Gama's Temporary Conclusion

"Teacher, look at this..."

Yun Zimo handed the interrogation report he had obtained to Yun Shan, his expression grave as they discussed countermeasures.

"Soul Hall, Iron Protector..."

According to the Dou Emperor from the Chu Yun Empire, the person who had driven them called himself Iron Protector!

Su Qian clearly knew more about this Iron Protector: he was Tie Li, a Human-rank protector of the Soul Hall Western Branch, codenamed Iron, and possessed the strength of a three-star Dou Ancestor!

Compared to his strength and status, Yun Zimo was more curious about how he had discovered the identity of the Xiao Clan and sent people to infiltrate the Jia Ma Empire to abduct them!

Indeed, there was no sign of Xiao Zhan at the bottom of the cliff. Although Xiao Yan and the others comforted themselves by saying Xiao Zhan might have been rescued, Yun Zimo guessed that it was highly probable Xiao Zhan had already been captured by a Soul Envoy and was likely on his way to the Underworld City Branch right now!

"I'm sorry, Little Yanzi..."

Although he knew the general situation regarding Xiao Zhan, Yun Zimo could not tell Xiao Yan. Given Xiao Yan's personality, if he told him today, the boy would dare to storm the enemy's gates tomorrow to rescue his father the moment his anger flared up.

But then what?

Xiao Yan would be completely exposed to the eyes of the Soul Clan. Would the top powerhouses bother to act, or would everyone below the Dou Venerate level swarm out?

Yao Lao would be captured, the Xiao Clan would be annihilated, and the Jia Ma Empire would be casually crushed for being implicated?

Yun Zimo did not want this, and he absolutely would not allow such a thing to happen!

"A three-star Dou Ancestor..."

"Is there any possibility of... another?"

Yun Shan, who had just joined forces to take down a Soul Hall protector, spoke with a hint of excitement.

"That won't work, Teacher."

Yun Zimo seemed to have discovered a strange trait in Yun Shan.

"Although the Soul Hall protectors do not maintain contact with one another, they are required to submit reports before every mission. If we act rashly, it will inevitably arouse the suspicion of Underworld City."

Two protectors arriving in the region surrounding the Black-Corner Region and then mysteriously disappearing, with their disappearances occurring one after another—would that not clearly indicate a problem?

"At the very least, we must wait a few years."

Yun Zimo hesitated before saying this. Calculating the distance between here and the Central Plains, combined with the chaotic nature of the Black-Corner Region, acting after a few years should not cause any issues.

After all, with Wu Ying now captured by them and that Heaven-rank protector nowhere to be found, without Wu Ying returning to report, that Xuan Protector would likely not appear. Even if he did, it would not matter; with Xia Lan and the Jia Nan Academy in the Black-Corner Region, he would be the first to know of any disturbances.

"Good!"

Just as Yun Zimo expected, Yun Shan became quite excited.

"I have already gained some insight into the Dou Ancestor realm. When the time comes, I will personally capture that so-called Iron Protector!"

The fact that Wu Ying had not fallen into his hands was a great regret for Yun Shan. When that old brat had found him, he had acted with an arrogant, condescending attitude, looking down on him like a country bumpkin.

He kept spouting nonsense about how Yun Potian could have a descendant like him. Yun Shan had been furious but could not lash out on the spot.

In the end, Wu Ying was captured by "Xiao Yan," and he could not bring himself to ask for him. Now that there was an opportunity to catch another one, he was naturally quite excited!

"People from the Soul Hall are surely all cut from the same cloth; it wouldn't be a wronging them!"

Yun Shan convinced himself with the logic that like attracts like, then inquired about the situation with Wu Ying.

"Was anything interrogated out of Wu Ying?"

But Yun Zimo shook his head, speaking with some reluctance.

"Although Wu Ying is a Earth-rank protector of the Soul Hall, he is merely a small fry compared to those Elders, Venerable Elders, and Heavenly Sovereigns. He couldn't touch anything truly core; I only managed to get the locations of two branch halls and the distribution of some protectors and Soul Envoys."

In truth, this could not be blamed on Wu Ying. The western part of the Dou Qi Continent was remote and barren; protectors like them were essentially sent here as a form of exile for committing offenses.

Not only would they not see other protectors for years, but the information they could obtain was also minimal. If they had no "performance results," they would be stuck in the west for the rest of their lives. This was why several protectors were desperate to incite wars to collect souls—it was all for the sake of their performance records...

As for the Central Plains, that was a completely different story. That was the Central Plains, after all...

"Be more attentive regarding the Xiao Clan. That Iron Protector will certainly not let this go. Increase surveillance in the eastern regions to prevent them from slipping in again!"

Yun Shan said solemnly, then stood up.

