Xing Su felt the icy touch of Hun Changqing's fingers on her cheek. Far from feeling relieved that he was wiping the filth from her face, the humiliation she felt intensified.
Xing Su would rather have more filth on her face than be touched again by this person she hated so much. But she couldn't lash out at this moment. Forcibly suppressing the various emotions in her heart, she spoke with a hint of resentment,
"The location of that Dou Sheng's cave is a swamp. A race of magical beasts inhabits that swamp, guarding the entrance to the Dou Sheng's cave.
When I went to investigate, I discovered that the most powerful being in that race was a nine-star Dou Zun, along with several high-level Dou Zun and some mid-to-low-level Dou Zun. With my strength, it was impossible for me to break through this race of magical beasts to enter. And since I didn't want to share this cave with others, I had no choice but to cultivate here temporarily, planning to explore the swamp again when my strength was sufficient. Who would have thought that before even entering..."
Xing Su paused here, looking up at Hun Changqing, the meaning in her eyes self-evident.
Hun Changqing ignored Xing Su's resentful gaze, slowly rising, stroking his chin with his fingers, a dark, deep light flickering in his eyes.
"A nine-star Dou Zun..."
Hun Changqing murmured. A nine-star Dou Zun would be troublesome. The difference between each level of the Dou Zun realm was terrifying. Even with Xing Su's ninth-grade bloodline power, after activating his bloodline power, he was only infinitely close to an eight-star Dou Zun, but still a little short, only considered to be at the peak of a seven-star Dou Zun.
However, after Hun Changqing used the Taiyin True Body's phenomenon, his amplification was huge, directly surging to the level of a five-star Dou Zun. With the suppression of the phenomenon and the transformation of the quality of Taiyin True Qi, suppressing Xing Su, whose aura had reached the peak of a seven-star Dou Zun, was easy.
But if he were to face a nine-star Dou Zun, Hun Changqing would be somewhat overwhelmed. Moreover, activating this phenomenon consumed a great deal of energy. If he were to become stalemate with the nine-star Dou Zun's demonic beast, and the time dragged on, Hun Changqing would be in danger.
Thoughts raced through Hun Changqing's mind like lightning, one after another arising, only to be immediately rejected by him. Just as Hun Changqing felt somewhat helpless, he suddenly recalled Xing Su's words. As if realizing something, he quickly lowered his head and asked Xing Su,
"You said you sensed the most powerful being in that demon beast horde. As a nine-star Dou Zun, didn't he sense you?"
Xing Su shook his head and truthfully replied, "At the time, I was confident in my strength, and with my bloodline restored to the ninth rank, and considering the barrenness of this Northwest Continent, I subconsciously assumed there wouldn't be anyone here far stronger than me. So, I kept my distance from those demon beasts..." The beasts were very close.
Only after I got close did I sense the aura of the nine-star Dou Zun, the leader of the demonic beasts. I was quite shocked and instinctively wanted to flee at all costs.
However, I later discovered that the demonic beast leader hadn't noticed my presence. Its perception didn't seem as sensitive as that of an ordinary nine-star Dou Zun. Later, I sensed the strength of the demonic beasts beside the leader before concealing my presence and leaving. "
Hun Changqing nodded upon hearing this. According to Xing Su, if even Xing Su, a one-star Dou Zun at the time, couldn't sense the demonic beast leader, it meant its soul power was far lower than his own realm. So, to attack this demonic beast, it seemed one could start with its soul?
Thinking of this, a sharp light flickered in Hun Changqing's eyes, but soon his brows furrowed slightly.
Although the demonic beast leader's soul power was far below his own level, making it easy to target, Hun Changqing wasn't particularly proficient in the soul combat techniques of the Soul Clan. If he were to use his half-baked soul combat skills against the demonic beast leader, he might still be unable to defeat him.
"The demonic beast leader's soul is his weakness. If you're not proficient in soul combat techniques, I can set up a complete Myriad Soul Devouring Array."
At this moment, Xingxiu on the ground seemed to have seen Hun Changqing's troubles and immediately spoke up.
"Myriad Soul Devouring Array?"
Hun Changqing, who had been deep in thought, immediately brightened up upon hearing Xingxiu's words, as if he had thought of something. He immediately took out the container containing the Yin Demon from his storage ring.
At this moment, the crimson color on the Yin Demon's main soul had completely faded, and it was now flashing with a dazzling silver light. An extremely chilling aura was faintly emanating from the silver demon.
"This...this is?!"
Xingxiu stared at the Yin Demon in Hun Changqing's hand, a vague sense of familiarity emanating from the Yin Demon, which resembled an energy skull. Sensing the chilling aura emanating from it, a look of surprise and doubt appeared on Xingxiu's face.
Hun Changqing, looking at the soul of the Silver Demon, formed by the Dragon Venerable's Ten Thousand Soul Devouring Array and now completely transformed, a strange smile curled at the corner of his lips.
Hun Changqing suddenly slapped his head. He had been so focused on soul combat techniques that he had forgotten about the Yin Demon, which had a restraining effect on the soul. Now, having thoroughly looted this branch hall, he was capable of forging the terrifyingly powerful Yin Soul Banner.
