"The Hall of Souls has now lost its second Dou Sheng…"
Every expert present felt a bone-deep chill seep into their hearts as the cold voice echoed across the battlefield. The Hall of Souls—renowned for its fearsome strength—had now lost not one, but two of its Dou Sheng elites. The fall of a single Dou Sheng was already a calamity; to lose two… was a disaster beyond measure.
No matter how deep the foundations of the Hall of Souls ran, such a loss could not be brushed aside.
Yet amidst this heavy silence, Xiao Hua remained unmoved. His left hand began to form hand seals—swift and precise, though clearly affected by the absence of his right arm. As expected, losing one arm had severely impacted the speed and fluidity of his seals. Compared to before, it was noticeably slower.
Even so, his control remained flawless. The hand seals completed without flaw, while the members of the Hall of Souls were still preoccupied with the grievous state of their Deputy Chief.
Spatial energy rippled from Xiao Hua's body, distorting the air around him. A crack tore opens in space behind him, forming a swirling spatial tunnel.
With a faint smile, he swept his gaze toward the Hall of Souls and said mockingly, "This junior has matters to attend to. Today's clash was rather enjoyable—but I shall excuse myself now."
As his voice faded, his figure turned into a stream of light and entered the spatial rift, vanishing without a trace.
From a distance, he could sense the aura of another powerful individual approaching—leading a group of similarly strong cultivators, all rapidly closing in on the battlefield.
He did not recognize them, nor did he care to stay and find out. Since there was no longer any reason to remain… he would leave first.
"Xiao Hua…!"
The Deputy Chief of the Hall roared in fury, yet he was powerless to act. Though he wanted to stop Xiao Hua, his current condition left him utterly helpless. His strength had been forcibly sealed, and even now, he required the support of one of the Honourable Elders just to assist him in standing on the air—how could he possibly interfere?
Chi!
Just as dark frustration and helplessness consumed him, the surrounding space suddenly trembled. A dense black fog surged outward from the disturbance, spreading in all directions with eerie silence. Within that fog, a terrifying aura silently emerged—one so oppressive it caused many to pale on instinct.
All eyes immediately turned toward the source.
The Deputy Chief's expression changed. But this time, it brightened—not from fear, but anticipation. He recognized that familiar presence. Reinforcements had arrived.
Everyone's gaze locked onto the dense black mist that lingered in the air. Moments later, it slowly began to disperse… revealing a black-robed figure standing at the center of the battlefield.
The figure who emerged was a man.
His appearance was unremarkable—plain, almost forgettable. His face bore no trace of grandeur, and his rough, calloused hands slipped from within his sleeves, as though he were just an ordinary passerby. Yet it was precisely this seemingly ordinary figure that made countless hearts tremble.
Many among the spectators found themselves holding their breath. Their expressions grew solemn, and fear flickered deep within their eyes.
Chief of the Hall of Souls!
These four simple words carried a weight that could crush mountains. In the Central Plains, none could match the prestige this name commanded. It was a name forged in blood over countless years—a symbol of power and dread. No faction dared to oppose him openly, for his very existence was a deterrent.
In the distant past, the Chief of the Hall of Souls had annihilated dozens of sects in a single night. Rivers of blood flowed that evening; the land itself was dyed crimson with the corpses of the fallen. Even five mighty experts who had stepped into the second-star Dou Sheng realm met a miserable end beneath his hands.
That single night etched his name into legend and marked the rise of the Hall of Souls as the unchallenged overlord of the Central Plains. Even the Pill Tower, with its vast influence of alchemists, dared not provoke him lightly.
And now, this very man—whose fearsome reputation once struck terror into the hearts of all—stood silently in the skies.
His eyes were calm, like an old monk lost in meditation, showing neither emotion nor disturbance. Whether gazes were filled with fear, awe, or hatred, not once did he look their way. He simply hovered there—serene and unmoved, like a slumbering abyss.
"Greetings, Hall Chief!"
Gu You, Zhai Xing Tianzun, and the few barely surviving Honorable Elders quickly cupped their fists, bowing deeply with utmost reverence. Their voices rang with respect—but beneath that surface was a heavy undercurrent of fear. They knew all too well… this matter would not end peacefully.
They had failed to capture Xiao Hua. Worse yet, they had suffered grave losses and brought humiliation upon the Hall of Souls.
