Ambush

"That's good then." Xiao Ming nodded slightly.

In fact, Xiao Ming wasn't too worried. If they had encountered a situation where he wasn't sure of success, Venerable Tian Huo would have already scooped him up and made a tactical retreat instead of staying in the same spot.

"However, these four Dou Zun must be Venerable Elder of the Hall of Souls. They could easily wipe out a force at the level of the Four Pavilions in the Central Plains. They really think highly of me."

It should be noted that Venerable Tian Huo had never been exposed while by Xiao Ming's side, meaning that the Hall of Souls was unaware that he had Dou Zun- level combatant by his side. The fact that they still dispatched four Venerables was truly rare.

In Xiao Ming's memory, the Hall of Souls should really enjoy sending their underlings to give him experience points level by level. When did they change their style of doing things?

Should we leave right away?

Venerable Tian Huo didn't think as much as Xiao Ming did. His eyes were fixed on the four Hall of Souls Elder opposite him, and his Dou Qi flowed faster.

Before Xiao Ming could reply, the four Venerable Elder finally made their move.

One of the red-robed elders stepped forward two steps, then cupped his hands to Venerable Tian Huo and smiled.

"Hehe, this friend looks quite unfamiliar. I don't know his name?"

"Tian Huo."

Venerable Tian Huo glanced briefly at the red-robed elder, then responded indifferently, his body tensing even more.

"So it's Venerable Tian Huo. I am Hall of Souls Elder, Lie Yan."

The old man smiled seemingly kindly, then his eyes darted around, and he said:

"My friend, today, my Hall of Souls has important business with Xiao Ming. If I were to ask you not to interfere, would you agree?"

On Thunder Mountain, Venerable Tian Huo smiled, said nothing more, and simply shook his head slowly.

Seeing this, Lie Yan's smile remained unchanged as he said with a grin, "That's a real pity, let's make our move!"

The other three had already secretly gathered their power. At Lie Yan's call, they smiled slightly, then lightly stepped into the void with their feet towards Xiao Ming and the other two, and the space in front of them quickly distorted.

Lie Yan wasn't idle either. His vast Dou Qi surged within him and then condensed in his palm. With a hissing sound, three thin pillars of flame shot out from his palm, their intense heat distorting the space around him.

"Five Rounds of Fire Departure Method!"

Faced with the attack of the four, Venerable Tian Huo dared not be negligent. He lightly clasped his hands together and then quickly formed a series of strange hand seals. As the hand seals changed, the temperature around his body suddenly rose!

In an instant, Venerable Tian Huo's hand seals also suddenly froze. He clenched his fist, and a pale green flame slowly rose from his palm.

The Green Flame, named Vine Wood Flame, was a powerful Beast Flame that Xiao Ming found while wandering around the Central Continent. This fire originated from the body of Tier 7 Magical Beast, the Sea Demon Beast, and its power was considerable. Actually, Xiao Ming had originally intended to find an Eight Rank Beast Flame, but Eight Rank Beast Flame were quite rare; he only found Seventh Tier one.

After Venerable Tian Huo awoke, Xiao Ming tossed him the Vine Wood Flame to enhance his combat power.

After summoning the Vine Wood Flame, Venerable Tian Huo summoned four more Beast Flame.

Five flames emerged, then rapidly expanded, wriggled strangely, and after a short while, transformed into Fire Spirit ten feet in size.

With the appearance of the five Fire Spirit, the space in this world suddenly fluctuated violently. The originally quiet Heaven and Earth Energy also became extremely turbulent at this moment, as if it had been drawn by some force.

"Form ranks!"

Five Fire Spirit shot out with a whoosh, forming a five-pointed star that enveloped a hundred-meter radius of the space.

A deep roar came from the mouths of the five Fire Spirit, and then five pillars of fire of completely different colors shot out from their mouths and shot straight into the opponent's body, forming a perfect five-pointed light shape!

Sizzle!

As the pillars of fire entered their bodies, the five Fire Spirit' bodies also erupted with a dazzling luster. Beams of light shot out from the Fire Spirit Body, then crossed and swept out, transforming into beams of light that outlined Dao Xuan array trajectories.

The intersecting rays of light created an extremely intricate and complex Light Formation in the sky in a short time!

As soon as the Light Formation condensed, a dazzling curtain of fire swept down, blocking the Four Venerable Elders who were attacking.

Rumble!

The enormous collision resounded through the sky, even drowning out the terrifying thunder that was gathering above. The mountain where Xiao Ming and the others were located shook violently, and boulders several meters in size rolled down the mountain every now and then.

"Hmm? It's blocked!"

