Killer

Xiao Yun bent down to gather dry twigs and fallen leaves, piling them in the open, level clearing as she prepared to light a fire and make camp.

Six-year-old Xiao Xiao stood obediently at the side, a trace of disappointment still lingering in her childish features after failing to find a suitable Soul Ring during the day.

"We'll light a fire to keep warm soon. The forest gets cold at night, so don't catch a chill."

Xiao Yun glanced back at the well-behaved little girl, her tone gentle.

Xiao Xiao nodded lightly, a smile appearing on her small face as she softly replied, "Mm, thank you, Aunt Yun."

Neither of them knew that several pitch-black figures had been following them for quite some time, hidden in the shadows of this seemingly peaceful, silent clearing.

Within a dark corner where layers of tree shadows intertwined, five black-clad men concealed themselves. Their eyes were cold and sinister as they stared fixedly at the unguarded adult and child not far away.

They had come for one purpose only: to take lives!

The great families of Wutan City—the Nalan Family, Jia Lie Family, Ao Ba Family, and others—had stood in mutual balance with the Xiao Family for generations, their strength evenly matched.

For many years, the various factions had kept out of one another's affairs, maintaining a delicate balance.

But ever since Xiao Xiao awakened her Martial Soul, that balance had been completely shattered.

Innate Full Soul Power, and the rare Twin Martial Souls!

Such peerless talent had never appeared in Wutan City's thousand-year history!

The Xiao Family had already been a prominent local clan with deep foundations. Now that they had gained a monstrous genius like Xiao Xiao, they would surely soar to greatness in the future, crush every other family, and dominate the region!

The long-standing balance had been utterly broken, leaving the other great families filled with jealousy and fear.

Why should the Xiao Family, which had been evenly matched with them for generations, suddenly produce such a favored child of heaven?

Jealousy took root, and malicious intentions grew.

Several great families secretly joined forces, conspiring to target the Xiao Family throughout the city—framing them for crimes, cutting off their resources, suppressing their businesses, and provoking disputes.

In barely more than a month, the Xiao Family found itself restrained at every turn, struggling with every step.

But as long as Xiao Xiao remained alive, the Xiao Family still had limitless hope.

When cutting grass, one had to pull up the roots!

After learning that six-year-old Xiao Xiao had entered the Star Dou Forest with Xiao Yun to search for her first Soul Ring, the great families immediately spent heavily to hire an elite team of killers and secretly followed them here.

There could be no better place to act than the Star Dou Forest.

As long as they slaughtered the two of them, they could perfectly disguise it as an accident caused by Soul Beasts. No traces would remain, no one would be held accountable, and the Xiao Family's last hope of turning things around would be completely snuffed out!

The night deepened, and the forest grew increasingly dim.

Seeing that Xiao Yun and Xiao Xiao had completely lowered their guard and were focused on tending the fire and preparing food, the moment had arrived.

"Move!"

The leading man in black gave a low command, his hoarse voice carrying bone-chilling coldness.

Five black shadows burst from the darkness in an instant, streaking through the air and landing in the center of the clearing, sealing off every route of escape!

Dressed in black combat attire and masked across their faces, they revealed only pairs of cold, bloodthirsty eyes. Their fierce killing intent swept across the clearing, shattering every trace of the forest's tranquility.

The five men erupted with Soul Power, and terrifying pressure abruptly enveloped the entire clearing!

The leader possessed deep, powerful Soul Power. Seven Soul Rings rose one after another—two yellow, two purple, and three black. He was unmistakably a Soul Sage!

The other four black-clad men all possessed cultivation above level sixty, each of them a Soul Emperor!

Such a luxurious and terrifying hunting lineup had actually been deployed against a Soul Emperor traveling with a child.

The sudden change made Xiao Xiao's entire body stiffen in fright. She instinctively hid behind Xiao Yun, her little hand clutching Xiao Yun's clothes tightly, her eyes filled with panic.

Xiao Yun's expression changed drastically, her heart sinking to the bottom in an instant. Without a second thought, she activated her Soul Power.

Three ancient, heavy bronze cauldrons covered in intricate runes floated around her.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black—six Soul Rings lit up.

