Chapter 140: The Curtain Falls!

Within the Black Abyss Army, the young experts from the Ancient Clan were burning with rage. Each of them erupted with powerful auras, glaring daggers at Yun Yi. If looks could kill, Yun Yi would have been torn apart by now.

"The Ancient Clan, indeed full of spirit!" Yun Yi surveyed the furious Ancient Clan members with a faint smile.

"Jie jie jie, Young Lord, since these people do not cherish the opportunity you're giving them, let them experience the methods of our Soul Hall!" 

Xue He Zun Zhe said, looking at Yun Yi. His eyes were particularly sinister as he glanced at the Ancient Clan members.

Boom!

As his voice fell, a sea of blood suddenly appeared in the sky. A nauseatingly thick smell of blood surged out, accompanied by faint, horrifying screams.

"Hmph, do the people of the Soul Hall always talk so arrogantly?" 

At this moment, Gu Xu coldly snorted. The aura of an Eight-Star Dou Zun burst forth, carrying a terrifying energy vortex as it surged toward Xue He Zun Zhe.

"Heh, just an Eight-Star Dou Zun, really not enough!" 

Xue He Tian Zun laughed at Gu Xu's words, then shook his head with a sigh. "Everyone says our Soul Hall is arrogant, but in fact, your Ancient Clan is even more so. Since that's the case, let this old man teach you all a lesson. This is not your clan's territory."

As Xue He Tian Zun's words fell, the sea of blood covered the ground, with massive blood columns towering up suddenly. The dense blood mist and a bone-chilling icy aura began to sweep out from Xue He Tian Zun's body.

The eerie and cold aura, like a storm, swept out from Xue He Tian Zun. Wherever the aura reached, whether it was the Jia Ma Empire or the Black Abyss Army, everyone's blood began to boil.

"Not good, quickly activate your bloodline power to resist!" 

Sensing something amiss within his body, Gu Zhen hurriedly shouted.

Hearing Gu Zhen's words, many of the Ancient Clan members immediately activated the power of their bloodlines to resist Xue He Tian Zun's techniques. However, a few were too slow to react and, along with members of the Jia Ma Empire, exploded into blood mist, staining the ground with crimson.

"Bastard!" 

Seeing the losses among the Black Abyss Army, Gu Xu was immediately furious. At the same time, two Ancient Clan elders protecting Xiao Yan also burst out in rage, charging toward Xue He Zun Zhe.

"Emperor Seal Art: Extinguished Sky Seal!" 

Two angry roars echoed as their bony hands suddenly emitted dazzling green light, forming intricate handprints that shot forth.

"Heh, Emperor Seal Art?" Seeing the two ferocious attacks, a nasty smile appeared on Xue He Zun Zhe's face. "Two Eight-Star Dou Zuns can't stop me!"

"Blood Transformation Technique, Blood Devouring Art!" 

A sinister roar like thunder echoed across the skies. As his voice fell, the blood within Xue He Zun Zhe's body began to boil, and his already near-peak Nine-Star Dou Zun aura started to climb.

"Absorbing two Eight-Star Dou Zuns should elevate my Blood Transformation Technique to a higher level!" 

The blood sea spread, the sky darkened, and the eerie, icy voice carried a terrifying pressure that permeated the skies.

"Second Transformed Dou Zun!" 

Seeing the immensely powerful aura of Xue He Zun Zhe, a grave look flashed in Gu Xu and Gu Zhen's eyes. This guy, having earned a fearsome reputation in the Central Plains, indeed had some skills. To have a secret technique that could elevate his strength by one transformation!

The gap between Dou Zun and Dou Sheng was vast, which is why there were distinctions like Half-Saint and Nine-Transform Dou Zun. To progress from One-Star Dou Zun to Nine-Star Dou Zun completed a transformation. After completing nine such cycles, one would reach perfection. Only after attaining Nine-Transform Dou Zun would one have a slight chance to breakthrough to Half-Saint.

