Chapter 189: The Soul Clan's Ancient Emperor Jade
Upon seeing Mo Cheng betray the Soul Hall, the Zhang Clan Patriarch's expression turned utterly despairing.
Unlike Mo Cheng, the patriarch knew exactly who Xiao Yan was. This knowledge only deepened his fear and unease in the face of Xiao Yan's presence.
"The Soul Hall was an organization I stumbled upon in my youth," Mo Cheng began, his tone trembling as he divulged everything. "I don't know the full extent of its power, but I've personally witnessed the presence of a Revered One. Their strength was beyond imagination."
He continued, "I pledged my loyalty to them early on and began carrying out tasks for the Soul Hall. They were generous and cultivated me into a Dou Huang because of my diligence.
"As for the Zhang Clan Patriarch, his role within the Soul Hall is even more significant. His branch was said to have their memories wiped clean, with only the family heads aware of their true purpose.
"Because of this secrecy, the Zhang Clan Patriarch holds an extremely high status, even comparable to the Revered Ones within the Soul Hall."
Mo Cheng took a breath before concluding, "Recently, the Soul Hall tasked me with locating a Heavenly Flame, which I successfully did. They promised to help me ascend to Dou Zong (Battle Sect) afterward. Beyond this, I know little else."
As Mo Cheng finished, Xiao Yan glanced at the Zhang Patriarch, whose face was pale with despair.
A Ruthless Decision
"Is that all?" Xiao Yan asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Yes, that's everything," Mo Cheng nodded hurriedly. "Can you at least grant me a swift end?"
Xiao Yan was momentarily surprised by Mo Cheng's words.
"Oh? How are you so certain I'll kill you?"
"I've done my share of extracting information and silencing people," Mo Cheng replied with a bitter smile. "I can tell what you're thinking."
"Smart," Xiao Yan remarked with an amused smirk. "You've read the situation well."
Xiao Yan paused before continuing, "But before I fulfill your wish, I need to ask you one more question: where is the Soul Hall's division you mentioned located?"
At this, Mo Cheng's face stiffened.
"I... I can't tell you."
"Can't or won't?" Xiao Yan's voice turned cold.
"It's not that I refuse," Mo Cheng stammered. "The moment I even attempt to reveal its location, the curse planted in me by the Soul Hall will activate, and I'll be killed instantly."
His eyes darted toward the Zhang Clan Patriarch, and he added slyly, "But he might be able to tell you."
"Mmmpf!" the Zhang Patriarch, still immobilized by Xiao Yan's spatial restraints, let out muffled, furious sounds.
His bloodshot eyes glared daggers at Mo Cheng, the anger and betrayal palpable. After all the Soul Hall had done to nurture him, Mo Cheng had so quickly betrayed them out of fear. Worse yet, he had pointed the blade at the patriarch, essentially throwing him under the bus.
"Such loyalty," Xiao Yan said mockingly before turning back to Mo Cheng.
"Very well. You've done your part. I'll grant you a quick death."
Mo Cheng's face relaxed slightly, a trace of relief in his eyes. However, before he could react further, a flicker of Yin Yang Saint Flame shot from Xiao Yan's mouth, engulfing Mo Cheng's soul.
The elder's life and soul were reduced to ash in an instant, his demise swift and merciless.
Turning to the Zhang Patriarch
"Now, it's your turn." Xiao Yan's tone was calm, but his eyes were razor sharp as they fixed on the Zhang Patriarch.
"Even if I die, I won't betray the Soul Hall!" the patriarch roared defiantly, his voice filled with rage and conviction.
"Impressive, you've got spine," Xiao Yan said approvingly. Then, with a sly grin, he reached into the patriarch's clothing.
"What are you doing?!" the patriarch shouted, his face flushing with both anger and panic.
Ignoring him, Xiao Yan rummaged around for a moment before retrieving a jade pendant.
As he examined the object, Xiao Yan's grin widened.
"Heh. The Soul Clan truly is on par with my Xiao Clan. They entrusted the Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade to a mere Da Dou Shi?"
The jade pendant, a vital piece of the legendary key to the ancient ruins, radiated a faint mystical aura. With this, Xiao Yan now possessed two of the eight pieces required to unlock the ruins of the Tuo She Ancient Emperor.
"The remaining six pieces..." Xiao Yan mused to himself. "I'll let Xiao Xuan deal with them. If the clan patriarch deems it improper to take them by force, I'll just have to marry the saintesses from the other clans. They'll include the jade in my dowry as a matter of course."
He chuckled darkly at the thought.
"And if they refuse? Well, once I become a Nine Star Dou Sheng (Battle Saint), no one will stop me from taking what's mine."
The Art of Soul Searching
Smirking, Xiao Yan pressed his palm against the Zhang Patriarch's forehead.
The patriarch's eyes widened in horror. "W what are you doing?!"
Without answering, Xiao Yan activated a sinister soul technique he had learned from the Soul Clan: Soul Search.
This forbidden art allowed one to forcibly extract memories from a person's soul. However, it came with risks it could damage the user's soul if used against someone of equal or greater strength.
Fortunately, the Zhang Patriarch was merely a Da Dou Shi, and Xiao Yan's power far surpassed his.
The patriarch's body convulsed violently, his eyes rolling back as Xiao Yan rifled through his memories. The process was excruciating, but Xiao Yan remained unfazed.
The flood of information from the patriarch's mind poured into Xiao Yan's consciousness, revealing secrets about the Soul Hall and its operations.
"Such a brutal technique," Xiao Yan muttered to himself after finishing the process. "No wonder the Soul Clan was despised by so many."
Still, he felt no guilt. The war between the Soul Clan and the Xiao Clan was a battle of survival. Mercy had no place in such conflicts.
Wrapping Up
Once the soul searching was complete, Xiao Yan tossed the lifeless body of the Zhang Patriarch to the ground.
With a flick of his finger, he incinerated the corpse, leaving nothing but ashes.
As he vanished into the shadows, the underground chamber was left empty, save for the faint remnants of heat where the Green Lotus Core Flame had once been.
Moving Forward
With the Green Lotus Core Flame secured and Qing Lin safely in his arms, Xiao Yan flew toward Wutan City.
In the spatial void nearby, the voices of Wen and Wu Saints echoed.
"Young Master, was that Zhang Patriarch truly a remnant of the Soul Clan?"
"Indeed," Xiao Yan confirmed with a nod. "Not only that, but his bloodline is directly tied to Hun Tiandi himself."
"That explains their secrecy," one of the saints remarked. "By erasing all knowledge except among their leaders, they managed to avoid detection for a millennium."
Xiao Yan's lips curled into a smirk. "Once the Soul Hall is eradicated, it'll be a monumental achievement for the Xiao Clan."
From the void came the Saints' sinister laughter, "Hehe, then let's ensure we annihilate every last one of them."
(To be continued...)
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