Seeing this, Yun Shan's heart jolted, and his heart clenched tight. In an instant, he grew wary.
Dou Qi surged out of his entire body. He was on high alert.
When he got a clear look at the newcomer, his expression turned even more grave.
The face was shrouded in darkness, its features impossible to make out.
All he could sense was the bone-chilling, evil aura radiating from the figure. It pressed down on him as if it were tangible.
The powerful pressure made even Yun Shan struggle to breathe, as though an invisible hand were closing around his throat.
"Who are you? How dare you trespass into the forbidden grounds of the Misty Cloud Sect!"
Yun Shan forced himself to stay calm and shouted.
His voice echoed through the silent space, but lacked conviction.
The shadow let out a sinister laugh, its sound seeming to come from the depths of the underworld.
"Cackle, cackle, cackle. Yun Shan... former sect master of the Misty Cloud Sect. I am a Soul Hall Protector."
Yun Shan's heart shuddered at those words.
He had long heard of the Soul Hall's fearsome reputation. It was a mysterious and terrifying force, said to have influence across the entire continent.
A Soul Hall Protector... what did he want with me?
Seeing Yun Shan sink into thought,
Wu Protector narrowed his eyes and smiled with satisfaction.
"Looks like you've heard of our Soul Hall. That makes things easier."
He spoke bluntly. "Yun Shan, I know you long to break through to Dou Zong. As long as you serve my Soul Hall, I'll help you fulfill that wish."
"..."
Yun Shan was torn. It was as if two little men inside him were arguing fiercely.
Serving the Soul Hall was undoubtedly like consorting with a tiger. If the Misty Cloud Sect got drawn into this, it could be plunged into eternal ruin.
But the temptation of breaking through to Dou Zong was simply too great. It was the realm he dreamed of reaching, and a crucial opportunity to escape the crisis of his dwindling lifespan!
"My Misty Cloud Sect has always stood independent. How could we casually serve another?" Yun Shan tried to hold on to the last of his dignity. He straightened his back, his voice tinged with defiance.
Wu Protector gave a cold snort, his voice steeped in chill. "Hmph. Yun Shan, don't be ungrateful. This is your only chance. Otherwise, with your talent, you'll never break through to Dou Zong in this lifetime. You'll die a miserable death in your old age, left to watch the Misty Cloud Sect fall into decline."
A trace of impatience flashed in his eyes. If this guy kept putting on airs, he'd simply devour his soul!
Besides... the Misty Cloud Sect still had a sect master, and she was a beautiful woman...
A perverse excitement flickered in Wu Protector's eyes. Then he quietly watched Yun Shan.
It seemed he was just waiting for Yun Shan to refuse so he could kill him on the spot.
Yun Shan gritted his teeth, his gaze wavering as he struggled fiercely within.
But just as Wu Protector grew so impatient he was about to act, Yun Shan's proud head slowly bowed.
"Fine. As long as you help me advance to Dou Zong, I'll serve the Soul Hall."
Wu Protector narrowed his eyes again, this time in annoyance.
He had been ready to attack just moments ago.
"Hmph. He who understands the times is a hero. Yun Shan, you won't regret your choice today."
In any case, this man was the first subordinate he had gained since coming to the Jia Ma Empire. Wu Protector nodded in approval.
Then he began thinking about how to establish the Soul Hall's presence in the Jia Ma Empire.
First, the Tou She Ancient God Jade was the key to opening Tou She Ancient God's Cave Mansion. The Soul Hall had long been searching for the jade to unlock the cave, obtain its treasures, and uncover the secret of advancing to Dou Di. They were especially attentive to any clues about its whereabouts.
In ancient times, the Tou She Ancient God Jade had been split into eight pieces, each safeguarded by one of the Eight Ancient Clans. The Soul Hall knew this and had been secretly investigating each clan.
Furthermore, the Soul Clan had planted many spies among the various clans. Through them, it might have obtained clues that the Xiao Clan possessed a piece of the Tou She Ancient God Jade.
On top of that, he had made an unexpected discovery some time ago: someone from the Ancient Clan had actually come to this tiny Jia Ma Empire.
Thinking of the relationship between the Xiao Tribe and the Ancient Clan back then, Wu Protector couldn't help but let his imagination run wild.
Thus, his top priority here was to find the legendary Tou She Ancient God Jade.
Taking control of the Misty Cloud Sect was only the first step. He could stay in the shadows.
At that moment, Xiao Fan and Yun Yun were caught up in the heat of the moment, half yielding to one another, when Xiao Fan suddenly sensed something amiss.
His Heaven Realm Soul swept across the entire Misty Cloud Sect like mercury spilling across the ground. In one of its hidden chambers, he spotted
an extremely evil, revolting soul lurking within.
The moment Xiao Fan noticed him, Wu Protector keenly sensed Xiao Fan's probing.
He roared, "Who is it? How dare you probe this master?"
His voice burst like thunder, making the hidden chamber tremble.
Then he turned back and glared furiously at Yun Shan, berating him. "I never would have guessed that your little Misty Cloud Sect had a hidden powerhouse! What a surprise!"
Yun Shan stared at him in bewilderment and stammered, "A hidden powerhouse? Protector, I... I had no idea!"
But he reacted quickly. His thoughts raced, and he immediately realized this was the perfect chance to win the mysterious powerhouse's favor.
He hurriedly added with a fawning smile, "Protector, I know every inch of the Misty Cloud Sect. If there really is a hidden powerhouse, I can certainly lead you to him."
Wu Protector gave a cold snort and said icily, "Show me the way..."
Xiao Fan had made no attempt to hide the fluctuations of his soul. He brought Yun Yun from her bedchamber to the Sect Master Hall.
Before long, Yun Shan and Wu Protector arrived as well.
"This is..."
Yun Shan looked up and saw Xiao Fan, a handsome young man who looked barely twenty.
He also saw his own disciple, Yun Yun, blushing and looking somewhat flustered.
His expression darkened like a sky full of storm clouds, and he shouted angrily, "Yun Yun, who is he? What are you doing?"
Yun Shan instinctively assumed his disciple was abusing her position to bully a lower-ranking sect member.
Under normal circumstances, he might have let it pass, but the Soul Hall Protector was right there.
He was afraid of displeasing him.
Yun Yun looked flustered and waved both hands repeatedly, hastily explaining, "It's not what you think!"
But just then, Wu Protector spoke. "Were you the one who probed me just now?"
He looked at Xiao Fan, who seemed perfectly calm, his expression guarded.
Then he noticed Yun Yun standing beside him, graceful and poised, and a flash of excitement lit his eyes.
This female sect master was a fine one...
Seeing that the main culprit had arrived, Xiao Fan stopped concealing his aura. The formidable strength of a Three-Star Dou Zong burst forth.
He stood tall, the corners of his mouth lifting into a confident smile.
"That's right. It was me!"
His voice rang out, firm and powerful as a great bell.
Yun Shan was utterly stunned by what he saw.
He stammered, "Th-this fellow doesn't even look like he's come of age, yet he's already a Dou Zong! H-how is that possible?!"