Accompanied by the sound of a faint crack, all movement within this void space ceased abruptly. Even the fiercely battling Elder Mugu and Grand Elder Qiuling simultaneously retreated several steps before hastily turning their gaze to the location of the Heavenly Flame.
In the spot where everyone’s gazes were focused, an exceptionally massive flame dragon, coiled in mid-air. At this very moment, those black rune-like lines that covered its scales had completely vanished. Though the light in the eyes of the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame had dimmed slightly due to breaking the seal, the fierce and terrifying aura that emanated from it, hinting at destruction, made everyone present dare not belittle it in the slightest.
“Damn it…” Grand Elder Qiuling’s face darkened as he looked at the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame that had broken free from the seal. He muttered in a low voice, knowing that things had become somewhat troublesome. With the flame now free from the seal, aside from the three great giants, who else could contend with it?
“Haha…” Compared to Qiuling’s ugly expression, Elder Mugu was excited. He stepped forward with a grin, saying, “Congratulations, my friend, on your liberation. But may I ask if we can stick to our previous agreement? Rest assured, as long as you stay in my Soul Hall for a year, I will definitely grant you freedom. I can guarantee this to you.”
Elder Mugu spoke as if the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame was a powerful strongman. Of course, with its acquired intelligence, it indeed was so.
“This old guy actually made a deal with the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame?” Upon hearing Elder Mugu’s words, Xiao Yan and the others felt a chill run through their spines.
The Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame, with its gigantic dragon eyes, glanced at Elder Mugu before it. A trace of human-like shrewdness flashed across its eyes. In a low and deep voice, it said, “Of course, the agreed-upon matter is fine, but I wish to tour the world first. Then, I will go to your so-called Soul Hall.”
Hearing this, the corners of Elder Mugu’s mouth twitched, and his smile gradually faded. “So, are you planning to back out?”
“Tch, you humans are all the same; thinking I’d trust you, dream on!” The eyes of the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame grew cold, having suffered greatly at the hands of humans. Although it didn’t know how powerful the Soul Hall was, it wasn’t stupid and clearly knew that all they wanted was its Origin Flame.
Elder Mugu’s face became completely gloomy. Though he had foreseen that things wouldn’t go smoothly, he hadn’t expected the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame to renege so quickly.
Standing nearby, Xiao Yan sighed secretly in relief upon hearing the conversation between Elder Mugu and the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame. It seemed these two, despite a bit of cooperation, harbored their own suspicions.
Grand Elder Qiuling also noticed the state of affairs. After a moment of hesitation, he signaled to Xiao Yan and the others, and the group slowly retreated a distance. If Elder Mugu and the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame could fight, that would be best. Given Mugu’s strength, he wouldn’t stand a chance against the flame. Once they fought fiercely, some of the external troubles would likely be resolved, and then the Strongholds from the Pill Tower would move in, subduing both Elder Mugu and the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame.
As Xiao Yan and the others retreated, Elder Mugu’s brows furrowed. He naturally knew what they were up to, but now wasn’t the time to worry about that. Despite the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame’s power, he must bring it back to the Soul Hall today.
“Since you don’t accept my kind gesture, don’t blame me for being unkind. The Pill Tower may not have the means, but my Soul Hall will show you what true torment is!”
With a wave of his withered hand, Elder Mugu’s aura turned unusually sinister.
“Whoosh!”
Just as Elder Mugu finished speaking, a black shadow tore through space, bringing a terrifying heat and ferocious wind pressure, slashing down towards his head.
Taken aback by the sudden attack, Elder Mugu’s figure flashed, and he appeared over a hundred feet away, then glared sullenly at the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame thrashing its massive tail. Clenching his fist, a radiant silver jade suddenly appeared in his hand, which he promptly crushed.
As the jade shattered, an incredibly powerful spatial force surged out, twisting the space next to Elder Mugu, creating a rift. Just as the rift formed, three figures, fully cloaked in black robes, slowly emerged from within the spatial rift.
