“Your Excellency?” Hearing the indifferent voice coming from the twisted space, Xiao Yan’s pupils shrank suddenly. This person who had arrived was clearly from the Soul Hall, and he referred to himself as “Your Excellency.” Could he be the extremely mysterious Lord of the Soul Hall? Black fog continuously seeped out from the distorted space, gradually forming a figure shrouded entirely in black mist under the gaze of everyone present.
“Lord of the Soul Hall?” The Grand Elder of the Small Pill Tower’s gaze locked onto the black shadow, his hunched body leaning forward slightly, causing the surrounding space to ripple with slight tremors.
“Perhaps it would be better to call me the Deputy Lord,” the black mist rippled slightly, and a soft laugh emerged from within.
“Seems like your bravery isn’t enough, Deputy Lord. If you dared to intrude into my Falling Star Pavilion, then why not reveal your true self? A mere projection, are you afraid?” Xiao Yan’s lips curled in a sneer, and he spoke coldly. With his keen insight, he could tell at a glance that the figure before him was merely a projection, not the real body.
“It’s been a long time since someone called me cowardly, Xiao Yan. You’re the first.” The black shadow chuckled oddly, “But your achievements today indeed surprised me. If I had known this, I would have eradicated the Xiao Family back then.”
“These words from your Soul Hall have been repeated countless times,” Xiao Yan’s eyes were icy as he spoke slowly. “If all you, the Deputy Lord of the Soul Hall, came here just to utter this meaningless sentence, then this projection no longer has any reason to exist.”
As he spoke, Xiao Yan’s palm slowly lifted, pointing at the projection. The space around the shadow instantly began to violently fluctuate.
“The purpose of my visit here is naturally for the Jade of the Ancient Emperor Tu She in your hands,” the black figure smiled faintly. The black fog before him swirled, forming a black mirror. In the mirror, ripples appeared, revealing a scene. It showed a vast, cold dungeon, with a cell covered in black chains spreading like a spider web. At the center of the chains, a haggard figure sat, limbs entangled by the chains.
Looking at that figure, Xiao Yan’s face instantly twisted in anger. He stood up abruptly, releasing a terrifying aura that swept through the hall. The table and chairs beside him turned to dust in an instant. The overwhelming killing intent caused the temperature in the hall to drop dramatically.
“Father!” Xiao Yan clenched his fists, his fingernails digging into his palms. His body trembled, and the haggard figure, one he recognized too well—his father, Xiao Zhan. Even after many years of separation, he still felt a familiar connection to his bloodline the moment he saw the figure.
“Surrender the Jade of the Ancient Emperor Tu She, or with a single thought, this day next year will be your father’s death anniversary!” the black figure declared coldly, unmoved by Xiao Yan’s murderous intent.
Xiao Yan’s face became dark and terrifying. The sound of cracking came from his fists, and he resembled a beast about to lose control. His eyes were bloodshot, and insane killing intent swirled in his mind, roaring at him to tear the person in front of him limb from limb!
“Xiao Yan, calm down!” Just as the killing intent surged in Xiao Yan’s mind, a slightly cool, smooth hand gently grasped his own, and a slightly anxious low shout echoed in his ears.
Hearing the low shout, Xiao Yan’s heart was slightly shaken, and he regained some rationality. He took a few deep breaths, suppressing the killing intent in his heart, and his twisted face gradually returned to normal.
“Surrender the Jade of the Ancient Emperor Tu She!” Seeing Xiao Yan regaining his composure, the black mist around the figure also rippled, and he shouted coldly.
“If I give you the Jade, my father will die even faster!” Xiao Yan stared at the black figure with a sinister and menacing look. “These methods are ineffective on me. If you want the Jade, bring my father before me. Otherwise, I will ignore any threats. The ancient jade can sense my father’s life and death. If it loses that connection, I will hand it over to the Ancient Clan, and you will never get it!”