The cave of a Dou Sheng expert wouldn't disappear. Hun Changqing only needed to forge the Yin Soul Banner here. With the Yin Soul Banner in hand, when he went to the Dou Sheng's cave and faced the demon beast leader, victory would be virtually guaranteed.
A flicker of excitement flashed in Hun Changqing's eyes at the thought. He was extremely tempted by the cave dwelling of the Qianmu Saint, an ancient Dou Sheng (Battle Saint) whom Hun Changqing had only stumbled upon while browsing through his clan's records.
The Qianmu Saint's wood-attribute fighting techniques had left a significant mark on the Central Continent. Hun Changqing, possessing the Taiyin Black Death Wood, was also very envious of the powerful wood-attribute fighting techniques created by the Qianmu Saint.
Moreover, it was possible that the Qianmu Saint possessed a wood spirit similar to the Taiyin Black Death Wood. Therefore, the Qianmu Saint's cave dwelling greatly appealed to the greedy Hun Changqing.
However, Hun Changqing quickly suppressed his excitement and turned his gaze to Xingxiu on the ground. A strange smile appeared on his lips as he coldly said,
"You don't need to worry about that demonic beast leader. Dealing with him doesn't even require the complete Myriad Souls Devouring Spirit Array. You should put away your little schemes, hehehe..."
Hun Changqing didn't believe Xingxiu would be so kind as to help him set up the Myriad Souls Devouring Spirit Array. She definitely had her own ulterior motives, but Hun Changqing didn't care. It was unlikely that a proud and arrogant genius like Xingxiu would simply accept her fate. Some underhanded tactics were normal.
After hearing Hun Changqing's warning, Xingxiu's expression turned gloomy, and a deep resentment appeared in her eyes. She seemed to be very unhappy because Hun Changqing had exposed her secrets.
However, Xingxiu secretly sneered in her heart. The reason she did this was only to dispel Hun Changqing's doubts, to make him think that he had completely controlled her, and to make him lower his guard. Once he entered the cave, that would be Hun Changqing's death day! Thinking of this, a cold and ruthless look flashed in the depths of Xingxiu's beautiful eyes.
Suddenly, Hun Changqing slowly began to scrutinize Xingxiu with a strange look. Xingxiu, who was still imagining Hun Changqing being killed by the restrictions set up by his ancestor in that cave, felt a chill run down his spine and a shiver run down her spine upon sensing Hun Changqing's gaze.
After contemplating the problem of the demonic beast leader, Hun Changqing needed to deal with Xingxiu. Currently, under the enhancement of the special phenomenon, Hun Changqing's aura was still maintained at the level of a fifth-star Dou Zun.
However, once time passed and the phenomenon dissipated, Hun Changqing would immediately enter a period of weakness, unable to unleash even half of his full strength.
He had initially intended to quickly kill Xingxiu, which was why he used this method. Now, however, Xingxiu was still useful, and Hun Changqing coveted the cave of the Qianmu Saint, unwilling to kill Xingxiu so easily. However, if he doesn't kill Xingxiu, despite Xingxiu's current injuries and lack of resistance, if Hun Changqing weakens while Xingxiu recovers some strength, their positions will be reversed, and Hun Changqing will be the one lying on the ground. Hun Changqing
won't allow that to happen. But if he places a restriction on Xingxiu, Xingxiu's cultivation level is ultimately higher than his, and he possesses the power of the Soul Clan's bloodline. It's hard to guarantee that Xingxiu won't break through the restriction when Hun Changqing is weakened; it's very risky.
And the only way to ensure Xingxiu is powerless in his hands now seems to be this one. Thinking of this, Hun Changqing's lips curled into a wicked smile, his eyes filled with amusement, his gaze sweeping unabashedly over the large expanse of white skin revealed by Xingxiu's tattered black robe.
Xing Su felt Hun Changqing's burning gaze, emanating from beneath his black hood, sweep over her. This made her instantly feel extremely uneasy. Xing Su vaguely guessed what might be happening, and her expression froze, her heart filled with panic.
She hurriedly tightened her collar and frantically tugged at her tattered black robe, trying to cover her exposed skin. Although she had anticipated that Hun Changqing's greed would lead him into her trap, she hadn't expected him to have such thoughts in the face of such immense profit!
"You… what do you want?"
Xing Su cried out through trembling teeth, still pulling at her robe.
"Hehehe…"
Hun Changqing looked at the panicked Xing Su on the ground with a mocking expression, letting out a sinister and wicked laugh. He had indeed set his sights on Xing Su, but not because of lust.
For Hun Changqing, profit was far more important than beauty, but even profit couldn't compare to his own life. For his own safety, Hun Changqing planned to directly destroy Xing Su's bloodline.
After the bloodline was destroyed, Xing Su's strength wouldn't decrease, but she would fall into a period of weakness even more severe than Hun Changqing's. During this time, Xing Su's strength might not even reach the level of a peak Dou Zong. And the simplest and most brutal way to destroy Xing Su's bloodline was naturally…
Therefore, Hun Changqing's actions were a helpless choice, all for the sake of his life, not something driven by instinct.
