Facing the oncoming spear, sun, lotus, and phoenix, the Hall Chief's expression twisted drastically. Without holding back, he unleashed his full strength, both hands weaving countless seals in rapid succession.
"Nihility Devouring False Devil Body—Dark Bell!"
Boom!
At once, black flames surged from behind him, pouring violently into his body. His frame swelled to several hundred feet, skin turning pitch-black as his features warped into the hideous visage of a devil. From his monstrous form, countless grotesque mouths—each resembling beasts of nightmare—split open, baring fangs that whispered of hunger and despair.
The towering devil radiated an oppressive aura of devouring, thick with madness and murderous desire, as though it sought to consume the very heavens themselves.
Sealing his hands once more, the black devil bellowed. At that moment, an ancient, oppressive bell took form above him. Forged entirely from condensed darkness, its surface was carved with billions of distorted phantoms wailing in eternal torment. With a resounding hum, the bell descended, enclosing the devil within and sealing it under its dreadful, world-shattering shadow.
Boom!
In the next instant, the spear roared forward, seeking to pierce Hun Mie Sheng's body and soul. The blazing sun and the fire lotus followed, slamming ruthlessly against the bell, unleashing a storm of destruction and annihilation.
As for the phoenix, its vast wings spread wide—each flap unleashing an endless rain of fiery feathers, like a swarm of meteors crashing down from the heavens. Every feather was sharper than the keenest sword, capable of piercing even the toughest body and armor.
Yet the black, eerie bell was no ordinary defense. It was forged from the Nihility Devouring Flame, a power that could consume all things in its path.
Though its devouring force was far weaker than the original flame—merely a seed, holding only a fraction of that terrifying strength—it still exuded a dreadful power. Slowly, it gnawed away at the might of the four strikes.
But against the combined might of Yan Xiaoyu and the others, it could not endure for long. With a deep, mournful toll that shook the heavens, countless cracks spread across its surface. A moment later, the bell shattered violently, exploding into countless motes of dim light.
A faint groan escaped Hun Mie Sheng's throat as blood surged within his chest. The collapse of the bell caused a backlash, its broken fragments of devouring force rebounding into his body. His face paled slightly, and for the briefest instant, his vast aura rippled unsteadily.
Even so, the bell had done its part. The radiance of the spear, the sun, the phoenix, and the fire lotus had all grown visibly dimmer—their strength clearly weakened after being devoured.
Nevertheless, the four attacks still pressed forward, unstoppable. Though diminished, they remained terrifying enough that receiving them head-on was nothing short of courting death.
"If you think this is enough to stop me, you are far too naïve, damn brats!"
Hun Mie Sheng's furious roar thundered through the square, unwilling to simply await his death.
Though his face was pale, his strength was not so feeble that he could do nothing against the four incoming strikes. His eyes flickered with vicious light as he thrust out his pitch-black hands, spreading them wide. In their path blazed the miniature sun and the prismatic fire lotus. Black flames surged violently from each palm before slamming against the two forces.
Kicha—!
A nauseating sound of flesh tearing echoed. From his body sprouted two more pitch-black arms—one from the chest, another from the back. The front pair clashed with the spear, while the rear arms intercepted the phoenix.
Boom!
An earth-shattering explosion rang out, shockwaves sweeping violently across the square. At once, countless distorted faces writhed across the surface of the four black arms. The moment their grotesque mouths split open, a dreadful devouring force erupted, gnawing at the power of the four ultimate strikes.
But such suppression was fleeting.
Crack—!
The devouring arms began to split apart, unable to contain the overwhelming force. In the next instant, the four strikes exploded simultaneously. The spear, the sun, the phoenix, and the lotus merged into a catastrophic eruption, tearing through the black arms and slamming directly into Hun Mie Sheng's towering figure.
BOOM!
A devastating firestorm erupted without restraint, its destructive tide swallowing the square whole. The flames surged in every direction, twisting space itself as the Chief Hall of Hall of Soul was drowned beneath the annihilating storm.
"Retreat!" Huang Xuan roared as his expression changed drastically. The instant he saw the storm surging toward them, he spun around and bolted into the distance.
The others naturally followed suit. Alarmed to their core, they frantically retreated, each unleashing every method at their disposal—burning Dou Qi, swallowing speed-enhancing pills, activating artifacts, and even igniting secret techniques. All sought only to escape the terrifying firestorm that swept toward them like the wrath of heaven itself.
