"These aren't ordinary puppets… their eyes still contain residual Life Qi…" Xiao Yan murmured as he examined the puppets covered in fresh, crimson blood.
"These are Ancient Human Puppets," Xiao Jietian explained softly from the side. "By special means, a strong practitioner's soul is extracted from their body and then sealed within the puppet. Puppets created this way not only possess sentience but can also unleash Dou Techniques, making them far more troublesome than ordinary puppets."
"That's right. These Human Puppets are the most difficult to deal with—and the most cruel and ruthless," Venerable Skyfire said with a hint of solemnity.
Even with his current peak five-star Dou Zun strength, dealing with this group of puppets would not be an easy task.
Puppets felt no pain whatsoever, and fighting them was the most disgusting thing because they only attacked and never defended, using moves that were purely life-for-life.
"Alright, you can make your move. Yanran, you should stay by my side for now. With your strength, it would be quite dangerous in this chaos," Xiao Jietian patted Xiao Yan's shoulder and slightly raised his head.
"Yes, Yanran, just stay by Xiao Jietian's side. It's too chaotic and bloody here. I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you in time," Xiao Yan hurriedly added to Nalan Yanran.
"Mm, then you be careful and stay safe," Nalan Yanran gently hummed in response. She understood that her Dou Zong strength was no different from cannon fodder here.
Valley Master Tang Zhen's eyes flickered slightly. He cupped his hands toward Xiao Jietian. "Hall Master Xiao, may I ask if Huo'er can also stay with you?"
Tang Huo'er, standing beside him, wanted to say something but ultimately held back. Although she was straightforward, she wasn't brainless. Dou Zuns were everywhere here—one casual palm strike could fold her into three pieces.
"You may," Xiao Jietian nodded slightly. Since he wasn't competing or scrambling for anything, acting as a daycare here wouldn't attract any troublemakers.
As for Valley Master Tang Zhen, Xiao Jietian had a good impression of him. He was a grateful person and somewhat of a half-angel investor.
"Thank you, Hall Master Xiao. Tang is deeply grateful," Valley Master Tang Zhen bowed slightly again, expressing his gratitude as a father.
"No need to say more," Xiao Jietian replied with an indifferent expression.
Xiao Yan's eyes darted around a few times before he looked toward the people from the Hall of Souls. "You people from the Hall of Souls are untrustworthy. You said you'd deal with the puppets, but now you're just watching the show. Why don't we first clear out these untrustworthy people to avoid being ambushed from behind?"
Xiao Yan's voice spread throughout the main hall. For a moment, most of the people in the hall—except those being chased by puppets—turned their gazes toward the Hall of Souls.
Previously, their eyes had been blinded by greed, making them forget this point. Immediately, many people joined the chorus of condemnation:
"That's right! If you're not going to act, then get out!"
"Exactly, exactly."
"…"
Listening to the surrounding voices, Black Heavenly Venerate and White Heavenly Venerate exchanged glances, then subtly looked at the Dou Sheng skeleton and nodded slightly.
"People of the Hall of Souls, follow me!" After White Heavenly Venerate called out, he engaged a puppet. Black Heavenly Venerate did the same, while the remaining Venerables and Protectors of the Hall of Souls ganged up on two puppets.
For a time, the Hall of Souls held back four puppets, and the chaotic situation was somewhat suppressed.
Many people cast grateful glances toward Xiao Yan and the others.
Watching the increasingly fierce scramble, Valley Master Tang Zhen gave Tang Huo'er some instructions, then led the Burning Flame Valley members toward the nearest light cluster.
After Burning Flame Valley made its move, other major forces also joined the scramble. For a time, the clashing sounds of Dou Qi echoed throughout the entire hall.
"Elder Zhai, let's make our move too. The target is that entirely crimson scroll—it must be fire-attributed."
With that, Xiao Yan charged toward the scroll, engaging in a struggle with a Dou Zun who was also trying to seize the Dou Technique.
Just as he charged out, Xiao Jietian's lips moved slightly. Xiao Yan's body paused for a moment before he continued toward the scroll.
Venerable Skyfire nodded and followed closely, instantly putting the Dou Zun in a life-or-death crisis.
"Little Flood Dragon, retreat a bit. These people have gone mad."
Upon hearing this, the Heaven-Reaching Flood Dragon slowly swam backward, reaching the edge of the main hall.
Seeing Xiao Jietian's group withdraw, many forces breathed a sigh of relief. This was mainly because, with the Heaven-Reaching Flood Dragon's strength combined with Xiao Jietian's apparent power, they would definitely have been able to snatch a scroll.
"Come, come, come, let's eat some melon first. This kind of excitement isn't something you can see every day." Xiao Jietian produced four fruits, each larger than a fist, and placed them in the hands of Xiao Huiying and the other two girls. "Tsk tsk tsk, it's too cruel—brains are flying out."
The three girls looked at the red fruits, larger than their palms, and couldn't help but feel speechless. This? Is this reasonable and appropriate? Others are fighting for their lives, and they're eating melons and watching the show.
Tang Huo'er looked at the red fruit in her hand. Its light flowed like wriggling blood, similar to the blood splattering in the arena. "This thing looks like blood. Not even a dog would eat it."
"This is a Vermilion Flame Spirit Fruit," Xiao Jietian's faint voice came.
The Vermilion Flame Spirit Fruit contained rich Heaven and Earth energy. Eating one would at least reduce more than half a month of arduous cultivation.
"If a dog won't eat it, I will! I love eating these crimson ones—they're so appetizing!" Tang Huo'er hurriedly put the spirit fruit into her mouth and took a small bite.
Seeing Tang Huo'er's appearance, Xiao Jietian couldn't help but recall a certain old friend.
Xiao Jietian ate his melon while watching the lively scene before him. For a moment, the bloodline of Blue Star people who loved watching excitement instantly awakened.
Xiao Huiying and the two other girls were all similar in age and had many topics to discuss. They sat together, chatting while watching the fight and even happily commenting on it.
In Xiao Yan's battle group, Xiao Yan directly sent a one-star Dou Zun flying with an Eight Extremities Collapse and took the fiery red scroll into his hand, while Venerable Skyfire entangled the guarding Human Puppet.
Finally, the two of them teamed up to send this Human Puppet flying into the battle group of the Ice River Valley.
Although this Human Puppet had intelligence, it clearly wasn't much. Its principle was to attack whoever it encountered, so it directly attacked the people of Ice River Valley.
"My apologies, I hit in the wrong direction. Truly sorry!" Xiao Yan looked at the Human Puppet's actions and loudly apologized to the people of Ice River Valley, but his voice was full of schadenfreude.
"I'll f*** your mother, you bastard!!" The people of Ice River Valley instantly broke down, but still had to brace themselves to resist the attacks of the newly joined Human Puppet.
For a Human Puppet, it didn't matter who it fought.
"Haha, Xiao Yan is quite mischievous. The people of Ice River Valley must be furious!" Tang Huo'er laughed heartily to Nalan Yanran.
Nalan Yanran also couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. She understood that Xiao Yan was venting her anger, as the enmity with Ice River Valley stemmed from them coveting her special physique.
Meanwhile, Xiao Jietian glanced at the people of the Hall of Souls. The two old fellows, Black Heavenly Venerate and White Heavenly Venerate, with their six-star Dou Zun strength, insisted on pretending to be evenly matched with the three-star Dou Zun Human Puppets, and even secretly moved toward the Dou Sheng skeleton.
Xiao Jietian emitted a subtle Qi from his hand, sending it toward the Hall of Souls' battle group.