Chapter 358: The Two Professional Soul Harvesters—So Which One Is the Real Soul Hall Elder?
"Third Brother!"
Xiao Yan exclaimed in joy as he saw Xiao Yuan reveal himself, instantly feeling much more at ease.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! How could you possibly seal my spatial power? You're nothing but a nine-star Dou Zong! Even with secret techniques, at most you should only be able to contend with Dou Zun experts. You shouldn't have such mastery over space!"
Móyàn Tianzun shouted in disbelief.
"No… You don't understand me. And you don't understand space."
Xiao Yuan shook his head. Then he raised his hand and suddenly clenched his fingers into a fist. Behind him, the two Soul Hall Dou Zuns who were trapped in ice coffins were crushed—completely shattered by spatial force!
This sight stunned everyone—not just Móyàn Tianzun, but even Qiu Ling, the Pill Tower's Grand Elder, was wide-eyed with shock.
To crush two Dou Zun experts using pure spatial force—Qiu Ling himself couldn't do that!
Only someone at the peak Dou Zun level like the three Pill Tower presidents could possibly achieve such a feat.
But Xiao Yuan's current aura only appeared to be that of a five-star Dou Zun. How could he wield such mastery over space?
Even Xiao Yan, who knew him best, was dumbfounded.
Third Brother... got stronger again?
"You were hiding your true strength?!"
Móyàn Tianzun racked his brain and could only come up with that explanation.
"If not flaunting every flashy trick I know counts as hiding my strength, then sure, think what you want. The Three Thousand Burning Flame isn't easy to handle. So I'd prefer you surrender—save me the effort."
Xiao Yuan casually waved his hand, and the shattered ice remnants dispersed. Then, a terrifying wave of heat burst from his body!
"You arrogant brat! You think defeating that waste Mu Gu with a secret technique makes you invincible? Today I'll show you what true power looks like!"
Enraged by Xiao Yuan's dismissive tone, Móyàn Tianzun released a surge of burning aura. A dark red flame exploded from his body.
"The Flame of Burning Heaven?"
Xiao Yuan's eyes flashed with surprise.
This flame was one of the top-tier beast flames—a life flame of the eighth-rank magical beast, the Burning Heaven Demon Ape. Its heat and explosive nature rivaled some of the lower-ranked Heavenly Flames. Even Cao Ying's Blood Demon Flame was a bit weaker by comparison.
From afar, the Three Thousand Burning Flame looked at the crimson fire with a glint of desire in its eyes.
To it, that beast flame would make an excellent supplement.
However, what it desired even more were the flames in Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan—true Heavenly Flames!
If it could devour and refine the two of them, even the three Pill Tower leaders wouldn't be able to stop it.
"Xiao Yuan, let's team up to take him down!" Qiu Ling didn't care about fighting fair and immediately suggested they work together.
"No need, Grand Elder. I can handle it myself. Please just keep an eye on the Three Thousand Burning Flame so it doesn't launch a sneak attack."
Xiao Yuan waved dismissively and sent a voice transmission.
Qiu Ling instantly understood Xiao Yuan's concern and backed off slightly. While shielding Xiao Yan and the others, he kept his aura locked on the massive dragon.
The flame itself didn't seem to care. In its eyes, everyone here was trash—only the three Pill Tower leaders were worth worrying about.
"Forget it—let's end this quickly."
Xiao Yuan already knew Soul Hall wouldn't surrender, so he shook his head and raised his hand. Dark-gold flame erupted from his palm, transforming into a fire-forged ruler.
"Take this!"
Lightning flashed at his feet as Xiao Yuan's figure vanished. In a flash, he reappeared behind Móyàn Tianzun, swinging the ruler down with immense force!
Flame-Splitting Ruler!
He opened with a mid-tier Earth-rank Dou Technique. Xiao Yuan had no interest in testing the waters—he went all out from the start!
Clang!
A metallic crash echoed as Xiao Yuan's eyes flicked to his opponent. As expected, Móyàn Tianzun had summoned Soul Hall's signature weapon—a black soul-restricting chain, now coated in dark red fire.
"Jie jie jie, taste my Ten Thousand Soul Heavenly Chains!"
With a cruel grin, Móyàn Tianzun lashed out with his chains. Countless black chains shot from his sleeves like vipers, twisting and overlapping in the air before striking toward Xiao Yuan.
Ssshh!
But with Xiao Yuan's speed and movement technique, dodging them was trivial. Blue lightning flashed beneath his feet as he leapt skyward and rapidly formed hand seals.
A surge of Dou Qi condensed in front of him into a crystalline imprint.
Heaven-Sealing Imprint!
With a slap of his palm, the imprint launched like a comet, smashing through the sky full of black chains and shattering them!
The Emperor's Seal Technique?!
Móyàn Tianzun broke into a cold sweat. Dammit—where did this kid learn something like that?
As a top-level Soul Hall Elder, he was well-versed in countless secret arts. He knew full well: anyone capable of using the Emperor's Seal Technique was not someone to be trifled with!
But the mission had been personally assigned by the Hall Master. Failing was not an option. Death would be mercy.
