"One nine-star Dou Emperor."
"One three-star Dou Emperor."
"In the Jia Ma Empire, they're beings as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns."
"Jie jie jie, sure enough, it's those two—Jia Ma Empire's royal ancestor Jia Xing Tian and Misty Cloud Sect's Sect Master Yun Yun."
High above Jia Ma Sacred City, a black shadow concealed in the void let out a strange laugh that only he could hear, a laugh that proved his identity even better than his bloodline.
The black shadow was a mass of black mist with a strange aura and the ability to conceal itself. Within the mist was a black-robed man wearing a mask, his gaze sinister and fierce, several chains coiling around his body.
Jia Xing Tian and Yun Yun were completely unaware of the peeping eye in the dark. The former stroked his beard and answered, "To my knowledge, there is a Hall of Souls stronghold within Chu Yun Empire's territory. Occasionally, Hall of Souls Soul Envoys will appear."
Chu Yun Empire?
Yun Yun finally understood why Jia Xing Tian had said that she definitely wouldn't be able to go.
Given the centuries-old blood feud between Chu Yun Empire and Jia Ma Empire, if the Misty Cloud Sect Master dared to go there, she would immediately be ambushed and targeted, and she'd likely never return.
As for sneaking in while in disguise, that wasn't any better. Regardless of how strong Chu Yun Empire's intelligence network was, she wasn't going to Hall of Souls for a friendly chat; she was going there to kill.
Once she started fighting, her identity would definitely be exposed. When the empire's powerhouses surrounded her, even as a Dou Emperor, she'd be doomed!
"There is another place where we know for sure that there is a Hall of Souls branch hall." Jia Xing Tian continued, causing Yun Yun's eyes to brighten with expectation. "On the border between the northwest region and Central Plains, there is a Sky Heart Empire. When I roamed that land in my youth, I heard that there was a Hall of Souls branch hall in Sky Burial Ravine."
Yun Yun: "…"
Sky Heart Empire was a first-rate power in the northwest region, and it had more than one or two Dou Ancestor experts on the surface.
A Hall of Souls branch hall within Sky Heart Empire's territory would at least be guarded by a Dou Ancestor powerhouse.
"Other than that, I know nothing else," Jia Xing Tian concluded. "That's all this old man knows."
"This information is more than enough. Many thanks for telling me, Senior Jia." Yun Yun cupped her hands solemnly.
Jia Xing Tian nodded slightly, then probed, "Why are you looking for people from Hall of Souls?"
"If it's convenient to say, you can tell this old man. If I run into someone from Hall of Souls, I can help you ask."
Yun Yun had already thought of how she'd respond when she decided to seek information from Jia Xing Tian, so she smiled slightly. "I recently flipped through some notes my teacher left behind. He wrote that he became acquainted with some members of Hall of Souls when he traveled the northwest region in his youth."
"I've only heard the name 'Hall of Souls' in passing. Since Teacher has been in life-and-death closed-door seclusion for so many years to heal his injuries, I thought to try my luck and see if Hall of Souls might be able to help him."
Regarding Yun Shan's closed-door seclusion, Yun Yun had no plans to hide it, nor was there any need.
Back then, Yun Shan had fought experts from Chu Yun Empire. After killing two Dou Kings, he'd been gravely injured by a self-detonating Dou Emperor's final strike. No one knew this better than Jia Xing Tian.
"So that's how it is." Jia Xing Tian nodded in realization, then spoke solemnly. "If this old man meets anyone from Hall of Souls, I'll certainly convey your message."
"Thank you." Yun Yun nodded politely and slowly rose. "I still have other important matters to attend to, so I won't keep you."
Jia Xing Tian understood the subtext and rose as well. "In that case, this old man will take his leave first."
After Jia Xing Tian left, Yun Yun stood in place for a long time in deep thought before finally departing.
…
In the empty mid-air above them, Protector Wu of Hall of Souls wore a very colorful expression.
"So Yun Shan actually had some past ties with my Hall of Souls?"
"No wonder he wasn't all that surprised when I appeared, and he wasn't unfamiliar with Hall of Souls either."
