Chapter 65: Soul Realm!
Watching Hun Xuzi suddenly grow tense, Mu Gu understood. At the same time, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. This step of his had been the right one.
"Lord, please follow me."
Respectfully, he led Hun Xuzi to the place where Yun Yi had been trapped earlier.
At this moment, Yun Yi, trapped in the spatial cage, frowned slightly. He sensed the presence of a kindred spirit — very faint.
He opened his eyes and immediately saw the black-robed shadow before him. His brow raised slightly. Was this Hun Mie Sheng?
At the same time, Hun Xuzi's figure flashed. In the blink of an eye, he was before Yun Yi, examining him closely. He clicked his tongue in wonder. "Kid, you have no trace of my clan's bloodline. Where did that flame with devouring power of yours come from?"
The moment he saw Yun Yi, Hun Xuzi was also confused. The pitch-black flame drifting around Yun Yi's body, and the devouring power — they were exactly the same as Nihility Devouring Flame.
The only difference was that one was powerful, while the other was still young.
But he was also certain that the other absolutely had no bloodline of the Hun clan. He could not have obtained it from Lord Nihility. Had a second Nihility Devouring Flame been born in the world?
The moment this idea emerged, Hun Xuzi rejected it. There were twenty-three types of heavenly flames in the world.
Aside from the mysterious first place, Nihility Devouring Flame and Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, among the top three, were unique. Only they had given birth to their own consciousness and taken human form.
They were the most special. As for the heavenly flames below the top three, even the fourth-ranked Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, according to Hun clan records, had appeared twice already over the long years. Moreover, they did not possess complete consciousness.
For a heavenly treasure of this level to condense intelligence was incredibly difficult. Only Lord Nihility and Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame knew how they had done it.
In any case, Hun Xuzi was certain that a second Nihility Devouring Flame could not be born in this world. Thus, he was very curious about Yun Yi's flame.
"Who are you?"
Yun Yi did not rush to answer Hun Xuzi's question. Instead, he asked softly.
"Heh —" Hearing Yun Yi's question, Hun Xuzi sneered. His large hand reached out. The spatial barrier Mu Gu had set up was as if nothing to him. He grabbed Yun Yi by the throat and asked sinisterly, "How long has it been since an ant dared to speak to me like this?"
"Are you not afraid of death?"
Feeling the suffocation around his neck and hearing the killing intent in Hun Xuzi's tone, no trace of fear appeared in Yun Yi's eyes. "I sense Nihility's presence on you. Where is he?"
Yun Yi did not know who the visitor was, but he truly felt the dense devouring power in the other's aura. The visitor's identity could be narrowed down.
Whoever it was, they had the ability to fulfill Yun Yi's goal.
Hun Xuzi's pupils suddenly contracted. His sharp gaze swept around. When he saw Mu Gu Elder, who was somewhat bewildered, his brow furrowed slightly. He shouted harshly, "What are you still doing here?"
"???"
Mu Gu Elder looked at Hun Xuzi with a blank expression. He had not told him to leave. If not here, where should he be?
Seeing Mu Gu's posture, Hun Xuzi grew even more displeased. Having no sense of situational awareness, no wonder his alchemy skills were still at this level. What a waste.
"This junior takes his leave. If my lord has any orders, please instruct."
Seeing that Hun Xuzi was about to explode, Mu Gu Elder suddenly woke up. He slunk away, leaving those words behind.
Watching Mu Gu Elder leave, Hun Xuzi, still worried, waved his hand and set up a soul barrier. Only then did he look at Yun Yi, who was calm.
"Who are you?"
"Who am I? Once you meet Nihility, you will know."
Yun Yi's words made Hun Xuzi frown deeply. He wavered. After weighing the options, he threw Yun Yi down and spoke coldly. "You had better pray you are not lying to me."
Hun Xuzi ultimately decided to take him back to see Nihility Devouring Flame. The resemblance was simply too strong. Who knew if there was some connection?
Besides, a mere Dou Wang — could he really cause any waves in the Soul Realm?
Having made his decision, Hun Xuzi called Mu Gu Elder back. He pointed at Yun Yi and said, "Take him to the Earth Abyss Hall. Someone will make arrangements for what comes next."
Hearing Hun Xuzi's words, Mu Gu Elder's expression shook. He secretly glanced at Yun Yi, who was completely unharmed. His heart was startled. A moment ago, he had thought the other was done for. Now he was to be sent to the Earth Abyss Hall. Did the other truly have such astonishing background?
But thinking of the purpose of his visit, he hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Lord Hun Xuzi, what about Yao Chen?"
Hun Xuzi!
Hearing Mu Gu Elder's address, a flicker of light passed through Yun Yi's eyes. So the one who came was not Hun Mie Sheng, but Hun Xuzi, who was much stronger and higher in status.
As a Seven-Star Dou Sheng and a mystic pill grandmaster, his position in the Hun clan was second only to Hun Tiandi and Nihility Devouring Flame.
