The vast plaza fell eerily silent at this moment, as everyone, their faces full of shock, stared at the sudden turn of events. Even some Elders of the Cloud Rending Sect were at a loss, wasn’t this enigmatic Vulture Guardian an ally of the Sect Leader? How could this be… The sound of chewing eerily echoed in the silent sky. Some people could imagine the terrifying scene unfolding within that black mist, and just thinking about it sent shivers down their spines.
“What’s going on?” Xiao Yan was also startled by this sudden development. He struggled not to fall unconscious, taking a pill from his ring and swallowing it, feeling a warm surge of energy fill his depleted body. His hazy vision cleared slightly, and he stared at the black mist, asking in astonishment.
“That guy seems to have devoured Yun Shan’s soul…” Elder Pharmacist’s face was grave; he could feel a chilling, sinister aura growing rapidly within the black mist.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan’s expression changed slightly. He hadn’t expected that the Vulture Guardian was so heartless as to rip out Yun Shan’s soul and forcibly devour it without a second thought. It seemed the events of today were far from over.
“The power of the Soul Temple is extremely eerie. I didn’t expect they could forcefully absorb souls to boost their strength. But according to my understanding, this secret method should have significant negative effects. Even if he successfully devours Yun Shan’s soul now, he will likely pay a hefty price later. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have waited until now to use it,” Elder Pharmacist said gravely.
“What do we do next?” Xiao Yan’s lips twitched, and the searing pain in his wrist caused his arm to tremble subtly. But this was no time for rest, so he asked seriously.
“We can’t let him devour Yun Shan’s soul!” Elder Pharmacist’s eyes narrowed, and a cold light flickered. He waved his sleeve, and a dense Bone Spirit Cold Fire appeared, shooting towards the black mist.
The icy white flame streaked across the sky, but just as it was about to collide with the black mist, the latter began to fluctuate violently. A gush of chilling black mist surged out, colliding with the flame. The two forces eroded each other, both vanishing into nothingness.
“Ha ha, Dan Chen, how can you break the secrets of my Hall of Martial Arts?” A strange, eerie laugh echoed from the black mist. Then the voice turned, resonating throughout the sky: “Since Yun Shan is dead, there’s no longer any need to support the Cloud Rending Sect. It’s time to reclaim what belongs to me!”
Hearing the eerie laughter from the black mist, the faces of the Cloud Rending Sect Elders paled. Realizing something, they hastily pulled back.
Just as they moved, a bizarre suction force erupted from the black mist, sweeping down with overwhelming power. This force was harmless to most, but the fleeing Cloud Rending Sect Elders suddenly froze, their bodies becoming like puppets, their faces twisted in agony.
“What are you doing?” Seeing the twisted, agonized faces of the Cloud Rending Sect Elders, Yun Yun’s delicate face contorted. These Elders were the backbone of the sect. If something happened to them, the Cloud Rending Sect would truly be finished.
As she shouted, Yun Yun suddenly felt a strong wave of fighting spirit surge within her. She was momentarily stunned, then understood. With Yun Shan’s demise, the seal he had placed on her was beginning to dissolve, increasing the sorrow on her face.
“Ha ha, they accepted the power of my Soul Temple. Otherwise, how could your Cloud Rending Sect have grown so much in just three years? Now is the time to pay the price for the benefits you’ve enjoyed,” a chilling voice came from the black mist.
“Come forth!” The Vulture Guardian’s cold command rang out. Instantly, the dozen or so Cloud Rending Sect Elders slumped, and their ethereal souls floated out from their heads, rising slowly into the air, and finally being sucked into the eerie black mist.
Seeing the lifeless Cloud Rending Sect Elders, Yun Yun’s delicate figure trembled, her face gradually turning ashen. Moments later, an angry scream echoed, and a surge of fighting spirit burst from her body.
“Brute, give back their souls!”
Yun Yun’s face turned iron-gray, and a pair of cyan fighting spirit wings appeared on her back. She flapped them, soaring into the sky, hurtling towards the black mist.
“You’re beyond your capabilities!” Sensing Yun Yun’s approach, the Vulture Guardian’s cold laugh came from the black mist, and a black arrow of energy shot out, aimed at her forehead.
