After a few minutes of pursuit, Wang Yan and Chen Yu finally reached the Golden Eagle Soul Emperor. The night was quiet around them, broken only by the faint hum of residual soul energy and the soft rustle of grass beneath their feet.
The Soul Emperor had fully recovered from the injuries Wang Yan had inflicted earlier, but now facing both Wang Yan and Chen Yu together, he quickly realized he was in a dire situation. Every strike from the two friends was sharper, faster and powerful . Their attacks forced him to defend constantly, leaving him no room to counter. His golden wings flared wildly as he tried to dodge and maneuver, but the relentless assault pushed him to the edge of his stamina and soul power. Each blow left him increasingly fatigued, the glow of his aura dimming under the sustained pressure. For the first time, he understood the danger—he could not win this fight. Continuing to fight normally would only waste his strength and risk his life.
Realizing he could no longer risk everything for the box, he made a decisive choice. He would abandon it. With a swift motion, he threw the box toward Wang Yan and Chen Yu.
Both reacted instantly, catching it without hesitation. They immediately checked the contents. The seal had been broken, but everything inside was safe. Inside lay a soul bone, faintly glowing with energy. Wang Yan's eyes narrowed. Soul bones were rare, extremely valuable, and highly sought after by cultivators. This explained the coordinated attack.
"Someone from the Tian Dou City Auction House must have leaked information," Wang Yan said quietly. "And now I need to find out who wanted this soul bone—and why they attacked."
Chen Yu looked at him, concern clear in his expression. "Wang Yan, I'll come with you. I won't leave your side." His tone was firm; he was not afraid, only determined to protect his friend.
Wang Yan shook his head. "No. The mission comes first. The shipment must reach Lingyun City safely. You take the soul bone back with the convoy. I'll handle him."
Chen Yu hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Without another word, he turned and rushed back toward the convoy, carrying the soul bone to ensure it would reach the Lingyun City Auction House safely.
The Soul Emperor, heavily injured from the combined onslaught of Wang Yan and Chen Yu, had fleed but he could not escape far.
Wang Yan pursued the fleeing Golden Eagle Soul Emperor relentlessly. At first, it seemed the enemy had gained a considerable lead. The Soul Emperor had escaped into the night, and Wang Yan realized that if he continued at normal speed, catching him would take far too long.
Wang Yan focused his soul power and activated his improved Body and Sword Unity. After years of training, he had reached a level where he could fly using his sword alone, maneuvering with precision and agility. To enhance his pursuit, he activated the built-in speed boost of his Left leg Soul Bone skill, which amplified his velocity without being used as a source of flight. With this combination, Wang Yan surged forward, cutting through the night at incredible speed, rapidly closing the distance to the fleeing Soul Emperor.
For half an hour, Wang Yan pushed himself, cutting through forests and plains, until he finally sensed the Soul Emperor's aura ahead. Within a few minutes, he reached the enemy—who had sought refuge in a small, abandoned village.
The Soul Emperor had healed partially from his earlier injuries, but not completely. Running at high speed while using soul power had exhausted him, leaving him vulnerable. He had underestimated Wang Yan.
Without hesitation, Wang Yan struck. Each blow was precise, aimed to inflict maximum damage while preventing escape. Despite the Soul Emperor's attempts to defend and evade, Wang Yan's strikes overpowered him. Finally, in a decisive move, Wang Yan severed the Soul Emperor's legs, ensuring he could no longer flee. Even with his healing abilities, regeneration of such massive injuries was impossible. The enemy was trapped.
Wang Yan stepped closer, his eyes cold. "Who sent you? Who leaked information in the Tiandao City Auction House? And who wanted the soul bone?"
The Soul Emperor shook his head, defiant, refusing to answer.
Wang Yan's voice hardened. "You have no escape now. If you tell me, your life ends swiftly—but if you remain silent, I will make you suffer."