"You dare to question me?" Facing Mu Gu Elder, Hun Xuzi's expression was not nearly as kind. His gaze swept over the other icily.
"I would not dare. It is just that Yao Chen has been a thorn in the Soul Hall's side. Now that we have word of him, this subordinate believes we should uproot him..." Mu Gu's expression was fearful as he knelt and begged for mercy, his tone filled with deep concern.
"Heh —, Yao Chen? A mere Dou Zun — what right does he have to be a thorn in the Soul Hall's side? I said, take Yun Yi to the Earth Abyss Hall first."
Hun Xuzi's tone was dismissive. Let alone a Dou Zun, even a Dou Sheng — unless it was a mid-stage Dou Sheng — Hun Xuzi would not spare it a second glance.
What rank was it to be worthy of his attention when he had a myriad of affairs to attend to?
"Yes!"
Feeling the killing intent in Hun Xuzi's tone, Mu Gu was terrified. He nodded in agreement like a chick pecking at grain.
"Kid, I await you." Giving Yun Yi one last look, Hun Xuzi's projection ultimately dissipated between heaven and earth.
"Whew —" Watching Hun Xuzi disappear, Mu Gu Elder secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Only then did he realize, belatedly, that his back was completely soaked.
"You are very afraid of him?" Yun Yi's calm voice came at this moment.
"Shut up... Uh —" Facing Yun Yi, Mu Gu Elder was not nearly so good-tempered. It was all this brat's fault. If not for him, none of this would have happened. Then he immediately remembered that the other's identity was unclear. It was better not to offend him.
Mu Gu immediately showed what it meant to change his face in a flash. He said calmly, "Lord Hun Xuzi is a ninth-grade mystic pill grandmaster, the number one alchemist on the continent. As alchemists, respecting him is respecting our own alchemy skills."
Glancing sideways at Mu Gu Elder, Yun Yi said nothing. Instead, he asked, "When do we set out?"
"Now."
As his voice fell, Mu Gu Elder grabbed Yun Yi, tore open space with his hand, and quickly rushed toward the nearest spatial wormhole.
The Central Plains was too far from the Northwestern Continent. Otherwise, how could he have had the strength to get here so quickly? Fortunately, several branch halls had spatial wormholes. There was no need to make a big show of traveling.
This was a somewhat dim space. Black fog filled the sky. A cold, sinister force permeated every part of this space.
Yet within this dark space, a faint, delicate fragrance strangely wafted to the nose. This fragrance carried a coolness that was very pleasant.
More importantly, the fragrance had the effect of nourishing the soul. Even the most ordinary Dou Practitioner, after living here for a while, would see their soul power strengthen considerably.
Deep within this space was a vast land, where people lived and moved about.
This was the most mysterious Soul Realm of the Dou Qi Continent — a space opened up by the Dou Emperor of the Hun clan long ago, existing within a void.
In this world, the sun hung high. Blue skies and white clouds were all present, completely indistinguishable from the outside world. No — the energy concentration here was even denser than outside.
From this small glimpse, the power of a Dou Emperor was truly unimaginable.
At the same time, above a pitch-black palace, a figure sat cross-legged in the void. Within his body, pitch-black black flames continuously seeped out. From a distance, it looked like a black hole, endlessly devouring everything in heaven and earth.
"Lord Nihility, Hun Xuzi requests an audience."
A respectful voice came from afar. In an instant, Hun Xuzi stood respectfully before Nihility Devouring Flame.
Hoo!
Suddenly, the sound of rushing wind came from within the cross-legged black figure in the sky. The black flames scattered around his body rapidly withdrew into his body.
The figure, wreathed in black flames, slowly opened his eyes. His eyes had no other expression, only deep black, like a black hole, emitting a terrifying devouring power.
"What is it?"
Noticing Nihility Devouring Flame's gaze fall upon him, Hun Xuzi's heart tightened. Lord Nihility had grown even more terrifying.
"News came from the Black-Corner Region in the Northwestern Continent. A person appeared wielding a flame with devouring power. This subordinate came to seek confirmation from Lord Nihility." Hun Xuzi reported the news he had just received via soul transmission in minute detail.
"Devouring power?" Nihility Devouring Flame's face, which had remained unchanged for ages, showed a look of surprise. Then, he asked seriously, "Where is that person?"
"This subordinate has already sent him to the Earth Abyss Hall. He should arrive in the Soul Realm soon."
"Mm, you have done well." Hearing Hun Xuzi's answer, Nihility Devouring Flame nodded in satisfaction. He closed his eyes again. A faint voice came from his mouth. "When he arrives in the Soul Realm, bring him to see me immediately."
"As you command." After answering, Hun Xuzi glanced at Nihility Devouring Flame, who was cultivating with his eyes closed, and silently left.