Her face ice-cold, Yun Yun wove her slender fingers, a sharp sword qi shooting out from her fingertips, colliding with the black arrow. Both were annihilated. As she flapped her wings, Yun Yun appeared beside the black mist, a sharp, luminous green longsword appearing in her hand. The blade trembled, sending out a piercing sound and fierce sword qi, shooting towards the black mist.
Bang! Just as the sword qi left the blade, a low, muffled sound came from the black mist, which swelled up, engulfing the sword qi. It quickly spread to Yun Yun, black mist surging with powerful energy, rushing towards her.
Feeling the black mist spreading rapidly, a strong wave of fighting spirit emerged from Yun Yun, colliding heavily with the black mist.
Boom! The energy collision sounded, and Yun Yun’s figure plummeted, her wings flapping hard to steady herself, her face pale. She was indeed no match for the Vulture Guardian.
“This Cloud Rending Sect is about to be finished…” Xiao Yan gazed at the lifeless Elders and the pale-faced Yun Yun, shaking his head and whispering.
“But the biggest problem isn’t the Cloud Rending Sect, it’s that guy,” Elder Pharmacist’s face was serious. He could feel that after absorbing Yun Shan’s soul and those of several Elders, the Vulture Guardian’s aura had grown to a terrifying level. Their earlier battle had been evenly matched, but now, even Elder Pharmacist had no certainty of victory.
Xiao Yan nodded bitterly; his fighting spirit was nearly depleted, and he had no strength to help, no matter how much he wanted to.
“The defensive power of that black mist when the soul is being devoured is incredibly strong. It seems impossible to interrupt it. Today, we might have some trouble.” Elder Pharmacist sighed, glancing at Xiao Yan, his eyes flashing.
Xiao Yan had never heard such unease and lack of confidence in Elder Pharmacist’s words before. His bloodied face darkened, and he said resolutely, “No matter what, I won’t let Teacher fall into the hands of the Soul Temple!”
Elder Pharmacist patted Xiao Yan’s shoulder, smiling. “Do your best. I’ve taught you everything I can. The rest is up to you. The Soul Temple is powerful, but you have limitless potential. One day, you will be able to stand against them.”
Hearing Elder Pharmacist’s words, as if he was giving final instructions, Xiao Yan’s heart tightened.
As they spoke, the black mist continued to fluctuate, eventually boiling and spewing out black rings. After a while, the black mist began to shrink, and a figure, clad in a jet-black suit of armor, slowly appeared in everyone’s sight.
The black armor was a dark, unknown material, covered in eerie patterns. Closer inspection revealed they were the grim faces of the Cloud Rending Sect Elders whose souls had been drained! The horrific, ghostly scene sent chills through everyone, making their hair stand on end.
The Vulture Guardian reappeared, exuding a chilling, terrifying aura several times stronger than before, engulfing the entire Cloud Rending Mountain. The once clear sky turned dark, and a chilly wind blew.
“You fiend!” Yun Yun trembled, staring at the grim, painful faces on the eerie armor, biting down on her silver teeth in rage, her beautiful face slightly twisted.
“My target is Dan Chen; this has nothing to do with you. If you continue to interfere, I will destroy the Cloud Rending Sect before Xiao Yan acts.” The Vulture Guardian glanced at Yun Yun, his smile cold.
Yun Yun took a deep, cold breath, suppressing her trembling heart, then waved her hand, her angry shout echoing across the sky.
“All disciples, deacons, and elders of the Cloud Rending Sect, form the formation!”
At Yun Yun’s command, countless Cloud Rending Sect disciples on the square hesitated, then roared in anger, sitting cross-legged on the ground. Waves of endless white energy billowed out.
“Stubborn and unenlightened!” Seeing Yun Yun’s actions, the Vulture Guardian laughed coldly. Just as he was about to act, a powerful, sharp sword qi shot from the back mountain of the Cloud Rending Sect, its clear, whistling sound echoing in everyone’s ears.
Along with the sound of the sword, a strong aura suddenly emerged from the back mountain!
“This aura…” In the sky, Xiao Yan’s eyes widened, narrowing sharply.
“Nalan Yanran!?”
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