Protector Wu!

Jia Ma Empire.

Imperial Palace.

Jia Xingtian's expression was rather grim. "Since when did a Dou Zong powerhouse arrive in the Imperial Capital?"

"This is going to be troublesome."

For the Imperial Family, an unexpected Dou Zong powerhouse was completely beyond their control. Even when the Ice Emperor returned, Jia Xingtian had been confident in his ability to manage the situation, but now, that sense of control had vanished.

"A Dou Zong powerhouse!"

Jia Xingtian sighed. As a peak nine-star Dou Huang, he naturally understood just how terrifying a Dou Zong was. Having failed to take that final step himself for so many years, he recalled Shen Shihuang's face and formed a small hypothesis.

"He shouldn't be from the Jia Ma Empire, right?"

Jia Xingtian still had some "confidence" in the "feng shui" of the Jia Ma Empire; such a young Dou Zong could not possibly be a local.

"I hope he is just passing through; otherwise, the Jia Ma Empire is truly in for a disaster."

In the face of absolute power, even someone like Jia Xingtian, a peak nine-star Dou Huang of the Imperial Family, could only feel a deep sense of helplessness.

"Still, I didn't expect the Mittel Clan to get ahead of us." After weighing his concerns, it would be a lie to say he wasn't envious of the Mittel Clan for getting so close to Shen Shihuang.

After all.

That was a Dou Zong powerhouse!

The realm he had pursued his entire life.

"I heard Hai Bodong has returned. I wonder if he was the one who brought him here." A thoughtful look appeared in Jia Xingtian's eyes. "I'll have to find an opportunity to test him."

Mittel Clan.

Back courtyard.

Lush greenery, small bridges, and flowing water—the hallmarks of a wealthy household.

Ever since Shen Shihuang appeared at the Mittel Clan, they had catered to his every need, going so far as to assign their finest courtyard to him.

The goodwill of a Dou Zong powerhouse was worth such treatment from the Mittel Clan, especially when that powerhouse had no other affiliations.

There was no reason to turn away a powerhouse who had delivered himself to their doorstep, was there?

Five days passed.

Ya Fei knocked on Shen Shihuang's door once again.

"Shihuang."

As they spent more time together, Shen Shihuang and Ya Fei had become friends.

Shen Shihuang opened the door and sat by the pond as usual, where willow branches hung down quietly. Ya Fei poured him a cup of the Mittel Clan's specialty wine. "Shihuang, there is still no news regarding the Earth-tier Dou Technique you requested. Such techniques are very difficult to collect."

Ya Fei said.

Shen Shihuang had been prepared for this result. One might find an Earth-tier Dou Technique at an auction house in the Black-Corner Region, but in the Jia Ma Empire, it was nearly impossible.

He had only asked on the off chance.

"It is of no consequence."

Shen Shihuang took a drink and asked, "Is the Alchemist Conference about to begin?"

Ya Fei smiled lightly.

"It has already begun. Would you like to go see it?"

Shen Shihuang shook his head. He had very little interest in the Alchemist Conference. It was a pity that after transmigrating here, he hadn't become an alchemist himself.

"Since the Alchemist Conference has started, aren't you busy?" Shen Shihuang asked, puzzled.

Ya Fei smiled softly, her charm eclipsing the beauty of the pond.

"The Alchemist Conference may be important, but it is not as important as you!"

The Alchemist Conference might allow the Mittel Clan to befriend a few decent alchemists, but for them, that was merely the icing on the cake. A Dou Zong powerhouse, however, was enough to safeguard the entire Mittel Clan.

"I understand."

Shen Shihuang stood up and looked toward the towering mountain range in the distance.

"I am going out for a stroll."

"I won't keep you from your work."

With that, Shen Shihuang stepped into the air and vanished, leaving Ya Fei behind to tidy up.

"The check-in location hasn't refreshed yet. Could it be because I've been staying in one place?"

Shen Shihuang still hadn't figured out how the system's check-in locations refreshed, so he decided to take a trip to Cloud Mist Mountain. Who knew? Perhaps it would trigger something.

Not far from Cloud Mist Mountain.

Shen Shihuang had just appeared when he saw a mass of black mist surging ahead, darting toward the direction of the Cloud Mist Sect.

"What is that?"

Although Shen Shihuang had never seen anyone from the Soul Hall, given the circumstances, it seemed this must be the Soul Hall protector hiding within the Cloud Mist Sect.

"Hehehe!"

Just as Shen Shihuang was about to follow, a harsh, sinister sound reached his ears.

"I didn't expect such a small Jia Ma Empire to actually harbor a Dou Zong powerhouse."

A mass of black mist surged toward Shen Shihuang, and not far before him, a figure slowly materialized.

"Your soul is not weak, and you are so young. Kid, you aren't from the Jia Ma Empire, are you?"

The sound of chains clashing echoed from the figure's body from time to time, and looking at the appearance of this fellow, Shen Shihuang could easily guess who he was.

Most importantly, the opponent's strength was far greater than his own.

"Who are you?" Shen Shihuang's soul power was indeed not weak; although he lacked specialized soul-cultivation techniques, he could sense that his soul strength was several levels higher than Queen Medusa's.

Perhaps this was his second cheat.

It was a pity he wasn't an alchemist.

"It is not important who this Protector is. What matters is that your soul strength is significantly higher than that of an average Dou Zong. Kid, are you interested in joining us?"

Shen Shihuang: "...!"

Damn!

Soul Hall protectors recruit people?

"Not interested!"

Shen Shihuang said indifferently and turned to leave.

"Hmph!"

"Kid, now that you have seen this Protector, do you think you can just turn around and leave?"

Clatter, clatter!

Two black chains shot from the black-robed man's hands toward Shen Shihuang. The sound of them tearing through the air rang in his ears, and the immense power behind them made Shen Shihuang glance sideways.

The strength of an eight-star Dou Zong.

He was actually this powerful?

"Tyrant's Fury!"

The Dou Qi within Shen Shihuang gathered upon his right fist like a raging flame as he spun around and threw a punch.

Bang!

The two chains were sent flying by Shen Shihuang's direct strike. Seeing this, he shifted his stance, arrived before the black-robed man, and unceremoniously threw another punch.

A low-tier Earth-grade Dou Technique.

Tyrant's Fury.

It focused entirely on breaking all techniques through sheer force.

"Hehehe."

The black-robed man let out a harsh laugh, transformed into a mass of black mist, and darted into the distance.

"Kid, this Protector has set his sights on you. This is not the place for a fight. Do not let this Protector encounter you elsewhere; when that time comes, I hope your soul can provide this Protector with some pleasant surprises."

Looking at the Cloud Mist Mountain not far away, Shen Shihuang gave a disdainful smile. "Protector Wu, is it?"

"But it's a pity."

"You are destined to be disappointed."

In Shen Shihuang's left hand, a black flame appeared silently. He wanted his soul?

An eight-star Dou Zong was not enough!

"I didn't expect this guy to target me. Doesn't he usually only target soul bodies?"

Just as Shen Shihuang turned around, the voice of the Sign-in System rang out in his mind.

"Refreshing sign-in location."

"New sign-in location refresh complete."

"Please sign in at the Alchemist Conference venue."

"The sign-in location will only be refreshed again after this sign-in is completed."

Shen Shihuang's face broke into a smile upon hearing that voice.

"You've finally arrived."

"It seems that one cannot simply sit and wait for death in all things."

"Stepping out and walking about a bit does have its benefits, after all."

Shen Shihuang stepped into the air and vanished.