Only after rushing beyond a safe distance did they dare to turn back. What met their eyes was a sight both dreadful and awe-inspiring—the firestorm raged with destructive beauty, its flames tearing through the void itself. Wherever it passed, space collapsed, leaving behind jagged cracks that spread endlessly in its wake.
None among them dared linger within reach of those flames, nor even step closer to where they might spread.
Meanwhile, Yan Xiaoyu flicked her sleeve, and a jade token floated forth. Radiant light surged from it, spreading into a protective barrier that enveloped her and the three beside her, shielding them from the annihilating storm.
As for Qing Lin, she unfurled a slender banner, her jade-like fingers weaving seals in quick succession. A defensive formation erupted, covering both the Moonlit Chaos Mansion and the Falling Star Pavilion. Within its domain, their forces stood isolated from the raging tide, safe from the firestorm's reach.
Under countless watchful gazes, the firestorm continued to sweep across the vast hall, wreaking havoc upon everything it touched. Only after a long while did its power finally begin to wane. As the destructive flames weakened, the void riddled with spatial tears slowly began to mend, as if stitching itself back together after a calamity.
Yan Xiaoyu and the others paid little heed to the receding firestorm. Instead, their gazes were fixed upon its very heart. As the storm weakened, a several-meter-tall black cauldron gradually emerged within their sight.
Surprise flickered across each of their faces. None had expected a cauldron to appear out of nowhere. Yet, it was clear at a glance that the cauldron had suffered grievous damage—its surface cracked and battered—before slowly crumbling away into drifting ashes.
What unsettled them most, however, was not the cauldron's destruction, but the absence it concealed. Hun Mie Sheng—the Chief Hall of the Hall of Souls—was gone.
At once, their Spiritual Strength surged outward in all directions, sweeping the hall and the shattered void beyond. Yet not the faintest sliver of Hun Mie Sheng's aura could be found.
The four furrowed their brows, tension weighing heavily on their hearts. They remained vigilant, prepared for a sudden ambush—but no attack ever came. The silence confirmed one certainty: Hun Mie Sheng had truly fled this place.
Exchanging glances, each could only shake their head, confusion and unease lingering in their eyes.
"Did he run away? Why?" Xiao Yan muttered softly, doubt weighing in his voice.
Yan Xiaoyu, Zhu Ling, and Qing Xiu offered no reply. They too were unsettled, unable to fathom why the Chief of the Hall of Souls would retreat so abruptly at such a critical moment.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
A series of sharp wind-tearing sounds broke the tense silence as Qing Ling and the others rushed over, halting before them with grim faces.
"That Old Ghost Zhai Xing has also disappeared…" Qing Lin reported softly.
Her words caused the expressions of the four to fluctuate. Their gazes swept across the square and the ruined hall, only to find no trace of his presence either. At last, they could only shake their heads and sigh.
"Did the Hall of Souls truly retreat? Even if he suffered injuries from our strike, it shouldn't have been enough to force him back—especially when our condition is hardly much better…"
Yan Xiaoyu lightly stroked her chin with a jade-like finger, her eyes narrowing as she contemplated the reason for Hun Mie Sheng's sudden withdrawal.
At this moment, the four of them were utterly spent. Their bodies were so drained that they could not muster the strength to even block a single blow from someone like Huang Xuan. Yet despite this golden opportunity, Hun Mie Sheng had chosen to abandon the fight. Such a decision was far from ordinary.
"Because he realized the spatial seal had been shattered and thus uncovered your plan. Fearing our arrival, he didn't hesitate to withdraw from this ancient ruin, leaving no trace of his movements…"
As they wrestled with unease and confusion, a calm voice suddenly reverberated through the square. The space behind them rippled violently, and a deep crack tore open. From within, two figures—a man and a woman—stepped out, their presence steady and imposing.
"Greetings, Hall Master Wei, Hall Master Mei!"
Upon recognizing the newcomers, the members of Moonlit Chaos Mansion brightened with joy. They immediately cupped their fists in greeting, while Zhu Ling and Qing Xiu hurried to Wei Jie and Mei Ling's sides, smiles of relief lighting up their faces.
"Teacher!"
