The people in the Dark Hall immediately understood what was going on when they saw Zhu Zhuqing's appearance.
The Xiao Yan before us is probably not an enemy of the Dark Hall.
As for the people who fought Xiao Yan before, considering that Xiao Yan's Fourth Soul Ring is Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, and the Netherworld Lock that Xiao Yan released before.
It immediately reminded me of a name that had long since disappeared from the public eye!
A sense of disbelief immediately arose in their hearts.
"Alright, everyone, you may leave."
Zhu Zhuqing suppressed the surging emotions in her heart; now was not the time for her to show her girlish side to Xiao Yan.
After a brief introduction of their identities, Zhu Zhuqing left a few people outside to keep watch, and then had the rest of them retreat back into the room.
After confirming Xiao Yan's identity, the members of the Dark Hall left one by one with looks of both awe and curiosity.
Xiao Yan also learned the name of the Vajra Ape Soul Emperor who had fought against Xiao Yan before.
Zhu Zhuqing called him " Tie Gu." Before leaving, she deliberately walked up to Xiao Yan, scratched the back of her head, and a rare, embarrassed smile appeared on her usually serious and resolute face.
He clasped his hands in a respectful bow to Xiao Yan, his voice rough yet carrying a hint of heartfelt respect:
" Hall Master Xiao, I was very offensive just now."
Your Eight Extremes Collapse was truly powerful.
Having immersed myself in the Soul Emperor Realm for so many years, I have never seen a Soul Emperor who could withstand the full force of my Vajra Ape Avatar's attack without using Martial Soul Possession. I am utterly convinced."
Xiao Yan waved his hand, a slight smile playing on his lips:
"No need for formalities. With you all here in the Dark Hall, I feel much more at ease. There will be plenty of opportunities to spar in the future."
Tie Gu grinned, turned and strode away, his retreating figure carrying a hint of satisfaction at being recognized.
The other two Soul King also bowed to Xiao Yan and retreated to their sentry positions.
Before leaving, the Soul King of the Control System type couldn't help but glance at Xiao Yan a few more times, his eyes filled with admiration and curiosity.
Only Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing remained in the courtyard.
Moonlight filtered through the branches and leaves of the old locust tree, falling on the two men and also on the bluestone slabs in the courtyard that had been cracked by the battle.
The sharp edges of the pebbles gleamed with Youyou, cold light under the moonlight. A faint chill lingered in the air, left behind by the dissipation of the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, mixed with the fragrance of the old locust tree in the night breeze, so it didn't feel bone-chilling.
Zhu Zhuqing did not speak immediately, nor did she lead Xiao Yan into the house. Instead, she sat down at the stone table under the old locust tree.
Xiao Yan sat down opposite her.
On the stone table were a pot of chilled tea and several teacups, left behind by Tie Gu when they were on duty here.
Zhu Zhuqing picked up the teapot, poured a cup for Xiao Yan, and then poured one for herself.
The tea had gone cold, but she didn't mind and took a sip.
Xiao Yan also picked up his teacup. The cool tea was slightly astringent, but it was exceptionally thirst-quenching.
The two sat quietly, neither rushing to speak, only occasionally clinking their teacups, exchanging glances, and then simultaneously looking away.
This wasn't an awkward silence, but a comfort that only truly close people could understand.
They don't need to fill in every blank with words, nor do they need to deliberately find topics to hide their inner turmoil.
After a long while, Zhu Zhuqing finally put down her teacup and stood up.
Her movements remained concise and efficient, but with a touch more gentleness than usual.
She reached out and pulled Xiao Yan up from the stone bench.
"Let's go. I'll take you to see the Dark Hall."
You've been gone for over a year, and all these things are what I saved up for you.
Now that you're back, I need to let you know what you've been up to for the past year."
Zhu Zhuqing's tone was calm and even, but Xiao Yan noticed that a small patch of red had quietly appeared on the back of her ears.
It was especially noticeable under the moonlight.
He didn't point it out, but simply tightened his grip on her hand and followed her toward the main house.
Zhu Zhuqing did not lead him into the underground through the main entrance, but instead went around to the back of the old locust tree.
The old locust tree had a trunk so thick that it took two people to hug it; its bark was rough and covered with moss.
She gently pressed on an inconspicuous indentation on the tree trunk, and the Soul Power at her fingertips vibrated slightly at a specific frequency.
Immediately, a stone slab at the base of the old locust tree, seemingly blending seamlessly with the surrounding soil, silently slid backward, revealing a downward stone staircase just wide enough for one person to pass through.
