Tang Xiao's Dissatisfaction: "You Couldn't Even Handle Something This Trivial?!"

Tang Chen nodded.

The power of the Leaf of Life was far stronger than he had expected.

Not only had it healed Tang Yuan's old injuries, but it had also given the old man the chance to break through once more.

Tang Yuan looked in the direction of the Clear Sky Sect.

"The Seventh Elder sent people to kill us. Clearly, he has no intention of leaving loose ends."

"They won't let this go easily."

"Don't worry, Grandpa."

Tang Chen drew the power of the Destruction Spear back into his body.

"We've already left the Clear Sky Sect."

"As long as we don't reveal our whereabouts, it won't be easy for them to find us."

He lowered his head and glanced at his first Soul Ring.

"However, now that I've obtained my first Soul Ring, the next step is to find my second one as soon as possible."

"My Soul Power has already reached level twenty."

"Once I obtain my second Soul Ring, my strength will rise another level."

Tang Yuan nodded.

"The Soul Beast forest isn't far from here."

"Once Grandpa gets his bearings, we'll set out."

The grandfather and grandson did not linger any longer.

Tang Chen put away the powerless short blade and left the woods with Tang Yuan.

Clear Sky Sect.

Main peak's great hall.

Tang Xiao stood in the hall, his expression displeased.

Tang Lie stood below him, bowing his head as he listened to the reprimand.

"I heard that not only did you drive Tang Yuan and his grandson out of the sect, you even sent people to hunt them down?"

Tang Xiao looked at Tang Lie.

"Tang Yuan rendered meritorious service to the sect back then."

"Tang Chen's parents also died because of sect missions."

"Once word of this gets out, what will outsiders think of the Clear Sky Sect?"

Tang Lie had not expected Tang Xiao to learn of this so quickly.

He fell silent for a moment before offering an explanation.

"Sect Master, I have already made the proper arrangements."

"The people I sent out are my trusted subordinates."

"As long as they die outside, there will be no traces linking them to the Clear Sky Sect."

Tang Xiao frowned.

"At the very least, you should have told me before acting."

"The sect's current situation cannot withstand another scandal."

Tang Lie lowered his head.

"I failed to consider it properly."

Tang Xiao looked at him.

"Since things have come to this, we can only clean it up as quickly as possible."

"If you do something like this again, inform me beforehand."

Tang Lie nodded.

"I understand."

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the hall.

A disciple wearing Clear Sky Sect robes hurried into the great hall.

He stopped before Tang Lie, panic written across his face.

"Seventh Elder."

"The people you sent out... something happened."

Tang Lie raised his eyes toward him.

"Explain yourself."

The disciple swallowed.

"Tang Ming, who was tasked with hunting down Tang Yuan and Tang Chen, is dead."

The hall instantly fell silent.

Tang Xiao and Tang Lie both looked toward the messenger.

Tang Lie's expression changed.

"What did you say?"

"Tang Ming is dead."

"His Soul Tablet has shattered."

A flash of shock crossed Tang Xiao's eyes.

Tang Ming was only a Soul Elder, but against one cripple and a boy with merely two levels of Innate Soul Power, there should never have been an accident.

Tang Lie clenched his fists.

"How is that possible?"

"Tang Yuan has lost all his cultivation, and Tang Chen only has two levels of Innate Soul Power."

"Which of those two could have killed Tang Ming?"

Tang Xiao's expression gradually darkened.

"You couldn't even handle something this trivial."

"And you still dare say you made the proper arrangements?"

Tang Lie lowered his head, his expression extremely ugly.

"Sect Master, there may have been an unforeseen accident."

"Please give me another chance."

Tang Xiao did not answer immediately.

Tang Lie gritted his teeth.

"This time, I guarantee they will die."

"I will never allow that grandfather and grandson to keep living."

Tang Xiao stared at him for a moment.

"What do you intend to do?"

Tang Lie raised his head.

"Tang Ming was only a Soul Elder. His strength was ultimately insufficient."

"I intend to send a Soul Saint down the mountain."

Tang Xiao was silent for a moment.