This high difficulty in cultivation created an insurmountable gap between each transformation within the Nine-Transform Dou Zun realm. Usual amplification secret techniques became useless for Nine-Transform Dou Zuns, but Xue He Zun Zhe had a method to boost his strength by one transformation, astonishing the duo.

"Heh heh...Blood Sha Sky Devil Palm!"

Seeing the terrified expressions of Gu Xu and Gu Zhen, Xue He Zun Zhe let out a sinister laugh. Streams of horrifying blood mist surged from his body, quickly condensing into huge putrid blood clouds in the sky.

With a wave of his hand, a gigantic blood-themed palm print, nearly a thousand feet large, shot out from the blood clouds, fiercely slamming towards Gu Xu and Gu Zhen amidst countless shocked gazes.

The power of the blood palm was terrifying. Though it remained a thousand feet in the air, a massive palm imprint appeared on the ground.

Sensing the terrible attack, Gu Xu and Gu Zhen's expressions changed. They quickly formed peculiar handprints, and at the center of their brows, a strange clan mark slowly emerged.

"Clan Mark, Activate!"

"The Ancient Clan's Clan Mark?" Seeing the mark on their foreheads, Xue He Zun Zhe was taken aback. If there was one variable when fighting these Imperial Clan members, it was the clan mark.

Normal people's secret techniques had severe side effects; the more powerful the secret technique, the greater the side effects. However, the Imperial Clan's clan marks were unreasonable, providing a power boost without any side effects!

"Is that all?"

However, noticing their cultivation levels had only increased by one star each, Xue He Zun Zhe grinned coldly and unleashed a fierce palm attack.

"Emperor Seal Art!"

Two crystal-clear handprints clashed violently with the enormous blood palm, tearing through space.

Boom!

The three forces collided, exploding in the sky and causing terrifying energy waves to spread out. The skies above trembled, even the clouds were shattered into nothingness.

"Pfft—"

Gu Xu and Gu Zhen were ultimately a step behind; they spat blood as they saw the fearsome energy storm forming. Suddenly, a chilling sensation came from behind them.

Turning their heads abruptly, they saw the sinisterly smiling face of Xue He Zun Zhe.

With a cruel grin, he raised his fist. Streams of blood-red Dou Qi flowed, forming a thick blood shackle, and he slammed it towards Gu Xu and Gu Zhen's backs.

"Die!"

The foul stench of the attack made Gu Xu and Gu Zhen's faces pale, unable to react in time. With a resounding thud, Xue He Zun Zhe's attack struck their chests heavily.

"Teacher, Xu'er's clan members seem to be in danger!" Watching the rapidly changing battle and the struggling Ancient Clan, Xiao Yan asked Yao Chen worriedly.

"That Xue He Zun Zhe is a highly renowned expert in the Central Plains. Countless top-tier experts have fallen by his hand. The Ancient Clan's two members are at a disadvantage; this battle will be challenging!" Yao Chen observed the situation and said, though his eyes lacked worry. Gu Xun'er's identity was special, and who knew how many trump cards she had?

But, he wondered, would they call upon those two again?

Thinking about it, Yao Chen couldn't help but feel concerned. If it happened again, they might not be as lucky as last time.

"Yun Yi, do you really want to spark a war between the two clans?" Watching the two elders being ravaged by Xue He Zun Zhe, Gu Xun'er looked at Yun Yi and the Soul Hall members with unprecedented coldness on her face.

"Why not?" Yun Yi nonchalantly countered, "Since the Xiao Clan's defeat, hasn't your Ancient Clan been claiming to be the number one Imperial Clan? Are you afraid to start a war with the Soul Clan?"

"You..." Gu Xun'er was at a loss for words, her face flushed. After learning that the Soul Clan had a Nine-Star Dou Sheng, Void Devourer Flame, calling themselves the number one Imperial Clan made her feel shame. Moreover, unlike Yun Yi's carefree attitude, she couldn't bear the responsibility of pouring enmity and war. Her father would never approve of it.

