Han Yue fell silent.
Her Han Clan was merely a small, second-rate power in the northwest region. How could she possibly know the exact strength and hidden cards of the Central Plains' top forces? If she spoke carelessly and misled her sisters, the losses would fall on Xiao Jietian's Boundless Heaven Hall. She could not bear such responsibility.
Just as she was about to glance toward Xiao Jietian for help, a vast stream of soul power surged into her sea of consciousness, carrying an enormous amount of detailed information.
Han Yue quietly closed her eyes.
To the others it simply looked as though she was organizing her thoughts, recalling what she knew. No one noticed anything unusual.
A few breaths later, Han Yue opened her eyes once more. She gave Xiao Jietian a subtle, meaningful glance, then slowly began to speak.
"The Hall of Souls' Hall Master is a five-star Dou Sheng. Beneath him are one to three-star Dou Shengs, one high-level Half-Saint, one elementary Half-Saint, and one one-turn Dou Zun."
"The Pill Tower's Old Ancestor is a six-star Dou Sheng. They also have one two-star Dou Sheng, several Half-Saints—including one high-level Half-Saint—and three nine-turn Dou Zuns."
"The Flower Sect possesses two Supreme Elders: one high-level Half-Saint and one mid-level Half-Saint, along with one peak nine-turn Dou Zun."
"The Heavenly Ming Sect has one high-level Half-Saint Elder and two nine-turn Dou Zuns."
"Burning Flame Valley has one one-star Dou Sheng."
"Sound Valley has one elementary Half-Saint."
"As for Ice River Valley, Starfall Pavilion, Myriad Sword Pavilion, Wind and Thunder Pavilion, and Yellow Spring Pavilion—their Pavilion Masters are all only mid-level or elementary Dou Zuns."
When Han Yue finished, the courtyard fell quiet.
Little Fairy Doctor, Medusa, Yun Yun, Ya Fei, and the others all swallowed involuntarily.
So many forces… actually possessed Dou Shengs.
Medusa narrowed her eyes slightly and murmured, "I never expected so many powers in the Central Plains to have Dou Shengs and Half-Saints."
Yun Yun frowned and pointed out the obvious disparity. "But the difference among the so-called 'Three Great Valleys' is enormous. Ice River Valley only has Dou Zuns, while the other two have Half-Saints and even a Dou Sheng. Isn't that gap too wide?"
Somewhere far away, the Ice Venerable of Ice River Valley: "…"
Ya Fei tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Could Ice River Valley also have hidden Half-Saints or Dou Shengs?"
Han Yue secretly glanced at Xiao Jietian again. Seeing him faintly shake his head, she answered honestly, "No."
Medusa's lips curved into a cold smile as she gently caressed her slender fingers. "In that case… wouldn't our Boundless Heaven Hall be able to easily crush them?"
As expected of Queen Medusa—speaking of annihilation as casually as crushing ants.
"Exactly!" Zi Yan, nestled in Xiao Jietian's arms, immediately lit up. "Then we raid their treasure vaults! There must be tons of good stuff inside!"
The two of them—Medusa and Zi Yan—were once infamous great devils who had shaken the Black-Corner Region and even the ancient Eternal Heaven World. Slaughter and plunder came as naturally to them as breathing.
Xiao Jietian, however, did not join their excited discussion. Instead he spoke calmly, "Ice River Valley's Valley Master—the one called Ice Venerable—is no ordinary person. He possesses an artificially created Calamity Poison Body. If we ever cross paths with him, do not underestimate that man."
Everyone's gazes immediately turned toward him.
Yun Yun asked in surprise, "An artificial Calamity Poison Body? It can be created?"
"Ice River Valley controls a special body-snatching secret art. It allows them to strip another person's special physique and graft it onto themselves. Of course, the transplanted physique only retains a small portion of its original power."
Xiao Jietian's tone remained even. "In nature, Ice River Valley is quite similar to the Hall of Souls. The Hall of Souls hunts soul bodies across the continent, while the Ice Venerable hunts special physiques everywhere, absorbing them to strengthen his own artificial Calamity Poison Body."
