Strange Old Man

This sudden turn of events had caught everyone off guard.

Gu Xiao's departure had been far too sudden and swift. Even Gu Yuan and Soul Emperor had failed to react in time.

Almost while they were still marveling at the Yin Pendant's wonders, Gu Xiao had ridden the Twelve-Colored Lotus Platform straight into the vortex.

By the time they reacted, Gu Xiao had long since vanished without a trace, impossible to find again.

Faced with such an unexpected development, both Gu Yuan and Soul Emperor were deeply shocked.

Gu Yuan directly abandoned Soul Emperor and rushed to where the vortex had disappeared. Following the fluctuations of Space Power, his vast Emperor Realm Soul Power surged out like a raging tide, hoping to uncover some clue.

Soul Emperor did not stop him. He watched Gu Yuan's actions, countless thoughts flashing through his gleaming eyes.

"Damn it, I can't sense even the slightest trace of him."

Gu Yuan's powerful Emperor Realm Soul Power spread wildly, sweeping through countless Space Rifts one by one. Yet he gained nothing. Not only could he not sense even a hint of Gu Xiao's aura, but even the spatial fluctuations from Gu Xiao's departure had completely vanished, leaving no trace behind. Gu Xiao had utterly disappeared.

Gu Yuan cursed under his breath, his expression rather grim. His state of mind had always been tranquil and undisturbed, but now his heart truly could not remain calm.

A living person had actually disappeared right before his eyes. It was something he found hard to accept.

Gu Xiao's existence was far too important, the implications far too great. Now that Gu Xiao had slipped right through the Gu Clan's fingers, even he could barely suppress the anger in his heart.

Unlike Gu Yuan, however, Soul Emperor's expression was unexpectedly calm. Gu Xiao's sudden escape had certainly shocked him, but he quickly accepted the fact. Compared to Gu Xiao remaining within the Gu Clan, his sudden flight might not necessarily be a bad thing.

After all, today's plan had already failed. Their Soul Clan certainly could not capture Gu Xiao. If Gu Xiao had remained in the Gu Clan, the Gu Clan would have guarded him closely, making it exceedingly difficult for them to target him again.

But now that Gu Xiao had left, it meant that no one from the Gu Clan would be protecting him anymore. At the very least, it would be much easier for the Soul Clan to get their hands on him.

After all, although they did not know where Gu Xiao had gone or where on the continent he was, the Soul Clan's influence was immense, and Soul Hall was spread across nearly the entire continent. Finding one person would not necessarily be difficult.

At most, it would take a little more time. And Soul Emperor had plenty of time and patience. These were qualities he naturally possessed as a hero of ambition.

As Soul Emperor's thoughts turned, he lightly waved his right hand. The many Soul Clan strong people immediately ceased fighting and returned behind him.

Gu Xiao had already left, so there was no longer any point in continuing the battle.

On the other side, Gu Yuan likewise waved his hand, and the Gu Clan members withdrew as well.

Gu Yuan's expression remained unpleasant, his brows faintly furrowed. However, with Soul Emperor at his side, he still maintained the bearing expected of a clan leader.

"Gu Yuan, in today's battle, we were both losers. As expected, one who descended from the heavens as a Divine Son possesses something extraordinary. He was never as simple as we imagined."

Soul Emperor spoke softly, a trace of wistfulness in his tone. He was speaking the truth. No one had expected Gu Xiao to suddenly tear open space and flee, and his means of escape had been so superb that even Peak Nine-Star Dou Sheng Experts like them could not find the slightest trace of him.

"Now that Gu Xiao has gone, no one knows where he is. Gu Yuan, from this moment onward, we will each rely on our own abilities. We shall see whether your Gu Clan has greater reach, or whether our Soul Clan is superior."

Soul Emperor smiled, his expression carrying a trace of confidence. The Gu Clan and the Soul Clan now had the same choice: search the entire continent.

When it came to finding people, the Soul Clan believed itself inferior to no one. He was confident that he would find Gu Xiao before Gu Yuan did.

"Hmph, Gu Xiao is a member of our Gu Clan, and he always will be. Naturally, our Gu Clan will find him first." Gu Yuan snorted, his tone incomparably firm.

"Hehe, it seems you are quite confident. Then let us wait and see."

"Farewell!"

Soul Emperor laughed softly and led the Soul Clan into the Soul Clan's spatial gate, vanishing from sight.

Watching Soul Emperor and the others disappear, Gu Yuan's expression immediately collapsed completely. With a flash, he arrived beside Gu Xun'er.

Casting a disgusted glance at "Gu Lan," who was sprawled on the ground and barely alive, Gu Yuan waved his hand. Terrifying Dou Qi swept forth and completely engulfed "Gu Lan's" body. In an instant, the spy planted by the Soul Clan was utterly reduced to nothingness.

Only after doing all this did Gu Yuan turn around. Looking at Gu Xun'er, who stood before him in tears and stared blankly at the sky, he could not help but sigh deeply...

In a corner of the continent lay a barren desert.

A White-haired Elder in blue robes cast a wary glance toward the depths of the desert, then placed a strange herb in his Storage Ring.

"The materials for the Calamity Breaking Pill are more or less gathered. Only the final ingredient, the Sand Mandala, remains. But that thing is deep within the desert, and I cannot go there. Forget it, this will do for now."

The old man murmured in a soft voice, lightly clenching his fist, a hint of unwillingness in his expression.

"The strength of a Dou Ling is ultimately too weak. When will I be able to recover my true strength? Queen Medusa... that woman is truly a little terrifying."

As he spoke, it was as though he had recalled something frightening. His whole body could not help but shudder.

"Forget it. The proper thing is to find an alchemist and refine this pill first. But the Calamity Breaking Pill requires Heavenly Flames to refine, and no one in the Jia Ma Empire possesses such a thing. That is troublesome."

The old man paused and shook his head despondently. Just as he started toward the nearby city, a vortex suddenly appeared in the sky. A colorful lotus platform flew directly out of it and crashed down not far in front of him with a bang, sending clouds of sand into the air.

Cough, cough! The lotus platform dissipated, revealing Gu Xiao. He coughed hard several times, spitting out the dust he had accidentally inhaled.

After coughing forcefully a few more times, Gu Xiao patted the sand from his white robe and finally raised his head. A White-haired Elder immediately entered his sight.

The old man was staring at him with a strange look. That fixed gaze made Gu Xiao feel an odd hint of sleaziness.

Seeing this, Gu Xiao suddenly had a lapse in judgment for some reason, and the words slipped from his mouth.

"What are you looking at?"

"What if I am?"

The corner of the old man's mouth twitched as he blurted out the same sort of reply.

At once, the two of them glared at each other...