Spirit Hall's Traitor, Yan!

"No—!"

Gu Rong let out a desperate roar.

The Space Gate collapsed with a thunderous crash, turning into countless black fragments that vanished into the air.

Gu Rong and Chen Xin were blasted away by the backlash of space, crashing heavily to the ground.

Gu Rong spat out blood wildly, and his injuries worsened further.

Chen Xin was no better off. The collapse of the Space Gate had affected him as well, throwing the soul power within his body into chaos. For a time, he could not even stand steadily.

The Howling Celestial Dog charged forward.

It bit down on Gu Rong's legs.

Crack!

The sound of bones shattering was unmistakable.

"Argh!"

Gu Rong let out a shrill scream. Blood gushed from his severed legs, staining a vast stretch of ground red.

His body convulsed violently. The little color that remained in his face drained away completely, leaving only a deathly pallor.

Chen Xin's body trembled.

Looking at Gu Rong's miserable state, it felt as though something had lodged in his throat. He could not utter a single word.

They could not even escape through the Space Gate.

This dog could actually tear apart space itself?

"I told you, don't even think about running." Yang Jian's voice rang out, carrying a hint of mockery. "Feeling good now?"

Gu Rong was still screaming, but his voice was growing weaker and weaker.

Chen Xin closed his eyes.

He knew that today, he was doomed.

He had lived for nearly a hundred years.

Never had he imagined that he would die at the hands of a twelve-year-old child.

But the facts were right before him, whether he believed them or not.

Fear spread through his heart like a venomous snake, coiling around it and making it nearly impossible for him to breathe.

He did not want to die.

But he wanted even less to beg for mercy.

His pride would not allow it.

Footsteps sounded.

Yue Guan returned from afar and came to stand beside Yang Jian.

He looked at Yang Jian, covered head to toe in blood, then swept his gaze over Chen Xin and Gu Rong, who lay on the ground barely clinging to life. Turbulent waves surged in his heart.

Level fifty.

Yet he had fought evenly against a level ninety-six Chen Xin.

Even if he had ultimately won only with the Howling Celestial Dog's help, reaching this point was already monstrously defiant of the heavens.

Yue Guan looked at the Howling Celestial Dog and could not help swallowing.

This dog had crippled Gu Rong with one swipe, taken Chen Xin's ninth soul skill head-on without a scratch, and could even tear apart a Space Gate.

He recalled six years ago, when Yang Jian had just awakened his martial soul. Back then, he had thought the Howling Celestial Dog was merely an ordinary detached beast martial soul—solid but unremarkable, with nothing particularly outstanding about it.

Thinking back now, he had been utterly foolish.

How was this an ordinary martial soul?

It was clearly an existence even more terrifying than the Three-Point Double-Edged Saber.

Yue Guan took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart before turning to Yang Jian.

"Yang Jian, what should we do with these two?"

The moment the words left his mouth, he froze.

Without realizing it, he had already begun to follow Yang Jian's lead.

"I have my own plans."

Yang Jian answered indifferently, his gaze falling upon Chen Xin and Gu Rong.

His eyes were cold and sharp as blades.

Chen Xin and Gu Rong felt uneasy under his stare, a chill rising up their spines.

"Tell me." Yang Jian spoke. His voice was not loud, yet it carried an irresistible force. "Who sent you the letter?"

Chen Xin and Gu Rong both froze.

"Tell me who delivered the letter." Yang Jian repeated himself. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing an inscrutable smile. "Then I'll give you a chance to live."

Yue Guan nodded inwardly.

They had to uncover that traitor's identity.

There was a traitor within Spirit Hall, and that person had access to intelligence concerning Yang Jian. Their status was likely not low.

If they did not root them out, even greater trouble would arise in the future.

Chen Xin and Gu Rong exchanged a glance, each seeing hesitation in the other's eyes.

"Will you keep your word?" Chen Xin's voice was somewhat hoarse.

"Of course." Yang Jian nodded. "You're lambs awaiting slaughter now. Your lives and deaths are mine to decide. There's no need for me to lie to you."

"But..." His gaze turned dangerous. "Don't try to fool me. If I find out you're lying, you know the consequences."

Chen Xin and Gu Rong fell silent.

If they said nothing, they would certainly die.

If they spoke, there was at least a sliver of hope.

Chen Xin sighed and slowly began, "The letter was delivered to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect a month ago."

"The person who sent it was clever. They did not deliver it to the sect personally, but found someone at random along the way to pass it on."

"However, the area around the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is filled with informants. With even a slight investigation, that person's identity could not remain hidden."

Yue Guan frowned and could not help interjecting, "You mean that person wasn't one of the spies you planted in Spirit Hall?"

Chen Xin nodded. "We did plant several spies in Spirit Hall, but they were all outer members. They could not infiltrate the inner ranks at all. We don't know that person."

"Who was it?" Yue Guan pressed.

Chen Xin glanced at him, then slowly spoke a name.

"Yan, one of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation."

"At the very least, our informants were absolutely certain they had not mistaken him. His physical features matched Yan's perfectly."

Yue Guan's expression changed instantly.

"Impossible!"

His voice rose sharply, shock and disbelief intertwining on his face.

"Yan was an orphan from childhood. He was selected into Spirit Hall only because he awakened the Flame Lord martial soul and possessed exceptional talent."

"He is one of the Golden Generation, receiving better treatment and resources than ordinary students..."

"He has always been loyal to Spirit Hall. How could he possibly betray it?"

"You must be lying!"

Chen Xin looked at him expressionlessly. "That is the truth. Not only you—even we do not know why Yan would do such a thing."

Yue Guan wanted to say more, but Yang Jian raised a hand to stop him.

"Uncle Yue."

Yue Guan froze and turned to Yang Jian.

Yang Jian's expression was calm, even terrifyingly composed.

There was no shock or anger in his eyes, only a chilling coldness that made one's heart tremble.

"Don't cling to any fantasies about Yan either. No matter what, if Chen Xin spoke his name, then he cannot be unrelated to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"I want to kill him. What do you choose?"

Yue Guan's heart jolted.

He opened his mouth, wanting to tell Yang Jian to investigate first, but when he met those cold, piercing eyes, the words at his lips were swallowed back down.

He remained silent for a long time.

"As you wish." Yue Guan finally sighed, his voice weary. "Spirit Hall can do without Yan, but it cannot do without you."

Yang Jian gave a slight nod, but the coldness in his eyes did not fade in the slightest.

"Then so be it." A cold curve formed at the corner of his mouth. "Let him enjoy himself in Spirit Hall for a little while longer."

"Before long, I'll personally cut off his head in front of everyone in Spirit Hall."

"I'll hang it from the city gate as a warning to others."

Yue Guan did not answer. He merely nodded.

"You'll keep your word." Chen Xin spoke at this moment. "We have already told you who delivered the letter. Now it's time for you to let us go, isn't it?"