In the spacious hall, figures were seated in a scattered manner, creating an atmosphere of solemnity. As soon as Xiao Yan entered the hall, his eyes were glued to the three figures: Xuan Kongzi, Xuan Tie, and Xuan Yin. His breathing was slightly rushed due to his excitement. Ever since the Pharmacist Elder was captured, it had been about five or six years. During these years, although the Pharmacist Elder’s life was not in danger, he must have suffered a great deal.
Xiao Yan’s skills were guided by the Pharmacist Elder, allowing him to reach such a high level. Therefore, whenever matters involving the Pharmacist Elder came up, Xiao Yan’s emotions would fluctuate. “Little fellow, don’t lose your composure. Rescuing Yao Chen is not a simple task. If there is even the slightest mistake, the consequences will be dire,” Xuan Kongzi said, shaking his head when he saw Xiao Yan’s state.
Xiao Yan nodded gently, taking several deep breaths to suppress his wavering heart. His eyes quickly regained their calmness. “Why did you collect the intelligence so quickly this time?” he asked softly.
“It wasn’t all that fast. To be honest, we gathered information for nearly a year to get this. It’s just that now, we are certain about it,” Xuan Kongzi smiled and replied.
“Where did the Hall of Souls transfer my teacher?” Xiao Yan asked, his gaze fixed on Xuan Kongzi without blinking.
Xuan Kongzi smiled and took out a rolled-up map from his ring, spreading it on the table. He pointed at the northwest region of Zhongzhou and said, “The Hall of Souls has many hidden branches across Zhongzhou that ordinary people cannot find. In this northwest region, there is a Dead Soul Mountain Range where a branch of the Hall of Souls is concealed.”
“Teacher was transferred to the branch in the Dead Soul Mountain Range?” Xiao Yan’s eyes flashed as he asked.
“Yes,” Xuan Kongzi nodded slightly. “The Dead Soul Mountain Range is also a dangerous place in Zhongzhou. The area is shrouded in dense cold fog, and if one wanders aimlessly, they will get lost. Moreover, there are many powerful and bloodthirsty beasts within the mountains. The Hall of Souls chose this location precisely because of its secrecy.”
“Dead Soul Mountain Range…” Xiao Yan muttered softly. Now that he knew where the Pharmacist Elder was being held, no matter how dangerous it was, even if it were a sea of knives or fire, he would go.
“Is there any idea how many strong players are there? How many Dou Zun experts are there?”
Beside him, Little Healer Immortal asked the most important question. When Xiao Yan encountered matters related to the Pharmacist Elder, he became agitated. At such times, she had to pay more attention.
Hearing Little Healer Immortal’s question, Xiao Yan recovered and quickly nodded. This was indeed the most crucial point. If they couldn’t even ascertain the enemy’s defensive strength and charged recklessly, they would only be walking into a trap.
“The Hall of Souls values Yaochen highly. The defenses guarding him must be very strong. According to our intelligence, there may be five Dou Zun experts guarding the Dead Soul Mountain Range…” As he spoke, even Xuan Kongzi’s expression grew slightly more serious. Five Dou Zun experts, such a lineup, even in Zhongzhou, was extremely powerful, enough to make many first-rate powers tremble.
“Five Dou Zuns…” Hearing this, Xiao Yan’s expression changed slightly. He couldn’t help but take a deep breath; this was quite a formidable force. Just to guard a branch, they dispatched five Dou Zuns. Such a lineup could even wipe out a first-rate power.
Little Healer Immortal and the Heavenly Fire Venerable nearby also looked much more solemn. They were clearly intimidated by the scale of the Hall of Souls’ deployment.
Xiao Yan calculated that with the addition of the Earth Demon Puppet, he only had up to three Dou Zuns. While he could engage with a Dou Zun now, if faced with two, he would have to run.
“Right now, we can only wait for Feng Zunzi to join us. With him, we should have a decent chance…” Xiao Yan murmured in his mind.
“These are all the Dou Zuns in that branch, right?” Little Healer Immortal asked after a moment of silence.
“According to our intelligence, there should only be these five Dou Zuns. But the branch certainly has some Soul Protectors, and their combined fighting power is not weak,” Xuan Kongzi said.
