Chapter 82: Are You Declaring War on My Soul Clan?

In the sky, Yun Yi lightly flicked his sleeves, dispersing the final energy shockwave in front of him. A cold smile emerged on his refined face.

Panting heavily, Yao Chen stared icily at Yun Yi, who seemed unscathed. After a while, he took a deep breath and said coldly, "Kid, you're not yet capable of capturing me!"

As his words fell, the eerie white flames around Yao Chen abruptly surged. With a swift motion of his sleeve, the flames whirled madly in the air. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth began to riot as though a terrifying, large mouth was ruthlessly devouring the surrounding spiritual energy.

"Ding Yu Mountains and Rivers!"

Yao Chen shouted loudly. The violent spiritual energy of heaven and earth transformed into a transparent, peculiar cauldron with three legs and two ears. Strangely, there was an unusual medicinal fragrance in the air, and the cauldron emanated an aura that seemingly pressed down the heavens.

After releasing this combat technique, Yao Chen's figure became increasingly transparent, as though he might dissipate at any moment.

"Combat skill of the Yao Clan!" Seeing the peculiar cauldron growing larger in the wind, a sharp light flashed in Yun Yi's eyes. He sneered, "As a discarded member of the Yao Clan, you claim to have nothing to do with them. Who knew you'd still need their combat skill to save your life in the end."

Yun Yi wasn't surprised that Yao Chen knew the Yao Clan's combat skill. Even though Yao Chen was a forsaken member, his parents were not. Having stayed with the Yao Clan for so many years, it wasn't surprising that he knew one or two of their combat skills.

Previously, Yao Chen hadn't exposed this, and the Yao Clan just turned a blind eye. Besides, given the distinctive nature of his Bone Spirit Cold Flame, who could claim this was a pure Yao Clan combat skill?

Nonetheless, this didn't stop Yun Yi from sarcastically mocking him!

"You're courting death!"

Sure enough, upon hearing Yun Yi's words, a murderous intent surged in Yao Chen's eyes. The cauldron abruptly smashed towards Yun Yi.

Yun Yi could sense that this combat skill was more about suppression and sealing. However, with the addition of the strange fire, the cauldron's destructive power was terrifying.

"Today, I'll shatter your pride!"

Gazing at the approaching cauldron, Yun Yi suddenly punched out. A tempest of energy accompanied by an overwhelming power of blood and qi collided with the cauldron with a thunderous roar.

"Boom—"

The descending momentum of the cauldron was halted. Yao Chen's face was grim as he saw this, shouting,

"Refine—"

Instantly, a terrifying ocean of eerie white flames erupted from the cauldron, surging towards Yun Yi.

"Soul Burial!"

Boom!

A thunderous sound reverberated through the heavens. A terrifyingly eerie black tide swept from behind Yun Yi, spreading out in an instant. The strange black light extended towards Yao Chen.

Darkness descended completely, making even the moon vanish as if it had been swallowed. The entire world was filled with abrupt darkness.

"What is that!"

In the distance, Xiao Yan, who had been found by Ling Ying, was astonished with Xiao Zhan as they both gazed at the cauldron swallowed by darkness. Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhan felt their souls tremble as if they could be devoured by the darkness at any moment.

"Is that, the Yao Clan? And the Soul Clan?"

Compared to them, Ling Ying had more knowledge. Although limited, he could still guess quite accurately.

"What Yao Clan? Soul Clan? Elder, could you please save my teacher!"

Xiao Yan pleaded urgently, still in a daze. This person, who appeared to be at least a Dou Wang (Dou Huang), had just saved him and his father. Thinking about Yao Chen's situation, he looked at Ling Ying with a pleading expression.

Hearing this, Ling Ying responded indifferently, "Sorry, I'm only responsible for your safety. As for the rest, the lady hasn't instructed anything."

"Lady? Who is your lady?"

Xiao Yan asked, still confused. Beside him, Xiao Zhan seemed to have an epiphany.

Ling Ying didn't answer Xiao Yan's question because they had arrived at a gathering place where all members of the Xiao Clan were assembled.

Aware of the commotion in the rear mountains, the Xiao Clan members, fearing accidents, had gathered at a temporarily safe location away from the mountains.

"Brother Xiao Yan!"

Seeing Xiao Yan return safely, a relieved Gu Xun Er quickly approached him, looking him over carefully.

"Xun Er!"

Seeing Gu Xun Er, a warmth flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. Ling Ying silently retreated to Gu Xun Er's side, vigilantly scrutinizing the surroundings.