The Hall Chief said nothing at first. His gaze slowly swept across the pitiful state of Gu You and the others—torn robes, bloodstained bodies, auras flickering with weakness.
His voice finally rang out, low and cold.
"Useless."
Just a single word.
Yet that one word struck like a thunderclap in their hearts. All of them trembled, a chill crawling down their spines. As expected of the Hall Chief… With his merciless temperament, punishment would be inevitable.
But he paid them no further mind.
His dark gaze turned toward the spatial tunnel that was gradually closing in the air. With a wave of his sleeve, space trembled violently. The collapsing portal stilled—then widened under his will.
He had already locked onto the aura within.
The Chief of the Hall of Souls could clearly sense Xiao Hua's presence within the spatial rift. A cold, sinister smile curled on his lips.
With a subtle movement, his fingers clenched—and an immense suction force surged forth, latching onto that faint yet distinct trace of Xiao Hua's aura.
"Shit…!"
Xiao Hua's expression darkened as he abruptly turned, his body grinding to a halt in the spatial tunnel. A strange force had seized him—an overwhelming suction that felt as if space itself had frozen around him.
"Please lend me a hand…!"
His voice echoed within his spiritual sea. In response, the orange-colored Lightning Beast slumbering within suddenly stirred, its eyes flashing open as it rose with a low growl.
A surge of blazing orange lightning erupted from its form, streaking through Xiao Hua's meridians before manifesting in the external world. The lightning wrapped around him and crackled fiercely, burning away the invisible suction force that bound him—forcefully severing the grip of the Hall of Souls' chief.
Boom!
The moment he was freed, Dou Qi roared within his body like a raging storm. Without hesitation, Xiao Hua unleashed three pairs of wings from his back. With a loud thunderclap, his figure shot forward—like a streak of radiant light piercing through the void at an astonishing speed.
Outside of the spatial tunnel, the Chief of the Hall of Souls narrowed his eyes. A flash of surprise flickered across his otherwise calm expression.
"To think he could break free…" he murmured, voice low and cold. "This brat is far more troublesome than expected."
Even so, he quickly regained composure. With a flick of his sleeve, his figure blurred, preparing to give chase. He had no intention of returning empty-handed—not when this matter had been personally entrusted to him by the clan head.
"Ke ke… Who would've thought? The high and mighty Chief of the Hall of Souls personally chasing after a single junior with such relentless manner? Hun Mie Sheng, I wonder… what would others think if they heard of this?"
Just as Hun Mie Sheng was about to make his move, his steps halted abruptly. An aged voice, laced with amusement and hidden sharpness, echoed across the battlefield.
His brows furrowed deeply as he turned his gaze.
Not far from the spatial tunnel Xiao Hua had created, the space began to ripple once more. Under Hun Mie Sheng's piercing gaze, a group of figures stepped out from the spatial fluctuation.
Leading them was a blue-robed old man, his face adorned with a constant warm smile. Though his expression radiated kindness, those with keen eyes could sense the blade-like sharpness hidden beneath that facade—a calm surface concealing a dangerous edge.
Behind him stood the elite forces of the Black Submerged Army—clad in pitch-black armor, their presence was like a tide of silent death. The oppressive aura they exuded caused the hearts of countless experts present to tremble involuntarily.
Hun Mie Sheng's eyes narrowed, a flicker of surprise flashing within them before his expression turned somber.
"Gu Nanhai… You're truly persistent," he muttered coldly, a deep frown forming on his face.
Hun Mie Sheng had already crossed fists with the old man once—before even arriving at this place. The reason for his delayed appearance was none other than Gu Nanhai, who had intercepted his path. At the same time, the Black Submerged Army of the Gu Clan had firmly blocked the Hall of Souls' reinforcements, delaying their advance to the battlefield.
And now, even after forcing their way through, Gu Nanhai and his men had still arrived in time to block them once more.
"Ke ke… Our young miss has acknowledged her relationship with Xiao Hua," Gu Nanhai said casually, his voice calm and unhurried. "She personally asked me to stop you after learning you intended to capture him."
Despite facing Hun Mie Sheng, the smile on Gu Nanhai's face never faded. Warm on the surface, yet underneath it lay an unwavering sharpness.
Hun Mie Sheng's eyes narrowed. A cold snort escaped his lips, his displeasure barely concealed. If not for her status and possessed the divine-rank bloodline, the Gu Clan would have never dared interfere in this matter.