"Teacher, you truly came!"
Zhu Ling respectfully cupped her hands, her beautiful face blooming with a smile as she greeted Wei Jie in relief. Qing Xiu, on the other hand, leapt forward without restraint, throwing herself into the slender embrace of Mei Ling, her innocent laughter ringing clear.
"Lass, you've already grown up. Why are you still clinging to your master like a child?" Mei Ling smiled tenderly, her jade-like hand rubbing Qing Xiu's head with affection.
"Hehe…" Qing Xiu chuckled sheepishly, like an innocent child, before reluctantly releasing her grip.
"It is no wonder the Chief Hall of Hall of Souls retreated so decisively. He must have felt dread after sensing the auras of Martial Uncle Wei and Martial Aunt Mei…"
Yan Xiaoyu spoke with a faint smile, her tone filled with respect toward the two—one a sworn elder brother, the other a sworn elder sister—of her own teacher.
"Little Sister-in-law Zi Yan suspected something had gone wrong when the token failed to respond no matter how many transmissions she sent, so she informed us," Wei Jie explained with a calm smile.
"So that's why Teacher and Martial Aunt Mei arrived so quickly…"
Zhu Ling lightly nodded in realization. At first, she had been puzzled as to why her master appeared within the ancient ruins. After all, she had not even crushed the emergency token he had entrusted to her for dire situations after the spatial seal was destroyed.
"It is a pity we came a step too late. Had we arrived earlier, we might have captured Hun Mie Sheng and forced him to reveal the hidden location of the Hall of Souls and Hun Clan…" Mei Ling shook her head and sighed, her voice tinged with regret.
"Enough. Since you have already secured the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, there is no need to linger. We will return." Wei Jie shifted the subject, his expression steady. Though he too was disappointed, brooding over it would serve no purpose.
Hun Mie Sheng had been meticulous in his retreat, leaving behind not the slightest trace. Even if he had, it would have led nowhere—for he was not foolish enough to return straight to the hidden sanctuary of the Hall of Souls and Hun Clan.
With a casual wave of his hand, Wei Jie shifted space itself. In the blink of an eye, everyone had already left the ancient ruins and now stood upon the main deck of a vast majestic ship, flying silently several kilometers away from the Bone Mountain Range.
They had crossed paths with countless experts before, yet never once had they encountered someone who could move their bodies across space without the slightest ripple of perception.
Xiao Yan swallowed hard, his gaze fixed upon Wei Jie and Mei Ling. Neither of them released the slightest aura of pressure, yet he dared not harbor the slightest trace of disrespect.
'So this is the strength of the two Hall Masters…' he muttered inwardly. His thoughts instinctively turned to his cousin, Xiao Hua—the Mansion Master, a peak existence not only within Moonlit Chaos Mansion but across the entire Dou Qi Continent.
'No wonder the Hall of Souls and the Hun Clan dare not show themselves, forced instead into hiding…' A faint smile touched Xiao Yan's lips, pride swelling quietly in his chest.
Unbothered by Xiao Yan's silent musings, Mei Ling's gaze swept across the group. Her eyes paused briefly on Xiao Yan, and a gentle smile curved her lips. "I take it you have obtained the Dou Sheng's skeleton?"
"Since it is already in your possession, it shall remain yours. How you choose to divide it will be your decision. I doubt my disciple, or even my brothers' disciples, hold any interest in such a thing…" She added with a light chuckle, her melodious laughter echoing across the deck, captivating all who heard it.
Yan Xiaoyu only nodded in quiet agreement. As Xiao Hua's disciple, she already possessed endless treasures and countless medicinal pills bestowed by her teacher. A Dou Sheng's skeleton held little value to her, while even a Tian-Class Dou Technique could not stir her interest.
Zhu Ling and Qing Xiu felt the same. Neither showed the slightest intent to ask for a share, nor would they accept one even if Xiao Yan offered it.
"Thank you, Lady Mei Ling. Miss Yan Xiaoyu, Miss Zhu Ling, Miss Qing Xiu—thank you all for your assistance."
Xiao Yan cupped his fists with genuine gratitude as he carefully received the Dou Sheng's skeleton. In truth, he would not have minded sharing it with Yan Xiaoyu, Zhu Ling, and Qing Xiu, for they had borne the brunt of the battle and made it possible for him to claim it without resistance.
