Bluffed Into Submission

Could it be... could the person before him actually be from that legendary Soul Clan?!

That must be it!

If not, how could he know the core secrets of the Soul Hall?

And why else would he show such indifference toward him, a Dou Zong Protector, as if he were looking at a subordinate or even an ant?

As all the clues connected, a "reasonable" deduction that made even him tremble with fear took shape in the mind of Tie Protector.

This master who called himself "Hun Chen" must be a member of the Soul Clan!

He was hiding his true strength and traveling through the Northwest Continent disguised as a Dou Wang, surely carrying out some top-secret mission for the clan!

His sneak attack earlier had likely been detected by him long ago; he had simply pretended not to notice because he did not want to reveal his identity...

At this moment, Tie Protector was almost certain that this unfathomable "Master Hun Chen" was from the mysterious and terrifying Soul Clan, an existence he absolutely could not afford to provoke!

However, Tie Protector was a Soul Hall Protector after all, a man of dark and suspicious nature.

Even though he was seventy or eighty percent convinced, he still harbored a final desire to test him.

He forcibly suppressed the raging waves and panic in his heart, carefully lowering his posture even further. His voice from beneath the black robe carried both respect and probing intent.

"Master, please forgive me. It was this lowly one who was blind and offended your might."

He apologized first, then shifted his tone, asking in a tone of seeking guidance, "It is just... this lowly one has a matter I do not understand and dares to ask for clarification from you, hoping Master will not begrudge me the answer."

Ning Chen's expression remained unchanged; he merely glanced at him indifferently, signaling him to speak.

Tie Protector weighed his words and said, "This lowly one once heard Venerable Jiyin mention by chance that the Central Plains headquarters seemed to have added a new master a few years ago, an eighth-tier alchemist, and... it seems he joined midway? I wonder if Master is aware of this? That master is..."

This question was quite tricky. To answer it, one had to be not only a member of the Soul Hall but also someone of at least significant strength and status.

Hearing this question, Ning Chen's heart initially went cold. After all, if he had asked about the Hall Master or even a Dou Sheng of the Soul Clan, he might have known a little.

But an eighth-tier alchemist of the Soul Hall? Such a small fry often didn't even deserve a name in the latter half of the book; how would he know?

However, upon hearing the specific description that followed, Ning Chen was stunned for a moment.

An eighth-tier alchemist who joined the Soul Hall midway...

This description... wasn't this talking about Old Man Mugu?

With the answer in his heart, Ning Chen remained calm on the surface, even revealing a faint, elusive smile, as if he found the other party's question somewhat ridiculous.

"Heh, your information is quite well-informed, even knowing a thing or two about Mugu."

Mugu!

Tie Protector's heart shook violently!

The other party not only knew about this but directly stated the name of that eighth-tier alchemist, "Mugu"!

His tone was so casual and indifferent, as if he were mentioning an ordinary subordinate!

The last shred of doubt vanished completely!

Tie Protector no longer had any suspicion; in its place was endless panic and lingering fear.

He had actually launched a sneak attack on a master from the Soul Clan! This was simply courting death!

"Master! This lowly one knows his mistake! This lowly one deserves to die ten thousand times! I beg Master, considering my ignorance, to spare me this once!"

Tie Protector hurriedly bowed, his posture humble to the extreme, his voice even trembling.

He was terrified that with a single thought from the other party, his soul would be scattered.

Seeing Tie Protector's performance, the heavy stone in Ning Chen's heart finally landed, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He had finally bluffed this sinister guy!

Unlike Ning Chen and Tie Protector, who were deep in thought and harboring their own ulterior motives, Little Fairy Doctor beside them was already dumbfounded, her mind feeling as if it had been stuffed with a tangled mess.

What was all this?

What was the Soul Hall? Why did Ning Chen call himself Hun Chen?

Was that his real name, or was it a disguise? But why could a single name make this inhuman, ghostly powerhouse beg for mercy so quickly?

Little Fairy Doctor only felt her head swelling; the complex and bizarre scene before her completely exceeded the scope of her past understanding.

My head is so itchy, I feel like I'm about to grow a brain...

Now that the crisis was temporarily resolved, a more interesting idea surfaced in Ning Chen's mind.

The curve of his lips deepened slightly as he looked at the respectful and anxious Tie Protector before him, a faint trace of mockery and coldness flashing in his eyes.

A Soul Hall Protector... that was a pretty good chess piece.

If he didn't make good use of it, wouldn't it be a waste of this "fated encounter"?

"As for today's events, I can pretend they never happened."

Ning Chen spoke slowly, his tone still indifferent, yet it made Tie Protector feel as if he had been granted a reprieve.