“The Soul Protectors aren’t a big concern, but you need to be wary of the Hall of Souls’ Celestial Elders,” Xuan Yi said gravely.
“Celestial Elders?” Everyone was stunned by the unfamiliar term.
“The Hall of Souls’ protectors are divided into heavenly, earth, and man levels. The venerable elders, although not so strictly categorized, still have ranks. These Celestial Elders are the highest-ranking strongmen among them. As for their strength, you need to know that even the ancient Bone Elder is not qualified to be a Celestial Elder.” Xuan Yi said sternly.
Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed. The Ancient Bone Elder’s strength was around a three-star Dou Zun. If even he was not qualified to be a Celestial Elder, then these Hall of Souls’ Celestial Elders must be at least five-star Dou Zuns?
Thinking of this, despite his resolve, Xiao Yan’s brows furrowed. Between Dou Zun levels, each level represented a huge difference. Many Dou Zuns might not be able to advance a single star in decades. This showed how terrifying the gap between stars at the Dou Zun level.
A five-star Dou Zun… Xiao Yan’s group might need both Little Healer Immortal and the Earth Demon Puppet to fight one. But then, the already scarce number of Dou Zuns would be even more evident.
“The Hall of Souls is truly terrifying…” Xiao Yan sighed deeply, unable to help himself, even though he didn’t want to admit it. Such overwhelming strength made it hard for anyone on the continent to stand against them, except perhaps the ancient clans.
“Don’t worry too much. The Celestial Elders hold a very high status in the Hall of Souls and generally don’t show up easily. Five Dou Zuns guarding Yaochen is already a high standard. Adding another Celestial Elder would be unthinkable,” Xuan Kongzi said, waving his hand as he saw Xiao Yan’s serious expression.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly. If these high-ranking figures were unlikely to stay at a branch, then that would be a relief. After all, strong people usually had their peculiarities.
“The information we obtained is this. The Dan Region is not far from the Dead Soul Mountain Range. You should be able to arrive there in about five days,” Xuan Kongzi said slowly, then took a sheepskin scroll from his ring and handed it to Xiao Yan. “This is a map of the Dead Soul Mountain Range. The Hall of Souls’ branch is located at the center of the mountain range.”
Xiao Yan carefully examined the map. It was detailed, and with such a clear map, navigating through the cold fog should not be too difficult.
“Thank you, Xuan Kongzi,” Xiao Yan said, storing the map.
“Nothing to thank. Ah, we can only do so much. The real final action will still depend on you…” Xuan Kongzi waved his hand, sighing.
Xiao Yan smiled. “Without the help of the Dan Tower, we might never have found Teacher’s location. This is no small matter.”
Xuan Kongzi nodded wryly. “When do you plan to set off?”
Xiao Yan pondered. “We need to prepare thoroughly, so we must wait for Feng Zunzi to arrive.”
“Oh? Haha, that old fellow…” Xuan Kongzi and the others chuckled. “He and Yaochen are very close. Having him along will be a great help. Plus, he has rich experience, and his presence will give us more confidence.”
Xiao Yan smiled and nodded. Feng Zunzi was a well-known expert in Zhongzhou. He had interacted with the Hall of Souls frequently in search of the Pharmacist Elder. Having him along would provide more insight into the Hall of Souls, increasing their chances of success.
“Alright, let’s wait for his news. With his speed, he should reach the Dan Region in half a month,” Xuan Kongzi stroked his beard, smiling.
Xiao Yan smiled slightly. In the next half month, he needed to enhance the strength of his group. The Heavenly Fire Venerable’s Fu Ling Qing Dan needed to be refined immediately. Every bit of increased strength would boost their chances of success.
No matter what, this mission would be the most dangerous and important one for Xiao Yan in recent years. He had to give it his all, ensuring no mistakes.
After discussing the precautions for the Soul Temple and the Dead Soul Mountain Range, Xiao Yan left with Little Healer Immortal and the others, not lingering. Time was tight, and every moment counted.
As they watched Xiao Yan and the others disappear, Xuan Kongzi and the others exchanged glances, each sighing lightly. “I hope their mission goes well. Seizing someone from the Hall of Souls hasn’t happened for a long time. I wonder if they will succeed this time?”
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