"Call Tang Li."

Tang Lie immediately turned and ordered the disciple outside the hall.

"Go notify Tang Li."

"Have him report to the main peak's great hall immediately."

Half an hour later.

A tall man entered the hall.

He wore a gray robe, his face solemn and stern.

He came before Tang Lie and cupped his hands in salute.

"Seventh Elder."

Tang Lie looked at him.

"Tang Li, your Soul Power has already reached level seventy-one."

"I have a task for you."

Tang Li raised his head.

Tang Lie told him the direction Tang Chen and Tang Yuan had taken after leaving the sect.

"Find them."

"Kill Tang Chen and Tang Yuan."

"No matter what methods you use, do not let them leave alive."

Tang Li nodded.

"This subordinate understands."

Tang Xiao stood to one side, his gaze falling on Tang Li.

"Do not alert anyone else."

"Once it is done, return to the sect immediately."

Tang Li cupped his hands again.

"Yes."

He turned and walked out of the great hall.

Tang Lie watched his retreating back, coldness returning to his eyes.

The outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Tang Chen and Tang Yuan slowly made their way along a forest path.

Ancient trees towered all around them, their branches and leaves interwoven, blocking out most of the sky.

The damp earth carried the scent of grass and wood.

Leaning on a wooden staff, Tang Yuan raised his head and observed the surrounding environment.

"Chen'er, what age of Soul Beast are you planning to seek?"

Tang Chen did not stop walking.

"At least eight thousand years."

Tang Yuan paused.

"Eight thousand years?"

"Your Soul Power is only at level twenty-three, yet you plan to absorb an eight-thousand-year Soul Ring as your second one. Isn't that too hasty?"

Tang Chen turned around and looked at his grandfather.

"When Soul Masters absorb Soul Rings, they should strive to get as close to their own limits as possible."

"Ordinary Soul Masters can't endure it because their bodies aren't strong enough."

"My Life Ancient Tree can repair my body, the Destruction Scepter can temper my meridians, and the Destruction Force and Life Force can circulate in a continuous cycle."

"An eight-thousand-year Soul Ring is still not enough to reach my limit."

Tang Yuan pondered for a moment.

He had personally witnessed Tang Chen absorb a two-thousand-year first Soul Ring, so he naturally knew that his grandson's physique far surpassed that of Soul Masters at the same level.

Even so, challenging an eight-thousand-year Soul Beast for his second Soul Ring still seemed far too risky.

"As long as you're confident."

"If you encounter a Soul Beast you can't handle, don't force yourself."

"Don't worry, Grandpa."

Tang Chen nodded.

"I won't gamble with my life."

The two continued deeper into the forest.

Before long, a burst of hurried footsteps suddenly came from the woods ahead.

Branches and leaves snapped apart.

Then shouts of battle reached their ears.

Tang Yuan's expression changed.

"Someone is fighting ahead."

Tang Chen stopped and looked toward the source of the sounds.

The dense trees blocked his view.

But the fluctuations of Soul Power were already extremely clear.

"Let's take a look."

Tang Chen moved, charging into the forest first.

Tang Yuan followed close behind.

After passing through a patch of shrubs, the scene ahead gradually came into view.

A girl dressed in black was fleeing through the forest.

Her long black hair had been scattered by the wind, several strands clinging to her fair cheeks.

Her black clothes were torn in several places, and wounds marked both her shoulder and lower leg.

Blood dripped from the hem of her clothes, leaving scattered traces across the muddy ground.

The girl was young, with a slender, graceful figure, a trim waist, and legs that retained tremendous explosive strength as she ran.

Her face was delicate, and her features exquisitely refined.

Even while being hunted, her eyes remained clear and vigilant.

Several Soul Masters chased relentlessly behind her.

They wore matching black-and-gold uniforms, with the emblem of the Star Luo Imperial Family embroidered on their chests.

Three Soul Rings circled the leader.

Yellow, yellow, purple.

The others were all Soul Grandmasters or above.

The girl's body swayed.

Her foot stepped on a dead branch.

She lost her balance and dropped to one knee.