Lin Xiu looked down at him, "Tell me Protector Xuan's location, and I might consider letting you die without pain."
He didn't have many ticks, but holding grudges was one of them.
"Heh heh... You think you've got me just because you took a small advantage?" Protector Wu let out a strange laugh.
This kid's strength and speed were extremely peculiar; ordinary methods wouldn't work on him.
It seems I'll have to use that move.
It's a pity about the Dou Ancestor Soul I just acquired...
As this thought flashed through his mind, Protector Wu's hand seals changed, and the surface of the armor covering his body began to move as if it were alive.
Then, an old and wrinkled face slowly squeezed out from the armor.
"Heh heh... Kid, taste the feeling of your Soul being torn apart! Take this! Myriad Phenomena: Soul... Pfft!"
The eerie laughter abruptly cut off halfway as Protector Wu's figure staggered back tens of meters, blood spraying from his mouth.
"Kid, you're playing dirty!"
Protector Wu's eyes were fierce and extremely displeased; his move had almost succeeded.
"You may continue."
Lin Xiu smiled.
Let's see whose hand seals change faster—yours or my Six Thousand Lightning Movements.
"Heh heh... Myriad... Pfft!"
Once again, Protector Wu was interrupted, blood sprayed out as Lin Xiu's fist struck him.
He understood now; this kid never intended to let him successfully use that move.
"Heh... Pfft!"
Before he could finish laughing, a figure appeared beside Protector Wu, and he immediately shifted position.
However, Lin Xiu stuck to him like a shadow, closing in.
It was simply a swift punch.
With a perfect Rank 7 Physique, Lin Xiu's seemingly ordinary punch actually contained the force of a Seventh Rank Magic Beast.
Moreover, it was augmented by the Earth Rank High-level Dou Technique, Star Fire Spirit Body.
Facing a strike like this, what could a mere human, not even at the peak of Dou Ancestor, use to defend themselves?
"Tsk."
Spitting out blood from his mouth, Protector Wu's crimson eyes locked onto Lin Xiu, his hand seals changing again, "Myriad..."
Having learned from his previous mistake, he didn't even bother to smile this time, striving to execute the Dou Technique in the shortest possible time.
Thud! Thud!
The next moment, there were two muffled sounds.
"How... did you manage to land two punches?"
Protector Wu glanced at his shattered armor on his right shoulder, feeling somewhat frantic.
"Uh... because I want to hear your unruly laughter."
Lin Xiu's expression was serious.
The surrounding crowd, watching the two battle, had fallen into complete stupefaction.
The anticipated life-and-death struggle did not unfold.
The previously intimidating Protector Wu now seemed like a toy, effortlessly toyed with by Lin Xiu.
He was even teased.
What does "I want to hear your unruly laughter" even mean?
Come on, they're in the middle of a battle!
Anyway, no one believed Lin Xiu's strained excuse.
"Heh heh... Fine! Very well! You forced me to this! Even if it costs me half my life today, I'll slaughter you!"
Protector Wu's teeth clicked together as a large amount of black mist emanated from his body.
Even before the black mist surged, Xiao Yan's voice came "Senior Brother, stop him quickly. That black mist will dissolve Dou Qi and block all attacks."
From being repeatedly interrupted and continuously spitting blood from being struck, Protector Wu persisted in trying to execute that Dou Technique.
It could be guessed that this was perhaps his trump card.
Therefore, not giving him the chance to execute it was the correct way to resolve the battle.
However.
Before the words had even finished, Protector Wu was already enveloped in black mist.
Seeing this scene, Xiao Yan sighed heavily. At this point, it seemed like reminders were useless.
With hopeful eyes, he looked at Lin Xiu, "I hope Senior Brother has a way to deal with his Dou Technique."
"Why... why didn't he stop it?"
Jia Xing Tian was bewildered for a moment, unable to understand.
"Perhaps he's still too young. If it were me, I would have struck him down directly earlier, not giving him a chance to catch his breath."
"This is the difference between students from the Academy and those who have grown up adventuring outside," Hai Bo Dong sighed softly.
The lion pounces on the hare, still going all out.
Facing a mysterious and eerie Dou Ancestor, he dared to give him a chance to catch his breath.
Just how confident in his own strength must he be to dare such a thing?
"Heh heh... Heh heh... Kid, you wanted to hear it, didn't you?"
Enveloped in the black mist, Protector Wu finally found a long-lost sense of security. His laughter became boisterous, filled with provocation.
This black mist was their Hall of Souls' strongest Secret Technique. Once activated, it could withstand almost all damage.
Normally, they wouldn't easily use it unless it was a critical moment because each usage drained them greatly, and replenishing it would come at a high cost.
Lin Xiu stood before the black mist, sensing a slight disturbance in the two clusters of Heavenly Flame within him.
The sensation was very subtle.
"Just as I suspected, since it's flames, then my move should work..."
A gleam flashed in his eyes. Lin Xiu formed hand seals with both hands, pointing towards the black mist.
"Flame Soul Separation Technique! Separate!"
A low shout burst from Lin Xiu's throat.
The next moment, that mass of black mist which had left Old Yao, Xiao Yan, and others helpless, actually obediently parted into a crack. Inside, Protector Wu faced Lin Xiu, who had a faint smile at the corner of his eye. His gaze was somewhat vacant, clearly shocked beyond his limit.
"It's alright, you don't need to worry about me. I just felt listening from outside wasn't satisfying enough, so I came in to listen."
A cold smile curved Lin Xiu's lips as he stepped straight into the mist.
Outside, Xiao Yan and the others' jaws nearly dropped to the ground.
Every pair of eyes was replaced with the same expression.
That expression was shock!
"Laugh!"
"Don't you like to laugh?"
"Keep laughing then, I like your unruly laughter."
The crowd couldn't see what was happening inside the black mist, but from Protector Wu's successive screams, their minds involuntarily constructed similar scenes.
Not long after, the black mist dispersed, revealing Lin Xiu's solitary figure.
"Senior Brother, where is Protector Wu?"
Xiao Yan rushed forward first, hastily taking the black mist that Lin Xiu threw over. Inside, Old Yao's Soul was gradually appearing.
"He's dead."
Lin Xiu said calmly.
"Dead? I haven't had a chance to ask about news regarding my father."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan became anxious.
Lin Xiu sighed helplessly.
Blame it on that guy for being too rash; he hadn't even had the chance to showcase many of his Dou Techniques.
"It's alright. As long as we confirm this matter is related to the Hall of Souls, we can find another person to ask, and still get the answers."
Old Yao was extremely weak, his Soul almost transparent. After this battle, the Soul Power he had painstakingly replenished was almost completely exhausted.
"Teacher..."
Originally intending to complain, Xiao Yan swallowed back his words upon seeing Old Yao's condition.
"Trust me, after I recover for a while, I'll take you to the Central Plains to find Venerable Feng. With the help of a Dou Venerate, things will be much easier."
Old Yao smiled.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was instantly invigorated.
"Lin Xiu, thank you for saving my life. I owe you a debt, and if you ever need anything in the future, just ask."
Old Yao shifted his gaze, looking at this young man who was only slightly younger than his own disciples, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
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