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--- Chapter 144 ---
Baek Ain returned to the Nine Serene Mountain Range and monitored the area with his System's Map. He saw several dots approaching but then stopped at the entrance.
A few miles away, Yao Ming stopped the intruders and was surprised to see people from the Eight Ancient Clans, Gu Clan, to be more specific.
He talked to them mundanely, only to find Gu Clan was coming to wipe out the Hall of Souls' people. He was startled but remained calm as the Tribe's cooperation with Baek Ain couldn't get unveiled.
To his surprise, one elder from the Gu Clan declared that the Hall of Souls' Western Branch is no more. They cease to exist in this world.
After declaring that, the Gu Clan's elders retreated, leaving Yao Ming speechless.
"..." Yao Ming couldn't process this information.
From afar, Baek Ain chuckled in amusement and checked the logs of his notification. Maybe it was fate's work, but he "actually." killed some people from the Hall of Souls by accident.
Well, killing some people is an understatement.
[Ding! You have killed 10.321 Foes]
"Alicia, show me the quest's layout."
[Name: Destroy Hall of Soul]
[Objective: Destroy Hun Clan, Hall of Soul, and anyone related to them, especially the chief of Soul Hall and Hun Clan's Patriarch(18.777/30.693)]
[Failure's Penalty: Sign-In Function confiscated permanently, Innate Skills sealed until further notice]
[Time Limit: 1 year and three months]
[Reward: A Complete Soul Invocation Manual(SSS), White Tiger's Sovereign Path(SS+), and Tome of Opportunity(Unknown)]
Baek Ain couldn't help but laugh when seeing the Quest's objective passing 50% completion. Over seven thousand members of the Hall of Souls got killed in the Nine Serene Mountain Range, and another ten thousand got killed by accident.
Unfortunately, Baek Ain couldn't get any memories of their skills because he wasn't the one who killed them. He could only sigh, feeling somewhat happy with his Quest's Progression.
The Hall of Souls will increase their alertness after this incident, which means Baek Ain won't kill any of their members soon.
Baek Ain still has another way to bait them out of their rat holes. He can still use Gu Clan again, provoking the now-weakened Hall of Souls. Even though the success rate was uncertain, he knew the person behind this shady organization wouldn't let this be.
After thinking about it, Baek Ain shook his head and decided to let things cool down first. He used too many buffs when fighting Elder Qin and needed time to recover those skills.
"Maybe it's time to Synthesize my skills. The Status Window is getting cramped." Baek Ain smiled helplessly. Some skills weren't even up to his forte.
Baek Ain teleported to the Nine Serene Palace, seeing his five lovers' worried expressions.
He landed before them and said, "I'm back!"
"Hubby~!" Before anyone could get close to him, Qing Lin tackled Baek Ain and hugged him tightly while crying. "I'm so worried about you."
Baek Ain observed his other lovers' expressions and saw their frowning at him. He laughed inside because he knew they worried for his well-being.
After all, no one wanted to see their loved one die. They knew Baek Ain was strong, but that doesn't justify his recklessness.
Baek Ain patted Qing Lin's head and said to others, "Come here."
"Hug me, please. I'm tired after that tedious fight."
"This guy..." Yi Xian was speechless.
She rubbed her forehead, "You're beyond saving, Ain."
Even then, Yi Xian still walked forward and hugged Baek Ain, giving him the warmth of home.
Yafei sighed while giving Baek Ain a helpless look. Out of her fellow harem members, she knew Baek Ain the longest and realized he wasn't ordinary years ago.
From the small, weak Ain to this very stage.
"At this point, let's just hold a marriage." Yafei joked with a smile. "I'd rather die knowing I have a wedding ring on my finger."
She glanced at Lan Rou before hugging Baek Ain too.
Lan Rou obviously noticed Yafei's gaze and narrowed her eyes, thinking about her contract with the Six Paths Reincarnation Flame. It's currently her fourth reincarnation, meaning she has two more.
'Two more reincarnations...' Lan Rou wished she didn't get separated from Baek Ain, or she'd hate this world. She slowly snuggled against Baek Ain's back, embracing him.
Seeing Baek Ain, Cai Lin felt complicated deep inside, and this was due to a fear of losing her. She loves Baek Ain to her very bones and soul, believing he could achieve anything no matter how hard it is.
Cai Lin recalled her fight with Baek Ain a year ago. The youth challenged Queen Medusa bravely and defeated her with all tricks in his arsenal, even if he died in the process. His sheer confidence caused Cai Lin's heartbeat weirdly for the first time.
However, Cai Lin waited and observed the youth until her feelings bloomed.
"You said you'll use the array to attack Hall of Souls' Dou Saint." Cai Lin opened her mouth, but she couldn't hide the hint of worry in her voice.
Baek Ain chuckled and returned, "I did?"
Cai Lin frowned, "It's not time to joke around, Ain."
"Cai Lin, do you believe in me?"
"I do, you're my husband."
"Then, what's the point of being wishy-washy? As long as my soul stays invincible, nothing will separate us apart." Baek Ain's hazel-gold eyes glowed brightly. "Even if Gods stood before me, they'd have to think twice when touching my family."
Cai Lin wanted to reply and shook her head in defeat. Baek Ain is right that she should stop being wishy-washy and quickly cultivate to become a Dou Saint, powerful enough to kill Elder Qin a thousand times without getting tired.
"Hug?" Baek Ain opened his arms.
Cai Lin smiled and fell into his embrace, hugging him firmly.
Unknown to them, the four other ladies have long disappeared from the area and watched from afar.
After settling a few things like loot from the Hall of Souls' members and Hell's Guidance Array's maintenance with Yao Ming, Baek Ain brought Cai Lin to his bedroom.
That night, Baek Ain opened a new path for Cai Lin.
Even his Golden Rod and Nirvana's Touch leveled up in the process.
...
...
Two days have passed since the somewhat underwhelming fight with the Hall of Souls' Western Branch.
Just like what Baek Ain planned and expected, the Gu Clan took the spotlight in the public as they boldly declared the Hall of Souls' Western Branch wiped by them.
It was to avenge a comrade that got chased by the Hall of Souls and some other factions when winning the Soul-Recovering Medicine in the Heavenly Gathering Clan's Auction, making it looks and sounds justified.
Everyone believed it was Gu Clan's right to do so.
Of course, the Hall of Souls is free to attack back, but the result will be a full all-out war.
Even though the Hall of Souls is a powerful faction, they aren't the sole behemoth in the Dou Qi Continent. And they lost over 50% of their members, a heavy blow to their overall strength.
Baek Ain underestimated the value of Hall of Souls' Hidden Branch. The disciple placed in the Hidden Branch is "heavily." invested and nurtured, making them valuable assets to the Hall of Souls. Yet those disciples got killed by accident, thus making the Hall of Souls alert and furious.
The Hall of Souls is currently in hiding, and even the formerly overbearing members have returned to their respective branches and tried their best to recover from this loss.
They are like an injured wolf, licking their wounds and waiting for a chance to strike back. The Western Region of the Dou Qi Continent is becoming the safest region momentarily.
Meanwhile, the preparator of this drama is sitting on a rocking chair.
"Alicia, let's start Synthesizing." Baek Ain said while leaning on his chair.
[Okay, Host]