"Teacher, take a look..."
Yun Zimo handed the interrogation report to Yun Shan, his expression grave as they discussed their next move.
"Soul Hall, Iron Protector..."
According to the Dou Emperors from the Chu Yun Empire, the man who had directed them called himself Iron Protector!
Su Qian clearly knew more about this Iron Protector. Tie Li was the Human-Grade Protector Iron of the Soul Hall Western Branch, with the strength of a Three-Star Dou Zong!
More than his strength and identity, Yun Zimo was curious how he had discovered the Xiao Clan's identity and sent people to sneak into the Jia Ma Empire to capture them!
Yes, Xiao Zhan's figure had been nowhere to be found at the bottom of the cliff. Though Xiao Yan and the others comforted themselves that someone might have rescued him,
Yun Zimo suspected that Xiao Zhan had most likely been captured by the Soul Envoys and was now on his way to the Underworld City Branch!
"Sorry, Little Yanzi..."
Although Yun Zimo knew roughly what had happened to Xiao Zhan, he couldn't tell Xiao Yan. Given Xiao Yan's temperament, if Yun Zimo told him today, tomorrow he might be so furious that he'd storm the Soul Hall to rescue his father.
But then what?
Xiao Yan would be completely exposed to the Soul Clan. The top experts might disdain to act, but would everyone below Dou Zun descend upon him?
Yao Lao would be captured, the Xiao Clan destroyed, and the Jia Ma Empire—dragged into the matter—crushed along with it?
Yun Zimo didn't want that to happen, and he absolutely wouldn't allow it!
"Three-Star Dou Zong..."
"Could we possibly take down another one...?"
Yun Shan, who had just joined forces with the others to kill a Soul Hall Protector, spoke with a trace of excitement.
"No, Teacher."
Yun Zimo seemed to have noticed a peculiar trait of Yun Shan's.
"Although the Soul Hall Protectors don't communicate with one another, they always file the necessary reports before each mission. If we act rashly, we might arouse suspicion in Nether City."
Two Protectors came to the area around the Black-Corner Region and then mysteriously vanished, one right after the other. Wouldn't that make the problem obvious?
"At the very least, we should wait a few years."
Yun Zimo hesitated, then spoke. Considering the distance between Central Plains and this region, along with the mixed crowd in the Black-Corner Region, acting again after a few years shouldn't cause any trouble.
After all, they had captured Wu Ying, and the whereabouts of that Heavenly Protector were unknown. Without Wu Ying returning to report, that Xuan Protector probably wouldn't appear again. But even if he did, it wouldn't matter. Xia Lan and Jia Nan Academy were in the Black-Corner Region, so Yun Zimo would hear of any disturbance right away.
"Good!"
Just as Yun Zimo expected, Yun Shan grew excited.
"I've already made some progress toward Dou Zong. When the time comes, I'll personally capture that Iron Protector and bring him back!"
Wu Ying slipping through his grasp had been one of Yun Shan's great regrets. That old fellow had come to see him with an overbearing air, looking down on him like some country bumpkin.
He'd kept asking how Yun Potian could have a junior like him. Yun Shan had been furious, but couldn't flare up on the spot.
In the end, Wu Ying had been taken away by "Xiao Yan," and Yun Shan hadn't felt comfortable demanding him back. Now that he had another chance to capture one, it was only natural that he was excited!
"The people from Soul Hall must all be cut from the same cloth. They won't be wronged by that judgment!"
Yun Shan used the idea that birds of a feather flock together to convince himself, then asked about Wu Ying.
"Did we get anything out of Wu Ying?"
Yun Zimo shook his head, sounding a little frustrated.
"Although Wu Ying was an Earth-Grade Protector of Soul Hall, he was just a small fry compared with those elders, Venerables, and Heavenly Venerables. He couldn't get near anything truly important. We only learned the locations of two branches and the distribution of some Protectors and Soul Envoys."
It wasn't really Wu Ying's fault. The western part of the Dou Qi Continent was remote and barren. For Protectors like them, it was practically a place of exile.
They could go years without seeing another Protector, and they knew very little. Without any "achievements," they'd spend their entire lives languishing in the west. That was why several Protectors had risked everything to stir up wars and gather souls—they needed achievements...
Central Plains was another matter entirely. It was Central Plains, after all...
"We need to pay closer attention to the Xiao Clan. That Iron Protector won't let this go. Keep a tighter watch over the eastern region, so they can't sneak in again!"
Yun Shan said gravely, then stood up.
"It's time for the Jia Ma Empire to truly unite. The Imperial Family, the Misty Cloud Sect, the Snake-Person Tribe, the various factions and clans..."