Suppressing his irritation, he turned his gaze toward the injured Deputy Chief and asked coldly, "Where is the First Tianzun? Wasn't he the first to arrive? And you… why has your aura vanished?"
"This…"
The Deputy Chief's figure trembled slightly under the weight of the Hall Chief's gaze. He swallowed hard, fear creeping into his eyes. Hun Mie Sheng's killing intent was suffocating, leaving him no room to evade the question.
He drew a deep, trembling breath, bracing himself.
Then, without concealment, he began to recount everything—each detail laid bare from start to finish. Naturally, Gu You also stepped forward to supplement the report. Under Hun Mie Sheng's cold glare, he dared not remain silent, especially as one of the earliest witnesses.
No truth was omitted as he described the battle in full: the fierce clashes, the overwhelming suppression by Xiao Hua, the unexpected death of the First Tianzun at his hands… and finally, his own strength being sealed by Xiao Hua's strange, unfathomable technique.
Hun Mie Sheng listened in silence as the Deputy Hall Chief and Gu You recounted every detail. With each word, his expression grew darker and more unsightly. He could hardly believe it—despite the Hall of Souls' overwhelming power and preparations, Xiao Hua and his group had caused such devastating losses.
When the report ended, a violent killing intent burst forth from Hun Mie Sheng. His teeth clenched tightly, the rage in his eyes nearly tangible.
Without a word, he turned his gaze toward the spatial tunnel. Then, with a cold glint in his eyes, he stepped forward—preparing to enter the tunnel and give chase personally.
But before he could advance further, a figure blocked his path.
Gu Nanhai stood before the spatial tunnel like an immovable mountain. His posture was steady and calm, yet carried an invisible pressure that could not be ignored.
Even under the suffocating chill of Hun Mie Sheng's killing intent, Gu Nanhai did not flinch. He remained composed on the surface—but deep within, a storm churned violently in his heart.
He had experienced countless battles, tribulations, and life-or-death moments, yet the report he'd just heard shook even him.
His eyes swept across the battlefield once more. Despite his calm demeanor, a faint tremble flickered in his gaze.
The once-mighty mountain range had been shattered, the land torn and scarred as if by heavenly wrath. The experts of the Hall of Souls—renowned for their arrogance and pride—now lay strewn across the battlefield, bloodied and broken, their once-formidable auras reduced to flickering embers.
"All of this destruction… is because of Xiao Hua and his group."
A flicker of astonishment crossed his gaze.
"To think that Xiao Hua and his companions could force the Hall of Souls into such a pitiful state…" he murmured softly, his voice laced with disbelief. "It seems our young miss truly has a discerning eye. This young man… is a monster in human skin."
Though spoken quietly, his words did not escape the ears of the Black Submerged Army standing nearby. A heavy silence followed. Not one among them refuted his statement. Bitterness surged in their hearts, yet no one dared to voice disagreement. Some even cast deep, complex gazes toward the spatial tunnel through which Xiao Hua had vanished.
They were no strangers to strength. Clad in black armor and tempered through countless battles, they were the elites of the Gu Clan. Yet even they knew—regardless of how formidable they were—facing a Dou Sheng was akin to reaching for the heavens.
The might of a Dou Sheng was overwhelming. A single star of difference could mean life or death, victory or annihilation. Even the boldest among them would hesitate to speak of slaying such an existence… let alone actually doing it.
And yet, someone younger than most of them had done exactly that.
How could they not feel a trace of bitterness?
How could they not feel shaken?
Among the ranks of the Black Submerged Army, a green-robed man shook his head with a helpless smile as he listened to the Deputy Chief of the Hall of Souls and Gu You. His expression held a trace of disbelief—clearly, even he was at a loss for words in the face of Xiao Hua's strength.
"Who would've thought that Xiao Hua's power would reach such terrifying heights?" he murmured softly, sighing faintly. "Not only did he slay a Dou Sheng… he even managed to seal the strength of another one completely…"
He glanced across the battlefield, his gaze thoughtful.
"With these feats, there's no one in the Gu Clan's younger generation who can compare. Once the other elders hear of this… even those who once opposed of this relationship may begin to shift their stance. And more importantly—Xun Er's bond with him runs deep. That relationship is already… unshakable."
He then turned to glance behind him. Standing there was a white-haired youth whose expression was shrouded in gloom. A faint, concerned smile appeared on the green-robed man's face as he asked gently, "Gu Yao, are you still unwilling to let go of that affection?"
