Instructions Before Departure

A few days after Qing Lin and Nalan Yanran's duel ended, the injuries they had suffered were nearly healed.

Over the past few days, Ao Qing and Medusa had also been discussing their departure.

In Medusa's view, the sooner they left, the better.

She truly did not wish to remain at the Misty Cloud Sect any longer.

Ao Qing felt much the same. Though he had some sympathy for the Misty Cloud Sect, he had already done everything he needed to do.

At the very least, the Misty Cloud Sect's strength had improved considerably by now.

Besides, his original purpose in subduing the Misty Cloud Sect had merely been to establish local eyes and ears who could help him keep track of the Xiao Clan's situation at all times.

Now that Xiao Yan was already twelve years old and had become a Dou Zhe, Ao Qing's opportunity had arrived. In his eyes, the Misty Cloud Sect had become somewhat dispensable.

Ao Qing personally agreed with Medusa's suggestion, especially since it was his woman making the request.

Thus, Ao Qing began making arrangements to leave the Misty Cloud Sect.

At that moment, Yun Yun and Yun Shan, who were cultivating in seclusion, received messages from Ao Qing at the same time.

Neither dared delay after receiving the news. Ao Qing rarely asked them to handle anything, so something urgent must have happened today.

After Yun Yun and Yun Shan hurried to Ao Qing's residence, they found that Ao Qing did not seem to be in such a hurry.

Cradling the much larger Little Fox in his arms, Ao Qing looked at Yun Yun and Yun Shan as they arrived.

Without hesitation, he got straight to the point. "I did call you here today for something, but it isn't urgent.

"I'll be leaving the Misty Cloud Sect tomorrow, and perhaps I will never set foot in the Misty Cloud Sect again."

When Ao Qing's words reached Yun Shan's ears, he was somewhat puzzled as to why Ao Qing was leaving in such haste, but he did not speculate too much.

Moreover, to Yun Shan, Ao Qing's departure was not a bad thing for the Misty Cloud Sect. Once Ao Qing was gone, he and Yun Yun would truly have the final say over the sect.

Therefore, this old fox Yun Shan showed no sign of trying to persuade him to stay.

But different people saw things differently. What Yun Shan considered a minor matter became a matter of heaven-shaking importance to Yun Yun.

She had never expected Ao Qing to leave so abruptly.

Yun Yun herself admitted that there could no longer be any relationship between her and Ao Qing, but that did not mean she could watch him leave the Misty Cloud Sect—leave the place where she was—so soon.

"Why is Young Master leaving in such a hurry? Why not stay a little longer? I can have the disciples of the Misty Cloud Sect see Young Master off."

Ao Qing could roughly guess what Yun Yun meant. However, he truly did not intend to stay any longer.

So Ao Qing merely replied calmly.

"There's no need. Yun Yun, you needn't trouble the disciples of the Misty Cloud Sect. Rather than waste their time on this, it would be better to let them cultivate a while longer.

"As for me, I'm only informing you that I'm leaving. Don't keep this little house after I'm gone."

"As you command, Young Master. Whatever Young Master says, the Misty Cloud Sect will do. Since Young Master believes there is no need to preserve it, Yun Shan will send people to tear it down after Young Master leaves."

Yun Shan now carried out Ao Qing's orders quite thoroughly.

And after hearing Yun Shan say this, Yun Yun could no longer suggest keeping the house.

"Then we shall do as Young Master says!"

Yun Yun could only respond with a heavier voice, a trace of resentment in her tone.

Seeing Yun Yun like this, Ao Qing could not help but sigh. Yun Yun was truly love-brained—or perhaps Yun Shan had protected her too well since childhood.

She was like the Little Princesses of modern society. Having never experienced the cruelty of reality, she believed herself to be nearly perfect, then began hoping that everything she wanted would happen according to her wishes.

That was terribly wrong. If one wanted to control life, or even decide the lives of others, the most important thing was not merely wishing for it, but one's own strength—especially in a world like the Dou Qi Continent.

Without strength, wanting to make changes was both laughable and somewhat pitiful.

Ao Qing fixed his gaze on Yun Shan for a moment, then added another sentence.

"If anyone claiming to be from the Soul Hall comes to the Misty Cloud Sect in the future, you must handle them carefully.

"It would be best not to get involved with those people."

Yun Yun and Yun Shan were both puzzled upon hearing this, unable to understand why Ao Qing had brought up this Soul Hall.

Seeing their confusion, Ao Qing began explaining the Soul Hall.

"The Soul Hall is the number one force on the surface of the Central Continent. Behind them stands a powerful ancient clan.

"That clan is no simple matter. Over the years, they have been busy harvesting Soul Bodies.

"Especially the Soul Bodies of those at the Dou Zong level or above.

"There are always people who cannot resist the temptations offered by the Soul Hall, only to have their souls taken by them in the end. Such cases are countless. However, the Soul Hall acts rather covertly, so it has not drawn the attention of the continent's other powers.

