Inside the woodshed, Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing nestled together beside a pile of hay, gazing through the dilapidated window at the gradually darkening sky.
It's the third day.
Three full days have passed since that thrilling battle.
During these three days, they hid in the woodshed during the day to recuperate and heal their injuries, and at night they took turns keeping watch, vigilant against any possible search.
Xiao Yan's injuries recovered quickly with the help of the elixir. The effects of the Heaven Recovery Liquid far surpassed those of ordinary elixirs. Combined with his own powerful recovery ability, three days of rest had allowed him to recover 70% of his combat strength.
Zhu Zhuqing is also recovering well.
She was only exhausted and had external injuries, but after taking the Heaven Recovery Pill, her condition had already stabilized.
These few days of rest have rejuvenated her and brought her back to her peak condition.
"The search outside seems to have loosened a bit."
Zhu Zhuqing peeked out through the crack in the door and said softly.
Xiao Yan walked to her side and looked through the gap. The two of them saw through the wall that the city guards were still patrolling the streets, but the frequency had obviously decreased a lot.
Occasionally, pedestrians would pass by, but they were no longer as nervous as they had been when they were questioned and checked in the previous two days.
" Dai Wusi hold on any longer."
Xiao Yan's lips curled into a cold smile:
"The citywide search over three consecutive days has consumed immeasurable amounts of manpower and resources. If we continue searching, the people in the city won't be able to take it anymore, even without our intervention."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, then suddenly her expression changed, and she pointed into the distance.
"Look."
Xiao Yan looked into the distance, his eyes suddenly lighting up.
"The people from the Spirit Hall Main Hall have returned."
At the end of the street, a group of Soul Master dressed in the uniforms of the Spirit Hall were marching in formation.
Leading the group were two elderly men, one with white hair and beard, and the other with a ruddy complexion. Both were Soul Emperor level, but their auras were not as strong as Xu Mu's.
He should only be around level 63 in strength.
Behind them followed more than thirty Soul King and Soul Ancestor Soul Master.
This was precisely the main force of the Spirit Hall Main Hall that Xu Mu had transferred away under the pretext of "going out to Soul Hunting beasts".
The group marched with steady, powerful steps. Everyone's face showed fatigue, but also a hint of excitement—clearly, the hunt had been successful.
Xiao Yan's gaze fell on the two elders at the head of the group.
He knew both of them.
The one with white hair and beard is Zhou Yuan, a level 61 Soul Emperor, and the one with ruddy complexion is Han Qing, a level 63 Soul Emperor, who is an honorific in the hall.
Both of them were true neutrals, not participating in the palace infighting, but only responsible for completing their assigned tasks.
That's why Xu Mu dared to make a move after they left—because he knew that even if the two returned, they wouldn't offend him, the local bully, for Xiao Yan's sake.
Unfortunately, Xu Mu died.
A smile appeared on Xiao Yan's lips.
" Zhu Zhuqing, we should go out now."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at him, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes.
Your injury...
"It's alright." Xiao Yan stretched his shoulders. "Seventy percent of my combat strength is enough."
He walked to the door, took a deep breath, and pushed open the dilapidated wooden door.
The moonlight shone down on him.
He stepped out of the woodshed and walked toward the procession on the street.
Zhu Zhuqing followed closely behind.
On the street, Zhou Yuan was directing his troops toward the Martial Spirit Hall Main Hall.
The hunt was very successful; they not only killed several ten- Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, but also collected a lot of rare medicinal herbs.
Although the process was somewhat dangerous, the result was satisfactory.
He was thinking about how to distribute the spoils when he got back when he suddenly frowned.
Two figures were walking towards them ahead.
One man and one woman.
Zhou Yuan's pupils contracted sharply.
Xiao Yan! Zhu Zhuqing!
"Stop!"
He raised his hand, and the line stopped instantly.
More than thirty Soul Master looked ahead, and many of them recognized Xiao Yan, their faces showing surprise.
Zhou Yuan quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
" Elder Xiao, Miss Zhu, what are you doing here?"
Xiao Yan had always kept a low profile within the Spirit Hall Main Hall, but Zhou Yuan had naturally met the two of them.
Since Xiao Yan is now an elder of the Spirit Hall, they all bowed to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan smiled slightly and said:
" Deacon Zhou, you're finally back."
Zhou Yuan was taken aback, realizing that Xiao Yan's words had a hidden meaning.
They were unaware of what had transpired in Star Chasing City, but upon entering, they sensed something amiss in the city's atmosphere. Zhou Yuan couldn't help but ask:
" Elder Xiao, what happened?"
Han Qing, who was standing to the side, also stepped forward, looking puzzled.
