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--- Chapter 140 ---
At Hall of Souls' third hidden base, a group of elders is holding a meeting about the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe. They are sitting on seats made of bones, staring at each other silently.
"Yao Xiaotian is dead." A hunch-back elder suddenly opened his mouth.
"I confirmed this yesterday as the Soul Mark I placed on him shattered into a thousand pieces."
The other elders frowned at the hunch-back elder's words. It's not for them to notice his point on the "shattered into a thousand pieces." part and make them think deeply.
Soul Mark is a Cursed Dou Technique from the Hall of Souls. The stronger the caster, the stronger the mark can be.
Yet the hunch-back elder firmly stated his Soul Mark was "literally." shattered, not canceled.
A red-haired elder with a goatee tapped his finger on the meeting table and asked, "Our deadline is close."
"The chief needs Nine Serene Spring's Essence to proceed with the ritual."
"Only rich earth could nourish Heaven's Blood and Bone, after all."
"I think we should attack the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe and bring them under our control." A woman in a green dress suddenly proposed.
It was a bold statement, but none opposed her words.
And they didn't find her words weird because the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python wasn't a big deal for them. They poached Yao Xiaotian with benefits and did things from the shadows not to raise attention.
Even though the Hall of Souls is a mighty faction on the Dou Qi Continent, they couldn't possibly fight Ancient Clans and other major factions simultaneously.
Their current height was the development of careful planning by the Chief and their supporters.
"How many people do we have in the Western Branch?" The hunch-back elder asked after thinking about something.
The red-haired elder with a goatee smiled and answered, "We have over 7.000 members, including the elders."
"The Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe is decent, so we shouldn't send too many people. What about 500 Dou Kings, 100 Dou Ancestors, 15 Dou Venerates, and two Half Saints Elders?"
The woman in a green robe nodded, "Hmm, that should be acceptable."
"But I'll also go. I heard the Chief of the Tribe, Yao Ming, was 2-Star Dou Saint Experts." She giggled amusingly. "His soul will be my dinner."
The elders in the room smiled helplessly at her remarks.
"As expected of the Men-Eating Mistress." The hunch-back elder chuckled.
The woman in a green robe scowled when hearing the annoying title as she was innocent and pure. "Elder Qi, please refrain from making me angry. I don't want to start a slaughter." She said with a smile.
The hunch-back elder maintained his smile and returned, "Hehe, you have plenty of people to slaughter later, Lady Yue."
The red-haired elder with a goatee sighed, "Stop, you two."
"The Hall of Souls is strong, but don't forget Gu Clan is still on our tails."
"This is the Western Region of the Central Plains, meaning our influence is weaker than theirs. And remember, Gu Clan hates us because of the Soul-Recovering Medicine's matter."
"It won't take long for them to find a reason to attack us." He added solemnly.
"Tsk, if only that wet behind-ear brat named Xiao Yan doesn't mess up the Eastern Region's Branch Plan. We could have gotten the rare Tier 9 Medicine Pill."
"We can't do anything about it, Brother Yung. That brat has a Dou Saint as his bodyguard." The hunch-back elder shook his head bitterly.
"The Eastern Branch wasn't as powerful as our branch. They couldn't handle anything above 1-Star Dou Saint."
The rest of the elders agreed with Elder Qin's words. It was unlucky the Hall of Souls couldn't get their hands on the Soul-Recovering Medicine, but they at least had another alternative.
"Well, Lady Yue. Launch an attack toward the Tribe immediately and seize the Nine Serene Spring's Essence."
Lady Yue giggled wickedly, "Leave it to me~!"
...
...
A massive group of people traveled across the sky, hiding from the moonlight and entering the complex mountain range.
Lady Yue smirked at the thought of devouring her enemy's soul. She licked her lips and mumbled, "Mm, I'm so hungry~!"
The Hall of Souls group soon arrived at the Nine Serene Mountain Range, where the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe remained. They are about to attack and intrude into the territory when several unfamiliar pillars suddenly enter their vision.
"What are those?" A Half-Saint Expert from the Hall of Souls stared at the pillar. "I don't think the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe tends to build something like this."
"Not after the mess Yao Xiaotian created..."
"Lady Yue, this is weird."
Lady Yue nodded as she observed these pillars, "I can't seem to detect any Dou Qi from it, but..."
"What is this eerie sensation?" Lady Yue's skin is shivering slightly.
A white-haired youth in a black-yellow suit appeared not far from them and yawned. "Gosh, you guys finally came."
"I thought I was gonna die out of boredom."