Seeing that their sneak attack had been blocked, Lie Yan was stunned for a moment, but then a disdainful smile appeared on his lips, and the output of his Dou Qi increased.

The attack from those four isn't so easy to withstand! Let's see how long he can hold out!

The attacks of the four Dou Zun were indeed difficult to withstand, and the fire curtain released by the Heavenly Venerable Tian Huo's Leaving Heaven Great Formation was rapidly fading in color.

It's easy to imagine that once the color completely disappears, Xiao Ming and the others will be completely exposed to the four's attack.

Xiao Ming showed no sign of panic. Instead, he glanced at the two Heaven Demon Puppet bathed in Thunder.

"Was it overlooked because it was bathed in Thunder, or was it considered a half-finished product, lacking combat power?"

The idea flashed through Xiao Ming's mind, and he immediately gave the two Heaven Demon Puppet an attack command.

The target is the weakest One Star Dou Zun!

Qing Hai, a smile on his face, released his Dou Qi Energy, distorting space to attack his opponent. →

Although this mission has been somewhat complicated, it should be completed soon. Given the high regard the higher-ups have for Xiao Ming, one wonders what generous reward awaits him upon completion.

As the Venerable Qing Hai was pondering, suddenly, a sharp, cold wind swept out from behind him, aiming straight for the back of his head!

Qing Hai's lazy smile suddenly changed. He withdrew his hand with lightning speed, his body jolted, and he broke free from the distorted space around him, then quickly retreated.

"Who dares to interfere in the affairs of my Hall of Souls!"

As they retreated, an angry shout also came from Qing Hai's mouth.

Bang!

He was met with a muffled thud, and a pale golden puppet suddenly appeared where he had been standing.

Qing Hai could see the puppet, and the sound came from its missed punch. A cold sweat broke out on Venerable Qing Hai's face.

If he had taken a solid punch, he would have been seriously injured, if Undying. Luckily, he retreated quickly!

The thought had barely formed when another whooshing sound came from behind him.

"This attack is closer than the last one; there's no way to dodge it!"

Qing Hai's eyes widened in anger, and at the critical moment, he hurriedly turned around, where a dazzling golden light came into view.

Before he could even see what it was, he rushed forward with all his might. Immediately, a deep sound rang out, followed by a muffled groan from his throat. A trace of blood appeared at the corner of the Venerable Qing Hai's mouth, and he staggered backward.

In the arena, the golden Heaven Demon Puppet pressed its advantage, stomped its foot, and as spatial rifts spread, its figure appeared with a whoosh in front of the Venerable Qing Hai, whose expression had changed drastically. Its golden fist slammed out once again.

Feeling the immense force coming from his hand, Venerable Qing Hai finally couldn't resist the metallic taste in his mouth.

"Puff!"

From the moment the Venerable Qing Hai was ambushed to the moment he coughed up blood, only a few breaths had passed.

Upon seeing this, Lie Yan and the others' expressions changed, and they rushed towards the pale golden puppet.

The Heaven Demon Puppet was blocked, but during this time, Qing Hai was hit several more times. The places on his body that were hit were slightly dented, indicating that he had broken his bones.

"Good lad, I didn't expect you to have such tricks up your sleeve!"

With Qing Hai behind him, Lie Yan's eyes flashed with murderous intent as he stared intently at Xiao Ming inside the Leaving Heaven Great Formation.

"Just a small trick, not worth mentioning." Xiao Ming first sent the Heaven Demon Puppet back, then smiled slightly, appearing quite humble.

In truth, Xiao Ming felt a little regretful. He regretted not killing the blue-haired old man directly earlier; it was indeed a pity. Dou Zun was a difficult opponent to kill.

Xiao Ming's actions infuriated the Venerable Qing Hai, who had just recovered from his shock.

"You brat, I'm going to kill you!"

"I'm afraid you can't do it now!" Xiao Ming shook his head and said truthfully.

Although the sneak attack didn't kill him outright, he's no longer a formidable opponent.

Qing Hai knew perfectly well that what he said was true, and that's why his face turned extremely gloomy, and a ferocious glint flashed in his eyes.

"You sharp-tongued brat, you better pray you don't fall into my hands!"

"Offer the Natal Soul Lock!"

Upon hearing Qing Hai's shout, the other three members of Lie Yan froze, exchanging bewildered glances.

"Is it really necessary to unleash your Natal Soul Lock?"

The Natal Soul Lock is the ultimate weapon of the Elders of the Natal Soul Lock Hall of Souls Elder. It connects to their souls, and if it is damaged, it will cause them extremely serious harm. Therefore, Lie Yan and the others do not want to use the Natal Soul Lock unless absolutely necessary. Although it is powerful, it is too risky, and the surrounding Thunder will also damage their Natal Soul Lock.

