Chapter 162: Four Halls Fallen in Succession!
A thunderous boom echoed through the sky. Above the Dead Soul Mountain Range, a giant hand spanned the heavens. The entire great hall of the Soul Hall trembled.
A sharp, piercing cry rang out, shaking the entire Soul Hall branch.
As the wretched howl sounded, nearly a small half of the great hall was torn open. Before the eyes of the Soul Hall's Honored Elders and numerous Protectors, the sky suddenly shone bright. The passage to the outside world and the hall's roof had both been ripped away by someone.
"Such audacity! To dare invade our Soul Hall!"
One after another, sinister, cold shouts erupted. They were accompanied by a dense black fog. From within the black fog came mournful, sorrowful wails. Gazes of eerie chill shot forth, staring intently at Jiang Yun in the distant sky.
"Who are you? Do you know the consequences of trespassing into our Soul Hall?!"
The four Honored Elders of the Soul Hall surrounded Jiang Yun completely. One of them, a purple-robed elder, glared at Jiang Yun with a face full of fury. A formidable, oppressive might descended from the sky, directly causing sand and stones to fly within the valley and making the complexions of several Soul Hall Protectors drastically change.
"You reckless fool—you actually dare come to our Soul Hall and run wild?!"
"Me? Naturally, I'm the one here to wipe you out." Beneath the black robe, Jiang Yun chuckled indifferently, not taking the surrounding Dou Zuns and Dou Zongs seriously in the slightest.
"Such insolence! To actually dare cause trouble in our Soul Hall—are you courting death?!"
The moment Jiang Yun spoke these words, he instantly provoked widespread fury!
In the next instant, a black shadow shot forth violently. An utterly pitch-black chain, a full hundred zhang long, pierced through the void like a black venomous dragon and hurtled fiercely toward Jiang Yun.
"You Soul Hall people—your actual skills are nothing much, but your ability to boast is something else entirely!"
Toward that chain, Jiang Yun cast a dispassionate glance. A burst of force shot out. Yet that enormous chain seemed to suffer a heavy blow. It recoiled violently and finally crashed heavily into the great hall.
Surging Dou Qi swept forth from within Jiang Yun's body. In an instant, heaven and earth lost their color.
"Nine-star Dou Zun!!!"
Upon sensing Jiang Yun's strength, the Soul Hall members cried out in terror. Their strongest among them was only a five-star Dou Zun—absolutely no match for a nine-star Dou Zun.
"Damn it!"
"All Honored Elders! Form the Ten Thousand Soul Devouring Spirit Grand Array!"
In that split second, black fog filled the sky. Under the coordination of the four Dou Zuns, a grand array took shape. The black fog spread outward like a canopy of heaven, seeking to drag Jiang Yun into a sinister, ghostly domain.
"Woo—"
Wave after wave of ghostly wails and howls resounded from within the thick black fog, disturbing the mind and dazzling the senses.
"Clatter, clatter!"
Pitch-black chains, a hundred zhang wide and like giant pythons, shot forth from within the black fog. Wherever the chains passed, the void quaked and distorted, tearing open streak after streak of pitch-black fissures.
"Mere trifling tricks!" Gazing calmly at the attacks surging from all around, Jiang Yun spoke with deep, profound eyes.
"Great Compassion Hand!"
"Boom!" The surrounding heaven-and-earth energy churned as if a volcano had erupted.
Jiang Yun placed a single hand into the void before him. The entire stretch of sky seemed to completely solidify in that instant. A destructive aura of annihilation burst forth from where Jiang Yun's hand had landed, sweeping outward like a hurricane!
"Rumble!"
The ground beneath his feet suddenly exploded. Magma gushed forth from deep underground. A magma giant hand, a full thousand zhang wide, burst through the magma, bringing with it astonishing, searing heat. With a single flicker, it appeared above the Soul Hall crowd. Then, with a single slap, it came crashing down upon them.
