“What?” The Hall Master of the Soul Palace could not help but change his expression slightly upon hearing this. The Soul Demon Elder was at the peak of a Five-Star Dou Saint, while Xiao Chen was merely in the middle phase. With such a difference, the former should have easily overpowered him. “If Xiao Chen were so easy to deal with, he wouldn’t have gained such a reputation back then,” said Qian Mo indifferently. In that era, although he was quite well-known, compared to someone like Xiao Chen, he still fell short. If it weren’t for Xiao Chen being trapped in an illusion for many years, even he might not have been a match.
The Hall Master of the Soul Palace frowned, looked up, and gazed at the increasingly intense battle. At this moment, Xiao Chen was still at a disadvantage, appearing overwhelmed by the joint attack of the Soul Demon Elder and the Soul Chong Toad.
“Let’s hope everything goes smoothly…”
*Clang.*
The enormous body of the Soul Chong Toad crashed into the great axe like a cannonball. The terrifying force sent Xiao Chen retreating several steps. Just as he had steadied himself, a chilly, sharp wind struck viciously at a critical point on his back. He immediately twisted his body, and the axe blade deflected a venomous snake-like sharp spike.
Although he had defended against this perilous attack, Xiao Chen’s Bloody Axe was also repelled, and his entire arm felt numb.
“Xiao Chen, no matter how experienced you are, I am still one step ahead in terms of level. It’s a pipe dream to think you can defeat me,” the Soul Demon Elder appeared above the Soul Chong Toad, glancing at Xiao Chen with a cold smile. “In front of the world’s heroes, the great figure you once were is now pushed to such a disgraceful state. You’d do better to retreat and avoid humiliation!”
Xiao Chen’s figure also appeared mid-air. He glanced at the Soul Demon Elder, and his stern face remained unchanged. However, the vast fighting aura around him suddenly weakened. He gripped the axe tightly and raised it high.
“One swing, and I’ll end you.”
“Hmph, arrogance!” Upon hearing this, the Soul Demon Elder’s face turned icy, but in his heart, he was on high alert. His vast fighting energy surged within his body, forming countless vortexes on his surface.
Xiao Chen lifted his Bloody Axe, and his entire aura gradually receded to silence. If not for the visible figure, anyone would think Xiao Chen’s aura had vanished from the world.
*Rumble.*
As his aura faded, clear skies suddenly filled with dark clouds. Lightning, like silver snakes, writhed amidst the clouds, and deafening roars echoed through the sky.
In the instant of the lightning surge, Xiao Chen’s aura erupted, like a tangible pillar, rushing towards the clouds. What startled everyone most was that Xiao Chen’s aura had actually risen to the late stage of a Five-Star Dou Saint!
“How is this possible?!”
Feeling Xiao Chen’s sudden surge of power catching up, the Soul Demon Elder’s expression drastically changed. He had clearly sensed earlier that Xiao Chen’s true strength was only in the middle phase of a Five-Star Dou Saint. How could he…?
“Heavenly Sky Slash, cut the heavens.”
Xiao Chen gave the Soul Demon Elder no time to react. As his aura soared, the Bloody Axe in his hand drew a strange arc in the sky. Then, a blood line, as thin as a thumb, flashed across the heavens. Wherever it passed, the world seemed to be cut in half—on one side, dark clouds rolled and thunder rumbled, on the other, bloody energy surged and murderous intent flared.
*Whizz!*
Seeing the rapidly enlarging blood line, the Soul Demon Elder’s limbs turned cold, and a sense of death welled up from deep within. But, he was no ordinary man. Suppressing his panic, he quickly regained composure, and his desolate face turned fierce. At such a critical moment, if he didn’t fight with all his might, he was surely doomed!
“Swallow Chong!”
Under the gaze of countless eyes, the Soul Demon Elder pressed his palm onto the Soul Chong Toad’s head. Blood light burst out, and the Soul Chong Toad let out a shrill cry. Then, the massive body of the toad melted at an observable speed, finally turning into a pool of thick blood, which the old demon swallowed in one go.