"Just in case, we will escort you to the Falling Star Pavilion," Wei Jie said calmly. "Hun Mie Sheng may not be finished with you. If he strikes again along the way, your situation could be perilous."
"Many thanks, Hall Master Wei." Xiao Yan bowed respectfully, his tone sincere.
Not long after their departure, countless figures emerged from the depths of the ancient ruins. By the time two sticks of incense had burned, the ancient ruin was filled with cultivators and bustling with activity.
Some wore expressions of elation, clutching their gains, while others carried gloomy faces, their harvest empty.
As for the Heaven Demon Phoenix tribe—who had stirred so much trouble earlier—they did not dare linger. They retreated as swiftly as they could, not daring to utter a single complaint. They all understood that Wei Jie and Mei Ling sparing them from punishment was already a mercy beyond expectation.
At this moment, the matter of the Dou Sheng's ancient remains had drawn to a close. Moonlit Chaos Mansion had successfully achieved their objective, while Xiao Yan obtained both the Dou Sheng's skeleton and a Tian-Class Dou Technique.
Yet for Xiao Yan, peace was short-lived. No sooner had he returned to rest than Qing Xiu appeared, challenging him to a pill refinement duel—refusing to accept anything but his agreement.
Xiao Yan's face twitched. He was about to seek Yao Lao's aid, only to see his teacher whistling idly, pretending not to notice. Even Feng Zun-zhe ignored his plea, merely watching with interest as the refinement battle between Qing Xiu and Xiao Yan unfolded.
Though Xiao Yan lost repeatedly, he gained deeper insights from each contest. Still, he soon understood why most alchemists fled from Qing Xiu in dread—her endless challenges left him no chance to breathe.
…
Since the end of the ancient ruins, time flowed like a river with twin currents—sluggish and dragging for some, swift and fleeting for others, yet always moving, never halting.
"Nalan Yanran is here for me…? An unexpected guest indeed…"
Flame, Xiao Hua's clone, lifted his head and asked Ya Fei softly. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes—Nalan Yanran's presence in Moonlit Chaos Mansion was beyond his expectations.
"That's right." Ya Fei nodded, a faint smile curving her cat-like lips. "I happened to meet her during an auction in Clear Moon City. Later, a disciple came and informed me of her arrival. Judging from her expression, it seems quite a serious matter…"
Flame's expression grew solemn as he crossed his arms, his brows tightening in thought.
At first, his true body, Xiao Hua, had been surprised to learn that Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran had been wandering the Central Plains while deliberately concealing their traces from him. Clearly, Yun Yun was doing everything in her power to avoid being discovered.
Understanding her heart, Xiao Hua could only smile bitterly. He refrained from pursuing her, allowing others to merely report her whereabouts whenever her trail surfaced within the Central Plains.
Yet, he had not expected to meet Nalan Yanran here. With her character and her past ties to Xiao Yan, she would never seek him out without reason. If she came, it would be for Xiao Yan—unless…
A sudden realization flickered in his eyes as he recalled an approaching event.
"Something must have happened to Yun Yun, huh…" Flame murmured softly.
Ya Fei let out a light sigh, nodding. "Unfortunately, we've devoted our attention to the Hall of Souls and the Hun Clan. Because of that, we've neglected the Flower Sect, and our information on Yun Yun's situation is scarce."
She was well aware of the ambiguous bond between Xiao Hua and Yun Yun. More than that, she understood that Nalan Yanran's presence here could only be tied to her beloved teacher—and that in turn was inseparably connected to Xiao Hua.
Thus, as Xiao Hua's clone, Flame felt the same stirrings within his heart. Without a doubt, he would move to rescue Yun Yun from whatever plight she now faced.
"I'll meet her." Flame nodded, rising to his feet. A faint smile touched his lips as he said to Ya Fei, "Forgive me, but I have a feeling I must make a trip with her to the Flower Sect. I'll have to trouble you with the rest of the paperwork…"
Ya Fei covered her lips with slender fingers, a soft and elegant laugh escaping her as her eyes curved shut. "It's fine. But be sure to inform First Sister and the others before you leave…"
"…I know…" Flame's expression stiffened, hesitation flickering across his features before he forced a helpless smile. He knew well the 'First Sister and the others' she spoke of—Xun Er, Little Fairy Doctor, and Zi Yan. As for Cai Lin, she remained in seclusion within the Nine Springs, with Thunder standing guard.