Several Moonlight Stone were embedded in the walls on both sides of the stone steps, emitting a soft, ethereal blue light that illuminated the narrow passage brightly but not glaringly.
Xiao Yan followed behind Zhu Zhuqing, walking down the stone steps.
The passage is short, with about twenty or thirty steps leading to a heavy iron gate.
There was no keyhole on the iron gate, only a small groove about the size of a palm. Zhu Zhuqing placed her palm on the groove, and after a moment, the iron gate emitted a low hum and slowly opened inward.
Behind the door lies a completely different world.
The first thing that caught Xiao Yan's eye was a spacious hall, much larger than he had expected, at least several tens of feet square.
The hall's four walls were made of thick bluestone, and several huge continental maps were hung on the walls, with the distribution of the Spirit Hall's strongholds marked in different colors.
And the spheres of influence of the major powers.
In the center of the hall was a rectangular stone conference table, on which lay a yellowed map of Heaven Dou City.
A dozen or so wooden chairs were neatly arranged on either side of the stone table, each with a different person's name carved on its back.
The name " Tie Gu" was prominently displayed, along with other code names that Xiao Yan couldn't yet recall.
There was an even deeper passage at the back of the hall, which Zhu Zhuqing told him led to the Dark Hall warehouse and the emergency escape route.
The warehouse contains pills, Soul Tool, and various supplies that the Dark Hall has collected through various channels over the past year.
The escape route leads to a dense forest outside the city.
"These things were all accumulated little by little."
Zhu Zhuqing stood in the center of the hall and raised her hand to signal to everything around her.
Her tone remained calm, but Xiao Yan could detect the pride hidden beneath that calmness.
"With the batch of pills you left in Star Chasing City and the resources you brought out from the Spirit Hall, the Dark Hall now has twelve core members and forty-eight peripheral members."
There were three elders, five Soul Emperor, twelve Soul King, and the rest were Soul Ancestor.
Although it is still far from being as powerful as the Spirit Hall, at least it is no longer a disorganized mess.
"Thanks a lot."
Xiao Yan said softly. He opened his mouth, wanting to say more, but found that any words seemed pale and powerless in the face of everything Zhu Zhuqing had endured over the past year.
He wasn't a man of few words, but at that moment he truly didn't know what to say.
In the end, he simply tightened his grip on Zhu Zhuqing's hand, met Zhu Zhuqing gaze again, and softly said:
"Don't worry, I'll take care of everything here from now on."
Zhu Zhuqing looked down at their clasped hands, remained silent for a moment, and then looked up.
Her eyes were no longer red, but the gentle light deep within them could not be hidden.
Xiao Yan nodded.
Although they both missed each other, now was not the time to confide in each other.
Xiao Yan's gaze swept across the chairs in the hall one by one, and then he spoke:
Are all the core members here?
"Most of them are."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded and continued:
"However, nowadays, the members of the Dark Hall are scattered and hiding outside. Apart from a few core members, most of them have been dispersed."
"That's enough, let's see them first."
Xiao Yan shrugged, reached out and patted Zhu Zhuqing's shoulder, and said:
"Perfect timing! I brought back a lot of good stuff this time; we should let them see something of value."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly, then turned and walked to the stone table, placing her hand on an inconspicuous hidden compartment on the table.
A wisp of Soul Power was infused into it.
A few breaths later, the sound of footsteps, albeit in a staggered manner, came from the end of the corridor.
The first person to walk in from outside was Tie Gu. He had already met Xiao Yan, and his expression had changed from wariness and scrutiny to awe and anticipation.
Following Tie Gu was a figure shrouded in black robes, whose strength, according to Xiao Yan's perception, was also at the Soul Emperor Realm.
"This is Tie Gu, you already met him."
Zhu Zhuqing smiled at Xiao Yan, then pointed to the figure shrouded in black robes behind Tie Gu and said:
"This is You Ying; she's currently in charge of the Dark Hall's intelligence network."
You Ying was still shrouded in a black robe, but she deliberately pulled her hood back, revealing a face that was much younger than Xiao Yan had expected.
Her face was thin, with slightly high cheekbones, and her lips were habitually pursed, an expression that clearly showed she was under constant pressure.
But at this moment, there was a light in her eyes, the kind of light that only comes from someone who has walked in darkness for too long and suddenly sees light.
The second group to enter consisted of several core members.
They included men and women, young and old.
