Chapter 233: Xun'er, It's Me, Your Brother Xiao Yan!
In the Misty Thistle Marsh, at the former site of the Soul Hall's branch, the once grand and imposing hall was now nowhere to be found. All that remained was a vast, flat, and solid expanse of scorched ground. Compared to the rest of the marsh's damp environment, this area was dry and oddly comfortable, as though it had been purified by fire almost inviting for people to linger.
At the center of the area, Elder Mu Gu sat cross legged, shirtless, with a steady stream of Dou Qi coursing through his body. However, something strange stood out. The left half of his body was smooth, pale, and tender like a newborn child's skin, while the right half appeared withered and ancient, like a candle's last flicker in the wind.
Not far away, the Heaven Grasping Old Ghost also sat cross legged, tending to the minor injuries he had sustained in the earlier battle. Although he had taken a punch from that peculiar puppet, his strength far surpassed it, and the injuries he suffered weren't severe.
Elder Mu Gu, however, wasn't as fortunate. A single punch had pulverized half of his body into a bloody pulp. The Dou Venerate level physical body he had painstakingly cultivated was now as fragile as that of a baby. This vulnerability would undoubtedly become his greatest weakness in future battles.
On top of that, the punch carried an overwhelming amount of soul force, which had inflicted considerable damage to Mu Gu's spirit.
Sitting silently, Elder Mu Gu's expression was grim. Anger flickered in his eyes, and a name haunted his thoughts: Han Shanshan.
It was his teacher's name. Back when he was a disciple of the Pill Tower, she had been his mentor. But later, that damned Yao Chen had appeared and stolen everything from him her affection, his opportunities, everything. In the end, even Han Shanshan herself had vanished without a trace.
"Damn that Yao Chen!" Mu Gu's face was as dark as a storm cloud. "He took my teacher from me. He took the opportunities that should have been mine! If not for him, I would've mastered that flame fusion technique by now. I'd already be a ninth tier alchemist!"
Mu Gu's resentment burned so intensely that it seemed tangible. Yet, amid his festering hatred for Yao Chen, another question nagged at him: How did that white robed man know Han Shanshan's name? How could he have known about their connection?
Swish!
A figure flickered into view as the Heaven Grasping Old Ghost appeared at Mu Gu's side. "Are you recovering? If so, let's consolidate our findings and send the intel back to headquarters."
"Alright," Mu Gu replied, his face still clouded with fury.
"That individual despite disguising his voice to sound old must be a wily, cunning middle aged man," the Heaven Grasping Old Ghost said with a grim tone.
"I agree," Mu Gu nodded. Only someone experienced could have orchestrated such a calculated ambush.
Feigning weakness while deliberately revealing some of his trump cards such as that formidable four star Dou Venerate level puppet had been a brilliant ruse. Both Mu Gu and the Heaven Grasping Old Ghost had believed it to be his primary card.
That's why Mu Gu had charged in recklessly, confident he could seize victory with one decisive blow.
From their perspective, even if the man had other hidden cards, they would at most be tools for stalling or escape not something capable of turning the tide.
But no one could have predicted what happened next. With just a few words, the man had shaken Mu Gu's mental defenses, creating a critical opening. That fleeting moment of hesitation had allowed an underground puppet to entangle him, while a second four star Dou Venerate level puppet nearly delivered a fatal strike.
If not for the Heaven Grasping Old Ghost intervening with a desperate attack, Mu Gu would already be dead.
Even then, the Heaven Grasping Old Ghost only acted because Mu Gu was an eight tier alchemist. Were it anyone else, he might not have lifted a finger to save them.
The white robed man's ability to maintain clarity and decisiveness in such a chaotic battle left a deep impression. He hadn't let victory get to his head, nor had he made the reckless mistake of pressing his advantage. Instead, he withdrew immediately, even leaving behind a two star Dou Venerate puppet to cover his retreat.
The Heaven Grasping Old Ghost couldn't help but admire such resolve. It was the hallmark of a seasoned warrior one who had survived countless battles and honed their instincts to perfection.
Taking out a jade slip, the Heaven Grasping Old Ghost began recording their observations.
"That Three Thousand Lightning Movement he used it seemed like he had just recently reached the Three Thousand Thunder Realm," the Heaven Grasping Old Ghost noted.
"I've crossed paths with Lei Zunzhe from the Wind Lightning Pavilion," Mu Gu said. "In his hands, the Three Thousand Lightning Movement was practically flawless. Even with my soul force, I could only barely track his movements. This man, however, seems far from that level. I doubt he's even reached the Dou Venerate stage."
"If that's the case, he shouldn't be too difficult to track," the Heaven Grasping Old Ghost reasoned. "He had three Dou Venerate level puppets. We can look for recent cases where a Dou Zong defeated a Dou Venerate and left behind no trace of the corpse."