"Yun Yi, don't try to provoke us. We both know a war between our clans isn't something you or I can decide. We admit defeat this time. Qingyang apologizes on behalf of Xu'er. Stop the Fourth Heaven Protector; if anything happens to Elders Gu Xu and Gu Zhen, it'll be hard to settle this peacefully!"

In a critical moment, Gu Qingyang stepped in, his face solemn, not caring about his own dignity. His words carried a tone of concession.

Seeing Gu Qingyang's attitude, the surrounding Black Abyss Army warriors looked at him with deep respect—an admiration born from the heart, not something like how they respected Gu Xun'er's status and bloodline.

"Gu Qingyang?" Yun Yi remarked regretfully, gazing at the man in blue robes before turning back to Gu Xun'er. "I said it before, solving this issue is simple."

Despite Yun Yi's aggressive stance, even Gu Qingyang showed anger.

Pressed by Yun Yi repeatedly, Gu Xun'er's face darkened, and a black scroll quietly appeared in her right hand. If torn, it could summon the clan's Dou Sheng, resolving everything.

Yet, as she raised her head and saw Yun Yi's mocking gaze, she hesitated. If the Dou Shengs fought, things could get out of control.

"Miss Xu'er should not act impulsively. If you summon a Dou Sheng, do you think Xiao Yan, a mere Da Dou Shi, can withstand the aftermath?"

Seeing her hesitate, Yun Yi went for the kill. "No—" Gu Xun'er shouted urgently, glancing at the young man dressed in black robes, bloodstains still drying, and she trembled.

"It's Xu'er's fault this time." Clenching her teeth, Gu Xun'er reluctantly uttered these words.

Boom!

The surrounding Black Abyss Army felt stunned, unable to believe their eyes. Their faith seemed to collapse.

"Hahahaha—" A cackling Yun Yi laughed wildly, joined by snickering Soul Hall members.

"Ah, the esteemed miss of the Ancient Clan, it seems her heart is heavier for her beloved!"

Gazing at the increasingly sullen members of the Ancient Clan, Yun Yi commanded Qin Tian, "Since Miss Xu'er has honored her promise, we should act fairly."

Qin Tian replied awkwardly, "Young Master, it seems to be too late."

Ah—

In the distant battlefield, Gu Xu and Gu Zhen finally succumbed to Xue He Zun Zhe's onslaught, their bodies exploded, blood drained clean.

"Yun Yi!" Seeing the two elders' fall, Gu Xun'er stared coldly at Yun Yi, golden flames flickering in her eyes.

"You're too late, who's to blame?" Yun Yi's eyes, burning with black flames, stared back unsettlingly at the golden Emperor Burning Sky Flame within Gu Xun'er.

Rustle—

Just then, ripples appeared in the blood sea. Fourth Heaven Protector stepped through the air, approaching with each step.

His scarlet eyes stared at the Ancient Clan members, a hideous smile spreading. "The Imperial Clan bloodline is indeed formidable!"

Seeing his covetous gaze, Gu Xun'er took a deep breath, calming herself. "Yun Yi, I've met your demands. Please leave, or even at the cost of mutual destruction, you won't escape today."

Facing the composed Gu Xun'er, Yun Yi sensed her limits. Pushing further might spiral out of control. Who knew if Void Devourer Flame would shield him against Gu Yuan once more?

"Fourth Heaven Protector, let them go today. We have time." Yun Yi instructed Xue He Zun Zhe. Nodding, Xue He Zun Zhe tore open a black space channel. As bells chimed, Yun Yi's group swiftly entered the black hole.

With the Soul Hall's departure, the dark clouds in the sky also gradually dispersed.

"That guy will be our formidable foe in the future." Gu Zhen remarked gravely after the Soul Hall's exit.

"He already is," Gu Qingyang replied, voice firm, stirring Gu Zhen.

Reflecting on the recent events, Gu Zhen sighed. "Indeed, he is."

Their gazes fell on a figure looking towards Yun Lan Mountain, a voice ringing out.

"Xiao Yan Gege!"