“You’re willing to risk your father’s life for the Jade?” The black figure sneered.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly, his face regaining its previous composure. He didn’t know why the Soul Hall was so eager to get the Jade of the Ancient Emperor Tu She, but regardless, the Jade was his father’s lifeline. As long as the Jade was in his possession, the Soul Hall would not dare to take his father’s life. Therefore, without absolute assurance that Xiao Zhan would safely appear before him, he could not hand over the Jade. Handing it over would mean, with the Soul Hall’s power, they would likely take his father’s life.
“Hehe, such a ruthless and calm person, just as the Great Revered said, these tactics are ineffective on you,” the black figure smirked, seeing Xiao Yan’s expression, realizing his plan had not been very effective.
Xiao Yan’s face remained expressionless. “If you don’t dare to show your true self, then leave.”
“Xiao Yan, don’t be arrogant. Don’t think just because you formed the ‘Heavenly Alliance’ that you can challenge the Soul Hall. Wait until you understand our strength, and you’ll give up all hope.” The black figure laughed strangely. “And the people of the Pill Tower, we originally gave you some respect, but now that you’ve thrown it away, don’t blame us for being merciless. It’s just that we’ve had our eyes on your pill refineries for a long time.”
“As for the Flower Sect and the Burning Flame Valley, stay out of this mess, or when the sect falls and people die, it will be too late!”
“If you want to swallow our Pill Tower, let’s see how strong your teeth are!” The Grand Elder sneered.
Xiao Qing and Old Ancestor Huo Yun narrowed their eyes, but only watched in silence, not responding.
Xiao Yan’s eyes were fixed on the black figure, tired of the banter. He slowly clenched his fist: “Tell the others, the dogs of the Soul Hall and the Soul Clan, I will come for each of you!”
As Xiao Yan’s fist clenched, the space around the black figure collapsed, a fearsome force splitting the space apart. Simultaneously, the black figure dissolved into nothingness.
“Haha, such arrogance, what do you think you are? Even the great Xiao Xuan fell to our hands. You, a mere one-star Dou Sage, are simply overestimating yourself. I’ll wait for that day, and if you dare to come, I’ll finish you off personally!” Accompanied by the black figure’s disappearance, a cold, strange laugh echoed in the hall, lingering for a long time.
“It seems our alliance has been discovered by the Soul Hall, and that’s why they showed up at this time to intimidate other forces and disrupt the alliance,” Pharmacist Elder said slowly as the hall quieted.
“This alliance must have made the Soul Hall wary. Otherwise, with their nature, they wouldn’t have done this,” Xiao Yan said calmly. “What about the so-called Deputy Lord?”
“I haven’t heard of him. The Soul Clan is filled with powerful experts, and this Deputy Lord is likely one of their best,” Old Ancestor Huo Yun frowned, then chuckled. “But his strength is at most at the three-star Dou Sage level. If it weren’t, he would have come in person, not as a projection. Because he couldn’t beat us here, he remained in hiding.”
Xiao Yan nodded slightly. The Deputy Lord was clearly wary of their group.
“Everyone, the matters of the alliance are almost complete. Does anyone have any doubts?” Xiao Yan’s eyes swept over everyone, “The Soul Hall is our main enemy. After the announcement of the alliance, they won’t be silent. Then, it may be the time for us to unite against them.”
The Grand Elder of the Pill Tower, Old Ancestor Huo Yun, and others exchanged glances, then shook their heads. They were all extraordinary people and wouldn’t change their minds due to the Deputy Lord’s threats.
“In that case, after tomorrow, this will be announced. Please start constructing the spatial wormholes between our forces. If we encounter attacks, we can support each other quickly!” Xiao Yan said seriously.
“Alright,” the others nodded. The alliance was established, but the Soul Hall would likely respond. The days ahead would not be peaceful.
“Let’s not delay. We should return and begin construction,” Xiao Yan nodded as he saw the others stand up and leave. He and Pharmacist Chen escorted them out of the hall, watching their disappearing figures, sensing the storm gathering. This relatively peaceful Central Plains, which had been quiet for many years, might soon become lively again.
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