Mu Gu raised an eyebrow at this suggestion. It was indeed a good starting point.
However, after a moment of contemplation, Mu Gu shook his head. "Don't forget we found fragments of a Black Abyss Army token here. If you're right, then this expands the suspect pool to include the Ancient Clans."
"To us, a Dou Zong defeating a Dou Venerate may seem remarkable. But among the Ancient Clans, which of their young prodigies hasn't achieved such feats? To them, it's almost a baseline requirement for being considered a genius."
The Heaven Grasping Old Ghost fell silent at that, eventually nodding in agreement. Indeed, in the Ancient Clans, crossing ranks to defeat opponents was so common that failing to do so would be more surprising.
"In that case, we'll drop the rank crossing aspect and focus on his use of the Three Thousand Lightning Movement," the Heaven Grasping Old Ghost decided.
"He also used the Heaven Phoenix Wings," Mu Gu added. "Inform the Hall to liaise with the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan and investigate whether any of their corpses have been stolen recently. That could be a significant lead."
The Heaven Grasping Old Ghost agreed. The Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan was notoriously protective of their dead, and if someone had desecrated one of their kin, they would stop at nothing to track them down.
"Additionally, this individual may have ties to the Pill Tower," Mu Gu added unexpectedly.
"Why do you think that?" the Heaven Grasping Old Ghost asked, puzzled.
"He knew my teacher's name," Mu Gu replied coldly.
"Could it be related to Yao Chen?"
"Impossible!" Mu Gu shook his head firmly. "To Yao Chen, my teacher was a source of unbearable pain. He wouldn't have mentioned her name to anyone not even to those closest to him."
The Heaven Grasping Old Ghost nodded thoughtfully, recording "Possible Pill Tower ties" in the jade slip.
With the gathered information summarized, he used a secret method to transmit it back to headquarters. Then, rising to his feet, he gestured for Mu Gu to follow.
"The Hall Master and Great Sky Venerate didn't send us here for these trivial details. We must capture him, or we'll both face punishment."
But tracking their target now would be no simple task.
…
Somewhere in the southern region of the Northwest Continent
In the void, two hidden Dou Zuns exchanged a glance, their expressions puzzled. They too had spotted the figure that had suddenly appeared in front of those Black Abyss Army youngsters.
"What do you think, Old Lin?" asked the Dou Zun from the Ancient Clan in black robes, stroking his chin. Recalling the moment just now, his expression became peculiar. The man wasn't strong; in fact, the young lady could easily take care of him herself, not to mention the two of them.
"Let him be. Miss can handle him effortlessly," replied Lin Lao with a shrug. Yet, a faint sense of familiarity lingered in his heart as he recalled the aura of that white robed figure. Could it be someone he'd encountered before? The thought flickered in his mind, but he dismissed it as unimportant.
Below, among the dense treetops, dozens of Black Abyss soldiers clad in black armor leaped gracefully from branch to branch. At the forefront of the group, Third Commander Yang Hao's brows furrowed slightly, and his rapid pace slowed.
From behind, Xiao Xun'er, maintaining a leisurely pace, also slowed down. Someone blocking their path?
Interesting.
"Who goes there?" Yang Hao called out, his voice loud and steady. Dou Qi coiled around his lowered palm as he stared ahead with a half smile. Who on the Northwestern Continent would dare block his path?
Rustle…
The treetops shook as a black clad figure emerged. Slowly, the man stepped forward with a gentle smile on his face. It was none other than "Xiao Yan," but in truth, it was Lü Bu in disguise. His gaze fell upon the delicate figure in the distance, and he spoke warmly:
"Xun'er, long time no see!"
"Xiao Yan?" Yang Hao's eyes narrowed. That face was all too familiar. He had seen it years ago at the Jia Nan Academy. If it weren't for the presence of the young lady and Su Qian back then, he would have ensured Xiao Yan never forgot him.
"Xiao Yan gege!" Xiao Xun'er's delighted voice rang out. Lightly leaping from her position, she soared through the air and, like a swallow returning to its nest, dove straight into "Xiao Yan's" arms.
"Xiao Yan gege, is it really you?" Xiao Xun'er clung tightly to him, her emotions surging like a floodgate had opened. All these years, she had thought about him constantly, yearning for this reunion.
Behind her, Third Commander Yang Hao's face darkened. His clenched fists trembled, Dou Qi and spatial energy intertwining around them, swirling with a dazzling array of colors.
"Of course, it's me, Xun'er meimei!" Lü Bu grinned widely, his tone overly enthusiastic. While he didn't particularly care for Xiao Xun'er, he had to admit this girl was stunning. Hm, a little stirring… out of respect.
"..."