He was fully aware that Xun Er and the others already knew of his ambiguous bond with Yun Yun. This time, he could not leave without telling them.
…
Inside the hall, a graceful figure sat upon a chair, her posture is extremely restrained and her movements betraying unease.
She wore pale-green robes that accentuated her alluring curves, yet the beauty of her form could not hide the faint haggardness upon her once-radiant face. Her delicate eyes, filled with both weariness and longing, repeatedly drifted toward the doors as she raised a teacup with trembling hands.
Creak!
The silence was broken as the tightly shut door slowly swung open. A familiar silhouette stepped inside, his calm yet commanding presence filling the room.
Nalan Yanran's gaze lifted, her beautiful eyes locking onto the young man who had entered. A storm of emotions rippled within her heart. Only after wandering the vast Central Plains had she finally come to understand the absurdity of the truth—
That this dazzling young man, who had subdued the entire younger generation with his strength and achievements, had once come from a small and forgotten corner of the world—the Jia Ma Empire.
"Tell me everything that has happened to Yun Yun. Speak clearly, and don't leave a single word out…"
Before Nalan Yanran could even open her mouth, Flame's voice cut in, sharp and direct.
Her eyes flickered with a strange emotion. She had not expected him to forgo courtesy and greetings, choosing instead to press straight to the heart of the matter. Yet, rather than offense, his urgency brought her a quiet sense of relief.
For a long time, Nalan Yanran had been uneasy about her teacher's place in Xiao Hua's heart. She knew of his many wives, each extraordinary in both talent and background, and feared Yun Yun would be disregarded, buried beneath that brilliance. But now, seeing the restless light in his eyes and hearing Yun Yun's name as the first words from his lips, she felt reassured. His heart clearly held deep feelings for her teacher.
Of course, she did not know the full depth of what lay between them, nor the past they shared.
Though Yun Yun's strength had long since recovered after her seal was broken, she always returned to that small valley, content to remain there, sharing warm and lively conversations with Xiao Hua. Thus, it was natural that Xiao Hua—or his clone, Flame, who shared the same memories and feelings—would be so restless now.
That woman, once the most noble and untouchable figure of the Jia Ma Empire, had been the first to form that subtle, ambiguous bond with him. Inevitably, she carried a weight within Xiao Hua's heart unlike any other.
Back then, the Xiao Clan and Misty Cloud Sect were bitter enemies. As the Sect Leader, Yun Yun had stood in the most painful position of all—caught between her duty to her sect and her ties to Xiao Hua. That pain of choosing was something only she could truly understand.
Yet in the end, she had saved Xiao Yan, openly opposing the will of Yun Shan—her teacher, the one she respected like a father. For that defiance, she paid a cruel price. Her strength was sealed, and she was nearly forced into marriage with Gu He.
Later, Xiao Yan disbanded the Misty Cloud Sect, while Xiao Hua personally slew Yun Shan—the very sect and master who had raised and nurtured her. By all rights, Yun Yun should have hated them—Xiao Hua, Xiao Yan, and even the Xiao Clan.
But she did not.
Instead, she chose to leave it all behind. She abandoned the empire that had given her only bitter memories, stepping away from the entanglements of the past.
…
Flame sat in silence, his hands tightening unconsciously. Within his chest surged a tide of emotions he could not easily restrain—remorse, guilt, and a heavy, stifling pain.
He remembered Yun Yun's eyes from those years past—gentle yet conflicted, resolute yet sorrowful. He had been the one to sever her ties with her sect, the one to shatter her path of reliance, the one to stain her hands with choices that should never have been hers to bear.
Though she had never once voiced blame, he could not absolve himself.
"She bore so much… far more than she should have," Flame thought bitterly, his lips tightening into a hard line. "And yet, even after all of it, she still chose not to hate me…"
That very thought only deepened the weight in his heart.
Now, hearing she might be in danger, that same heaviness turned into a sharp, unyielding resolve. His gaze darkened, like a storm gathering across a boundless sky.
"No matter what has happened… no matter who stands in the way… I will find her."
The words echoed silently in his chest, each one carved with the unshakable determination of Xiao Hua's soul.
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