"Of course, you may think I am deceiving you, but I have said my piece. Whether you believe it or not is your own business.

"Finally, if people from the Soul Hall truly come calling, don't make enemies of them too deeply. Your little arms and legs can't withstand the Soul Hall's wrath."

Yun Yun believed that Ao Qing would not deceive her, while Yun Shan began to sink into thought.

He did not understand the Soul Hall Ao Qing had mentioned, but if it was truly as Ao Qing said, then it was indeed rather terrifying.

Of course, whether Yun Shan believed what Ao Qing said was something only Yun Shan himself knew.

"Young Master, may I ask just how powerful this Soul Hall you spoke of is?"

After thinking it over, Yun Shan still decided to ask about the strength of the Soul Hall.

However, he was not asking in order to oppose the Soul Hall. He simply wanted to understand the strength of the so-called number one force on the Central Continent, and how great the gap was between them and the Misty Cloud Sect.

Ao Qing did not find it troublesome either. He treated it as an opportunity to broaden Yun Shan and the others' knowledge, hoping they could survive the coming struggle of the great era.

"As the foremost force openly recognized on the Central Continent, the Soul Hall's strength must not be underestimated.

They have numerous Protectors, all of whom possess the strength of Dou Zongs, as well as quite a number of Elders, who are Dou Zuns.

Beyond that are the Ten Heavenly Sovereigns. Those ranked near the top are basically Half-Saints, with some even possessing the strength of Dou Saints.

The Hall Master of the Soul Hall possesses the strength of a Five-Star Dou Saint!

The Soul Hall Vice Hall Master has the strength of a late-stage Three-Star Dou Saint! Soul Clarity Saint is a One-Star Dou Saint, stationed at the Soul Hall branch in the Demon Fire Plains. The Great Heavenly Sovereign is a Soul Hall Heavenly Sovereign, a mid-stage Two-Star Dou Saint. The Second Heavenly Sovereign, Bone Nether, is a Soul Hall Heavenly Sovereign and a Half-Saint, known as the Bone Nether Saint. The Third Heavenly Sovereign is a Soul Hall Heavenly Sovereign with the strength of a low-level Half-Saint.

The Fourth Heavenly Sovereign is a Soul Hall Heavenly Sovereign named Blood River, with strength at the peak of a one-star Dou Zun. The Eighth Heavenly Sovereign is a Soul Hall Heavenly Sovereign named Prison Earth, with strength around that of an Eight-Star Dou Zun. The Ninth Heavenly Sovereign is a Soul Hall Heavenly Sovereign named Demon Rain, with strength at the peak of an Eight-Star Dou Zun. The Black and White Heavenly Sovereigns are both Soul Hall Heavenly Sovereigns, each with the strength of a Six-Star Dou Zun.

And these are merely the figures known openly. There are many more Dou Zuns and Dou Zongs not included here. In short, you had best not provoke them lightly."

Ao Qing's words had already stirred monstrous waves in Yun Shan and Yun Yun's hearts. They had truly never imagined that the so-called number one force of the Central Continent could be this powerful!

Moreover, according to Ao Qing, an ancient clan stood behind them.

That made their scalps go numb all the more.

"Rest assured, Young Master. If members of the Soul Hall truly come to my Misty Cloud Sect one day, I, Yun Shan, will certainly not offend them lightly. But neither will I let them lead me around by the nose and eventually harvest my soul."

What a joke. After learning of the Soul Hall, Yun Shan had decided that he would neither offend its people nor have anything to do with them in the future.

Ao Qing glanced at Yun Yun, then remembered Nalan Yanran. In the end, he still let out a sigh.

"There is a jade talisman here. If the Soul Hall truly comes to the Misty Cloud Sect one day and tries to force you into doing something you are unwilling to agree to, you may crush this jade talisman.

When that time comes, I will personally act and eliminate every member of the Soul Hall who arrives.

But you only have one chance, so do not crush it over some trivial matter.

Do you understand?"

Yun Shan was somewhat delighted, while Yun Yun's feelings were more complicated. Still, she did not refuse the jade talisman Ao Qing offered. Even if she did not need it, perhaps the Misty Cloud Sect might one day.

"Thank you, Young Master! Rest assured, Young Master, our Misty Cloud Sect will treat it with the utmost care."

Taking the jade talisman from Ao Qing's hand, Yun Shan was sincerely grateful to him.

"It is nothing. Also, there is no need to endlessly endure and compromise. If the people of the Soul Hall truly go too far, there is no need to indulge them.

Others may fear them, but I, Ao Qing, will not!"

After saying that, Ao Qing spoke no further. He only hoped Yun Shan could truly avoid provoking or associating with them. That would bring more benefits than harm to the Misty Cloud Sect.

In this struggle of the great era, the Misty Cloud Sect did not even qualify as a chess piece. There was truly no need for them to blindly involve themselves.