"Many thanks, my lord! Many thanks for your magnanimity!" Tie Protector hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

"However," Ning Chen shifted the tone of his voice, "since you are here, it saves me some trouble. I have other important matters in this region, and perhaps... I may have a use for you."

Tie Protector's heart tightened, but he immediately felt a flicker of joy.

Being able to work for a lord of the Soul Clan was not only a chance to atone for his sins, but perhaps also an opportunity to climb the ladder!

He immediately declared his stance, "If you have any orders, my lord, I will surely go through fire and water, and will not refuse even if it means death!"

"Very good."

Ning Chen nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied with his response.

Immediately, he turned his gaze toward the Little Fairy Doctor, who was still in a daze, and introduced her with a casual tone, "This young lady beside me possesses the Woeful Poison Body..."

Before he could finish, Tie Protector gasped as if he had been a cat whose tail was stepped on, his voice trembling with shock, "The... the Woeful Poison Body?!"

He naturally knew what the Woeful Poison Body signified!

It was the most poisonous constitution in the world, with a terrifying cultivation speed and bizarre, overbearing poison arts. It was practically unsolvable among those of the same rank, a nightmare for all cultivators!

Ordinary people would avoid it at all costs; who would dare keep such a person by their side?

After the shock, Tie Protector became even more convinced of Ning Chen's identity as a "lord of the Soul Clan."

No wonder... no wonder this lord was so fearless! How could a mere Dou Wang dare to keep such a "calamity" by their side?

It must be that the lord's strength was heaven-defying, and he had no fear of the poison body's backlash!

As expected of a big shot from the Soul Clan, to actually dare to utilize the Woeful Poison Body...

He filled in the blanks himself, naturally assuming that Ning Chen was using the Little Fairy Doctor. After all, the Soul Hall was known for such tendencies; what good could the Soul Hall possibly be?

"What? Do you have an objection?"

Seeing Tie Protector's intense reaction, Ning Chen swept a cold gaze over him.

"I dare not! I absolutely dare not!"

Tie Protector was so frightened he gave a start, hurriedly suppressing all his emotions and shaking his head like a rattle-drum, "This lowly one is just... just shocked by your heaven-defying methods, my lord, to be able to... to have such a constitution serve by your side. I am filled with admiration, truly filled with admiration!"

He wiped away non-existent cold sweat, his awe for Ning Chen deepening even further.

"Put away those useless thoughts of yours."

Ning Chen withdrew his gaze, his tone turning indifferent, "Since you are willing to serve, there are a few things I need you to handle right now."

"Please speak, my lord!" Tie Protector's spirit lifted, and he listened intently.

"First,"

Ning Chen held up his index finger, "Use all the power of the Soul Hall you can mobilize within the Chu Yun Empire, including peripheral informants and Soul Envoys. Collect all high-level classics, secret techniques, and special Dou Skills related to poison arts within this country for me."

"Especially records related to the Woeful Poison Body or ancient poison paths. The more, the better; the higher the grade, the better. Remember, there is no need to rush, but it must be done quickly."

Tie Protector pondered for a moment. Collecting intelligence and items was not too difficult for their Soul Hall, so he immediately replied, "Yes! This lowly one will surely mobilize all our personnel to gather them for you as quickly as possible, my lord!"

"Second,"

Ning Chen held up a second finger, "Take us to the Wanxie Sect. I need a quiet and suitable place to stay. Since poison masters gather there, the Wanxie Sect is barely qualified."

"Go and make the arrangements. Make the Wanxie Sect understand exactly what attitude they should have when serving us."

Upon hearing this, a trace of hesitation appeared on Tie Protector's face.

The Wanxie Sect was indeed one of the important pawns they secretly controlled in the Chu Yun Empire, and it was quite convenient for collecting souls and accumulating wealth.

But to have the entire sect serve this lord and the Woeful Poison Body... would that not cause too much of a stir?

Moreover, the task of collecting souls entrusted by Venerable Jiyin was of the utmost importance and could not be compromised. If this caused a delay...

Ning Chen keenly captured his fleeting hesitation, his eyes turning cold and his voice dropping, "What? Are there difficulties? Or is it that... you think Venerable Jiyin's orders are more important than my words?"

Tie Protector's heart trembled, and cold sweat broke out instantly.

He hurriedly explained, "Please calm your anger, my lord! It is not that this lowly one is shirking, it is just... just that Venerable Jiyin gave strict orders that collecting souls is the top priority and must not be delayed."

"The Wanxie Sect also bears part of that responsibility. If its purpose is suddenly changed, I fear it will affect progress, and I am afraid... I will not be able to answer to the Venerable."