Beneath this single palm strike, all vitality in the vicinity was instantly extinguished. Along its path, the void space split and fractured, directly creating a spatial rift a full thousand zhang long.
"A Heaven Class Dou Technique!"
Sensing the power of the Dou Technique Jiang Yun had unleashed, the Soul Hall Honored Elders' eyes abruptly widened. They shrieked in terror.
"Hundred Serpent Soul-Devouring Strike!!!"
Feeling the terrifying peril erupting from the magma giant hand, the Soul Hall Honored Elders hastily joined forces to counter with all their might. Vast, dense black fog surged forth, immediately stirring up sky-high waves of fluctuation.
Amidst violent writhing, it transformed into massive black pythons, each several hundred zhang long, hissing skyward. With a swing of their giant tails, they tore through the void and met the giant palm with unparalleled fierce wind.
"Boom!"
The two forces collided. The terrifying might, like meteorites crashing together, sent a destructive force surging skyward, sweeping outward like a storm. The mountain peak where the black great hall stood was instantly obliterated.
The entire mountain range began to quake violently in that instant, as if an earthquake had struck. Enormous fissures, centered on the valley, spread outward in all directions. Under this violent shaking, the great hall tottered on the verge of collapse. The numerous Soul Hall experts fled in panic, clutching their heads and scattering like rats.
However, what filled the Soul Hall members with even greater despair was that the magma giant hand, after weathering their attacks, showed not the slightest reaction. When their attacks landed upon the palm of the giant hand, under the horrified gazes of all, they swiftly disintegrated and dissolved—like blocks of ice meeting scorching flames, melting away at incredible speed.
The aura emanating from the giant hand did not diminish in the slightest as it bore down upon the crowd.
"This fellow is too strong! Flee!"
Sensing the terrifying power of the Heaven Class Dou Technique, and watching their attacks crumble and collapse without even managing to shake the giant hand, the Soul Hall Honored Elders, who had just moments ago been so united, immediately scattered in all directions, their forms retreating violently.
With even the Dou Zuns fleeing for their lives, the many Dou Zong Protectors of the Soul Hall were scared out of their wits. They hastily turned tail and, like stray dogs, scurried away in every direction.
"Thinking of leaving?"
Seeing this, Jiang Yun sneered coldly. His gaze was indifferent as he watched the large numbers of fleeing figures. He extended his palm and, from afar, clenched it fiercely in the direction they were escaping.
"Bang!"
Space collapsed. A terrifying suction force dragged at the fleeing figures. In that instant of delay, the magma giant hand behind them swiftly caught up. It descended amidst their despairing gazes.
"No—"
"Rumble—"
Storms raged. Destructive ripples spread outward like rings of water. The incomparably sturdy black great hall vanished. The bodies of the numerous Soul Hall experts, the moment they were touched by those destructive ripples, burst with a puff and transformed into pure clusters of soul origin.
The destructive ripples spread for nearly a full kilometer. Within that kilometer, everything was reduced to scorched earth. The dense forests, the towering mountain ridges—in that single instant, all were annihilated, leaving only a pitch-black expanse of ashes.
After wiping out the Soul Hall members with a single palm, Jiang Yun waved his hand. The large mass of soul origin suspended in the sky converged into his grasp.
Then, with a single palm, he struck deep underground.
The Soul Hall branch below, now reduced to ruins, blasted apart with a bang. Massive stone pillars, hundreds of zhang tall, erupted from the ground, churning up countless stones and soil. The ruins split open into a giant pit. And deep within that giant pit, suspended a cluster of light about half a foot in size.
"So this is the soul origin. I'm afraid it numbers no less than a hundred thousand, at the very least!"
Looking at the transparent cluster of light before him, Jiang Yun sensed an exceptionally pure aura, utterly free of any impurities.