Hearing this, the women present all frowned slightly.
Almost every single one of them possessed an extraordinary physique.
Ya Fei glanced meaningfully at Little Fairy Doctor. "Then according to what Little Brother Jietian said… he would definitely covet someone with a true Calamity Poison Body—like Xian'er. Only by absorbing a genuine Calamity Poison Body could his artificial one advance further."
Little Fairy Doctor's expression remained indifferent. A faint, dangerous smile touched her lips.
"I'm actually looking forward to meeting him. I'm quite curious whether his acquired Calamity Poison Body can withstand even a single palm strike from my true Calamity Poison Body. Who knows—his poison might even help me advance my strength another step."
Medusa smirked. "With your current strength, just releasing a wisp of poison mist would be enough to kill him instantly."
At those words, Yun Yun, Ya Fei, and the others seemed to recall a certain memory. Their lips twitched, struggling to hold back laughter.
Not long ago, after Little Fairy Doctor had absorbed the terrifying poisonous miasma of the Poison Miasma Forest, her cultivation had already reached the peak of three-turn Dou Zun.
Medusa—curious about her junior sister's new power—had insisted on a spar.
The result?
After several dozen exchanges, Medusa, a five-star Dou Zun, had collapsed unconscious on the ground, overwhelmed by poison.
Medusa noticed the strange looks and narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Why do I feel like you're all thinking something very impolite?"
"No, no!" Ya Fei hurriedly sat up straight, expression earnest. "I was merely thinking… once we arrive in the Central Plains, our Boundless Heaven Hall will already qualify as a true first-rate power."
Han Yue nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Apart from a handful of transcendent forces, very few would dare provoke us."
Yun Yun pondered for a moment, then asked, "If we rank forces purely by strength, shouldn't the Pill Tower rank above the Hall of Souls? A six-star Dou Sheng facing a five-star Dou Sheng plus several one-, two-, and three-star Dou Shengs… shouldn't be at much of a disadvantage."
Before Han Yue could feel awkward again, Xiao Jietian stepped forward with a faint smile.
"Let me explain this matter. And your question actually touches on the deepest layer of power in the Dou Qi Continent—the Ancient Eight Clans."
Yun Yun's eyes sharpened. "You mean… the Hall of Souls is backed by one of the Ancient Eight Clans?"
"Exactly." Xiao Jietian nodded. "Yun'er truly is sharp."
He suddenly felt several dangerous gazes lock onto him and hurriedly added, "All of you are exceptionally intelligent, of course!"
The women gave him looks that said—at least you know how to salvage the situation.
Xiao Jietian gave a helpless sigh.
Truly… managing so many women was exhausting. Praise one, and the rest immediately demanded their share.
"The Ancient Eight Clans are: the Soul Clan, Gu Clan, Xiao Clan, Lei Clan, Yan Clan, Shi Clan, Yao Clan, and Ling Clan."
"And behind the Hall of Souls…" Xiao Jietian began.
Before he could finish, Zi Yan—who had been quietly listening in his embrace—suddenly raised her small head and declared proudly,
"I know this one! The Hall of Souls is backed by the Hun Clan!"
Having spoken, she looked up at Xiao Jietian with bright, expectant eyes, clearly waiting for praise.
Xiao Jietian immediately responded with exaggerated surprise and delight. "Zi Yan is absolutely right! Our Zi Yan is simply brilliant—such a sharp mind!"
"Of course!" Zi Yan puffed out her chest, tail swishing proudly behind her. "I'm the smartest here! This family would fall apart sooner or later without me!"
Yun Yun, Medusa, Little Fairy Doctor, and the others all had dark lines appear on their foreheads.
Truly… two peas in a pod.
At that moment, Qing Lin—who had been listening quietly—raised her small hand like a diligent student in class.
"Um… the Xiao Clan… is Xun'er from the Xiao Clan?"