In the somewhat twisted space, a vast expanse of black soil stretches out. Upon the surface of this soil, there are occasional glimpses of bone-white colors—strikingly, these are remnants of broken bones, emanating an eerie, chill that is unsettling.
At the center of this vast and sinister land, stands a massive, silent, and black structure resembling an ancient, malevolent beast crouching upon the ground. A gloomy, menacing aura seeps slowly from the depths, permeating through the air and spreading throughout the sealed-off dimension.
Countless immense, dark chains protrude from the grand, obsidian halls, plunging deep into the earth. Encircling these chains, wisps of black fog hover and swirl like faint humanoid forms. From time to time, these chains flicker with glints of light that eventually merge with the encircling mist, solidifying it further…
The entire area is eerily silent, enveloped in an oppressive, spine-chilling atmosphere.
*Swish.*
After an unknowable duration, several figures suddenly arise from within the black fog. The mist retracts, transforming into around a dozen shadowy, expressionless beings. They gaze at one another, then move as a group.
“Let’s go; it’s our turn to carry out the mission. Let us hope this brings back sufficient souls.”
Among them, a seemingly leader-like figure speaks in a hoarse tone.
“Haha, not long ago, Old Strange Liu’s team launched a sneak attack on Heavenly Mansion, claiming a few of their cities. Not only did they bring back ample souls, but they were also heavily rewarded by the Heavenly Exalted. This time, we shall bloodily take some of their cities ourselves.”
A voice, dripping with menace, chuckles grimly.
“Indeed, remember: leave no survivors.”
The leading figure laughs darkly as well, nodding slowly. With a wave of his hand, the group melds back into the swirling black fog and shoots lightning-fast towards the boundary of their space.
*Bang!*
However, just as the shadows are about to break through the dimensional barrier, the surrounding space abruptly hardens, then collapses. In an instant, the dozen shadowy figures, who don’t even have a chance to scream, are obliterated into nothingness by the fearsome, spatial power.
*Shriiik!*
As the shadows disintegrate, a significant crack begins to form in the dimensional boundary. Several new figures appear, striding slowly through, planting their feet upon the dark, ashen soil.
*Mourning Cry!*
No sooner do Xiao Yan and his party cross into this forbidden domain than piercing howls emanate from the massive hall, followed swiftly by the cold, unflinching eyes of those swirling black mists fixing onto their newfound intruders.
“To dare trespass upon the sacred grounds of the Soul Temple—do you wish for death?!”
Voices laced with fury and malice suddenly tear apart the once still air. Figures rise from all corners, leaping instantly and without hesitation, each morphing into streaks of darkness, barreling directly towards Xiao Yan and his company with a frigid tempest.
“Fools running straight to your end!” Witnessing this, Xiao Yan lets loose a laugh, from which an inferno spills forth. Any soul shrouds daring to venture within ten zhang are eradicated before the third heartbeat, some so weak they cannot even let out a wail.
With the raging sea of flames, the incoming assailants finally halt in stunned disbelief. It dawns on them; these were no sacrifices—they had come prepared.
“You rascals, to create such a commotion in the Sacred Soul Hall—have you grown tired of living! All Supreme Elders, capture them now!!”
In the midst of this burning inferno, a slightly familiar, furious roar booms from the giant hall. Moments later, another score of figures materializes, hovering mid-sky with malicious intent, locking cold-blooded stares on Xiao Yan’s faction.
“Ho ho! You dare display the meager might of a mere Douzong? Old Bone-Phantom Demon—show yourself!”
Xiao Yan bellows. His mighty laughter penetrates even to the interior of the great hall. Meanwhile, propelling himself across the sky and above the vast expanse of fire, he clenches a formidable grip towards the Soul Temple’s Supreme Elders. Space freezes, then compresses violently.
*Boom!*
As Xiao Yan’s fist slams downward, the physical bodies of those elders rupture in instantaneous sprays of crimson fluids and blood. Such force, it destroys even the very fabric of their souls.