Still embracing "Xiao Yan," Xiao Xun'er suddenly tilted her head upward. The joy and warmth on her face evaporated in an instant, replaced by a cold, ominous expression. Beneath her sheer veil, her delicate features twisted with a hint of murderous intent.
"Uh… what's wrong?" Lü Bu's heart skipped a beat. Was his act slipping? Could she have seen through it?
"Xiao Yan gege would never address me like that," Xiao Xun'er said flatly, her voice calm but deadly. The next moment
Boom!
Golden Dou Qi exploded around her, and Xiao Xun'er's long, jet black hair floated upward as if lifted by an unseen wind. Killing intent surged from her delicate figure, blanketing the forest in an icy pressure that made even the bravest tremble.
Golden flames flickered across her pale hands as a cold glint flashed in her eyes. Without hesitation, she thrust her palm into Lü Bu's chest.
Bang!
Golden ripples spread out in every direction as Lü Bu was sent flying backward. Crashing through tree trunks one after another, he finally slammed into the ground, disappearing from sight.
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Xun'er calmed her fury. Yet the chilling murderous aura she exuded lingered, making Yang Hao's hair stand on end. Watching the motionless figure in the distance, Yang Hao silently thanked his past self for not laying a hand on Xiao Yan.
Otherwise, the young lady might truly have killed him.
While Yang Hao reeled in shock, Xiao Xun'er paid him no mind. She merely raised her slender hand and stared at it, a trace of doubt flickering in her golden eyes.
Who exactly is that? she wondered. His body how could it be this hard? Was he even human, or perhaps… a Taixu Ancient Dragon?
"Kehehe… interesting. As expected of the Black Abyss Army from the Ancient Clan!"
From the distance, Lü Bu floated back into view, still disguised as Xiao Yan.
"Are you scum from the Soul Hall?" Xiao Xun'er's tone grew steady, though her killing intent surged again. She was already on the verge of snapping.
"Of course not," Lü Bu chuckled, his voice a near perfect mimic of Xiao Yan's as he teased her.
"Xun'er meimei, it's me your Xiao Yan gege!"
Boom!!
The killing intent exploded again, reaching an all time high.
The air rippled as Xiao Xun'er's figure blurred into motion. In the blink of an eye, she appeared before Lü Bu. The wind howled as her veil clung to her stunning face.
A sharp, sword like glow radiated from her slender fingers, which were aimed straight at Lü Bu's throat. She was going to tear his neck apart.
Lü Bu grinned, his left hand raising to protect his throat. A layer of dark golden scales emerged from beneath his skin, shielding him. At the same time, his right hand clenched into a fist and shot forward, releasing a surge of explosive physical force that shattered the air.
His target? Xiao Xun'er's face.
Swish!
Boom!
In the blink of an eye, the two figures separated. Xiao Xun'er, struck in the face, flew backward, crashing into the forest. She plowed through countless trees, snapping them like twigs, and landed with a heavy thud just as Lü Bu had earlier.
Lü Bu frowned, shaking his right hand as discomfort spread through it. A trace of black light flickered over his skin, swallowing the remnants of the Golden Emperor's Incinerating Flame.
Ranked fourth on the Heavenly Flame List… it really is troublesome, he thought. Without the Devouring Ancient Symbol, this could've been bad.
"You bastard!"
Seeing his goddess struck, Yang Hao roared in fury. His hands moved like lightning, forming intricate seals, while his figure blurred as he charged forward.
"Earth Shattering Seal!" Yang Hao bellowed, his palms forming a crystal like mark that struck toward Lü Bu's chest.
"Kehehe…" Lü Bu laughed, evading with a swift motion. With a flick of his sleeve, he unleashed a gust of wind.
Crack!
Yang Hao's crystal seal shattered instantly.
"Let me show you what a real Earth Shattering Seal looks like!" Lü Bu taunted. With a clap of his hands, a green glow surged, forming a palm sized crystal seal.
"What? That quickly?" Yang Hao exclaimed, shocked.
The seal slammed into his face with a deafening Boom! Yang Hao was sent flying, crashing into the dirt. His bloodied face quickly became covered in mud as he lay there, utterly humiliated.
"Tsk tsk… so close to defeating me!" Lü Bu mocked, pinching his fingers together to leave a tiny gap. "Truly, the worst batch of Black Abyss Army soldiers I've ever seen!"
…
High above, the two hidden Dou Zuns exchanged glances, both thoroughly baffled.
"Old Lin, this guy… doesn't seem to have any killing intent!" said the black robed elder in surprise. By all accounts, they should've intervened by now. But the situation was… special.
"Ahem, don't panic, Old Guan," Lin Lao replied, stifling a cough as a peculiar look crossed his face. "I think I know who this kid is."
"Oh? Care to explain?" Old Guan asked.
"I can, but when we step in later, make sure to let some killing intent slip it'll scare him a little!"
"Uh…"
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen