Chapter 68: Personal Disciple!

"So this is the Nether Hall of the Soul Palace?"

Looking at the massive, hidden structure on the mountaintop before him, Yun Yi felt somewhat emotional. The Soul Palace's prowess and strategic site selection were indeed impressive.

The location was extremely secretive, surrounded by dense natural mist that shrouded the mountains year-round. Within this mist, even soul perception would be affected, making it an excellent hidden base.

Elder Mu Gu gave Yun Yi a sideways glance without saying anything. Yun Yi had been very cooperative on the journey and hadn't tried to escape, so Mu Gu didn't want to create any more trouble and just wanted to get rid of this hot potato as soon as possible.

He still had Yao Chen on his mind. While he couldn't extract any information from Yun Yi, since the latter came from the Black-Corner Region, there might be some clues there.

"You must be the young one Lord Hunxu wants to see."

A voice, indifferent and devoid of any emotion, echoed through the mountain valley. The space ahead began to distort slightly, and dark fog seeped out.

The dark fog continuously seeped from the warped space, eventually condensing into a figure completely shrouded in black mist.

"Greetings, Vice Hall Master!" Elder Mu Gu, visibly trembling, bowed respectfully upon seeing the figure.

The Vice Hall Master of the Soul Palace, a Three-Star Dou Saint!

"So it's you, Mu Gu. Now that he's here, you may leave." The Vice Hall Master of the Soul Palace, despite Elder Mu Gu being a respected Tier Eight Alchemist Master, showed no regard and casually waved his hand.

"Yes!" Clearly accustomed to such treatment, Elder Mu Gu showed no arrogance, knowing that Dou Saint and Tier Nine Alchemists were equals; only at Tier Nine would a Dou Saint show respect. He was still far from reaching Tier Nine.

Even though he had always resented him deeply, his senior fellow disciple, Yao Chen, who was superior in alchemy, was only at the peak of Tier Eight, just shy of Tier Nine!

"Let's go, the Hall Master is waiting for you. Honestly, I'm curious about your identity!"

Once Elder Mu Gu left, the Vice Hall Master looked at the ever-composed Yun Yi and raised his hand to lightly slice through the space ahead, creating an easy tear that seeped dark fog, its destination unknown.

Evidently, it wasn't leading to the Nether Hall behind them!

After a period of darkness, Yun Yi found himself in a pitch-black grand hall where a seemingly ordinary figure in the center looked at him with fascination.

The figure was clad in black robes, with an unremarkable face, and slightly rough hands extending from the sleeves. Yet this ordinary figure caused the surrounding space to subtly stagnate, his power having reached a terrifying level.

The Hall Master of the Soul Palace, Hun Miesheng, a Five-Star Dou Saint!

His eyes were as still as an ancient well, black, and devoid of any whites, like pure ink. Being stared at sent a chill down one's spine.

After scrutinizing Yun Yi, his Void Swallowing Flame within trembled slightly — fear?

How could that be? Was there a flame on the continent that could frighten the Void Swallowing Flame?

Even if it was just a sub-flame.

"Hall Master!" Seeing Hun Miesheng, the Vice Hall Master greeted respectfully.

"Mm, return to the Nether Hall. I'll take care of this young friend." Pulling himself back to reality, Hun Miesheng turned coldly to the Vice Hall Master.

The Vice Hall Master glanced curiously at Yun Yi. Did he not even get to look around the Soul Realm? Who exactly was this fellow?

But he dared not complain, saluting respectfully before tearing open a space portal and leaving the hall.

"Let's go. I'm also curious about your identity."

Hun Miesheng said while a spatial passage appeared with a wave of his sleeve, and he led Yun Yi inside.

After many twists and turns, Yun Yi finally met one of the strongest beings in this world.

The second on the Dou Qi Continent's Heavenly Flame Ranking, a Nine-Star Dou Saint, the Void Swallowing Flame!

"Void Swallowing Flame!"

Seeing the figure that resembled a demon god, Yun Yi's heart pounded intensely. As a fire spirit, he could instinctively sense the terrifying power hidden within this body.

In his judgment, even though it was not stronger than the premature Holy Demonic Flame sub-flame, it was very close to the sub-flame currently sealed in the Azure Nether Tower.

As Yun Yi assessed the Void Swallowing Flame, the latter's eyes, like black holes, never left Yun Yi even for a moment.

Most importantly, he unexpectedly felt genuine fear, stemming from another bloodline within him, the Devouring Spirit Clan's bloodline, the foundation of the Soul Clan's everlasting strength.

As for his body's own fear, he subconsciously ignored it, attributing it to the Devouring Spirit Clan's bloodline.

"Master Void?"

Seeing the Void Swallowing Flame's indifferent reaction, Hunxu and Hun Miesheng felt awkward, glancing back and forth between the Void Swallowing Flame and Yun Yi. If they didn't know much about the Void Swallowing Flame's origin, they might have doubted it.

Could this fellow really have some connection with Master Void?

Can different flames give birth to offspring?

"Leave us!"

Upon hearing Hunxu's words, the Void Swallowing Flame's gaze still didn't leave Yun Yi. A soul-shaking, hoarse voice issued from its mouth.

"Yes!" The two of them trembled, bowed, and hurried out.

After they left, only Yun Yi and the Void Swallowing Flame remained, silently staring at one another.

After a long silence, the Void Swallowing Flame suddenly chuckled softly, "I didn't expect another 'kin' to exist between Heaven and Earth."

