Starting the Morning with Dog Food

"A nine-star Dou Huang."

"A three-star Dou Huang."

"In the Jia Ma Empire, they are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns."

"Hehehe, so it really is these two: Jia Xingtian of the Jia Ma Empire royal family and Yun Yun, Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect."

High above the Jia Ma Holy City, a black shadow hidden within the void let out a strange, wheezing laugh that only he could hear—a sound more indicative of his identity than any bloodline.

The shadow was a mass of eerie black mist possessing the ability to conceal itself. Within the mist was a man in black robes wearing a mask, his eyes extremely sinister, with chains coiled around his body.

Jia Xingtian and Yun Yun did not notice they were being watched at all. The former stroked his beard and replied, "As far as I know, there is a Soul Hall stronghold within the borders of the Chu Yun Empire, and Soul Envoys from the Soul Hall appear there occasionally."

The Chu Yun Empire?

Yun Yun finally understood why Jia Xingtian said she definitely wouldn't be able to go.

Given the centuries-old blood feud between the Chu Yun Empire and the Jia Ma Empire, if she, the Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, dared to go, she would immediately be targeted by ambushes and likely never return.

As for sneaking in by concealing her identity, setting aside the intelligence capabilities of the Chu Yun Empire, she wasn't going to find the people of the Soul Hall to reminisce; she was going to kill.

The moment a fight broke out, her identity would be exposed. Facing the siege of the Chu Yun Empire's experts, even as a Dou Huang, she would have no chance of survival!

"There is one other place that definitely has a branch of the Soul Hall," Jia Xingtian continued, causing a look of anticipation to appear on Yun Yun's face. "There is a Tianxin Empire at the border between the Northwest Continent and the Central Plains. I traveled there in my early years and heard that there is a Hun Clan branch in the Heaven Burial Ravine."

Yun Yun: "..."

The Tianxin Empire was a top-tier power in the Northwest Continent; there were more than one or two Dou Zongs present on the surface.

A Soul Hall branch within the Tianxin Empire would at least have a Dou Zong expert presiding over it.

"Other than that, I know nothing else," Jia Xingtian indicated that this was all the information he had.

"Having this information is enough. Many thanks for the intel, Elder Jia." Yun Yun cupped her hands solemnly.

Jia Xingtian nodded slightly and asked tentatively, "What do you want with the people of the Soul Hall?"

"If it is convenient to speak of, you may tell me. If I happen to run into people from the Soul Hall, I can ask on your behalf."

When Yun Yun planned to seek information from Jia Xingtian, she had already decided how to answer. She smiled and said, "I recently flipped through some notes left behind by my teacher, which mentioned that he had met people from the Soul Hall while traveling the Northwest Continent in his youth."

"I have also heard of the Soul Hall's reputation by chance. Since my teacher has been in closed-door seclusion healing his injuries for so many years without coming out, I wanted to find someone from the Soul Hall to see if I could obtain some help."

Regarding the matter of Yun Shan being in closed-door seclusion, Yun Yun did not intend to hide it, nor was there any need to.

Back then, Yun Shan had been severely injured by the self-detonation of a Dou Huang expert after killing two Dou Wangs from the Chu Yun Empire; Jia Xingtian knew this better than anyone.

"So that's how it is." Jia Xingtian nodded in realization, his tone solemn. "If I encounter anyone from the Soul Hall, I will certainly pass this message along."

"Thank you." Yun Yun nodded politely and slowly stood up. "I have other urgent matters to attend to, so I won't keep you any longer, Elder Jia."

Jia Xingtian understood the implication and stood up as well. "In that case, I shall take my leave."

Jia Xingtian left first, while Yun Yun stood in place, lost in thought for a long time before departing.

Within the void in mid-air, Protector Wu wore a very colorful expression. "Yun Shan, that guy, has a history with my Soul Hall?"

"That's right. No wonder he wasn't very surprised when I appeared, and he wasn't unfamiliar with the Soul Hall."

"I offered to help him break through to the Dou Zong realm, and he actually put on an act and considered it for a month before agreeing."

