"It was time to return."
With that, he raised a hand and tore open space, stepping into it and vanishing into the vast void.
Elsewhere, within a hidden stretch of void somewhere in the Central Plains, a pitch-black hall floated silently.
The entire hall was built from dark black boulders, emanating a cold and eerie aura.
Faint black mist curled around the hall. The mist seemed alive, slowly writhing as it let out subtle whimpering sounds that sent chills down one's spine.
This was the Soul Hall's main hall.
Deep within the hall, a figure knelt on one knee with his head lowered, his posture respectful to the extreme.
Faint black mist lingered around him, and his aura was cold and powerful. He was clearly a high-level Dou Venerate.
Above him, upon the lofty throne, another figure was concealed within the shadows.
His face could not be seen. Only a pair of cold, indifferent eyes could vaguely be made out as they looked down below.
The Soul Hall Master—Hun Miesheng.
"Hall Master..."
The man below spoke.
"Thirteen branch halls have already been destroyed."
As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell into deathly silence.
The figure above remained silent for a moment, with no trace of emotion visible in those cold eyes.
After a long while, a low, detached voice emerged from the shadows.
"Who did it? Have you found out?"
The man below shuddered slightly, and fine beads of cold sweat seeped across his forehead.
He fell silent for a moment before finally shaking his head.
"Not... not yet."
His voice was somewhat weak.
"That person moved too quickly, and his strength was immense. By the time we went to investigate, we had not even caught a glimpse of his shadow before... before..."
He did not continue, but