The surrounding people occasionally cast fearful gazes at them. They had seen Ling Ying's striking Dou Qi wings earlier and were now both in awe and envy of Xiao Yan.

"Xun Er, can you ask this elder to save my teacher!"

Quick-witted, Xiao Yan immediately became curious about Xun Er's background after seeing Ling Ying's actions. But there were more pressing matters at hand.

"Teacher?" Gu Xun Er looked puzzled, glancing at Xiao Yan before turning back to Ling Ying.

Xiao Yan then recounted everything that had happened.

"Brother Xiao Yan, you said that person called your teacher Yao Chen? And Teacher Yao said that person was from the Soul Hall?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Xun Er's expression became solemn. She stared intently at Xiao Yan, asking seriously.

Though perplexed by her reaction, Xiao Yan nodded heavily.

"Xun Er, is the Soul Hall very strong?" Hesitating for a moment and considering Xun Er's attitude, Xiao Yan asked, somewhat uncertain.

After all, Yao Chen had only recently become his teacher and had been the cause of his decline in cultivation. Naturally, his feelings for Xun Er, his childhood sweetheart, were deeper.

If this situation made things difficult for Xun Er, he would side with her without hesitation.

"No, Brother Xiao Yan, I'll have someone save your teacher right away!"

Astute as always, Gu Xun Er sensed Xiao Yan's worries and smiled sweetly.

"Elder Ling, let Elder Lin assist and save Yao Chen!" As she ordered, Ling Ying hesitated. These Dou Zun elders were Gu Xun Er's last line of defense. Was it appropriate to use them this way?

"Miss, this..."

With a stern look and a suddenly cold voice, she replied, "Are you disobeying orders?"

With a quiver, gold flames danced in Ling Ying's eyes. Bowing deeply, Ling Ying complied, "Yes!"

Watching Ling Ying go off to call for help, Gu Xun Er beamed at Xiao Yan. "Brother Xiao Yan, Yao Chen will be alright soon!"

Xiao Yan was still reeling from her imposing demeanor. Commanding a Dou Huang at will, he wondered just how powerful her family was, and what position she held.

Realizing his growing inferiority complex as she drew near, Xiao Yan began to doubt if he could ever deserve such an outstanding girl.

Perceiving his change, Gu Xun Er furrowed her brows but quickly snuggled close to him affectionately.

"Mr. Yao Chen, it seems I have the upper hand!"

As the black mist cleared, Yun Yi held a nearly transparent soul body in one hand, smirking.

With a swift gesture, Yun Yi absorbed Yao Chen's Bone Flame Ring into his palm. Violently breaking its seal with his soul power, he was pleased to sense the techniques for controlling the Flame Mantra and Disaster Poison Body within.

Backed by the Soul Clan, Yao Chen's alchemist heritage wasn't as enticing. What truly attracted Yun Yi were the strange fire, the complete Flame Mantra, and the Disaster Poison Body control method.

"Ugh—"

"I would rather die than fall into the Soul Hall's hands again!"

Yao Chen's weak voice trembled with rage as he glared at Yun Yi. Deep within his soul, the Bone Spirit Cold Flame began to move eerily, causing the surrounding energy to become violent.

"Planning to self-destruct the strange fire?" Detecting the anomaly, Yun Yi sneered, "Futile!"

With a firm grip, Yun Yi's hand plunged into Yao Chen's soul body. Black flames in his palm sought the Bone Spirit Cold Flame in the soul's core.

"Ah—"

Even a staunch will like Yao Chen's couldn't resist the agony. His soul's core, initially poised for self-destruction, trembled uncontrollably against the black flames, suppressed and plundered of its energy.

"Nothingness... Swallowing Flame!"

Recognizing the abnormality, Yao Chen gazed incredulously at Yun Yi, exclaiming in disbelief.

"When did the Soul Clan's reach extend so far!" At that moment, a calm voice echoed, followed by an old hand appearing in the sky, emanating immense pressure and descending upon Yun Yi's space.

"Heh!"

"How my Soul Clan acts is none of your Gu Clan's concern!"

Suddenly, a figure in black robes appeared behind Yun Yi, confronting the descending hand without fear. With a sinister smile, a skeletal hand reached out, grasping the large hand and corroding it into nothingness with black mist.

"Soul Clan Dou Zun!"

A white-haired figure in black garments emerged, standing with hands behind his back, observing the two with calm yet proud eyes.

"Yao Chen belongs to my Gu Clan!"

With an air of arrogance, the Gu Clan's Dou Zun declared, as though stating an indisputable fact.