Leading the way was a young woman in her early twenties, dressed in a tight-fitting night outfit, with two short blades at her waist.
"Her name is Qing Que, her Martial Soul is Shadow Sparrow, and she's a level 58 Agility Attack System Soul King. She happened to be caught in the Spirit Hall's pursuit, and after I rescued her, she came to stay with us."
Xiao Yan nodded calmly, his gaze continuing to sweep over the crowd.
The last person to walk was an elderly man with graying hair, a thin frame, and a slightly hunched back, but whose eyes shone brightly.
"This is the Yao Lao..."
Xiao Yan turned around in shock to look at Zhu Zhuqing, but then he realized that this was not the Yao Lao he knew on the Dou Qi Continent; it was just a coincidental name.
"He is the only alchemist in the Dark Hall, and most of the Blood Coagulation Powder and Qi Gathering Pill in the Dark Hall's possession are imitations of his."
Although the medicine is only half as effective as the original, it can at least sustain the daily needs of the Dark Hall members.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan gave the Yao Lao a deep look.
I felt a sense of absurdity.
The Medicine Master of the Dou Qi Continent Yao Lao a renowned alchemist.
The Yao Lao who appeared here happens to be in charge of the Dark Hall's medicine-making affairs, which is truly amazing.
The crowd stood in two rows, all looking at Xiao Yan with a mixture of curiosity, awe, scrutiny, and anticipation in their eyes.
Most of them had never even seen Xiao Yan before today, but the name " Xiao Yan " had been circulating within the Dark Hall for over a year.
When Xiao Yan led the Spirit Hall to win the Soul Master Tournament, his name and fighting prowess spread throughout the entire Douluo Continent.
But now, this person is standing right here.
Gentlemen,
Zhu Zhuqing's voice rang out in the hall, as cool and steady as ever, but Xiao Yan could hear the trace of emotion she was deliberately suppressing in her tone.
She stood beside Xiao Yan, turned slightly to the side, and raised her hand to indicate Xiao Yan's location.
"Some of you have seen this person, while others have only heard his name."
He is Xiao Yan, the true master of our Dark Hall.
A moment of silence fell over the stone chamber.
The eyes of several core members were fixed on Xiao Yan, like a group of people who had been in darkness for too long suddenly seeing a spark.
The young woman, Qing Que, involuntarily took half a step forward, her lips slightly parted and her eyes slightly reddened.
The Yao Lao subconsciously stroked his gray beard, his eyes filled with scrutiny and examination.
He was a cautious person who wouldn't be easily swayed by emotions, but he had to admit that the young man's demeanor was indeed worthy of Zhu Zhuqing's lingering thoughts over the past year.
"Greetings, Palace Master!"
Tie Gu was the first to kneel down on one knee. His movement was swift and decisive, and his right knee slammed into the stone floor with a dull thud.
Immediately afterwards, You Ying and Xue Shou knelt down at the same time.
The core members followed closely behind, their movements perfectly synchronized, the rustling of their clothes echoing softly in the stone chamber.
Xiao Yan noticed that even the white-haired Yao Lao had knelt down on one knee.
His movements weren't as agile as a young man's, but his expression was just as solemn.
Xiao Yan raised his hand, signaling everyone to stand up. His gaze swept from left to right, meeting the eyes of each person for a moment.
"Everyone, I am Xiao Yan. I know that many of you have been waiting for me for a long time."
From Star Chasing City to Cangling, and from Cangling to Heaven Dou City.
Along the way, some people sacrificed their lives, some were injured, and some almost gave up.
It was Zhu Zhuqing who led you all through this, but I'm not standing here today to say a few nice words and then leave.
I'm here to give you an explanation.
He paused, then took out a palm-sized jade bottle from his pocket.
The jade bottle was pure white, with several pale gold lines engraved on its surface. As soon as it was taken out, a rich medicinal fragrance filled the entire hall.
The medicinal fragrance wasn't pungent; instead, it carried a sweet and refreshing aroma that made one feel the flow of Soul Power within their body accelerate with just one whiff.
"I did something in Spirit City."
Xiao Yan placed the jade bottle on the stone table. The bottom of the bottle struck the table, producing a crisp sound that echoed softly in the spacious hall.
All eyes were on the jade bottle.
You must have heard the recent news.
The dome of the Pope's Palace was shattered by my sword.
The wounds on Bibi Dong's body were inflicted by my own hands.
" Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei, their Martial Soul Avatar were also shattered by me."
The air in the hall seemed to freeze for a moment.