After the soul fluctuations gradually subsided, Xiao Tian carefully sensed his current soul realm.
"This intensity… My soul has now entered the Spirit Realm."
A look of wild joy appeared on Xiao Tian's face. Improving soul power was far more difficult than breaking through in cultivation realms. With his current soul strength, he would be considered rare even in the Central Plains.
A Spirit Realm soul already qualified one to become a Grade 8 Alchemist. Reaching the peak of the Mortal Realm would also make becoming a high-grade Level 7 Alchemist a certainty.
Xiao Tian walked out of the bedchamber and glanced at the sky. It was almost time for the appointment.
Hall of Souls, Protector Wu… Are you ready?
Xiao Tian returned from the Eternal Dream Realm to the Dou Qi Continent. He summoned the Heaven Devouring Cauldron, which was activated, and he merged with the vast energy stored within it.
His aura instantly surged to the nine-star Dou Zong level.
"Nine-star Dou Zong?"
Xiao Tian realized he had not yet broken through to Dou Zun. However, he chose not to use the remaining experience cards. His sixth sense told him that even if he used both of them, he still wouldn't be able to step into the Dou Zun realm.
"This should be enough," he thought. "As long as Yun Shan launches a sneak attack to draw attention, I can strike with full force. He won't even have a chance to struggle."
After familiarizing himself with the surging Dou Qi within his body, Xiao Tian concealed himself within the void.
In just a few flashes, he arrived above the Cloud Mist Sect. Sensing Yun Shan's aura, he moved directly to the vicinity of the mountain cave where Yun Shan was in seclusion.
He took out a charm, crushed it between his fingers, and a subtle transparent light barrier instantly enveloped the entire forbidden area of the Cloud Mist Sect without alerting anyone.
Taking a step forward, Xiao Tian entered the seclusion cave. Protector Wu was nowhere to be seen, but his hidden presence could clearly be sensed lurking inside.
Xiao Tian looked at Yun Shan, who was sitting cross-legged, with great interest. He gently poked Yun Shan with a strand of hidden Dou Qi.
Yun Shan knew Xiao Tian had arrived, even though he couldn't sense any of Xiao Tian's aura.
"Oh, he's here? Then watch my performance," Yun Shan thought.
Knowing that Xiao Tian had used a secret technique to hide himself, Yun Shan prepared to carry out their plan.
"Protector Wu, come out," Yun Shan said calmly.
"Yun Shan, have you considered it carefully?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, a ball of black mist appeared in front of Yun Shan.
"I agree. I will hand him over to you. I hope you can fulfill what you promised," Yun Shan replied indifferently, staring at the figure within the black mist.
Protector Wu's red eyes glowed brighter upon hearing this. "Hehehe, that's only natural. You won't regret this decision."
"Great Compassion Rending Wind Hand!"
While Protector Wu was laughing sinisterly and momentarily distracted, Yun Shan's palm suddenly burst with brilliant light. A several-meter-large energy hand materialized out of thin air, carrying a fierce gale as it slammed viciously toward the black mist.
At the same time, Yun Shan pressed a lotus petal onto his forehead. Infusing it with Dou Qi, the petal transformed into a streak of light and shot into his Sea of Consciousness, rapidly purifying his soul.
The attack came without any warning. Protector Wu reacted quickly, but at such close range, he had no time to use a Dou Technique. He could only circulate his Dou Qi frantically to protect himself.
Struck by the powerful palm, Protector Wu was sent flying backward, suffering minor injuries.
Before he could stabilize himself, an intense sense of fatal crisis surged in his heart.
"Not good—danger!"
Three exclamation marks seemed to flash above Protector Wu's head as a warning.
"Profound Sky Shattering Moon Finger!"
A voice rang out from behind his retreating figure. A three-colored energy beam suddenly appeared in front of him.
Protector Wu felt an unprecedented wave of fear and despair.
He twisted his body desperately in mid-air, mobilizing all his Dou Qi to shield his vital points.
The energy beam struck him directly. Already injured, Protector Wu was violently smashed into the cave wall, his black mist form forcibly dispersed. His black armor shattered with a loud crack.
As the armor broke apart, a very faint object flew out from his body and disappeared into the air.
Xiao Tian had already reinforced the cave walls with Dou Qi beforehand, ensuring they would not collapse.
Streaks of souls emerged from the shattered armor.
Xiao Tian summoned the Three Thousand Burning Flame into his palm. A dark purple Flame appeared, flickering with terrifying power. He used it to directly incinerate them all. For these trapped souls, it was undoubtedly a form of liberation.
With his armor destroyed, Protector Wu's true form was revealed—an almost transparent soul body. His aura was extremely weak, clearly on the verge of death.
Xiao Tian again summoned the Three Thousand Burning Flame. The dark purple flame completely enveloped Protector Wu.
"Do you think you can subdue me like this? Myriad Phenomena: Funeral of Souls!"
Protector Wu roared furiously from within the flames, using his last bit of strength to try absorbing the remaining souls in his armor to replenish himself.
However, his desperate struggle was in vain.
Xiao Tian burned away both the armor and the souls inside it with the strange flame, leaving only the bare, weakened Protector Wu. The strange flame was the natural enemy of a soul entity like him.
"Give up resisting. You have no chance to escape," Xiao Tian said expressionlessly, his gaze cold as he continued increasing the output of the Three Thousand Burning Flame.
Realizing escape was impossible, Protector Wu finally stopped struggling and accepted his capture.
The confusion and anger in his heart gradually turned into helplessness and despair. He had never expected that, with his strength as a four-star Dou Zong, he would be captured alive in this remote Northwestern Continent.
"I admit defeat," Protector Wu said bitterly, "but don't get too complacent. I've already sent out a message. Although I don't know exactly who you are, there's a familiar scent about you. You will soon learn the consequences of offending the Hall of Souls… hehehe."
Xiao Tian's expression remained unchanged. He stood tall and straight, his gaze firm, with a faint mocking smile at the corner of his mouth, as if laughing at Protector Wu's powerless threats.
Yun Shan's eyes flickered slightly, but what was done was done. They would deal with the consequences later. At least for now, his life was no longer under someone else's control.
"I naturally know the consequences of offending the Hall of Souls," Yun Shan said slowly, his eyes now fearless. "But as a prisoner, you don't need to worry about that."
"You… you… Yun Shan, you'll be buried with me!"
Protector Wu's expression twisted in shock. He hadn't expected Yun Shan to become so resolute. Rage surged through him as he used his final strength to form a hand seal. Neither Xiao Tian nor Yun Shan moved to stop him.
"Soul Devour!"
Protector Wu roared furiously from within the flames.