The soul was the foundation of all living beings. All things under heaven possessed a soul. And deep within the soul, a trace of soul origin was nurtured. This was the very root from which the soul was born—it could also be said to be the purest, most wondrous energy in all the world.
After this wondrous energy was refined, it could enhance a person's soul quality and foundation, and break through soul realm bottlenecks. The soul realm was exceedingly difficult to elevate. And once the soul realm was raised, breaking through in cultivation realm became much easier as well.
As for the Nihility Devouring Flame, having taken form as a sentient flame, its soul cultivation was several times more difficult. It could be said that in order to allow its soul realm to step into the Emperor Realm, the Hun clan had expended an unknowable amount of soul origin.
One could call it an astronomical figure!
Gazing at this cluster of soul origin, Jiang Yun raised his hand and blasted out a surge of force, shattering the chains that bound the soul origin. He then drew it directly into his body.
The instant the soul origin entered his body, the Saint Demon Flame surged forward and wrapped around it.
After stowing away the soul origin, Jiang Yun rose to the sky above the mountain range. Looking down at the ruins below, he turned and stepped into the pitch-black spatial rift behind him.
As Jiang Yun left, the spatial seal over this place was also lifted. It was utterly silent, like a land of death. It would likely be some time before the Soul Hall discovered anything amiss here.
The next day.
At Jiang Yun's residence in Holy Pill City, he was, as usual, calmly tending to the medicinal ingredients before him.
Last night, he had swept through four Soul Hall branch halls in succession—east, west, south, and north of the Central Plains. With Zhu Feng, a Taixu Ancient Dragon, at his side, the vast Central Plains posed not the slightest hindrance in his eyes.
"Jiang Yun!"
Just then, an airy, melodious voice approached from afar. In the next instant, a fragrant breeze swept in. Xiao Yi Xian, clad all in white, appeared elegantly behind him.
"Is something the matter?" Crouched down, Jiang Yun examined the growing Purple Bamboo Orchid and asked softly.
"Valley Master Tang Zhen of the Burning Flame Valley seeks an audience!" Xiao Yi Xian gazed gently at Jiang Yun's back and quietly stated her purpose.
"Tang Zhen?" Jiang Yun's hand paused. A strange light flickered through his eyes as he murmured quietly.
"You don't wish to see him? I'll send him away." Sensing something different in Jiang Yun's tone, Xiao Yi Xian mistakenly thought Jiang Yun did not want to meet the man. Immediately, she turned and refused Tang Zhen.
"No need. I'll see him. The Burning Flame Valley's strength is not lacking, after all." Reaching out, he caught Xiao Yi Xian as she turned. Jiang Yun shook his head and spoke.
Entering the main hall, Jiang Yun saw a slightly thin, red-haired old man dressed in coarse linen robes seated there.
Beside him was a woman in red.
The woman wore form-fitting attire. Coiled around her slender, alluring waist was a deep-red whip, making that waistline appear even more captivating. Her features were exceptionally fine. Between her slender, arched brows, a trace of heroic spirit showed through. Paired with her fiery red outfit, she was valiant and dashing—possessing a charm entirely her own.
The moment they saw Jiang Yun, expressions of shock flickered across the faces of Tang Zhen and Tang Huo'er. Even though they had heard that Jiang Yun was young yet extraordinarily powerful, and even bore the reputation of the Central Plains' number one genius—
upon seeing him in person, they still could not help but marvel. He was truly far too young.
Glancing at Tang Huo'er beside him, Tang Zhen even doubted whether Jiang Yun was older than her.
Collecting himself, Tang Zhen hurriedly rose and cupped his fists. "Tang Zhen greets Grandmaster Jiang Yun. To meet in person surpasses mere reputation—Grandmaster Jiang is indeed overflowing with heaven-gifted talent, already renowned across the Central Plains at such a young age!"
Jiang Yun raised his hand lightly and said courteously, "Valley Master Tang is too kind. One must know that there are always people beyond people, and heavens beyond heavens. This bit of strength of mine is hardly worth mentioning."