Xiao Yun swiftly shifted sideways, placing herself firmly in front of the young Xiao Xiao. Her body tensed as she demanded coldly, "Who are you people? Why have you surrounded us?"

The black-clad Soul Sage at the lead let out a cold sneer, his tone cruel and indifferent. "There is no need for you to know who we are. You only need to know that we have come to take your lives."

"Someone paid a great price for the heads of you two. Tonight, you will surely die!"

Countless thoughts flashed through Xiao Yun's mind like lightning.

Could it be those great families in the city?

It had to be them!

Regret and shock filled her heart, followed by utter despair.

When she had brought Xiao Xiao into the forest to seek a Soul Ring, the family had initially planned to assign several Soul Emperors to guard them.

But after considering it again and again, they felt that too many people would make for an overly conspicuous target, easily attracting attention from all sides and creating unforeseen complications.

In the end, they decided that she alone would serve as Xiao Xiao's close guard, traveling discreetly and safely.

Yet she had never imagined that those families' hatred and killing intent would run so deep, or that their intelligence-gathering abilities would be so terrifying.

They had even accurately learned of their solitary journey and dispatched such a dreadful hunting force.

Facing one Soul Sage and four Soul Emperors alone, she had no chance of victory!

But she could not panic, much less give up!

Xiao Xiao was the Xiao Family's only hope, the vessel of all their future aspirations. Even if it cost her life, she had to protect this child!

At the brink of life and death, Xiao Yun forcibly suppressed the despair in her heart. In a deep voice, she tried to find a sliver of survival. "Everyone, you are merely seeking money. Whatever price your employer offered, my Xiao Family will pay double! We will give you everything, as long as you spare our lives!"

At her words, the black-clad men all sneered, their faces full of mockery.

"Double? Too late!"

"This is how we make our living, and we place the highest value on professional ethics. Once we accept a job to take a life, we never regret it and never show mercy!"

"Enough nonsense. Die!"

The instant the words fell, all five activated their Martial Souls and unleashed Soul Skills, their terrifying Soul Power crashing down upon her!

In their eyes, Xiao Yun was merely making a dying struggle.

As for Xiao Xiao, hiding behind her—only six years old and without even a first Soul Ring—she was beneath notice, utterly without threat.

Once they quickly killed the obstructing Xiao Yun, a mere child could be crushed with a casual motion, bringing the mission to a perfect close!

The five black-clad men rushed forward together, multicolored Soul Skill radiance exploding through the night sky as they bombarded Xiao Yun!

"Xiao Xiao! Run! Don't look back! Live!"

At that critical instant, Xiao Yun's eyes turned bloodshot as she activated the Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron with her Soul Power!

Gritting her teeth, she controlled one of the heavy bronze cauldrons and violently flung it backward. Dense Soul Power wrapped around Xiao Xiao's tiny body, violently launching the unprepared girl away!

The enormous force carried Xiao Xiao's delicate body like a kite with its string cut, sending her streaking toward the depths of the pitch-black forest!

Seeing this, one of the black-clad men immediately tried to break away and pursue her.

"Trying to run? Stop right there!"

Seeing this, the black-clad Soul Sage ordered, "You, go after her. Bring back her head!"

"Yes!"

But at the very instant he moved.

"Don't you dare hurt my Xiao Xiao!"

Xiao Yun's eyes nearly split with rage as she fought with everything she had!

She knew full well that she had no chance of surviving today. Already resolved to perish together with them, she gave them no opportunity to split their forces and pursue Xiao Xiao.

All three Soul-Suppressing Cauldrons roared and trembled as she burned her blood essence, causing her Soul Power to surge wildly!

"Sixth Soul Skill, Cauldron Suppresses Heaven and Earth!"

The three bronze cauldrons rang out in unison above the ground, and every ancient pattern upon their surfaces shone with dazzling gold-green radiance.

They forcibly imprisoned all five men within the battlefield, including the Soul Emperor who had been preparing to pursue Xiao Xiao!

Heavy cauldron light stretched across heaven and earth, sealing every path of escape.