"This Protector even offered to help him break through to Dou Ancestor, yet he put on an act and pretended to think about it for a month before agreeing."
At this moment, Protector Wu felt like Yun Shan had been playing him. That old thing had secretly been planning to contact Hall of Souls on his own.
However, when he recalled the "additives" he'd mixed into that pill and that secret art, he let out another "jie jie" laugh.
"In the end, this Protector was the better player. Yun Shan, you don't understand my Hall of Souls's methods well enough. Our things are not so easy to take."
Protector Wu slipped out of the void and sped off toward Chu Yun Empire.
Since that Yun Yun was Yun Shan's disciple and had no ill intent when mentioning Hall of Souls, there was no need to pay her further attention.
As for the Jia Ma Empire's royal ancestor Jia Xing Tian, once Yun Shan used the "enhanced" pill to break through, he'd make an excellent test subject for its effects.
"Jie jie jie~"
…
At the same time—
In the Xiao Family in Wu Tan City—
Xiao Ting had yet to meet up with Xun'er because he was intercepted midway by Xiao Yan.
"Xiao Yan, whatever it is, hurry up and say it." Xiao Ting looked at the mysterious-acting Xiao Yan, confusion in his eyes. "I've got a date with Xun'er, and you know what her temper is like."
Xun'er, who had walked to the courtyard gate only to learn that Xiao Ting had been intercepted by Xiao Yan: "…"
"Click, click. Xiao Ting, you've changed." Xiao Yan pressed a hand to his chest, looking hurt. "In the past your heart and eyes were filled with only me, your Brother. You treated Xun'er like a mortal enemy, just like me and that dead woman Xiao Yu. And now you're actually going on a date with her."
"Brother, people change." Xiao Ting's expression was serious and just as simple and honest as always. "When I was young and ignorant, I didn't know Xun'er was good and mistakenly treated you as a treasure. Now I've realized my error."
Pff—
Outside the courtyard gate, Xun'er failed to hold back a laugh.
She was deliberately doing this too. It wasn't that she had the habit of eavesdropping.
"Oh, Xun'er's here. Come in, come in." Xiao Yan's eyes flickered, and inwardly he asked Yao Lao, "Teacher, should I tell Xiao Ting about you?"
"Go ahead," Yao Lao didn't hesitate. "I more or less know this girl's origins. Even in my peak, I'd still be wary of the power behind her. And the people around her have probably already discovered me, and also that Xiao Ting has broken through to Dou Master."
"Got it." Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with shock.
Though he didn't know exactly how strong Yao Lao had been at his peak, it was at least Dou Ancestor at the very least.
If someone could make even a Dou Ancestor wary, then Xun'er's background…
Thinking of this, Xiao Yan glanced at Xiao Ting, his gaze tinged with heartache.
Xiao Ting is going to be under a lot of pressure in the future…
He would have to work hard in cultivation so he could become Xiao Ting's backing; otherwise, if Xun'er bullied him, his little brother would have no choice but to swallow his grievances in silence.
"Cousin Xiao Yan." Xun'er walked into the courtyard and nodded coolly at Xiao Yan before heading over to Xiao Ting's side. She then revealed a sweet smile, her voice suddenly full of life. "Brother Xiao Ting."
Xiao Yan felt his teeth ache. This woman was just blatantly double-standard.
He even seemed to feel a faint soreness at his neck, a shadow from their childhood.
"Xun'er, you're up this early?" Xiao Ting asked gently. "Have you eaten breakfast yet? Do you want me to cook, or do you want to head to that place you love on West Street?"
"Xun'er will listen to Brother Xiao Ting." Xun'er replied softly. "But it'd be too tiring if you went to cook right now."
"It's not that tiring, just time-consuming. You'd have to go hungry for a while." After a moment's thought, Xiao Ting decided, "Let's go to that place on West Street today. Tomorrow, I'll cook in person."
"Then Xun'er gets to have both fish and bear's paw." Xun'er's smile grew even sweeter.
Xiao Yan: ?!?
I haven't even had breakfast, but I don't think I need it anymore.
Who can still eat after being force-fed such a huge bowl of dog food first thing in the morning?
…