Chapter 64: The Hall of Souls!

Within the Black-Corner Region!

A piece of polluted black land, with occasional glimpses of eerie white bones of various creatures scattered around, giving off an unsettling and chilling vibe.

A figure dressed in white, exuding an otherworldly aura, slowly appeared at the edge of this desolate land, looking completely out of place in the surrounding environment.

Yun Yi lifted his head, gazing into the distance where the black sky met the outlines of a mountain range cloaked in freezing mist.

Feeling the pulsations from the soul token in his hand, Yun Yi knew he was getting close to his destination.

As the sun set, the cold fog enveloping the forest grew denser, limiting visibility to a mere few hundred meters even with soul perception, beyond which nothing could be detected.

"Swish swish!"

The occasional low growl of beasts in the misty forest was suddenly accompanied by faint sounds of something slicing through the air, making the place even more eerie and terrifying.

However, Yun Yi remained unperturbed as he continued to walk forward step by step, not knowing how long had passed.

The surrounding fog began to thin out, and in the distance, on a hillside, a massive black palace loomed like a ferocious ancient beast.

In the dim light, gazing at the pitch-black hall, an ominous and terrifying aura spread, sending a chill through one's heart.

"The Hall of Souls indeed found a good spot. As expected of the largest organization on the Dou Qi continent. Compared to them, the other imperial clans are mere weaklings, no wonder Soul Emperor despises them so much!" Yun Yi murmured quietly to himself, disdain flickering in his eyes when mentioning the imperial clans.

Compared to the ambitious Soul Emperor, none of the others were worthy of victory in Yun Yi's eyes!

Brushing off these thoughts, Yun Yi focused on the spatial barrier in front of him. Taking a few steps forward, his finger enveloped in a black glow carved a large doorway through the distorted space.

Without urgency, Yun Yi raised his hand again, swiftly forming spiritual seals that flew out and affixed to the surrounding spatial nodes. Once the space was thoroughly locked, he stepped through the door with satisfaction.

Walking towards the pitch-black hall, he soon encountered several individuals dressed in black robes.

"Let's move, this time I must gather enough souls to advance to Dou Wang. It's about time I prepared a Breaking King Pill," said a figure who appeared to be the leader among them.

"Sigh, since the Canaan Academy intervened, there's been less chaos in the Black-Corner Region, making it even harder for us to collect souls," another person remarked.

The last person spoke with a sinister tone, "We might as well target the Canaan Academy students—especially those from the alchemy department. Weak in strength but strong in soul power, we could quickly gather enough soul bodies for the pill this way."

The leader, hearing this, rebuked, "Are you out of your mind? You dare mess with Canaan Academy?"

"Senior Su Qian will surely thank me again; I've removed another rat eyeing the academy for him! I'll have a good chat with him next time I see him," Yun Yi's calm voice drifted out, startling the three of them.

Looking up, they saw a figure in white standing not far from them. He was tall and exuded an aura that seemed to suppress the heavens and the earth.

The three were seized with fear!

Yun Yi's calm gaze rested on the trio, but they felt as if their souls were being torn apart, making them shudder with terror.

"Enemy attack—"

The sharp cry was cut off as a massive hand struck out, twisting space and shattering the earth.

"Boom—"

A giant, bottomless pit remained, and the three figures were no more.

Yun Yi calmly took out a black bag and absorbed the souls of the three into it. This was the equipment of Protector Xuan, specifically used by the Hall of Souls to absorb soul bodies.

The fierce shouts from outside and the massive disturbance immediately drew the attention of everyone inside the Hall of Souls. Angrily, roars echoed through the air.

"Who dares to cause trouble at our Hall of Souls—"

Five figures, radiating killing intent, rushed out from the grand hall, their gaze falling on Yun Yi.

Yun Yi's calm gaze landed on the five of them, and he remarked lightly, "All present now, three Dou Huangs and two Dou Wangs. The Hall of Souls indeed has deep roots!"