"The Jia Ma Empire should also be truly unified. The Imperial Family, the Misty Cloud Sect, the Snake-Person Tribe, and all the various large and small clans..."

The Golden Goose Empire had a union of church and state, with the Golden Goose Sect unifying the entire nation!

The Mulan Empire worshipped totems, with Mulan Valley controlling the entire nation!

The Chu Yun Empire was filled with various factions, but they were all poison masters and possessed a large number of Dou Emperors...

In the empires surrounding the Black-Corner Region, it seemed that only the factions within the Jia Ma Empire were constantly bickering with each other, and they were always the subject of mockery at every five-year sect assembly...

Although Yun Shan had no intention of unifying the entire nation, forming an alliance to defend against foreign enemies now seemed very necessary!

"I hope Teacher won't be angered..."

Yun Zimo thought about certain scoundrel clans in the empire and decided not to tell Yun Shan. If it really came down to it, they could always reason with them!

"Little Yanzi? You are going to the Jia Nan Academy?"

Yun Zimo stared blankly at the youth before him, whose delicate face still retained a trace of immaturity.

"Mm, the Xiao Clan has been temporarily settled, and the one-year leave I requested is nearly up. It is time to return and complete my studies."

Xiao Yan's face bore a maturity and steadiness that belied his age. In the eyes of Yun Zimo, the image of the young, frivolous child he once was flickered and merged with the man before him, creating a sudden, dizzying sense of the passage of time.

"Right, this is what Teacher asked me to give to you. He said you would understand his meaning."

Xiao Yan took out a jade slip and placed it gently into Yun Zimo's hand, then turned to face the sunlight spilling over the mountains, tightened the straps of the Heavy Profound Ruler on his back, and strode down the mountain.

Watching Xiao Yan's retreating figure, one could only wonder when the two of them would meet again...

Returning to the Punishment Hall, Yun Zimo sat cross-legged and pressed the jade slip against his brow. As his soul power connected with it, the images deep within his soul and those in the jade slip instantly synchronized. After a moment of disorientation, he opened his eyes to find himself in a vast, white space.

"Kid, this Venerable is Venerable Yao, Yao Chen. If you ever have the chance to go to the Central Plains, seek out Venerable Feng, Feng Xian, at the Starfall Pavilion and take him as your master. This remnant soul technique will help your soul advance further!"

A three-dimensional, illusory image appeared before Yun Zimo like a movie. The corners of his mouth twitched slightly; why did Old Man Yao have such a strange sense of humor?

"Bang!"

The image shattered into ribbons of white mist, which swirled and converged into a figure in white, stepping out from the fog with hands clasped behind his back, standing right before Yun Zimo.

"Old Man Yao?"

"You truly did know my identity..."

Yao Lao spoke calmly, giving Yun Zimo a start.

Looking at the vivid, intelligent eyes of Yao Lao, Yun Zimo guessed this must be some kind of soul remnant with a degree of sentience.

"I do not know how you came to know my identity, but from my observations, you do not care about the matters I am entangled in, and even..."

Yao Lao suddenly paused.

"You seem to know my past like the back of your hand!"

Yun Zimo was startled, but Yao Lao seemed to have received the answer he wanted. Floating slowly through the space with his hands behind his back, he spoke again in a soft, gentle tone.

"The Western World is still too small; the Central Plains should be the stage where your talents bloom. If you decide to go to the Central Plains, take this to find Feng Xian; he will accept you. However, do not reveal my tracks for the time being. There are some things I wish to do myself!"

Yao Lao's figure gradually dissipated. Though his face did not appear aged, his calm tone was like that of an elder offering earnest guidance.

"You have bestowed upon me the grace of instruction; I should address you as Master."

Yun Zimo performed a half-master salute, bowing slightly to receive the stardust into which Yao Lao had transformed. A string of ancient symbols flowed into his brow and finally submerged into his crown.

"This is something I obtained by chance. It should be a fragment of an Ancient Soul Technique; perhaps it can lend you a hand."

Yao Lao's voice came one last time, and the space gradually erupted in brilliant white light before vanishing from Yun Zimo's mind.

"Nameless Soul Technique..."

Yun Zimo opened his eyes slowly, looked at the horizon outside the window which had begun to darken, and stood up with a long sigh of relief.

"An alliance is absolutely out of the question! Setting aside everything else, who can guarantee that rewards and punishments will be handled impartially? This matter must not happen!"

Before Yun Zimo had even entered the council hall, the clamor of a vegetable market reached his ears. Hearing this, he sneered inwardly and pushed the door open.

"Everyone, how about I take charge of the punishments?"

Yun Zimo stood in his Punishment Hall master's robes, his cloak hanging behind him, the Judgment Sword in his hand vibrating slightly.

Yun Zimo simply stood silently at the entrance of the council hall, yet his presence caused everyone to fall into silence.

The alliance was formed.