Lady Yue narrowed her eyes because the youth before her eyes wasn't unfamiliar. She heard information about the battle between Fallen Orchid Sect and Han Feng on the Demonic Territory, resulting in the later defeat and death of the Venerable Earth-Dragon.
And that was months ago.
This youth was supposed to be a peak Dou Ancestor, but he radiated with 6-Star Dou Venerate's Aura. It cannot get fabricated because Lady Yue is confident in her sensory ability.
Yet that's what makes the youth terrifying in Lady Yue's eyes.
"You're the brave youth from the Fallen Orchid Sect?"
Baek Ain smiled with interest, "Oh? Someone recognized me."
"That's rare."
"Not disguising myself and the ladies was a bad move."
"Oh well, I have become too cocky recently." He sighed wryly.
"Kid, Just state your faction and why you were here?!" An impatient member from the Hall of Souls shouted at Baek Ain.
Baek Ain tilted his head and commented cluelessly, "I heard a buzzing fly just now. How annoying."
"Y-YOU-!" The impatient member pointed his finger at Baek Ain, only to find his view swinging.
He looked at the headless body and thought, "Wait, that's my body..."
Baek Ain rubbed his ear and said, "Ah, the buzzing is gone."
The Hall of Souls' crowd was alerted by this. They entered a formation and stared at Baek Ain warily, more so Lady Yue, who couldn't believe someone young like Baek Ain to disappear from her senses.
Yes, that decapitating attack was so fast that Lady Yue couldn't react in time to protect her subordinate. Then again, Baek Ain aroused her interest greatly.
The fly-like life of the recently killed Hall of Souls member couldn't get compared to the value of a Genius like Baek Ain.
"Kid, join the Hall of Souls." Lady Yue let out a beautiful smile.
"Acknowledge me as your master, and I'll spare your people."
"I'll even impart my Dou Technique to you~!" She added sultry.
Baek Ain shrugged and returned, "I'm not interested."
"Not to mention you're not worthy to be my master."
"Pfft, how hilarious..." A mocking smile formed on Baek Ain's face.
"You don't have anything worth teaching me."
"I also preferred a young and beautiful master, not an old hag in disguise of youthful skin robbed from an innocent girl."
"You're COURTING DEATH!" Lady Yue roared at Baek Ain. She lunged forward with all her might, forgetting she was in her enemy's territory.
Baek Ain's mocking smile turned into a grin as the countless pillars on the Nine Serene Mountain Range lit up.
Over ten thousand shadows manifested from thin air, releasing a terrifying pressure of Divine Beasts.
ROARS!!
SCREECH!!
BARF!!!
The imaginary souls formed and surrounded Lady Yue, trapping her in a complex array. She was stuck and couldn't operate her cultivation fully because the Hell's Guidance Arrays weakened Hall of Souls' members when they entered this mountain range.
"Hell's Guidance Array: Second Mode." Baek Ain watched over ten thousand beasts charged toward Lady Yue.
Lady Yue panicked as her 2-Star Dou Saint's cultivation base weakened by 50%. She couldn't even use Spatial Strength to escape.
And her Soul-Related Techniques weren't effective against these imaginary soul beasts.
"W-What are these?!"
"What kind of array is this??!"
"How could a noble Dou Saint like me be trapped like this??!" She screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Like a fly you are." Baek Ain emotionlessly watched this scene and laughed indifferently
After activating some strength-boosting skills, Baek Ain swiftly appeared behind Lady Yue and swung his blade, "Light Illumination!"
A massive light sword appeared and struck down Lady Yue.
SWOOOOOSH!!
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" Lady Yue fearfully wailed.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
[Ding! You have killed 2-Star Dou Saint]
[Ding! Soul Protection(Unknown) activated]
[You have gained Hun Yue's Incomplete Memory and some of her skills]
[Active Skill: Make-Up(A+)]
[Active Skill: Toxic Blood(C)]
Baek Ain ignored Alicia's notification and glanced at the Hall of Souls member.
"Finish them." He commanded the imaginary soul beasts.
The Hall of Souls members' shivered as they tried their best to escape from this place.
However, it was too late.
"AAAARRRRRGGHHHH!!!"
Several blood-curdling screams echoed in the Nine Serene Mountain, washing the ground with a rain of blood.
[Ding! You have killed 617 Hall of Souls Members]
[Objective: 619/30.693]
Baek Ain sheathed his blade, "This is the first attack."
"They'd send another one soon."
Baek Ain's hazel-gold eyes gleamed cruelly, "I hope they brought more members so I can complete my quest."