"That Golden Puppet is equivalent to Two Star Dou Zun, and the pale Golden Puppets is probably not much different. What are you all hesitating for! Do you want to fail and go back to face punishment?!"

"Quickly unleash your Natal Soul Lock, then use the Natal Soul Lock Formation!"

The other three were taken aback upon hearing this. They glanced at Venerable Tian Huo and Xiao Ming, then gritted their teeth and changed their hand seals with lightning speed, attempting to unleash their Natal Soul Lock.

However, Xiao Ming and Venerable Tian Huo wouldn't just stand by and watch. With a command, they sent two Heaven Demon Puppet rushing towards the four of them.

"Natal Soul Lock, manifest!"

Splash!

The stern shout had barely faded when an unusually loud sound of steel scraping against steel rang out in the void. Immediately afterward, four massive black mists, each ten feet in size, erupted from the crowns of the four men in Qing Hai. As the black mists writhed, four enormous, pitch-black chains, each ten feet in size, appeared in the sky like four ferocious giant pythons.

The jet-black chains looked extremely magnificent. The surface of the chains was covered with strange runes, and countless faces filled with a shrill look were frozen on the chains. As soon as the chains were released, terrifying and shrill screams rang out continuously, causing Xiao Ming to frown slightly.

"Form the formation!" The moment his Natal Soul Lock appeared, a fierce glint flashed in Qing Hai's eyes as he shouted.

"Trying to form an array? Dream on." Venerable Tian Huo had already arrived close. With a wave of his hand, scorching flames surged out like a tsunami, directly and forcefully isolating the two Three Star Dou Zun.

Two Heaven Demon Puppet followed closely behind, holding back another uninjured Dou Zun, leaving only Venerable Qing Hai still in place.

The battle between multiple Dou Zun was earth-shattering, with intense energy ripples spreading outwards, causing the mountains within a dozen miles to tremble violently.

The falling boulder kicked up clouds of dust, and the thunderclouds in the sky seemed to be dispersed considerably.

Having contained the battlefield of the Heaven Demon Puppet nearby, Xiao Ming slowly flew to the opposite side of Venerable Qing Hai.

"Didn't you want to kill me? I'll give you a chance," Xiao Ming said with a smile.

The Venerable Qing Hai frowned as the four were separated. Xiao Ming's words fueled his anger, and his breathing became rapid. He was a genuine Dou Zun! And the other party was merely a Five-star Dou Zong. He could kill him with a single slap. How dare Xiao Ming be so arrogant!

"You arrogant brat, die!"

Laugh!

As soon as the angry shout fell, an enormous black chain, accompanied by a deafening scream, pierced through space and appeared two meters in front of Xiao Ming in an instant.

As Xiao Ming's Aura surged, just as he was about to unleash his power, a beautiful woman quietly appeared before him.

The beautiful woman wore a light blue palace dress with double-nest Cloud Goose and wild geese embroidered on silk. Her jet-black hair was styled into a ruyi bun, adorned only with a white jade hairpin with plum blossoms and delicate silver beaded tassels.

As soon as the woman appeared, she gently raised her fair hand and slapped it directly onto the Natal Soul Lock, sending it flying backward.

"Puff!"

The already injured Venerable Qing Hai spat out another mouthful of blood, and his body became somewhat unsteady.

"Who are you? How dare you obstruct the Hall of Souls's operations! You're tired of living!"

Once he had regained his footing, Venerable Qing Hai looked angrily at the newcomer, only to find a completely unfamiliar figure before him.

"The Hall of Souls?" The newcomer seemed somewhat wary of the Hall of Souls. After a moment of silence, the woman parted her lips slightly.

"Leave now, and I won't interfere."

"You..." Venerable Qing Hai's chest heaved as he was about to speak when he suddenly heard the shout of his fellow Venerable Elder.

"Careful!"

The Venerable Qing Hai was immediately terrified. He only had time to turn his head before a golden light appeared behind him, and a powerful blow struck him directly on the top of his head.

"Snap!"

A crisp sound rang out, and the Natal Soul Lock on the crown of the Venerable Qing Hai snapped. After letting out a shrill scream, he was sent flying like a cannonball, leaving a trail of explosions in his wake. Finally, he crashed into the mountainside, creating a crater more than twenty feet deep.

The sudden turn of events surprised even the beautiful woman in palace attire, who turned to look at Xiao Ming.

Xiao Ming felt a little uncomfortable being stared at. This beautiful woman had appeared out of nowhere and suddenly blocked his way, almost ruining his sneak attack plan. Fortunately, the outcome was good in the end, and the sneak attack was successful.