Soul Hall Descends, Yao Lao's Crisis

"Teacher, who do you think did this? Why had such an expert appeared in Wutan City during this time?"

In the room, Xiao Yan asked with shock written across his face.

Ever since learning that the Jialie Clan had been completely wiped out, he had worn that expression, unable to recover from the shock even now.

He also had some conflicts with the Jialie Clan, but Xiao Yan's current strength was still low, and matters had not reached the point of exterminating an entire clan.

"I reckon it was not someone from Wutan City. Your Wutan City should not have such an expert," Yao Lao said slowly, his voice carrying a trace of shock as well.

"Everyone was killed with a single sword strike, including four Da Dou Shi. More importantly, I sensed razor-sharp sword intent from the wounds on those corpses!"

"This person's strength did not reach the level I had before my death, but that sword intent was unmatched... I fear that even they..."

At that point, Yao Lao's voice grew much quieter.

"Who?" Xiao Yan reflexively asked after hearing Yao Lao's words.

"Nothing. Those things are far too distant for you right now. Rather than being curious, you should first find a way to improve your strength."

Yao Lao shook his head and spoke slowly. A trace of reminiscence surfaced in the eyes of his illusory spirit body.

"Mm." Determination appeared in Xiao Yan's eyes, and then he gave a hearty laugh. "I will work hard to improve my strength. After all, I've already begun cultivating the Burning Mantra."

"I just wonder who that mysterious expert who destroyed the Jialie Clan really was. If I could become as powerful as him, I suppose I could easily fulfill the Three-Year Agreement."

"More than that. If you were like him, the Three-Year Agreement would never have come about. The Nalan Clan would probably be begging you to fulfill the marriage contract."

"Teacher, with your help, how long would it take for me to reach that mysterious expert's level?" Xiao Yan suddenly asked again.

"This..." A clear hesitation appeared in Yao Lao's eyes, but he soon replied, "It depends on the circumstances. Once you pass Jia Nan Academy's assessment, we can take things slowly."

"Alright!" Xiao Yan nodded vigorously, anticipation filling him.

However, he did not notice the fleeting sigh in Yao Lao's eyes.

With that kind of sword intent, no one in the Dou Qi Continent could likely match it.

Even Yao Lao could only gaze after it from afar, much less Xiao Yan.

"Teacher, let's continue our special training tonight." Xiao Yan suddenly rose from the bed, filled with fighting spirit.

Yet Yao Lao did not answer him. In his place was an incomparably grave expression.

"Teacher?" A look of bewilderment appeared on Xiao Yan's face.

It was the first time he had seen Yao Lao reveal such an expression.

There even seemed to be a trace of fear beneath that gravity.

That expression immediately stirred towering waves in Xiao Yan's heart.

Although he did not know much about Yao Lao's past, Xiao Yan vaguely knew that Yao Lao had possessed astonishing strength and that those he had encountered were all people of immense renown across the Dou Qi Continent.

What kind of person could make Yao Lao afraid?

Only after hearing Xiao Yan's words did Yao Lao gradually come back to his senses.

Yet a faint fear still lingered in his voice.

"My apologies. I lost my composure just now."

"Teacher, what happened? Did something occur?" Xiao Yan hurriedly asked.

"Mm. There are some things I had intended to tell you only after your strength improved, but certain matters have now exceeded my expectations. I have no choice but to tell you in advance," Yao Lao said with a sigh.

"What is it?" Hearing the seriousness in Yao Lao's tone, Xiao Yan's heart sank slightly, and he assumed a solemn expression as well.

He had a feeling that what Yao Lao was about to say would overturn everything he knew.

"On the Dou Qi Continent, there is an incomparably powerful faction known as the Soul Hall. I was reduced to my current state because of them."

Yao Lao spoke slowly.

Xiao Yan's eyes widened sharply.

For a faction to ambush his teacher, how powerful did it have to be?

"As for the Soul Hall's background and what they do, it would take several days to explain everything. I will give you only a brief account."

Xiao Yan nodded subconsciously.

"The Soul Hall's main task now is collecting souls. Every powerful soul, or every person with a powerful soul, is one of their targets."

"Then doesn't that mean you, Teacher..." Xiao Yan's expression changed, thick concern appearing on his face.

"That's right. They set their sights on me back then for that very reason, but I was fortunate enough to escape afterward."

"The Soul Hall is filled with experts. Their strongest Hall Master is at the Battle Saint level."

Yao Lao's words struck Xiao Yan's heart like a great bell.

"However, forget the Hall Master. Even the weakest Soul Envoy among them is far beyond anything you can resist right now."

Xiao Yan took a deep breath, and a sense of helplessness rose in his heart.

In the current Dou Qi Continent, no Battle Emperor had appeared for thousands of years. Battle Saints were already among the highest echelon standing at the peak of the continent.

And beyond that, he could not even defeat the weakest member of the Soul Hall, let alone the countless experts between a Soul Envoy and the Hall Master!

"I sensed something faintly just now. It seems that people from the Soul Hall have already arrived near Wutan City."

Xiao Yan's expression was complicated. After a long while, a flash of determination suddenly appeared in his eyes.

"No matter what, I will not let them take Teacher away!"

"Hehe, little fellow, I appreciate the thought. We will set out in the next few days. First, we will raise your strength a little, then we can think of a solution for Jia Nan Academy."

"Alright." Xiao Yan nodded.

Inside a shabby yet lively room.

Xiao Tianci sat at the table, with a row of Storage Rings laid out before him.

At that moment, Xiao Tianci wore a delighted expression as he inventoried the gains from the entire previous night.

Because he had acted rather hastily last night, he had barely examined some of the items in the treasure vault before stuffing them all into his Storage Rings.

Only now, as he took stock of them, did he discover that the medicinal ingredients needed to refine the Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill were all there!

Not only were they complete, there were several sets' worth.

Besides that, Xiao Tianci found several decent-quality pill cauldrons among the items, fully capable of handling the refinement of the Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill.

Clearly, these pill cauldrons had been prepared by the Jialie Clan for Liu Xi.

But now, they had benefited Xiao Tianci instead.

"Now, I can prepare to refine pills."

Xiao Tianci took out the necessary materials and the pill cauldrons.

However, at that moment, his expression suddenly changed.

His immensely powerful soul force made him feel waves of unease.