The Deputy Hall Master

In a vast, dark palace far away in the Central Plains, the black and gray hall looked extremely oppressive, and a cool temperature lingered, making one feel a chill in the air.

Inside the main hall, there were also many massive black stone pillars, each over ten feet tall, covered with countless eerie runes. These pillars faintly emitted bursts of light, flashing like countless eyes, creating a sinister and cold atmosphere!

Meanwhile, in another direction within the main hall, countless orbs of light floated in the sky. Within these orbs, one could see countless souls with their eyes closed, appearing extremely terrifying.

Beneath these countless orbs of light stood a tall figure, concealed within a wide black robe, seemingly floating in mid-air. Suddenly, a cloud of black mist appeared behind this figure.

The black mist gradually materialized into a human figure, who stood behind him, bowed slightly, and respectfully said, "Vice Hall Master!"

Without turning his head, the deputy hall master asked in a hoarse voice, "Qing Hai, has news come from the Northwest Continent?"

Qing Hai's body trembled slightly, then he said, "Wu Ying's mission failed, and Wu Ying died within the Misty Cloud Sect in the Northwest Continent!"

Boom!

The Vice Hall Master unleashed his Three-star Dou Zun power, coldly stating, "You mean, not only did Wu Ying fail to find the Tou She Ancient God Jade, but he also died in the Northwest Continent?"

A flicker of fear flashed in Qing Hai's pale red eyes. Hearing the Vice Hall Master's words, Qing Hai quickly said, "Vice Hall Master, during this mission, we discovered that the relationship between the Xiao Clan and the Ancient Clan seems to be extraordinary!"

The deputy hall master suddenly turned around, his cold eyes fixed on Qing Hai, and asked, "Are you saying that the death of the Wu Ying is related to the Ancient Clan?"

Qing Hai lowered his head slightly, avoiding the intimidating gaze of the deputy hall master, and said, "That should be it. We also detected the aura of an Ancient Clan member in the Xiao Clan, which is why we didn't take action. Later, a battle between Dou Zong broke out at the Misty Cloud Sect, and we didn't dare to get too close. Only after it was over did we discover that Wu Ying had already died at the Misty Cloud Sect!"

The deputy hall master sneered, "This matter must be thoroughly investigated. For the time being, we should avoid going to the Northwest Continent. We have other matters to attend to, and the spatial teleportation array will soon be closed."

Qing Hai nodded quickly.

"By the way, have you found any trace of Yao Chen?" the deputy hall master asked again.

Qing Hai replied, "Yao Chen's whereabouts should be in the Northwest Continent. Based on our speculation, Yao Chen may be hiding in the Black Corner Region."

"Black Corner Region? I remember Yao Chen's disciple was there, wasn't he?" The deputy hall master seemed to recall something.

Qing Hai nodded slightly and said, "Yes, Han Feng, his strength has now reached the Dou Emperor."

The deputy hall master paused for a moment before saying, "Interesting. Send a message to Han Feng, telling him that Yao Chen might be in the Black Corner Region. He'll know what to do!"

"Yes!"

Go!

Qing Hai's figure instantly transformed into a cloud of black mist and then vanished from the spot.

As Qing Hai departed, the enormous, pitch-black hall fell silent once more, with only distant, agonizing cries echoing through the air. The deputy hall master glanced coldly at the imprisoned souls on the stone platforms around him before leaving.

Meanwhile, at the Jia Nan Academy, atop the lush, tree-lined back mountain, a young girl in a light blue robe gazed at the vast white mist below. Her long, flowing black hair cascaded down her shoulders, and a gentle breeze caused the purple ribbon tied around her slender waist to sway slightly.

The girl stood with her hands behind her back, her slender figure, set against the backdrop of the surrounding light white mist, resembled a blooming Green Lotus, exuding a unique ethereal charm.

Suddenly, the two tiny green bells on the girl's fair wrist emitted a soft, clear tinkling sound.

As the bell rang, a shadow behind the girl suddenly shifted, and then an old figure appeared—it was Ling Ying, who had rushed back.

"Miss," Ling Ying said with a respectful bow and a smile.

Xun'er slowly turned around, Yan Ran on her elegant and refined face. "Elder Ling, you're back?"

Ling Ying smiled wryly and said, "Miss, I can honestly say that I wasn't able to help at all on this trip!"

Xun'er asked with slight surprise, "What? Could it be that Brother Xiao Yu guessed wrong, and the Xiao Clan is alright?"

Ling Ying slowly shook her head and said, "That's not it. It's just that the Soul Hall has a hand in this matter. The Xiao Clan's troubles aren't huge, but they're not insignificant either!"

Upon hearing the name of the Soul Hall, Xun'er's expression changed drastically, and she said in a solemn voice, "Elder Ling, quickly tell me in detail what happened in between!"

Ling Ying nodded slightly and told Xun'er everything that had happened during this period, down to the smallest detail. He even told her everything that had happened at the Misty Cloud Sect.

After hearing everything, Xun'er turned to look down the cliff and asked softly, "You mean, Brother Xiao Yu and Misty Cloud Sect Master, Yun Yun a child? Yun Yun might be dead? Brother Xiao Yu possesses a secret technique?"

Ling Ying said in a deep voice, "Yes, and Young Master Xiao Yu's secret technique is extremely powerful, but I wonder if there will be any side effects!"

Xun'er sighed softly, "No, Brother Xiao Yu wouldn't do something he wasn't sure of. What else did he say?"

Ling Ying watched Xun'er's retreating figure and said, "Young Master Xiao Yu also said that he will personally explain the matter of the child to you!"

Upon hearing this, Xun'er's lips curled into a bitter smile, and she murmured, "Explain to me yourself? If you don't explain well, I won't forgive you easily!"

Ling Ying, standing behind Xun'er, said, "Miss, don't blame this old man for being nosy, but the potential that Young Master Xiao Yu has shown is something even the patriarch can't easily underestimate. Fifth-grade Alchemist at less than twenty years old—just his Yao Tian alone is enough to make the patriarch take him seriously. Young Master Xiao Yu's Yao Tian is probably unmatched even by the young geniuses of the Yao Clan!"

Xun'er chuckled and said, "What is Elder Ling doing? Is he speaking up for Brother Xiao Yu?"

Ling Ying was momentarily speechless, then shook her head and smiled, "It's not that I'm speaking up for Young Master Xiao Yu, but I think Miss has excellent taste. Let's not miss out on each other because of some things!"

Xun'er's pretty face flushed slightly as she looked at Ling Ying and chuckled, "Elder Ling seems to know quite a bit about these things."

Ling Ying laughed heartily, "Miss, you've said too much, this old man dares not say another word!"

"By the way, what is Brother Xiao Yu's strength now?" Xun'er suddenly remembered something and asked curiously.

"Judging from the information given by Master Ling, he should be at the level of Six Star Great Dou Master," Ling Ying said with a smile.

The girl's eyes curved into crescent moons as she chuckled, "Six Star Great Dou Master already? Xun'er needs to work harder too, or she'll fall behind you!"

Ling Ying thought to herself, "This little guy is simply a freak. Even Xun'er, who is considered the number one genius in the clan, can't catch up with Xiao Yu. I wonder how this little guy cultivates!"

Xun'er looked at Ling Ying and said, "Elder Ling, why don't you find a place to rest near the Jia Nan Academy for a while? I'll contact you if anything happens!"

Ling Ying nodded and said, "Hehe, alright. If anything happens, Miss, just blow the bee whistle!" After saying that, Ling Ying gradually disappeared into the shadows.