Tang Zhen nodded. Jiang Yun's attitude filled his heart with surprise. To have achieved so much and still remain so humble and courteous—no wonder he had reached heights at such a young age that many could not reach in a lifetime.
Tang Huo'er, too, could not stop sizing Jiang Yun up with her beautiful eyes, wanting to see if he had three heads and six arms. Otherwise, how could he have achieved so much at this age?
She, Tang Huo'er, was the number one genius of the Burning Flame Valley in this generation. She considered herself a top-tier existence in the Central Plains. Yet now, she was still circling around the Dou Huang level, while the other party had already reached Dou Zun and was an eighth-tier alchemist.
The current Jiang Yun was someone even her father, the Valley Master of Burning Flame Valley, Tang Zhen, had to treat with deference.
The gap between them—how could the word 'chasm' even suffice to describe it? They were entirely people from two different worlds.
"Valley Master Tang, what matter brings you here?" Jiang Yun led Xiao Yi Xian to sit in the host's seat. Ignoring the two's probing gazes, he spoke bluntly.
"Grandmaster Jiang, this old man wishes to request Grandmaster Jiang's help in refining a high-grade seventh-tier pill." Such directness from Jiang Yun was indeed beyond Tang Zhen's expectations.
After speaking, he looked at Jiang Yun with a face full of tension, afraid the other might refuse!
"A high-grade seventh-tier pill is nothing—I could indeed refine it casually. However... with the Burning Flame Valley's resources, coming to the Pill Tower to request an alchemist capable of refining a seventh-tier pill should not be difficult, should it?"
Jiang Yun nodded, then asked with some curiosity.
"Sigh—" Hearing this, Tang Zhen let out a sigh and explained, "The Burning Flame Valley has indeed requested several seventh-tier alchemists in succession, but all have failed. This pill is exceedingly important to me, yet the ingredients are difficult to gather. To ensure the success rate, this old man wished to request an eighth-tier alchemist to act. However..."
Tang Zhen did not finish the rest, but Jiang Yun had already guessed. Although there were eighth-tier alchemists within the Pill Tower, most were reclusive, immersed in the study of alchemy. Tang Zhen likely could not offer a price that would move them.
"This pill I can refine. However, I want the Nine Dragons Lightning Flame..." Jiang Yun fixed his gaze on Tang Zhen. His voice was calm and even, as if discussing a matter of no importance whatsoever.
"What?!" Upon hearing this, Tang Zhen's expression immediately changed drastically. Both hands gripped the armrests tightly. A vast, majestic, and terrifying aura instantly filled the great hall.
"Hmph!" Seeing this, Xiao Yi Xian let out a cold snort. She silently stepped in front of Jiang Yun, her eyes fixed on Tang Zhen and his daughter, a faint, baleful chill revealed within them.
"Valley Master Tang, it would be best if you restrained yourself a little," Jiang Yun said, his expression unchanged. He gazed calmly at Tang Zhen, a faint smile at the corner of his lips. But Tang Zhen, opposite him, felt a chill run through his heart. His intuition told him that if he did not pull back, he might not leave this hall alive.
"I apologize, Grandmaster Jiang!" Tang Zhen calmed himself. However, his tone turned stiff. "Grandmaster Jiang, the Nine Dragons Lightning Flame is the inherited heavenly flame of my Burning Flame Valley. It has long been marked with the Burning Flame Valley's unique seal. Even if Grandmaster obtained it, you would not be able to refine it!"
"Moreover, the matter of the Nine Dragons Lightning Flame is not something I, Tang Zhen, can decide alone. However, within the valley, I once fortuitously acquired the Mountain-Melting Cauldron, which is ranked upon the Heavenly Cauldron List. It can serve as compensation for Grandmaster's efforts this time!" Glancing at Tang Huo'er beside him, Tang Zhen's tone softened once more.