Protector Wu's Fear, Jia Xingtian's Unease

Slender fingers gently plucked the strings. A beautiful melody flowed out, enveloping the entire Misty Cloud Sect.

The ethereal music carried pure Soul Power and the healing power of the Horse Talisman into the hearts of everyone present.

As Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran listened, they felt their spirits lift. The tension in their hearts eased without them realizing it.

The instant the music reached the controlled Misty Cloud Sect disciples, the black energy around them dispersed. Their lost awareness returned, leaving their minds clearer than ever.

The strain on their faces gradually faded, giving way to calm and, at last, delight.

Yun Shan slowly regained consciousness as well. The trace of black energy between his brows vanished, and clarity returned to his face.

He opened his eyes in confusion and looked around. "What happened to me...?"

Everyone's gaze turned to the figure seated in midair, calmly playing his instrument.

"Get out here!" Xiao Yan shouted. The melody abruptly quickened, and a ferocious wave of Soul Power erupted.

The blood-red formation and its chains shattered with a crash.

A piercing scream came from the black mist, and a battered figure tumbled out.

It was Protector Wu.

His soul had suffered a severe blow, and he was in a wretched state.

Though his severed hands and feet had grown back, he had never been weaker.

Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that years of careful planning would be undone so easily by a young man who had appeared out of nowhere.

The young man was not only immensely powerful but also wielded a wondrous sound-wave Dou Technique that had effortlessly broken his Soul-Devouring Secret Art and blood-red formation.

Even now, he knew neither Xiao Yan's name nor his background. It was pitiful.

With both body and soul badly injured,