Fear flickered in the Soul Emperor's eyes, but he held his tongue. Wang Yan, with ruthless precision, began his interrogation. One by one, he cut the enemy's fingers, causing excruciating pain—but the Soul Emperor still refused to speak. Even when the second hand's fingers were severed, silence remained.
Finally, Wang Yan raised his weapon toward the Soul Emperor's ears, preparing for the next act of torture. The terror was overwhelming. Only then, desperate to stop the agony, the Soul Emperor's resolve began to waver.
"My name is Hu Qian," the man said, his voice low but steady. "I serve one person—the patriarch of the Bloodscale Clan. Everything that happened tonight was done on his orders."
Wang Yan did not interrupt. He stood quietly, letting the words come out on their own.
"The Bloodscale Clan is based in Shenwu City," Hu Qian continued. "To the outside world, they are known for a particular kind of martial soul—the Blood Centipede. It is not ordinary poison. Their venom corrodes blood itself."
He spoke slowly, making sure the meaning was clear.
"When their poison enters the body, it attacks the bloodstream directly. Blood circulation weakens, soul power becomes unstable, and the body collapses from within. This is why the Bloodscale Clan is feared in battle."
Wang Yan listened, expression unchanged.
"But that reputation is only what people see on the surface," Hu Qian went on. "The true foundation of the clan lies in blood cultivation."
He paused briefly.
"Clan members absorb blood to strengthen themselves—their bodies, their martial souls, and their poison. The more blood they absorb, the more aggressive and corrosive their venom becomes, especially toward the enemy's blood."
His tone grew heavier.
"However, this path is flawed."
Wang Yan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"After absorbing too much blood, their own blood becomes impure," Hu Qian said. "This impurity interferes with cultivation. Soul power circulation becomes unstable, and progress slows dramatically."
He let out a slow breath.
"This is why the Bloodscale Patriarch has been stuck at level seventy-nine for many years. And he is not the only one. Many within the clan suffer from the same problem—strong in combat, but unable to advance smoothly."
"The soul bone," Wang Yan said quietly.
"Yes," Hu Qian replied at once. "That soul bone is highly compatible with the Blood Centipede martial soul. It can stabilize the blood, refine impurities, and rebuild a damaged foundation. With it, the patriarch can finally break through to level eighty."
There was a brief silence.
Then Wang Yan spoke again. "A clan like that should have drawn attention long ago."
Hu Qian nodded. "They would have—if not for their support."
Wang Yan waited.
"The Bloodscale Clan has a connection with an elder of the Elephant Armored Clan," Hu Qian said. "A Soul Douluo. That relationship is enough to deter most forces."
He continued calmly.
"The clan never acts openly. They avoid large-scale conflict, avoid public massacres, and never challenge powerful forces directly. On the surface, they appear no different from other poison-based clans."
Wang Yan understood.
"They stay within the line," he said.
"Yes," Hu Qian replied. "Strong enough to be feared. Careful enough to be left alone."
After a moment, Wang Yan asked, "Then how did you know about the soul bone?"
Hu Qian did not hesitate.
"Inside the Tian Dou Auction House," he said, "there is an assistant manager, his position gives him access to sensitive information."
"What kind of information?" Wang Yan asked.
"Upcoming auction items," Hu Qian replied. "Rare materials. Soul bones. And when those items are sold and transported."
Wang Yan's gaze sharpened.
"He has a private relationship with the patriarch," Hu Qian continued. "When the soul bone appeared, he informed him. When it was sold, he provided the timing and route of the shipment."
"And then you were sent," Wang Yan said.
"Yes," Hu Qian answered. "Once everything was confirmed, I was ordered to intercept the shipment and retrieve the soul bone."
Hu Qian fell silent. After a moment, he spoke again, his voice low.
"That is everything I know. Nothing has been held back—I have told you all of it."
Wang Yan looked at him steadily, saying nothing.
End of chapter.