Lan Sect, the largest faction in the Jia Ma Empire, might cause trouble in the future."
After hearing Xiao Lei's analysis, Xiao Tiance glanced at him with newfound appreciation. "Not bad your intelligence analysis is commendable. But even if Yun Shan becomes a Dou Zong and the Yun Lan Sect falls under the Soul Hall's control, how does it affect us?"
Xiao Lei froze, then suddenly realized the truth. Indeed, what difference did it make? Even if the entire Soul Hall from Central Plains moved here, it wouldn't warrant a second glance from Xiao Tiance.
After all, a thousand years ago, the Soul Clan had sent a hundred Dou Saints to attack, and yet this man had annihilated them all, leaving not even a single soul to escape.
Now, a thousand years later, the Soul Clan could only muster a hundred low tier Dou Saints artificially cultivated through secret methods. It would be nearly impossible for them to grow stronger.
"You're right, Clan Head. With you here, even if the Soul Hall's leader, Hun Tiandi, came personally, nothing would change," Xiao Lei said, bowing respectfully.
Xiao Tiance raised an eyebrow, surprised by Xiao Lei's keen flattery. No wonder Xiao Tian Ming had spoken so highly of him in his letter.
"Alright, return to your rest. I'm curious to see what kind of trouble a Soul Hall Protector can stir up in the Jia Ma Empire."
"Yes!"
The group quickly departed, leaving Xiao Tiance alone in his courtyard.
Meanwhile, in the Yun Lan Sect's forbidden grounds...
This secluded area had long served as a retreat for the sect's leaders. Its dense Dou Qi made it a prime cultivation site, far surpassing the sect's other forbidden area, the Gate of Life and Death.
"Who's there?!"
Yun Shan, who had just failed in his attempt to break through to Dou Zong, hadn't yet recovered when he sensed someone approaching. His sharp voice echoed in the area.
"Heh heh heh... Who would have thought that after centuries, the mighty Yun Po Tian, once famous across the Central Plains, would leave behind such an unimpressive successor?
If Yun Po Tian knew, he'd be rolling in his grave! Heh heh heh!"
A sinister laugh rang out as a cloud of black mist flew toward Yun Shan. Sensing the overwhelming power of the intruder, Yun Shan grew wary and asked in a deep voice, "Who are you to trespass in the Yun Lan Sect's forbidden grounds? State your name if you dare!"
"Heh heh heh! Yun Shan, such arrogance! You've grown used to being a big fish in this backwater, haven't you? With your pitiful peak Dou Huang strength, you dare shout at me?"
The Soul Hall Protector sneered as his figure materialized. The pressure of his Dou Zong aura crashed down like a storm, leaving Yun Shan paralyzed as though he were being crushed under a mountain.
"Damn it! If I weren't injured, how could I be at your mercy?!" Yun Shan cursed inwardly, glaring at the intruder.
He scrutinized the figure and boldly guessed, "Judging by your attire, you don't seem to be from the Jia Ma Empire. If I'm not mistaken, you must be from the Soul Hall of the Central Plains!"
(To be continued...)
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