"You're seeking death!" Yun Yi snarled coldly, tightening his grip to pull out the Bone Spirit Cold Flame from Yao Chen's soul core, glaring disdainfully at the Gu Clan's Dou Zun.

"Should I take this as a declaration of war on behalf of the Gu Clan against my Soul Clan!!!"

"Whoosh—"

The frigid night wind howled. Never before had the Gu Clan's Dou Zun felt the night to be as bone-chilling.

Stop kidding, representing the Gu Clan in a war against the Soul Clan was beyond even Lady Xun Er's authority. It required consensus from both the Elders' Council and the Clan Leader.

"Heh—"

Seeing the Gu Clan's demeanor, Soul Chi's mockery was evident.

The Gu Clan was nothing but dead bones in a tomb!

"Enough talk, hand over Yao Chen!"

Angered by the mockery and knowing he'd been played, the Gu Clan's Dou Zun shouted furiously.

"Mere seven-star Dou Zun, who gives you the courage!"

Soul Chi's sinister expression turned cold as he responded.

"Bah, I'll show you what the Gu Clan can do!"

With the final word, the Gu Clan's Dou Zun stomped into the void. Deep yellow Dou Qi swirled around him, transforming into a menacing earth dragon roaring towards Soul Chi.

"Hundred Soul Slash!"

Unfazed by the fierce attack, Soul Chi emitted a crazed smile, conjuring a large blade to slash at the oncoming dragon.

"Boom!"

The two figures clashed in the sky, causing an earth-shattering sound. As time passed, their battle moved farther away, their hesitation indicating they were holding back their full strength.

With distance increasing, they began exposing their full power. The Gu Clan Dou Zun gradually fell into a disadvantage, unable to bridge the two-star gap.

"Emperor Seal Technique: Mountain Splitter, Sea Reverser!"

Finding himself outmatched, the Gu Clan's Dou Zun roared furiously. Bright green light burst from his palm as intricate seals took shape.

With a fierce wave, the mysterious energy seal exploded forward, sending turbulent energy across the heavens and shaking the clouds.

"Emperor Seal Technique!"

Soul Chi recognized the renowned technique of the Gu Clan's founding Dou Di. Unlike others, Gu Clan members benefited greatly from this technique's simplicity and power.

"Soul Burial: Hundred Ghost Palm!"

Black mist swiftly formed in Soul Chi's hand. The eerie wails of souls accompanied his charge towards the seal.

"Boom—"

Under countless eyes, the two powerful figures clashed like meteors, producing a magnificent collision that shook the heavens.

Energy storms swept across the sky, creating numerous black fissures, like gaping wounds in the void, inducing chilling fear.

As the storm raged on, uprooting trees and creating a scene of apocalyptic destruction, Yun Yi refocused. Knowing Soul Chi had gained the upper hand, he turned his attention to the approaching figure.

On a distant mountainside appeared a graceful cyan figure, looking like a celestial maiden, observing Yun Yi with cold indifference.

Her long, flowing hair and ethereal beauty made the surrounding world dim in comparison. Though young, her striking appearance was enough to captivate anyone.

"Gu Xun Er!"

The beauty did not impress Yun Yi. Staring coldly at her, he replied icily, his tone as frigid as ice.

"Release Yao Chen, or even if you are from the Soul Clan, you will not leave here alive!"

Only Xiao Yan elicited words from Gu Xun Er. She spoke without emotion or hesitation.

"Heh!"

"You, with just nine stages of Dou Zhi Qi?"

Yun Yi sneered, his eyes flashing with disdain.

Due to having sealed the Golden Emperor Burning Sky Flame within her, Gu Xun Er had experienced much pain and slow cultivation in the Dou Qi phases, causing her to lag behind despite her divine bloodline status.

However, this was preferable as she later managed to stay on par with Xiao Yan, thanks to the sealed flame.

"Hmm?"

Frowning, Gu Xun Er noticed her hidden guards' reluctance. They couldn't risk full-scale conflict with the Soul Clan. However, remembering Xiao Yan's plea, she took a deep breath. With cold resolve, she glared at Yun Yi, "This is all your fault! Few more years were left!"

With that, she produced a black scroll and crushed it, generating a violent space fluctuation.

"Rip—"

Before everyone's shocked eyes, the sky tore apart, revealing a gentle, scholarly middle-aged man who stepped through.

Instantly, everything around seemed to freeze. Hidden Gu and Soul Clan Dou Zuns emerged. With just a glance, he reduced the opposing Dou Zuns to nothing.

"Ha, Gu Yuan, you shameless fool, attacking a junior as the Gu Clan leader!"

(End of Chapter)