Xiao Yan sighed, a look of deep sorrow on his face, and said:
"Vice Hall Master Zhou, in the three days you were away, a major event occurred in the Spirit Hall Main Hall."
Xu Mu, the steward, colluded with outsiders and plotted to assassinate me and Zhu Zhuqing.
Fortunately, I reacted quickly and fought back desperately, ultimately killing Xu Mu and all seven assassins.
What?!
Zhou Yuan's eyes widened in surprise.
The thirty-odd Soul Master behind him also erupted in an uproar.
Xu Mu is dead?!
Xu Mu, who had been operating within the Spirit Hall Main Hall for many years, is dead?!
" Elder Xiao, are you... are you telling the truth?"
"Of course it's true." Xiao Yan said calmly. "I've already reported the matter to Spirit City. The Grand Hall's elders will investigate the truth."
Zhou Yuan's expression shifted, and he gave Xiao Yan a deep look.
"Let's go back to the Spirit Hall Main Hall first!"
Xiao Yan took the initiative to speak to Zhou Yuan and Han Qing.
The group continued their rapid march towards the Spirit Hall Main Hall.
Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing also followed in the group, heading in that direction.
A faint smile appeared on Xiao Yan's lips, but the coldness in his eyes remained undiminished.
Next comes the real reckoning.
The Spirit Hall Main Hall, in the backyard.
When Zhou Yuan arrived with his men, the sight before him made him gasp in shock.
The entire courtyard was almost completely razed to the ground.
Eight corpses lay scattered on the ground, some charred black, some frozen into ice sculptures, some with holes pierced through their chests, each with a different manner of death.
Even after three days, the air was still filled with the stench of blood and burning flesh, making people nauseous.
Zhou Yuan strode over to the corpse dressed in a black butler's robe and knelt down to examine it.
Xu Mu.
He had a large, bowl-sized hole in his chest, which ran from his front to his back.
His eyes were wide open, and he died with his eyes open, unable to close them in peace.
Zhou Yuan took a deep breath and stood up.
He examined the other seven bodies one by one.
Six Soul King and one Soul Emperor.
Judging from the wounds on the body, he certainly died in battle.
He turned around and looked at Xiao Yan, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
" Elder Xiao, these people... you killed them all?"
Unconsciously, Zhou Yuan's tone became more respectful. Two Soul Emperor and six Soul King —if they encountered them, they would surely die.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly.
" Deacon Zhou doesn't believe me? Then you can ask the others present. Besides me and Zhu Zhuqing, who else is in this backyard?"
Zhou Yuan fell silent, exchanging a glance with Han Qing beside him.
He knew Xiao Yan was telling the truth.
However, Xu Mu is a level 69 Soul Emperor, and the other seven are also quite strong. For Xiao Yan to kill them, his strength must be...
It's unbelievable that a level 53 Soul King could kill a level 69 Soul Emperor plus six other Soul King!
This is simply unbelievable!
" Elder Xiao, I don't know about this..." Han Qing stepped forward and looked at Xiao Yan with a solemn expression.
Xiao Yan sighed, a helpless look on his face.
"This story begins with the pills I introduced in Star Luo City."
Xu Mu coveted the profits from the pills and wanted to seize the formula from me.
He colluded with outsiders, secretly cooperating with them. Even your hunting trips were orchestrated by him under the guise of my orders.
Xiao Yan didn't reveal Dai Wusi, but Zhou Yuan and Han Qing weren't fools either.
There aren't many people who can field a lineup of one Soul Emperor and six Soul King.
Zhou Yuan and Han Qing's expressions grew even more serious.
This involves a huge number of people.
" Elder Xiao, this matter is of great importance. I must report it to Spirit City and seek His Holiness the Pope."
"That's natural." Xiao Yan nodded and said to the two of them:
"I've already reported it, but we need to stabilize the situation before the people from Spirit City arrive."
Although Xu Mu is dead, he has been building up his reputation in the Spirit Hall Main Hall for many years, and he will probably still need the help of the two deacons.
Zhou Yuan and Han Qing felt a chill run down their spines.
They exchanged a glance and both understood what Xiao Yan meant.
This is a reckoning.
However, the victors are remembered and the losers are condemned; neither of them would offend Xiao Yan for the sake of the deceased Xu Mu.
" Elder Xiao is right," Zhou Yuan said in a deep voice.
"I will immediately send men to take control of everyone in the main hall."
Xiao Yan nodded.
" Deacon Zhou, Deacon Han, I'll leave this matter to you. Zhu Zhuqing and I will go back to rest first, and report back immediately if there are any developments."
"Yes."
Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing turned and left.