"A mere Dou Wang, yet you dare to cause trouble here? I shall extract your soul to suffer the pain of being devoured by a thousand souls!" One black-robed figure sneered.

"Boom—"

Before the black-robed figure could finish, Yun Yi's actions were swift and ruthless. A giant spear burning with pitch-black flames slashed through the air, vast and icy, as if to cleave the world in twain.

"Ah—"

The people of the Hall of Souls screamed; the surrounding space seemed to be frozen, rendering them immobile, helplessly watching the falling spear.

Before it even got close, the aura from the spear blade caused their souls to tremble and be frightened.

Facing the threat of death, the five figures erupted with full force. The sky filled with black mist, which coalesced into a gigantic black serpent, roaring towards Yun Yi.

"Mayflies shaking a tree!"

Yun Yi snorted coldly, shaking his hand, and the spear burning with black flames easily cut through the serpent, slicing the five in half.

"Ah—"

The bisected five had yet to die. A cluster of black flame appeared on their bodies, and their souls began to burn, emitting miserable screams.

In no time, the place where the five had been turned silent, their souls extinguished.

Having killed the five, Yun Yi's expression did not waver at all, as if he had merely crushed some ants by the roadside.

The massive black hall loomed before him, with the words "Hall of Souls" inscribed in soul power in the center, faint wails emanating from it.

Using his soul perception, Yun Yi sensed several Dou Lings and Dou Wangs hiding around; a black flame flickered in his eyes, followed by a few screams. Moments later, a few figures appeared before Yun Yi.

"Greetings, Master!"

They knelt before Yun Yi, their bodies wrapped in black flames, looking at him fervently, but deep in their eyes, there was no emotion. They had clearly been turned into fire slaves by Yun Yi.

Yun Yi remained expressionless, opened the doors of the Hall of Souls, and walked in without hesitation.

The hall was vast, with countless black chains spreading like a web. At the ends of these chains, countless light clusters floated, holding ethereal soul bodies.

Walking to a massive black stone pillar at the deeper end of the hall, Yun Yi noticed a small groove atop it. According to the information he had extracted, this pillar trapped soul bodies and served as a communication device.

It could be used to report to higher-ups, but Protector Xuan's level was too low, being only a human level protector, and he could only send messages one-way, awaiting a response from the elder in charge.

Now, Yun Yi had some good news that he believed would attract the attention of the higher-ups in the Hall of Souls, luring the elder here.

Thinking this, Yun Yi unhesitatingly inserted Protector Xuan's token into the groove and transmitted a message using his soul power.

"The continent's number one alchemist, Yao Chen, has appeared!"

After sending the message, Yun Yi calmly sat down cross-legged, waiting quietly.

"Hope someone interesting comes!"

This was an enormous black palace. Compared to it, the hall where Yun Yi stood seemed tiny.

The giant hall was oppressively vast, entirely black-gray, creating an extremely stifling atmosphere.

Inside the hall were dozens of massive stone pillars, each covered with numerous eerie runes, flickering faintly, like countless cold, sinister eyes.

Black chains wound around the pillars, at the ends of which floated countless light clusters, containing tightly shut soul bodies.

If Yun Yi's place had a few thousand soul bodies, this hall had countless densely packed, amounting to millions.

At this moment, a cold, aged voice echoed within the hall.

"Yao Chen?"

With that voice, a vast pressure descended as an old man in purple robes appeared out of nowhere.

"What Yao Chen? Where is he?"

Along with the purple-robed figure's arrival, a slight wave rippled through the void, and a figure, shrouded in a black robe, emerged from the twisted space.

Seeing the new arrival, the purple-robed figure, Qin Tian the Elder, said meaningfully, "A human-level protector from the Black-Corner Region reported Yao Chen's sighting. The Hall Master specifically wants him, and even the slightest trace cannot be ignored."

Seeing the black-robed figure growing more sinister, Qin Tian said, "I have a batch of souls to receive in the Northern Region of Central Plains. Brother Mu Gu, could you handle the Northwest Continent?"

