Evidently, this Elder and the Black Heavenly Venerate had an old grudge.
"Yaofeng, you—" The Black Heavenly Venerate's expression grew even uglier; he was actually being mocked by someone he had once defeated.
"'You' what? You better handle things well later. We are all watching you. If you're unwilling, then just get out." The Nine Serene Earth Nether Python Elder, known as Yaofeng, said coldly.
"Hmph!" The Black Heavenly Venerate could only let out a cold snort like an incompetent husband in the end, not daring to make any move.
After glancing at the Hall of Souls people, Xiao Yan's gaze fell directly upon the Dou Saint's skeleton.
He recalled what Xiao Jietian had once told him—to revive Venerable Yao later.
"Teacher, if this Dou Saint's skeleton were used when refining a body for you, would you directly reach the Dou Saint Realm?" A fiery glint flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes.
"Hehe, that's not impossible, but a Dou Saint's skeleton is not easy to refine. If circumstances allow, adding a few bones might enable me to gain insights and thus reach Half-Saint."
After a soft chuckle, Venerable Yao continued, "However, don't set your sights on this skeleton yet. The remaining bones of a Dou Saint are not simple; there might be some hidden tricks."
"Pay attention to the Hall of Souls people. Based on their obscure gazes, coupled with their direct statement about giving up those scrolls, it seems more like they are after the skeleton."
Xiao Yan's heart stirred. He quietly observed the Hall of Souls group. Sure enough, although those two leading elders had gloomy faces and looked unwilling, their eyes would occasionally drift toward the jade-white skeleton on the stone seat with a trace of greed that they couldn't completely conceal.
"Understood, Teacher," Xiao Yan replied softly in his mind.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the grand hall had become extremely tense.
The ten huge light clusters floating in the air contained ancient scrolls. Even from a distance, one could feel the powerful energy fluctuations emanating from them. They were clearly Heaven-tier Dou Techniques or even higher.
However, no one dared to act rashly.
The Dou Saint's skeleton sitting cross-legged on the central stone seat released an invisible pressure that made everyone's heart palpitate. Even the Dou Zuns present felt their breathing become slightly difficult.
"Everyone, the scrolls are right in front of us. Why don't we join forces to break the restriction first?" An elder from a second-rate faction suggested cautiously.
His words received immediate agreement from many people.
However, the major forces remained unmoved.
The Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, Ice River Valley, Burning Flame Valley, and the Hall of Souls all stood in their respective positions, secretly watching each other while guarding against the Dou Saint's skeleton.
Xiao Yan stood with the Burning Flame Valley group, his gaze calm as he observed everything.
He wasn't in a hurry.
With his Tian-ge already inside the ruins, the best treasures had most likely been taken away long ago. These ten light clusters were probably just bait left behind.
Moreover, the Hall of Souls' abnormal behavior made him even more convinced that the real prize was the Dou Saint's skeleton.
Time passed slowly.
The tension in the hall grew thicker, and the air felt almost suffocating.
Finally, someone could no longer hold back.
A peak Dou Zun from a smaller force suddenly shot forward, reaching for one of the light clusters.
The moment his hand touched the light cluster, a dazzling light erupted. An invisible force slammed into him like a heavy hammer, sending him flying backward while spitting blood.
Before he could land, a black shadow flashed past—the leading black-robed elder from the Hall of Souls moved like lightning and directly snatched the light cluster.
"Hall of Souls, you dare!"
Several furious shouts rang out simultaneously.
The Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan and Ice River Valley immediately attacked, their Dou Qi surging as they tried to stop the Hall of Souls.
Chaos instantly erupted in the grand hall.
Xiao Yan did not join the fray. He stood quietly with Venerable Skyfire and Nalan Yanran, watching the battle with cold eyes.
"Teacher, the Hall of Souls is deliberately creating chaos. Their real target is the skeleton," Xiao Yan transmitted his voice.
"I know. Be careful. Don't get involved too early," Yao Lao replied.
As the battle grew fiercer, the Hall of Souls' two leading elders suddenly exchanged a glance. They simultaneously abandoned the fight for the scrolls and shot straight toward the central stone seat.
Their goal was clear—the Dou Saint's skeleton!
"Stop them!"
The other major forces finally reacted and rushed forward to intercept.
However, it was already too late.
The two Hall of Souls elders arrived in front of the stone seat almost instantly. One of them reached out with a black palm shrouded in dense cold Qi, grabbing directly at the jade-white skeleton.
At that exact moment, the skeleton, which had been sitting motionless for countless years, suddenly opened its hollow eye sockets.
A terrifying pressure that seemed to come from the ancient past erupted like a volcano.
Boom!
The two Hall of Souls elders were sent flying backward as if struck by lightning, crashing heavily into the hall's wall and spitting blood.
The entire grand hall fell deathly silent.
Everyone stared at the skeleton in shock.
The Dou Saint's remains… were actually still conscious?!