"I already told you, you're too weak."
Standing above the billowing dust where Yun Shan lay, the handsome young man shook his head, wearing an expression that said everything he said was for their own good — completely sincere and irrefutable.
Most importantly, whether it was the Misty Cloud Sect disciples or Hai Bodong and the others, none could find it in themselves to refute his words.
In the face of his overwhelming cultivation, it really did seem like they were nothing more than novices.
Whoosh.
In a flash, the handsome young man moved and appeared beside Xiao Yan. His right hand reached out, about to rest casually on Xiao Yan's shoulder — only to be intercepted by the woman who stepped forward protectively.
The handsome man merely shrugged, showing no concern. Looking at Xiao Yan's stunned expression, he smiled faintly.
"How does it feel?"
"...So strong!"
Xiao Yan answered almost involuntarily. The strength of this handsome youth was, without a doubt, the most terrifying he'd ever witnessed. Even Yun Shan, a powerful Dou Ancestor, couldn't withstand a single strike.
"Tsk tsk, I wouldn't call myself strong. The real powerhouses are the ones who'll be arriving soon."
The handsome youth clicked his tongue, seemingly unconcerned. His own cultivation was only at the level of a Five-Star Dou Ancestor — defeating Yun Shan was effortless. But in the grand scheme of things, this bit of strength was far from sufficient.
"Even stronger reinforcements are coming?"
Xiao Yan froze. Stronger than a Dou Ancestor? Could it be that even a Dou Venerate would come?
Whoosh.
Just as Xiao Yan was about to ask, Yun Shan's battered figure shot out from the crater below. His right cheek was visibly swollen, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
The earlier slap from the handsome youth hadn't inflicted a grievous injury — but it had shattered the prestige of the entire Misty Cloud Sect in one blow.
Now, as Yun Shan glared at the youth, flames of fury burned in his eyes. After a moment of hesitation, he made his decision.
"Good. None of you are leaving today."
A crazed gleam flashed in Yun Shan's eyes. Dark mist gushed from within his body, his injuries rapidly healing as his aura surged dramatically. Within moments, beneath the cover of that black fog, he had elevated to the level of a Five-Star Dou Ancestor.
"This aura... Soul Hall!"
Sensing the shift, the handsome youth's eyes narrowed. From the miasma surrounding Yun Shan, he immediately picked up on that familiar, rotten aura — one unique to Soul Hall.
"You recognize Soul Hall?"
A flicker of surprise flashed in Yun Shan's eyes, quickly replaced by a deep, heavy look. Soul Hall was a major force in the Central Plains, yet the man before him had recognized it from just a wisp of aura.
"Are you also from the Central Plains? Then you must know the consequences of offending Soul Hall!"
Yun Shan's icy voice rang out, leaving the surrounding crowd confused.
What exactly was Soul Hall? What kind of power could make even a Dou Ancestor show such fear? And more puzzling — Yun Shan, who had been secluded for so long, how had he come into contact with forces from the Central Plains?
"Hmph. So Soul Hall really did extend its claws here."
The handsome youth showed no fear. So what if Yun Shan had boosted himself to a Five-Star Dou Ancestor? His eyes gleamed with starlight as his figure flashed — he struck out in an instant.
A long white Dou Qi spear materialized in his hand, thrusting forward. Three spear shadows, intertwining like heavenly dragons, roared through the air, causing the very void to ripple as terrifying energy fluctuations surged outward.
"Hmph!"
Yun Shan said no more. Since his connection to Soul Hall had been exposed, there was no point in holding back. A murderous glint flashed in his eyes as he charged forward to meet the attack.
"Retreat!"
Above, the woman in the sky saw the battle break out below. She grabbed Xiao Yan and began to pull him back — but just as they moved, five figures shot up from the ground, blocking their path.
"Retreat? You think you can leave?"
Black mist poured from Yun Leng's body as well, and his originally Dou King-level aura now skyrocketed to the level of a Four-Star Dou Emperor. Behind him, the four other figures also erupted with strength, reaching the One-Star Dou Emperor realm under the influence of the black mist.
"Five Dou Emperors!"