At this moment, Protector Wu felt he had been played by Yun Shan; the old thing had actually wanted to proactively contact the Soul Hall in private.

However, thinking of the "ingredients" he had added to that medicinal pill and that secret technique, he let out a "hehehe" laugh again. "In the end, I am still one move ahead. Yun Shan, you don't know much about the methods of my Soul Hall; things aren't so easy to take."

Protector Wu left the void and fled toward the direction of the Chu Yun Empire.

Since Yun Yun was Yun Shan's disciple and had no malice when mentioning the Soul Hall, there was no need to pay her any more attention.

As for Jia Xingtian of the Jia Ma Empire royal family, once Yun Shan used the spiked pill to break through, it would be the perfect opportunity to test the results.

"Hehehehe~"

Meanwhile.

Wutan City, Xiao Clan.

Xiao Ting had not yet met up with Xun'er because he had been intercepted by Xiao Yan halfway.

"Third Brother, if you have something to say, just say it." Xiao Ting looked at the mysterious-acting Xiao Yan, confusion hidden in his eyes. "I have a date with Xun'er; you know her temper."

Xun'er, who had reached the entrance of the small courtyard upon learning that Xiao Ting had been intercepted by Xiao Yan: "..."

"Tsk, Little Ting, you've changed." Xiao Yan reached out and clutched his chest, wearing an injured expression. "In the past, your heart and eyes were full of me, your Third Brother. You treated Xun'er like a mortal enemy, just like I treat that dead woman Xiao Yu, but now you actually want to go on a date with her."

"Third Brother, people change." Xiao Ting's expression was earnest and as simple as ever. "In my youth, I didn't know how good Xun'er was, and I mistook my Third Brother for a treasure. Now, I have realized the truth."

Pfft.

Xun'er couldn't help but chuckle outside the courtyard gate.

She had done this on purpose; after all, she didn't have the habit of eavesdropping.

"Yo, Xun'er is here. Please, come in, come in." Xiao Yan's eyes flashed, and he asked Yao Lao in his heart: "Teacher, should I still tell Little Ting about you?"

"Tell him." Yao Lao did not hesitate. "I have a rough idea of this girl's background. Even at my peak, I would be wary of the forces behind her. The people around her should have already discovered me, and they have likely discovered that Xiao Ting has broken through to the Dou Shi realm."

"Understood." A flash of shock crossed Xiao Yan's eyes.

Although he did not know how strong Yao Lao was at his peak, he figured he must be at least a Dou Zong powerhouse.

If even a Dou Zong was wary of her, then Xun'er's background...

Thinking of this, Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Ting with a hint of pity in his eyes: "Little Ting, you're going to be under a lot of pressure in the future."

He had to cultivate hard to become a pillar of support for Little Ting, so that if he were ever bullied by Xun'er, he wouldn't have to swallow his teeth and suffer in silence.

"Cousin Xiao Yan." Xun'er walked into the small courtyard, nodding coldly at Xiao Yan before walking over to Xiao Ting's side with a sweet smile, her voice filled with newfound vitality: "Brother Xiao Ting."

Xiao Yan felt a twinge of bitterness; this woman was so blatantly double-standard.

Vaguely, he even felt a soreness in his neck, a shadow left over from his childhood.

"Xun'er, you're up so early?" Xiao Ting asked with gentle concern: "Have you had breakfast? Do you want to eat what I make, or go to that shop on West Street that you love so much?"

"Xun'er will listen to Brother Xiao Ting." Xun'er replied softly: "It's just that if you have to cook now, it'll be too much work for you."

"It's not really hard work, it just takes time, and you'd have to go hungry while waiting." Xiao Ting hesitated slightly before deciding: "Let's go to that shop on West Street today, and I'll cook myself tomorrow."

"Then Xun'er gets the best of both worlds." Xun'er's smile grew even sweeter.

Xiao Yan: ?!?

I haven't had breakfast either, but I don't think I need to anymore.

Who could still have an appetite after being force-fed such a bowl of dog food first thing in the morning?