The Golden Goose Empire had unified religion and state, with the Golden Goose Sect ruling the entire country!
The Mulan Empire worshipped totems, with Mulan Valley controlling the whole nation!
The Chu Yun Empire was divided among countless factions, but they were all Poison Masters, and it had a great many Dou Emperors...
Among the empires surrounding the Black-Corner Region, it seemed that only the Jia Ma Empire had factions constantly squabbling with each other. At the sect competitions held every five years, they were always subjected to all kinds of snide remarks...
Yun Shan had no intention of unifying the country, but establishing an alliance to defend against foreign enemies now seemed absolutely necessary!
"I hope Teacher won't get too angry..."
Yun Zimo thought of certain rotten families in the empire and decided not to tell Yun Shan. If it came to it, they could always convince them with reason!
"Little Yanzi? You're going to Jia Nan Academy?"
Yun Zimo stared blankly at the young man before him. His handsome face still carried a trace of boyish innocence.
"Mm. The Xiao Clan is settled for now, and the year-long leave I requested is nearly over. It's time to go back and finish my studies."
Xiao Yan's face bore a maturity and composure beyond his years. In Yun Zimo's eyes, the image of the reckless young boy from years ago surfaced once more. The two images gradually merged, leaving him with a strange sense of time slipping by!
"By the way, Teacher asked me to give you this. He said you'd understand what he meant."
Xiao Yan took out a jade slip and gently placed it in Yun Zimo's hand. Then he turned toward the sunlight spilling across the mountains, tightened the Heavy Profound Ruler on his back, and strode down the mountain.
Watching Xiao Yan's retreating figure, Yun Zimo wondered when the two of them would meet again...
Back in the Punishment Hall, Yun Zimo sat cross-legged and gently pressed the jade slip to his brow. His soul power connected with it, and images deep within Yun Zimo's soul instantly replayed themselves. After a moment of dizziness, he opened his eyes to find himself in a vast, white space.
"Young man, I am Venerable Yao, Yao Chen. If you ever get the chance to go to Central Plains, seek out Venerable Feng, Feng Xian, at Starfall Pavilion and ask to become his disciple. This remnant soul technique can help your soul advance further!"
A lifelike, illusory image appeared before Yun Zimo, like a scene playing on a screen. The corner of his mouth twitched. Did Old Man Yao have a bit of a mischievous streak...?
Boom!
The image exploded into wisps of white mist. As light swirled, it gathered into a white-robed figure who stepped through the mist and stood before Yun Zimo with his hands behind his back.
"Old Man Yao?"
"So you really do know who I am..."
Yao Lao spoke calmly, startling Yun Zimo.
Looking into Yao Lao's lively eyes, Yun Zimo guessed that this was some kind of soul remnant, one with a measure of intelligence.
"I don't know why you know who I am, but from what I've observed, you don't care about the troubles tied to me. In fact..."
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 gotten the answer he wanted. With his hands behind his back, he drifted slowly through the space and spoke softly once more.
"The western lands are too small. Central Plains is where your talent should shine. If you decide to go there, take this to Feng Xian. He'll accept you. Just don't reveal my whereabouts for now. There are some things I hope to handle myself!"
Yao Lao's figure gradually faded. Though his face wasn't old, his calm tone made him sound like an elder patiently imparting his wisdom.
"You taught me, and I owe you a debt as a disciple. I should call you my master."
Yun Zimo performed the formal gesture of a half-disciple and bowed slightly as he accepted the glittering remnants of Yao Lao's form. A string of ancient symbols flowed into his brow and finally sank into his crown.
"This is something I came across by chance. It should be a fragment of the Ancient Soul Technique and may be of help to you."
Yao Lao's voice came one last time. Brilliant white light bloomed throughout the space, and it disappeared from Yun Zimo's mind.
"Nameless Soul Technique..."
Yun Zimo opened his eyes and glanced at the darkening sky outside the window. He stood and let out a long breath.
"An alliance is out of the question! Putting everything else aside, who can guarantee that he'll be fair and impartial when it comes to rewards and punishments? This must not happen!"
Yun Zimo hadn't even entered the conference hall before the clamor reached him, like the din of a marketplace. Hearing that voice, he sneered inwardly and strode straight through the door.
"Everyone, would you like me to take charge of punishments?"
Yun Zimo wore the robes of the Punishment Hall Master, his cloak hanging behind him. The Judgment Sword in his hand trembled faintly.
He stood silently at the entrance to the conference hall, and every last person fell quiet.
The alliance was settled!
Before you continue