The black-robed figure was none other than Yao Chen's junior, the Hall of Souls' eighth-tier alchemist, Mu Gu. Hearing Qin Tian's words, a cold murderous aura flickered in Mu Gu's eyes, and he cupped his hands, "Thank you, brother Qin Tian."

Then, Mu Gu took out a jade bottle, a flicker of pain in his eyes, and handed it over, "This eighth-tier Clear Heart Pill should suffice as a token of gratitude. Once I capture Yao Chen, there will be greater rewards."

Unmoved, Qin Tian accepted the jade bottle and smiled, "No need for formality. As members of the Hall of Souls, mutual assistance is expected. Moreover, Yao Chen is specifically wanted by the Hall Master. It's a shame he is exceptionally cunning and has outstanding soul power. Last time he narrowly escaped. With you, brother Mu Gu, an eighth-tier alchemist, helping this time, it will surely be a success!"

Noticing Mu Gu's killing intent, Qin Tian calmly reminded, Yao Chen is specifically wanted by the Hall Master. Do not kill him.

Although the relationship between Yao Chen and Mu Gu was somewhat secret, it was not entirely unknown to them. Now was a good time to gain favor with an eighth-tier alchemist, with significant benefits.

As long as the final result was within bounds, everything would be fine!

As for hiding Yao Chen's information, even if Qin Tian were given ten guts, he dared not deceive the Hall of Souls' master, Soul Extinguishing Life, whom he genuinely feared.

Hearing Qin Tian's reminder, a sharp look resurfaced in Mu Gu's eyes. He nodded, "Naturally. Yao Chen narrowly escaped last time, now his soul must be damaged. He cannot escape again!"

Qin Tian's reminder made Mu Gu reconsider—Yao Chen couldn't die, at least not until he met Soul Extinguishing Life. Anyway, Mu Gu was mainly interested in acquiring the Scripture of Burning and Yao Chen's Bone Spirit Cold Fire.

"Tear—"

Mu Gu moved his sleeve, revealing a hand as dry as bones, and gently tore open a pitch-black space portal, stepping through without hesitation.

"Yao Chen, let's see where you run this time!"

Qin Tian watched Mu Gu leave, a smile of satisfaction on his face, before he too disappeared into the twisted space as the enormous dark palace once again fell silent.

"Tweet—"

A sharp cry broke the silence as gusts of wind rose, indicating movement in the desolate sky.

From the horizon, a small black dot grew rapidly, becoming a massive, fierce magical beast with broad wings, rushing through the sky with low roars.

If anyone saw it, they would recognize it as the famous Tiger Eagle Beast, typically known for its ferocity but now obedient, even creating a protective Dou Qi barrier against the wind for the two people it carried.

Above its head, a black-robed young man sat cross-legged, meditating, with a lazy, purple figure leaning against his leg, popping enticing pills into her mouth.

"Gulp—"

Swallowing another pill, the purple figure, finding the jade bottle empty, pouted and tucked it away. She then looked up at Jiang Yun, "Little Yun, where are we now?"

Reacting to the question, Jiang Yun slightly trembled before opening his eyes, scanning the tiny ground below, and answered, "A place called Saint's Light Nation, not far from our destination Jia Ma Empire. At our current speed, we should arrive in seven days."

"Seven more days!" came the disappointed voice from the purple figure. Since leaving Canaan Academy, her initial excitement and anticipation had turned to impatience and frustration in just half a month.

Grumbling, she slapped the Tiger Eagle Beast with irritation, "It's your fault! You're so fat and slow."

Letting out a scared squeal, the Tiger Eagle Beast sped up, not daring to delay.

Watching this, Jiang Yun gazed at the faint mountain range in the distance and suggested, "It's only a fourth-tier beast, it can't go much faster. Ahead is the Magic Beast Mountain Range connecting several nations, including Jia Ma Empire. How about we stop there? We can gather some herbs too."

Hearing this, the purple figure's eyes lit up immediately, "Alright, I love treasure hunting!"

(Chapter end)