"Hehehe… but you'll have to suffer a bit, Xing Su,"
Hun Changqing thought wickedly. Upon hearing Hun Changqing's words, Xing Su naturally understood his meaning. Her pupils widened immediately, and the anger in her heart could no longer be contained. Even if it meant death, she would never allow it! She would never allow this damned guy to do such a thing to her! Xing Su roared, her voice filled with rage.
"Damn it! Ghost! If you dare do such a thing to me, I'll destroy my body and soul! Without my soul and memories, you'll never find the cave of the Holy Master Qianmu!"
Hearing Xingxiu's angry threat, Hun Changqing's smile remained unchanged, his eyes filled with amusement. He crouched down and slowly said,
"If I remember correctly… you seem to have an older brother named… Hun Ye… right? He's currently a protector in the Earthly Fiend Hall in the Zhongzhou Dead Soul Mountains. Tell me, if I return to my clan, with my talent and strength, could I possibly kill that good-for-nothing who's been a mere Dou Zong for a hundred years?" "Tell me, do you think anyone in the clan or the Soul Palace will stop me?"
Upon hearing Hun Changqing's words, Xingxiu's expression froze instantly, her body trembled violently, and then her anger intensified, surging so fiercely it seemed to materialize and burst forth from her body. Her pretty face contorted with rage, and she gritted her teeth as she said to Hun Changqing in a deep voice,
"If you dare to touch him, I will make you regret ever being born!"
If there was one person Xingxiu still cared about in this world after experiencing so many hardships, it was her brother, Hun Ye, who had been her only companion since childhood, caring for her meticulously. He had silently rejoiced for her when she was a shining star of the Soul Clan, and had also silently supported her when she was down on her luck, tirelessly working to earn cultivation resources for her—Hun Ye!
Soul Leaf was Xing Su's Achilles' heel. Upon hearing that Soul Changqing actually intended to attack Soul Leaf, Xing Su felt an indescribable rage surge to her head, frantically stimulating every nerve, directly causing her to lose her mind. At this moment, she hated Soul Changqing so much that she wanted to devour his flesh and bones.
Xing Su was currently suppressed by Soul Changqing's aura and could not move. Her eyes were bloodshot, filled with resentment and fierce light, as she stared intently at Soul Changqing, as if she wanted to tear him to pieces with her sharp gaze. Xing Su's face was full of ferocity, her teeth clenched, like a ferocious beast that had lost its mind and was ready to devour its prey.
"Heh!"
After hearing Xing Su's roar, Soul Changqing instantly let out a mocking laugh, his eyes narrowed, and he extended his slender, white fingers to gently lift Xing Su's smooth chin.
His fingers, like a brush, swept across her jawline, feeling the delicate, smooth skin. He gently pressed his fingers against Xing Su's soft, red lips, then pinched her nose and cheek, as if teasing a toy.
Then, amidst Xing Su's still fiery gaze, Hun Changqing opened his hand, covering her cheek, his fingers slightly bent, pinching her entire face. Strands of extremely cold energy leaked out, seeping into Xing Su's mind.
"Ugh..."
With the penetration of that cold energy, Xing Su's previously burning anger instantly felt as if a bucket of icy water had been poured over her, chilling her to the bone, making her feel as if she had fallen into an ice cave. Her angry eyes instantly turned to terror.
"You won't let me go? I really want to see how you won't let me go. Your brother's life is in your hands now~ If you're unwilling, you don't need to self-destruct. I'll just crush your head and soul together.
Then, after I return to Zhongzhou, I'll capture your brother and give him a good death with the top ten tortures of our Soul Palace. After all, he caused me to lose a high-level Saint's inheritance. Do you think I'm right... Xingxiu?"
Hun Changqing's voice was gentle and soothing, like a clear spring, pleasing to the ear, like heavenly music. But to Xingxiu, it was like the whisper of a demon. His words filled her with terror and chills.
Xingxiu couldn't imagine her brother being captured and subjected to the Soul Palace's ten tortures; it was too cruel.
Neither Xingxiu nor her brother could accept such an outcome. For a moment, overwhelming regret filled Xingxiu's heart.
If she had remained silent when Hun Changqing was about to crush her head, if she hadn't told him about the cave, and had simply died quietly, would she have avoided all this? Would she have avoided bringing such a calamity upon her brother?
Thinking of this, Xingxiu's beautiful eyes welled up with tears, then gushed forth hot, crystalline tears. Two streams of tears slid down her cheeks, dripping onto the dark earth beneath her with a soft "drip, drip."
Xingxiu cried…
She hadn't cried when she suffered severe injuries, her cultivation destroyed, her talent ruined, and overnight she had fallen from the Soul Clan's most dazzling genius to a cripple.
She left the Soul Clan alone, encountering setbacks at every turn in her search for a treasure to cure her problems. Even in moments of utter despair, she never cried; her resolve remained unwavering. But now, she wept—the first tears she shed since beginning her cultivation.