The young man he addressed was none other than Gu Yao. His long snow-white hair fluttered slightly in the wind, and his entire being exuded a bone-piercing coldness—like ten-thousand-year-old mysterious ice. Just looking at him was enough to send a chill through one's soul.
Yet now, that icy composure was marred by a deep, brooding scowl. His brows furrowed tightly, his expression dark. Clearly, even he had not expected someone from a fallen clan to possess such monstrous strength.
And deep within his silence… was a bitter storm.
Gu Yao took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent emotions surging within his heart. After a long pause, he turned to the green-robed man beside him and spoke in a calm yet resolute tone,
"Gu Qing Yang, he is not a member of the Gu Clan. No matter how close he is to Xun Er, that fact alone disqualifies him. Even with all these so-called achievements, his cultivation is still only at the Dou Zong realm. His victories against Dou Shengs were achieved through unorthodox means, nothing more."
His voice grew colder, a faint glint of icy arrogance flashing in his eyes.
"With the power of the Dou Di bloodline and the full backing of the Gu Clan's resources, my chances of surpassing Xiao Hua's accomplishments are exceedingly high. It is only a matter of time."
Gu Qing Yang raised an eyebrow, his voice steady as he asked, "And if that time comes… but he still chooses to leave?"
Gu Yao's gaze lifted, a shadow flickering across his expression. He muttered softly—yet his words carried a chilling weight, "Then I will cripple him."
A heavy silence followed.
Gu Qing Yang merely sighed and shook his head. He said nothing more on the matter, choosing to let the topic drop. He knew just how deeply Gu Yao's feelings for Xun Er ran—obsessive and unwavering. Unless struck by a blow as heavy as a divine hammer, no amount of persuasion would make him let go of this love.
And though he did agree that Xiao Hua's methods were indeed unconventional, the fact remained: to defeat the Third Tianzun as Dou Zong… was no ordinary feat. That alone was enough to prove Xiao Hua's terrifying potential.
'Only time will tell… but I fear the outcome will be far different from what Gu Yao hopes for.'
Gu Qing Yang sighed inwardly, his thoughts weighed down with quiet reflection. He found it hard to believe that someone like Xiao Hua could ever remain ordinary.
No matter how resolute Gu Yao's words were, no matter how determined he was to surpass Xiao Hua—Gu Qing Yang knew deep down that such a dream would never bear fruit.
That… was the cruel and bitter truth behind Gu Yao's love.
All he could offer now was silent pity—for this impossible pursuit and the man so deeply entangled in it.
Yet Gu Yao wasn't the only one he pitied.
His gaze swept over the rows of armored youths standing behind him—the elite of the Black Submerged Army. So many of them harbored the same hopeless desire… all yearning for the heart of the Gu Clan's brightest jewel, the untouchable goddess known as Xun Er.
To win her favor, countless young men had trained tirelessly day and night, pushing themselves to their limits. Some had even gone so far as to forgo food and water, consumed by obsession, convinced that only through peerless strength could they ever reach her side.
But some stars… could never be reached.
After Xun Er returned to the clan at the age of fourteen, she had made a declaration that stunned the younger generation of the Gu Clan.
She proclaimed that her heart would forever belong to Xiao Hua—and no one else.
Gu Qing Yang couldn't help but smile faintly at the memory. It wasn't a smile of joy, nor of ridicule—just a helpless one. That day, he could almost hear the sound of countless hearts shattering, tears falling like rain, and long-cherished dreams crumbling into dust.
Naturally, the resentment toward Xiao Hua flared like wildfire. Many cursed his luck in private, calling him undeserving. To them, he was merely a boy from a fallen clan, yet he had won the heart of the clan's most luminous star.
"I always wondered why that little lass didn't seem concerned about the hatred others held toward Xiao Hua," Gu Qing Yang muttered softly to himself. "So this is why… Even if they tried to scheme against him, it would be futile. That boy is simply… monstrous."
He exhaled slowly, sweeping his gaze across the shattered mountain range once more. The devastation left behind by Xiao Hua's battle still lingered in the air like a storm that refused to fade.
Unlike the others, Gu Qing Yang held no bias toward Xiao Hua. That was why he could admit the truth without pride or resentment:
Even if he, Gu Qing Yang, went all out—risking everything, including his life—he could not replicate what Xiao Hua had accomplished today.
And that, too, was a terrifying realization.
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