*Gurgle.*
As the Soul Demon Elder devoured the toad, blood clumps began to swell on his face, making him look horrifying. However, the vast fighting energy around him also became extremely violent.
*Quack.*
A deafening croak came from the Soul Demon Elder’s deformed mouth. Energy from the surroundings swiftly condensed in his enlarged mouth, and in a brief moment, a thick blood ball appeared.
*Boom.*
The moment the thick blood ball appeared, it rushed out under the gazes of many, crashing into the flashing blood line across the sky.
*Bang!*
At the moment of impact, intense blood light spread out, enveloping the entire mountain range in a dark red. Some weaker individuals felt a surge of savagery, their eyes turning bloodshot. Fortunately, those present were somewhat strong, preventing them from succumbing to such emotions.
At the peak of Desolation, Xiao Yan and others stared intently at the enormous blood-colored sphere in the sky. Even from a distance, they could sense the terrifying energy within. If this energy were to spread, at least half of the mountains would turn to plains…
“Where is Ancestor Xiao Chen?”
As Xiao Yan was about to search, two figures suddenly flew out from the giant blood ball, crashing heavily into two mountain peaks. The terrible force caused the peaks to collapse.
This scene shocked everyone. Just as they were about to shout, two figures staggered up from the ruins, both covered in blood and looking rather pathetic.
“Ancestor Xiao Chen…”
“Elder Soul Demon…”
Both sides were startled to see their leaders in such a wretched state, clearly not expecting such a brutal fight.
Wiping the blood from his face, Xiao Chen glanced at the distant Soul Demon Elder, his eyes showing seriousness. His strength was indeed at the middle phase of a Five-Star Dou Saint. He couldn’t have continuously used the attacks that matched the later phase. Unfortunately, the Soul Demon Elder was ruthless, swallowing the Chong Toad at the critical moment, turning the tables.
Of course, though devouring the Chong Toad greatly increased his strength, it brought severe side effects. For decades, this old wretch would struggle to improve due to the Chong Toad eroding his fighting energy.
Xiao Chen, controlling his weak body, slowly landed beside Xiao Yan and the others. Both he and the Soul Demon Elder were now unable to fight further. His injuries made him weak, but the latter was truly in a dire state.
“Ancestor Xiao Chen, are you alright?” Xiao Yan hurriedly asked, handing over a fragrant pill.
“I’m fine, but it seems this round is a draw. The final battle will have to depend on you.”
Xiao Chen took the pill and swallowed it, his tone slightly regretful.
Another draw!
Upon hearing this, Yao Lao and the others couldn’t help but grimace. Two draws out of three rounds was quite amusing, but now, the most important round still fell to Xiao Yan.
“For the last round, switch it to me…”
…
“A draw… Elder Soul Demon, you’ve really overstated yourself!”
The Hall Master of the Soul Palace furrowed his brows, clearly dissatisfied with the results.
“Hmph, do you want to try next time?”
The Soul Demon Elder’s face grew cold, his heart full of anger. Not only had he failed to win, but he had also lost the Soul Chong Toad. His internal injuries were also a serious concern.
“Long ago, I said we should directly launch a full-scale war with the Heavenly Alliance. You insisted on a high-level battle, and now we’re stuck. If you lose the final round, there will be a show to watch.”
“Do not speak nonsense. Soul Eraser, prepare for the final battle. It is between you and Xiao Yan,” Soul Thousand Paths glanced at Xiao Yan and said, “This final battle will determine the outcome…”
The Hall Master of the Soul Palace nodded slightly.
“That sly boy now has the Purifying Lotus Monstrous Flame. Beware of unexpected setbacks.”
“Purifying Lotus Monstrous Flame…”
Hearing this, the Hall Master of the Soul Palace exchanged a glance with Soul Thousand Paths, a strange smile passing between them. Then, the former waved his sleeve and slowly stepped out.
“I would like to see just how powerful the Purifying Lotus Monstrous Flame is in his hands.”
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