Jia Xingtian and Hai Bodong's expressions shifted dramatically. They stared in horror at the surging Dou Qi waves from Yun Leng and the others. They had surpassed the Dou King level — they were full-fledged Dou Emperors now!
"What's that black mist?!"
Jia Xingtian's face darkened. The sudden eruption of the Misty Cloud Sect's hidden power filled him with dread. That such strength had been concealed all this time — it was simply terrifying.
"There's soul fluctuations within the mist!"
Fa Ma, a skilled alchemist, sensed carefully and his expression changed dramatically. From within the black mist, he detected a sinister soul force — something utterly malevolent. In fright, he hastily withdrew his senses.
"This is bad!"
Without a word, Hai Bodong's figure turned into a stream of light as he shot toward the battlefield. The sudden surge of power had caught them completely off guard — Xiao Yan, who had just gained the upper hand, was once again plunged into dire peril.
"Kekeke, I hadn't planned to reveal this... but it can't be helped. Today, you will all die here!"
Yun Leng sneered coldly, his gaze mocking as he stared at Xiao Yan. He had hesitated to use this forbidden power — after all, it was crucial to the Misty Cloud Sect's greater plans.
But now, with Yun Shan having revealed his cards, there was no more need for caution. If they let Xiao Yan and his group escape now, it would be the height of foolishness.
"Hmph, just a pack of Soul Hall lapdogs!"
The woman snorted coldly. She gently set Xiao Yan down, and then — with a roar — the Dou Qi of a Seven-Star Dou Emperor burst forth from her body. A brilliant beam of Dou Qi shot toward Yun Leng.
Such despicable villains, coupled with that nauseating aura — she could no longer restrain her fury.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
Yun Leng and the others reacted swiftly. Three of them moved in unison, forming a battle array. The black mist connecting them shaped into a massive black shield, blocking the woman's fierce assault.
Meanwhile, Yun Leng and another figure lunged toward Xiao Yan, aiming to capture him.
"Go, now!"
A familiar voice rang out. Instantly, a crystal of extreme frost formed before Xiao Yan, exploding into a barrage of icicles that rained down on Yun Leng and his companions.
Hai Bodong flashed forward, intercepting two of the enemy.
"Old Hai!"
Xiao Yan cried out in alarm. Watching Hai Bodong, whose strength had not fully recovered, battling fiercely, Xiao Yan clenched his fists and darted forward.
Even if he tried to flee, he'd quickly be caught. The only path was forward — to break through!
The key to victory lay with those three maintaining the black shield. If they fell, no one could stop the woman from sweeping the field.
Xiao Yan's hands ignited with Heavenly Flames, blending together. In just a moment, a lotus of purple-white flame blossomed in his palms.
With a flash, he charged straight at the three defenders, hurling the fire lotus.
"Flame Lotus of Buddha's Fury!"
The terrifying heat devoured everything. The black shield, born of the mist, began to boil and melt like snow before fire as the Flame Lotus neared.
The balance of the Three Talent Formation shattered.
"Explode!"
Xiao Yan's eyes lit up with delight as he gave a low shout. Terrifying flames erupted from his body, crashing violently against the massive black shield. The raging fire scorched the surrounding black mist, which seemed to have met its natural nemesis, letting out a chorus of mournful, wailing cries.
"Break!"
The woman's eyes flashed brightly. Seizing the opportunity, she unleashed her Dou Qi with explosive force, condensing it into a streak of yellow arrow-light that shot forth at blinding speed, piercing straight into the black mist shield.
"Crack... crack..."
A series of crisp sounds echoed out. Fine fractures spiderwebbed across the surface of the enormous black shield, and in the next instant, it shattered into countless fragments. The three cultivators maintaining the formation staggered, their auras collapsing instantly as they fell from the realm of Dou Emperor.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan was overjoyed, secretly celebrating his success—only to see a shadow flash across his vision. A dark figure emerged abruptly, darting past the three. In that fleeting moment, the black mist and the souls within the trio were forcibly wrenched from their bodies, sucked straight into the figure's form.
The shadow's icy gaze fell upon Xiao Yan. In that instant, a terrifying aura locked firmly onto him, causing a chill to seize his limbs. He found himself completely unable to move.
"Jie Jie... Pathetic. Not even worthy of being called a Dou Grandmaster."
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