After Hun Xuzi left, Nihility Devouring Flame's murmur came out. "A flame with devouring power, huh?"
"How interesting."
Roar —
A terrifying roar resounded through the Magical Beast Mountain Range. The sound waves carried the violent aura of the magical beast, snapping nearby trees in half. A fifth-rank Thunderbolt Bear King rose up on its hind legs, its body a full seven or eight meters tall, roaring at two figures in midair.
"What are you roaring about? Roar again, and I will skin you too."
Midair, Zi Yan, irritated by the roaring, swallowed a crystal-clear red fruit in her hand. Her brows slightly raised, she spoke in a sinister tone.
In the past, magical beasts encountering Zi Yan would usually slink away. Unfortunately, this time they had encountered a stubborn bear that simply would not let them go.
Roar —
The Bear King was also stubborn. It roared again, its fists madly pounding its chest. At the same time, its eyes turned bloodshot. Terrifying lightning condensed in its mouth. Soon, a deep purple thunder energy ball took shape.
Boom —
The energy ball, carrying a destructive fluctuation, came hurtling toward Zi Yan and Jiang Yun.
"You are asking for death."
Facing the attack, Zi Yan's expression instantly turned cold. She had no saintly heart. In the magical beast world, the biggest fist was the truth.
She had taken a few fifth-rank herbs but did not want to hurt him. She had not expected him to be so persistent. Zi Yan was furious.
"Purple-Gold Dragon Spear." Zi Yan shouted coldly. Golden light flowed in her hand. A dark gold dragon-scale battle spear condensed into form in an instant.
In that instant, a violent, powerful, invisible pressure swept out.
At this moment, the Bear King's eyes suddenly cleared. Feeling the pressure from the dragon spear, a sense of terror spread throughout its body.
This was the first time Jiang Yun had seen the expression 'face turn pale' on a bear's face.
Zi Yan's hand flicked. The enormous spear cut through space. The terrifying spear aura, even before drawing near, sliced the purple thunderball in half.
Rumble —
An enormous explosion sounded. Within a ten-li radius, whether magical beast or animal, all felt as if disaster had struck. They frantically fled outward.
"Where do you think you are going?"
A delicate shout came. The Bear King, sensing trouble, had tried to run. But Zi Yan was not about to let him. Her figure moved. Like a swimming dragon, she rushed toward him.
In the blink of an eye, she was before him.
"You roared so loudly."
Boom —
The purple-gold dragon spear fell upon the Bear King. A cracking sound rang out. The Bear King was knocked to the ground by Zi Yan's spear.
The fifth-rank magical beast that had been so spirited moments ago could now only let out weak roars.
At this moment, Jiang Yun slowly landed beside Zi Yan. He glanced at the dying Bear King, then turned to Zi Yan with a smile. "Your inherited Dou Techniques are becoming more and more proficient."
Hearing Jiang Yun's praise, Zi Yan beamed with joy. She even twirled the spear in a flourish, saying smugly, "Of course. There is nothing that Zi Yan cannot learn."
Then she frowned slightly. "But still, fists feel more satisfying."
Her inheritance did have a few fist and foot Dou Techniques, but they were all incredibly powerful. She could not use them yet. All she could use was the Earth Class mid-level Purple-Gold Dragon Spear.
"Heh heh, Dou Techniques are an essential part of any strong expert. For now, it is fine. But as you approach the Dou Sheng stage, the further you go, the smaller the advantage of physical strength becomes. At that point, powerful Dou Techniques become essential."
Seeing Zi Yan's reluctance, Jiang Yun spoke patiently. Those who could cultivate to that level had already minimized their shortcomings through various means. Few had obvious weaknesses. Unless one was a body cultivator, the advantage of a magical beast's physical body would be greatly reduced.
For now, Zi Yan could still rely on her Taixu Ancient Dragon physical body to knock out Dou Huangs with one punch. But when she reached Dou Sheng, that would no longer work.
"Besides, cultivating Dou Techniques now will help you develop your bloodline."
"I know. I was just complaining a little. Xiao Yun, you do not need to nag so much." Hearing Jiang Yun's rambling, Zi Yan felt a headache coming on. She hugged Jiang Yun's arm and acted coquettishly.
"Then what do you plan to do with this guy?" Feeling the softness at his arm, Jiang Yun expressed that even though he was used to it, it still felt pleasant.
This girl's figure was simply too much.
Pushing down the improper thoughts in his heart, Jiang Yun pointed at the Thunderbolt Bear King lying on the ground, barely breathing.
"Kill it. Its magical core will be perfect for Xiao Yun to refine a fifth-grade pill." Glancing at the big fellow on the ground, Zi Yan spoke indifferently. She would not release him out of saintliness. The law of the jungle — she had learned that lesson as a child.
"Mm." Jiang Yun nodded and was about to act when a loud shout came from afar.
"Humans, you injure my subject. You are asking for death!"