With his power and unique circumstance, he understood Yun Yi's nature at first glance — formed from a Heavenly Flame, though he couldn't discern which one.

He was sure he was unique in his devouring power, but how could he explain Yun Yi? Did a new Heavenly Flame emerge?

"But, I'm curious. How did you gain sentience?"

The chuckle was short-lived, and the Void Swallowing Flame coldly stared at Yun Yi.

To his knowledge, only he and the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame had a fully awakened consciousness among the Heavenly Flames on the Dou Qi Continent, both having significant power. It was impossible for someone like Yun Yi, merely a Dou King, to form a fire spirit.

He knew of just one weak flame that had achieved complete consciousness in its early stages — the Ancient Emperor Tuoshe, an anomaly.

Though he didn't understand how, that bastard had ascended to become the last Dou Emperor of the Dou Qi Continent.

Yun Yi didn't hurry to answer, but slowly murmured, his words carrying a peculiar charm, even making the Nine-Star Dou Saint Void Swallowing Flame's heart race.

"Snort—ha, ha ha, ha ha ha!!!"

After a moment of silence, the Void Swallowing Flame burst into maniacal laughter, his Nine-Star Dou Saint's aura shaking the surrounding space, small space cracks appearing.

Yun Yi felt suffocated; despite having witnessed similarly terrifying battles, the gap between a Dou King and a Dou Saint was too vast, making him feel like a mountain was pressing down on him, ready to tear him apart.

"You know what you're saying? An ant at the Dou King level suggesting I become an emperor?" Suddenly, the Void Swallowing Flame's laughter ceased, replaced by a cold stare and murderous intent, threatening to shred Yun Yi.

"Strength doesn't always equate to vision!" Faced with the Void Swallowing Flame's killing intent, Yun Yi remained unhurried, asking,

"Do you know why Dou Emperors vanished?"

"Do you know the origin of the Devouring Spirit Clan?"

"Do you know the truth about the world?"

With each question, the Void Swallowing Flame breathed more heavily, eyes chilling as he said, "You're not of the Dou Qi Continent, are you? Tell me everything, or else" he sneered, "I'll devour you!"

When Yun Yi appeared, the Void Swallowing Flame sensed something off, a familiar yet strange aura. After Yun Yi's questions, he was certain: Yun Yi wasn't from the Dou Qi Continent.

Back when he devoured the Devouring Spirit Clan leader, he'd suspected as much. Their bloodline seemed foreign to the Dou Qi Continent, with an evil aura distinct from worldly energies.

However, they had pursued becoming a Dou Emperor relentlessly, having no time to investigate thoroughly. Yet now, Yun Yi, claiming to be from the outside world, reignited old doubts.

"You can't!"

Yun Yi's words didn't intimidate the Void Swallowing Flame but were said with utmost confidence.

"What do you know?"

The Void Swallowing Flame paused, realizing he truly couldn't. The idea of devouring Yun Yi brought resistance from his bloodline, even fear. He couldn't attack Yun Yi.

"Devouring Spirit Clan," Yun Yi slowly uttered, looking at his agitated opponent.

The Void Swallowing Flame's pupils contracted, regaining composure, then sneered, "I can't touch you, but a single command and you're dead!"

"True, but you'd lose the opportunity for emperorhood. Are you content serving the Soul Clan, trusting Soul Heavenly Emperor?"

"You know too much," the Void Swallowing Flame remarked icily after a deep gaze.

"Tell me everything," he finally demanded.

A glint flashed in Yun Yi's eyes. His plan was succeeding; his body would now have a powerful backer, enabling him to explore the secrets of the Dou Qi Continent.

Yun Yi narrated some basic facts, leaving the Void Swallowing Flame murmuring after a while.

"So that's it, the Devouring Spirit Clan's origin, the world beyond the Dou Qi Continent, and Dou Emperors are not the peak?"

"If so, how did you end up on the Dou Qi Continent? Is there another invasion?"

"No, I arrived here by chance, now searching for a way back home," Yun Yi sighed, shaking his head at the Void Swallowing Flame's question.

The Void Swallowing Flame scrutinized Yun Yi, aware of many inconsistencies: How could a Dou King know his secrets, come to the Dou Qi Continent, form a fire spirit, and understand the Soul Clan's details?

But did the Void Swallowing Flame care?

No, his concern was the same as Soul Heavenly Emperor's — ascension.

"Understood, from now on, you'll be my personal disciple, and the Soul Clan will fully support your growth. Don't disappoint, or I'll erase your spirit."

Without further ado, the Void Swallowing Flame decreed Yun Yi's identity — his disciple, a status even higher than the Soul Clan's young lords.

As the current leader's ambitious endeavors thrive, many young lords may emerge in the future.

"Focus on growing. To achieve your goals, strength is essential, so grow quickly!"

He waved, sending a token to Yun Yi, then closed his eyes, making his intentions clear.

Glancing at the secluded Void Swallowing Flame, Yun Yi pocketed the token and left the hall.

Once Yun Yi left, silence reigned again in the hall.

Moments later, the Void Swallowing Flame opened his eyes, coldly glaring in Yun Yi's direction, his murderous words echoing.

"Threaten me?"

"Just wait; once I reach the emperor realm, the Devouring Spirit Clan's blood will no longer hinder me. That'll be your end."

"Ha—I'd love to taste the flames of the Great Thousand World. Will they replace source energy and help me become a Dou Emperor?"

"Grow quickly, Yun Yi, or it'll be meaningless!"

"Looking forward to it!"