After wrestling with the dilemma in his heart, a flash of ruthlessness crossed Móyàn Tianzun's face. If death was inevitable, then he'd rather go all out.
He formed a series of swift seals, then roared, "Soul Lock Manifest!"
Clank!
As soon as his shout echoed, the screech of metal grinding filled the air. A massive black fog burst from the top of his head. Amid the swirling darkness, a ten-meter-long black soul chain emerged—twisted and terrifying.
The chain was engraved with strange runes, and faint, tormented faces twisted across its surface. Wails echoed as it floated ominously in the void.
"He actually summoned his Life Soul Lock... looks like he's ready to die," Qiu Ling muttered grimly.
"What is that?" Xiao Yan asked curiously.
"Soul Hall's techniques are strange and dangerous. That Life Soul Lock is their last resort. It's linked directly to their soul. If it's damaged, the backlash is immense. They don't use it unless there's no other option. Its power is tremendous, but the risk is equally great," Qiu Ling explained.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly. Soul Hall was indeed bizarre—to cultivate something like that…
And the chain's power was obvious. In just one moment, it shattered Xiao Yuan's Heaven-Sealing Imprint and shot toward him.
"One imprint's not enough? Then how about four?"
Xiao Yuan wasn't fazed. He danced his hands like butterflies forming seals. One after another, crystalline imprints took shape, forming four energy arrays in the air.
Mountain-Splitting Seal, Sea-Flipping Seal, Earth-Reversing Seal, Heaven-Sealing Seal!
He spun, then thrust his palm forward. The four seals merged into one brilliant imprint, tearing space as it flew. Black rifts cracked open behind it, quickly mended by ambient forces.
The blazing handprint streaked forward like a shooting star and collided with the massive chain!
BOOM!
An earth-shaking blast erupted. Without the protection of Qiu Ling, Old Monster Qinghua, and Wang Yuandan, the shockwave would've seriously injured weaker fighters like Song Qing.
Now everyone understood why Xiao Yuan was already considered a candidate for the next Pill Tower triumvirate.
At his age, he could refine a seven-colored pill lightning Tier Eight pill—and now he could trade blows with a five-star Dou Zun?
Just as this thought struck them, the black chain—so terrifying moments ago—was shattered into pieces by the brilliant imprint. Wailing echoes rang out like ghostly screams.
Pfft!
At the same time, Móyàn Tianzun's face went pale, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
He cursed his misfortune—why had he taken this mission?
He didn't know much, but even among the ancient clans, no one could use a four-seal Emperor's Seal Technique at the five-star Dou Zun level!
Just what kind of monster was this Xiao Yuan?
The destruction of the Life Soul Lock caused him devastating backlash. Meanwhile, Xiao Yuan stood calm and composed, ready to launch another four-seal combo.
"I'll remember this, Xiao Yuan! Soul Hall will haunt you for the rest of your life!"
Móyàn Tianzun gave a bitter laugh, his body suddenly swelling as he launched himself at Xiao Yuan.
"Watch out! He's trying to self-destruct!" Qiu Ling shouted.
"Self-destruct? You think I didn't prepare for that?"
Xiao Yuan smirked.
He quickly formed a strange seal. Five-colored light swirled around him.
Móyàn Tianzun's face twisted—he felt a foreign energy invade his body, rapidly devouring his life force.
"Primordial Transformation: Dissolve into Five Elements!"
With a low chant, Xiao Yuan grabbed toward the Soul Hall elder.
Móyàn Tianzun froze in midair. His swollen body deflated like a punctured balloon, and the light in his eyes dimmed.
His aura faded to nothing. Xiao Yuan waved his hand—and his body crumbled into dust, leaving behind only a ring, a soul pouch, and a dark red flame.
Gulp.
Everyone swallowed nervously. No one understood what just happened.
Xiao Yan, however, had a guess. He remembered Xiao Yuan mentioning the mysterious "Primordial Seal" technique—capable of attack, defense, and support. That move must've been its offensive form.
With his soul power, Xiao Yan could sense it clearly: Móyàn Tianzun's life and Dou Qi had been sucked away in an instant. There was no way he could self-destruct anymore.
"You think hiding in a spatial rift works in my domain? That's just wishful thinking."
Xiao Yuan's gaze turned to a patch of void. He casually slapped it—and a faint figure tumbled out.
"Xiao Yuan, don't go too far!"
The soul remnant of Móyàn Tianzun cried out. His already-weak form turned even fainter after that slap.
"Oh? Weren't you mocking me earlier? Now you beg for mercy?"
Xiao Yuan smirked and slapped him again—this time sending the remnant flying toward Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan understood immediately. His Fallen Heart Flame surged forth, trapping the soul fragment. He sealed it in a jade bottle and slipped it into his ring with practiced ease.
???
Everyone stared blankly at their synchronized movements, a chill crawling up their backs.
Wait a minute… are these guys the real professionals?
Xiao Yuan ignored them and flew toward his spoils.
But at that moment, a black shadow descended from above, trailing a terrifying shockwave.
(END CHAPTER)
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