Chapter 190: Protector Wu, It's You Again!
Since the great war between the Xiao and Soul Clans a thousand years ago, the Soul Clan had seemingly vanished from the Dou Qi Continent. Though occasional sightings of their remnants and powerful individuals occurred over the centuries, the Xiao Clan's efforts had systematically eliminated many of them most being insignificant threats.
The Soul Hall, however, was different.
As an auxiliary force of the Soul Clan, the Soul Hall had retained many powerful members who had not participated in the war. These individuals were both cunning and formidable. Upon learning of the Soul Clan's destruction, they did not foolishly rush for revenge. Instead, they scattered and concealed themselves, making it extremely challenging for the Xiao Clan to track them down.
The war had also cost the Xiao Clan several powerful individuals before Xiao Xuan's ascension to Dou Di. As a result, the clan chose to temporarily halt their pursuit of the Soul Hall to recuperate and rebuild.
Now, with a millennium having passed, the Xiao Clan had grown immensely stronger. Even without Xiao Xuan, they could easily crush the Soul Clan as it once was. However, the Xiao Clan's leadership was no longer prioritizing the hunt for the Soul Hall, delegating it instead as a trial for younger members. Capturing a Soul Hall member still earned considerable merit, and thus, it became an excellent training opportunity for rising talents like Xiao Yan.
Arriving at Wu Tan City
In less than an hour, Xiao Yan returned to Wu Tan City from Salt City. His speed and control over space made the journey effortless.
The city looked much the same as it always had, bustling with its usual activity. Within the Zhang Clan compound, family members went about their lives some training, others engaging in minor disputes blissfully unaware of the figure hovering coldly above them.
Xiao Yan gazed down at them with icy determination, his eyes reflecting a ruthless gleam.
"No one leaves this place alive."
To him, mercy was a weakness he could not afford. His principle was simple: if you acted, act decisively. If you killed, kill cleanly.
Just as he was about to strike, a subtle yet powerful fluctuation rippled from deep within the Zhang Clan's grounds.
"Hmm?"
Xiao Yan halted, his sharp gaze locking onto the source of the disturbance. Emerging from the depths of the compound was a figure shrouded in black mist. The newcomer was unmistakably a Dou Zong and judging by the signature dark energy surrounding him, a member of the Soul Hall.
"How amusing. A Soul Hall Protector delivered straight to my doorstep."
A smirk tugged at Xiao Yan's lips as he unleashed his soul force, intentionally revealing his presence to the figure below.
The black robed Dou Zong paused mid air, stunned as he felt the overwhelming soul pressure sweep over him. Alarmed, he quickly materialized before Xiao Yan.
"Who might you be to appear in a backwater place like Wu Tan City?" the figure asked cautiously.
Though his voice was polite, his tone betrayed his wariness. He could sense the immense danger emanating from this seemingly youthful figure.
"Who am I?" Xiao Yan smiled cordially, holding Qing Lin in his arms.
"I'm simply here to repay a favor to a member of the Zhang Clan. But you, my friend your appearance is quite… distinctive. How should I address you?"
Hearing this, the black robed man visibly relaxed. "I am known as Protector Wu."
"Protector Wu?" Xiao Yan repeated, his expression growing peculiar.
The name sparked a surge of memories. Protector Wu had been a pivotal NPC in the story of another world a symbol of bad luck destined to meet an untimely end.
"Tell me," Xiao Yan asked, his tone suddenly sharp, "are you from the Soul Hall?"
Protector Wu's expression instantly darkened. "How do you know "
Before he could finish, Xiao Yan's smirk widened into a sinister grin, sending a chill down Qing Lin's spine as she clung tightly to him.
"I know because I am Xiao Yan of the Xiao Clan."
"The Xiao Clan?" Protector Wu's eyes widened in terror, a cold dread coursing through him.
The Soul Hall had long regarded the Xiao Clan as their greatest nemesis. From the moment he joined, Protector Wu had been warned repeatedly about the Xiao Clan's fearsome power. If encountering a member of the Xiao Clan, their instructions were clear: flee if you can't kill them. And if you failed to flee, it would bring destruction to the entire branch of the Soul Hall.
Realizing the grave danger he was in, Protector Wu made an immediate decision. His body shimmered and began to fade, revealing his true form appearing a thousand meters away. He had activated a blood burning escape technique, determined to flee with all his might.
The Chase
Protector Wu fled with everything he had, but before he could escape Wu Tan City, a familiar shadow appeared behind him.
"You!" he cried in disbelief, turning to see Xiao Yan closing in on him.
"Stay down!" Xiao Yan roared, delivering a devastating punch to Protector Wu's chest.
The impact sent him crashing to the ground, blood spurting from his mouth. His eyes filled with despair.
Outmatched. Outpaced. Hopeless.
As desperation overtook him, Protector Wu ignited the last of his strength, his body vanishing once more. This time, he reappeared back in the Zhang Clan compound, his expression frantic.
"If I can't escape, then I'll take them all with me!"
Protector Wu's gaze landed on the underground spatial tunnel, and a manic grin spread across his face.
"The Revered One instructed us if faced with disaster, destroy the Zhang Clan and the spatial gate!"
Unleashing a burst of energy, he sent out a massive soul wave, killing every Zhang Clan member instantly. Their lifeless bodies crumpled, blood pouring from their orifices.
"Now to destroy the gate and myself!"
His energy began to surge, his body swelling as he prepared for self detonation.
Intervention
Before Protector Wu could explode, the air around him solidified. His expanding energy abruptly began to shrink back into his body.
"Tsk tsk. Trying to self destruct in front of me? A bit too ambitious, don't you think?"
A calm, elderly voice echoed as an old man stepped out of the void.
With a simple tap on Protector Wu's shoulder, the elderly figure sealed his energy entirely. Protector Wu collapsed to the ground, powerless.
"I didn't even have to lift a finger, and you cleaned up this mess for me. You must be a saint, unable to bear seeing my hands stained with blood," Xiao Yan teased as he emerged from the void, grinning.
Qing Lin had already been tucked safely into a pocket dimension by the two old saints, Wen and Wu. Xiao Yan bent down, grabbed Protector Wu's limp body, and turned his gaze toward the underground chamber.
The Spatial Gate
A large spatial tunnel, glowing faintly, lay before them.
"On the other side of this gate lies a Soul Hall branch, doesn't it?" Xiao Yan mused, turning to the two saints.
"Wen Lao, Wu Lao, this is your chance to earn some merit."
The two elders exchanged sinister smiles, their anticipation evident.
"Heh heh heh! Let's go hunting."
(To be continued...)
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