Before the Two-Star Battle Saint Xiao Yan’s overwhelming strength, the paltry abilities of a Douzong stood no chance.
“Eh? Sea Heart Flame?”
Just as he clenches his fist, Xiao Yan gives an abrupt cry of surprise. For, emerging from the shattered fragments of spacetime, was yet another being, enshrouded in azure blue flames.
“You’re the Elder Bony?” A smug grin spreads across Xiao Yan’s face, waving a giant, unseen hand to grab the approaching shadow. Shattering its protective blue flame revealed the unmistakable form—the same Elder who caused Xiao Yan much trouble in the past, including attempting a coup de état over a Pill Conference victory.
“Xiao Yan?!”
Shock strikes a chord within Xiao Yan, and even more so, within the elder. Since the failed attempt to snatch three-thousand blazing flames long ago, he had been stationed here collecting wandering souls, occasionally catching wind of Xiao Yan’s rapid advancements. Yet only meeting him once more truly reveals the extent of this surge…
“Battle Saint…! You, a genuine Battle Saint…!”
Staring down at a young visage once chased and hunted, Elder Bony’s voice shook in incredulity. That puny kid, having advanced so drastically to challenge such might!
“He he, I am indeed disappointed to find you squandering away something so precious. Now, part with the ‘Sea Heart Flame’.” Offering no quarter, he presses a palm to Elder Bony’s cranium, exerting a bizarre suction to withdraw that coveted flame forcefully.
“Xiao Yan… To intrude upon the Holy Soul Temple—that is akin to courting your own demise! Prepare to perish!”
Amidst Xiao Yan’s act of extraction, a wrathful bellow shakes the grand temple, heralding a jet-black chain shooting through the void like a vile serpent, aimed squarely at Xiao Yan.
“For someone barely holding onto semi-Sanctified essence to reveal himself; Old Phantom, your arrogance precedes your wisdom.”
Nonplussed, Xiao Yan casually flicks his finger, sending a sonic boom crashing against the assaulting chain. Its momentum arrested abruptly sends it crashing backward into the edifice, shaking the whole structure.
*Out now!*
Deflecting Bone Phantasm Sage’s assault, Xiao Yan wrenches the ‘Azure Blue Flame’ from Elder’s corporeal body; its lifeforce dissipating dramatically under crushing blows, nearly lethal. Eyes glowing bloodshot, Elder Bony swells grotesquely—a final desperate attempt to detonate.
“In front of me, even self-destruction will be futile.”
Casually swinging his sleeves, an inconceivably potent shock-wave blasts the elder’s body, instantly pulverizing it into red vapors. The once haughty elder, reduced to fleeting smoke, stripped even of suicidal choice by Xiao Yan. Destroyed body, destroyed soul.
Surveying the ‘Azure Blue Flame’ clutched within his grasp; opening his mouth wide, Xiao Yan swallows it entirely. Although consuming it now may not enhance him significantly, creating ‘Nirvanic Fire Lotus’, true heteroflame would still amplify the incinerative forces.
“Today marks the location of your downfall, Xiao Yan!”
Even after consumption, up above in the clouds, a ghastlier version of that previously defeated elder manifests, issuing a threat.
“Sorry to disappoint. Today marks the massacre of all residing here,” Xiao Yan retorts, turning instead to that looming colossus behind, declaring with resolute determination, “Stop hiding. Regardless of titles or stations—I, Xiao Yan, vow a thorough slaughter here!”
“Brash talk! Your hubris won’t save you from extermination, Xiao Yan.”
As soon as Xiao Yan’s voice fades, icy sneering reverberates deep from within the colossal sanctum’s belly—spreading billowing fogs teeming in malign energies until, gradually, a boney, hunchbacked silhouette lumbers forward carrying an air thickened with impending doom!
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