With their appearance, three immense auras erupted like a storm, sweeping through the entire void space. Under such monstrous might, even the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame’s enormous eyes showed a serious glint.
“Seniors of the Soul Hall!”
Upon seeing the three mysterious black-clothed figures, Xiao Yan’s expression changed. He hadn’t expected Elder Mugu to have such backup. What deeply troubled him was the realization that these three cloaked figures’ strength was no less than Elder Mugu’s.
Four Dou Zuns—such a lineup was unmatched even among Central Plains’ top forces. Yet, the Soul Hall could easily muster it. At this moment, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but further elevate the dread he felt for the Soul Hall.
“Spatial Jade… This Soul Hall truly prepared thoroughly for the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame.”
Grand Elder Qiuling’s gaze darkened as he gritted his teeth, watching the three figures step out of the spatial rift.
Xiao Yan blinked. The so-called Spatial Jade was probably what Elder Mugu had shattered. However, now was not the time to dwell on that. With the sudden appearance of such powerful reinforcements on Elder Mugu’s side, facing four Dou Zun experts, even the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame might find it difficult to resist.
Although the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame could counter the Pill Tower’s three leaders for years, it did not mean it truly possessed the strength to fight them. After all, the three leaders always sought to seal it, and sealing was different from exterminating.
Though the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame claimed to be an immortal flame, the Pill Tower’s three leaders had ways to deal with it. They just chose not to take such drastic measures, as each unique flame was extremely rare and took thousands or tens of thousands of years to form. Destroying it carelessly would be a waste.
Of course, the Pill Tower’s three leaders went to great lengths to imprison the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame rather than destroy it. The Soul Hall, however, wasn’t as lenient. What they couldn’t get, they wouldn’t let others enjoy…
“Muge, your efficiency this time was truly low. We three waited so long to receive your spatial imprint call.”
The three black-cloaked figures stepping out of the rift spoke, one with a hoarse voice.
“You really think the Pill Tower is amateurish?” Elder Mugu frowned, his tone frigid. “No more idle chatter. We don’t have much time. Once the chaos outside settles, the Pill Tower’s three giants will rush in. Just the four of us are no match for them.”
“Indeed, we should hurry. The hall master attaches great importance to this plan. If anything goes wrong, none of us will fare well.”
Another black-clothed figure chimed in, his tone equally calm.
At the mention of the hall master, the others fell silent. Elder Mugu’s face trembled, and fear flickered in his eyes.
“Begin. Follow the plan. As long as we obtain the Origin Flame of the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame, our mission will be complete.”
Taking a deep breath, Elder Mugu cast a sinister glance at Xiao Yan and the others. He harbored a deep hatred for them, but now was not the time for revenge. Therefore, he suppressed his murderous intent.
“Form the formation to block the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame from absorbing star power.”
Elder Mugu barked a cold command, dashing forward. The other three also split up, surrounding the vast Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame.
“Soul-Swallowing Array!”
A chilling roar erupted from the mouths of the four, and eerie black fog gushed out, engulfing the area. The fog was filled with an unnerving cold, and the shrill, mournful cries echoed continuously.
As the fog spread, the star power attempting to seep through was directly blocked off.
“Damn humans!”
Sensing the change, the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame roared in anger. It had just broken the seal and certainly didn’t wish to return to that dark, sleepless state.
“Whoosh!”
Opening its mouth wide, a purplish-black flame shot out like a pillar, leaving twisted traces in the space it passed through.
“Chirp!”
Facing the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame’s frenzied counterattack, Elder Mugu and the others’ faces darkened. Their hand seals changed rapidly, and the cold fog was soon accompanied by the clanging of chains.
“Whip, whip!”
The fog writhed, and hundreds of thick, pitch-black chains burst forth, piercing the fire pillar and then snaking out to envelop the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame in a giant net.
“Stupid beast, since you insist on a dead-end path, I will fulfill your wish today!”
As the chains whipped out, a vicious light flashed in Elder Mugu’s eyes. He bellowed, “Million Souls Sky Lock!”
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