As Xiao Yan crossed the Red Silk Gobi, at the same time, in the Mount Beiji, the Southern Hall of the Northern Wasteland Hall, who had recently broken through to the Origin Transformation Realm, was also standing in the main hall of the Northern Wasteland Hall.
"What did you say? The Southern Hall was destroyed! My Northern Wasteland Hall's Southern Hall was actually destroyed by a mere brat?! You're quite the competent palace master!"
Inside the main hall, on the main seat, a middle-aged man dressed in brocade robes with a dignified expression was frowning and looking angrily at the Southern Hall, who stood with his head bowed in the center of the hall. His tone was extremely low.
"The destruction of the Southern Hall is due to my dereliction of duty, and I am willing to accept punishment. However, at that time, I was at a critical juncture in my breakthrough and simply had no time to spare, which led to this disaster. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
The Southern Hall cupped his hands in apology to the middle-aged man on the main seat, but his tone sounded more like he was seeking credit.
"Oh? Breakthrough? You mean... you've broken through to the Origin Transformation Realm?"
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man in the main seat narrowed his eyes, a faint light flickering deep within his pupils, as if he knew the answer already.
"Yes, I wasn't in the Southern Hall at the time; I was elsewhere attempting to break through the barrier. Therefore, I was unaware of what happened in the Southern Hall. By the time I returned to the city, it was already in complete disarray. In my panic, I hastily came here to apologize!"
The Southern Hall lowered his head, but a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth. The so-called plea for forgiveness was utter nonsense. If his cultivation had not broken through, the person in front of him would naturally not have forgiven him easily. But now that they were both experts in the Origin Transformation Realm, the latter would definitely be wary of him at the same level, so what was the point of asking for forgiveness?
"Oh, I see..."
The Palace Master wore an expression of sudden realization. Upon hearing this, the Southern Hall smiled inwardly, but then...
"But since you've come to apologize, why emphasize your breakthrough to the Origin Transformation Realm? What, do you think I can't see it? Or do you think that just because your cultivation has broken through to the Origin Transformation Realm, I'll be wary of you?!"
The domineering words echoed in the hall, and an extremely powerful aura instantly swept outward from the middle-aged man on the main seat. The terrifying pressure caused the entire hall to buzz at that moment.
"Bang!"
A merciless pressure descended upon the Southern Hall's head. Before he could even react, the terrifying power had already pressed his body down heavily, causing him to kneel on the ground with a thud, his entire body bending completely.
"Snort..."
With a muffled groan, the Southern Hall felt a sweet taste in his throat, followed by a faint, metallic sweetness. Almost simultaneously, a strong sense of terror surged wildly within him, accompanied by overwhelming horror.
He underestimated the power contained within the Origin Transformation Realm expert!
"This subordinate... this subordinate dares not..."
With his face deathly pale, enduring the terrifying pressure emanating from the Palace Master, the Southern Hall finally realized that the gap between him and the latter was as vast as the heavens and the earth. Although they were both experts in the Origin Transformation Realm, with his cultivation, he was still far from being the latter's match. If the Palace Master really wanted to attack him, the outcome would be a crushing defeat!
"Hmph! You'd better keep your thoughts to yourself. Remember, in this Northern Wasteland, who really is the boss? If you want to rise to the top, you'd better see what you're capable of!"
His gaze swept coldly over the Southern Hall, a hint of sarcasm in his heart. He had dominated the Northern Wasteland for so many years; what kind of people hadn't he seen, what kind of powerful figures hadn't he killed? If the person before him could submit to him, he would be a loyal dog under his command; but if not, he could simply kill him and raise another.
"Hmph, get up. The Southern Hall is destroyed now, it's too late to say anything. Although you had your reasons, the Southern Hall was still under your jurisdiction. In addition to this, there must be punishment. What do you think?"
After a barrage of cold words, the Palace Master withdrew his oppressive aura. Since he had already achieved his goal of making an example of someone, he naturally saw no need to force the issue further. Otherwise, it would likely backfire, which was not the outcome he desired.
At this moment, the Southern Hall was also shocked by the terrifying cultivation level of the middle-aged man on the main seat. He dared not refute the latter's words and immediately nodded in agreement.
"Since that's the case, I won't make things too difficult for you. Go back and rebuild the Southern Hall. Make those who dared to mock my Northern Wasteland Hall pay the price they deserve. You must make them understand who truly calls the shots in this Northern Wasteland!"
"Yes!"
The Southern Hall nodded respectfully, his body trembling slightly as he rose from his kneeling position.
"After the Southern Hall is rebuilt, I'm punishing you by forbidding you from leaving Southern Hall for five years. You must remain stationed Southern Hall no matter what happens. Consider this your punishment for this dereliction of duty. What do you think?"
The temple master withdrew his previous cold attitude and spoke in a calm tone.
Upon hearing this, the latter immediately nodded. The punishment of not being allowed to leave the Southern Hall for five years was practically nothing to him. Perhaps this was another way for the Palace Master to subdue the latter.
After giving a few more instructions, the Southern Hall left the main hall at the signal of the middle-aged man on the main seat. In the blink of an eye, the huge hall became empty once again.
The middle-aged man sat silently in the chair, his brows slightly furrowed. His right index finger, resting on the armrest, tapped lightly on the armrest, as if he were waiting for something.
"Laugh..."
Suddenly, in a dark corner of the main hall, a strange, eerie mist rose up like a ghost, passing through the stone pillars supporting the hall, while the lights on them went out at the same time.
"Hehehehe... What a small world, Xiao Yan! I never imagined you wouldn't perish in that ancient tomb, but would actually end up in the Northern Region. Hehehehe..."
A strange, eerie laugh emanated from within the black mist. Upon hearing this sound, the temple master unconsciously shifted his body, as he was particularly wary of such inhuman and ghostly beings.
"Is he the person you're looking for?"
Words devoid of any emotion escaped the temple master's lips. As the eerie black mist drew near, the disgust in his eyes was undisguised. The longer he spent with them, the more he felt their nausea.
"Hehehehe... That's right, we've been waiting for him for ages!"
"Anyone who gets your eyes on will definitely suffer a terrible fate."
The temple master spoke frankly without any hesitation.
"Hehehehe, Palace Master, we'll need your help next. If we can capture him, the higher-ups will be very pleased with you."
"I only ask about the payment."
Without much formality, the temple master asked the question that concerned him most.
" Origin King."
A strange laugh echoed from within the black mist once more. This time, even the middle-aged man couldn't help but change his expression. In the past, when he worked for these guys, he would only receive a small portion of the benefits at most. But he never expected that this time, simply capturing a minor Dou Di would bring him such exciting rewards.
"Who is this kid that you're willing to pay this price for his life?"
"Hehehehe... Lord, the higher-ups don't like talkative people."
A chilling voice emanated from the black mist, which then drifted away and vanished once more into the dark corner of the hall.