Chapter 239: Elder of the Soul Hall, Betrayal
To the south of the Dan region, several large mountain ranges converge, forming an excellent place for energy concentration.
This makes the area full of heaven and earth energy, with medicinal herbs growing abundantly and magical beasts thriving.
However, what used to be a mountain filled with a wild atmosphere and the roar of beasts had now become a place where crimson flowers of slaughter bloomed.
Boom!
Song Qing's figure was thrown like a rag doll, crashing into several ancient trees before stopping with difficulty.
An old man in a purple robe rubbed his rough, dry fingers, which still had the residue of Song Qing's soul power.
"I've been waiting a long time and haven't seen Xiao Ze, the new alchemy master, come out. But even a seventh-level alchemist's soul isn't bad."
The old man was indeed the elder of the Soul Hall who had coveted Xiao Ze.
Song Qing, lying on the broken trunk of a tree, heard the elder's words and couldn't help but spit blood again. Xiao Ze again! This time, I even helped him avoid a calamity. (For being evil, Karma)
Song Qing's resentment towards Xiao Ze deepened, lifting his head to look at the elder with deep fear.
In the hands of this elder, he had no chance of resisting.
Behind the elder, disciples of the Dan Tower were being slaughtered by people from the Soul Hall.
Song Qing's gaze wavered, and his heart struggled intensely.
However, the elder of the Soul Hall had no time to waste. He just wanted to quickly finish Song Qing and extract his soul.
"Hehe, your soul will be mine."
The elder moved swiftly, appearing in front of Song Qing, his dry fingers forming a claw, about to grasp Song Qing's crown.
"Wait!"
Feeling the terrifying energy in the elder's fingers, Song Qing hurriedly spoke.
"Oh? Do you have any last words?"
"I can work for you. Your goal is Xiao Ze, right? I can provide information about Xiao Ze."
The elder in the purple robe showed momentary interest but still hesitated.
"Why should I believe you? What makes you think you can obtain information about Xiao Ze? He's a master alchemist, and who are you?"
Song Qing smiled bitterly. It turns out you don't even know who I am.
He recalled how the Soul Hall people attacked immediately upon encountering him, not giving him a chance to speak.
This purple-robed elder, seeing that he could withstand the Soul Hall protectors, struck him almost to death in one blow.
"I am the disciple of the Grand Elder of the Dan Tower, my name is Song Qing."
"Hehe, it seems I've encountered a big fish."
The Soul Hall elder's interest grew upon hearing this, looking at Song Qing with a new idea in mind.
Song Qing, feeling uneasy under the elder's gaze, knew he had no other choice.
"I didn't expect the Grand Elder's disciple from the Dan Tower to be so 'fond of life.'"
"With such a master, you can enjoy endless wealth and honor. How could you be willing to die so easily?"
The Soul Hall elder sneered, his tone sarcastic, speaking of a love for life but also of cowardice.
Song Qing's face twisted, but he had no chance to regret.
The elder grabbed him by the neck and brought him before the Dan Tower disciples.
Those disciples had already been killed by the Soul Hall protectors, their bodies pierced by Soul Hall chains, extracting their souls.
"Don't store those souls yet."
Following the elder's orders, the protectors stopped.
Then, the elder threw Song Qing before the bodies of the Dan Tower disciples, speaking coldly.
"Repeat what you said earlier in front of these disciples."
Feeling the gazes of the souls, filled with doubt and surprise, Song Qing lowered his head, saying nothing.
"Hehe, do you want to join them in death?"
The elder tightened his grip, and Song Qing felt a terrifying pressure on his neck, turning his face blue.
"I... I'll say it! I'll say it!"
The elder snorted, "Next time, you won't have a chance to hesitate."
Song Qing, trembling, said, "Cough... I am willing to work for the Soul Hall and provide information about Xiao Ze. As soon as Xiao Ze leaves the Pill Tower, I will notify the Soul Hall..."
Feeling the hateful gazes from the souls of the disciples, Song Qing felt as if he was being struck.
"Song Qing, you damn traitor! You're worse than a pig or a dog! The Great Elder should have never taken you as a disciple!"
"You're helping the Soul Hall kill our companions! Song Qing, you're not human!"
The curses from the disciples of the Pill Tower felt like slaps on Song Qing's face, making him feel a burning shame.
The disciples, now transformed into souls, were furious.
If looks could kill, Song Qing would have been torn to pieces already.
The elder from the Soul Hall laughed, "Song Qing, do you hear the curses from the disciples of the Pill Tower?"
"Don't think that going back to the Great Elder's side will free you from the control of the Soul Hall."
"If you dare betray the Soul Hall, I won't hesitate to return these souls to the Pill Tower."
"Let's see if the Pill Tower will forgive you, or if your master, the Great Elder, will deal with you personally."
The elder's words made Song Qing's face turn pale.
He knew that from today on, he could no longer stay in the Pill Tower with a clean identity.
These disciples transformed into souls would be the Soul Hall's tool to blackmail him.
"Collect those noisy souls and make sure to protect them well. They are our guarantee that Song Qing will stay loyal to us."
The Soul Hall protectors laughed as they stored the souls in bags.
Suddenly, the elder turned around and struck Song Qing in the chest.
Song Qing spat blood and fell to the ground, looking at the elder in disbelief.
"You... you break your promise!"
"Of course not. I just want to make it more convincing so the Pill Tower won't suspect how you survived."
The elder threw a ring at Song Qing. "Inside is a communication jade. I'm waiting for your information."
The elder left with the Soul Hall people, leaving Song Qing on the ground, his eyes filled with hatred and venom.
"Damn old man, that last palm strike almost killed me."
Song Qing took out a medicinal pill and swallowed it, regaining some color in his face.
He looked at the bodies of the Pill Tower disciples, gritted his teeth, and flew out of the mountain.
After Song Qing left, the purple-robed elder reappeared, accompanied by another elder in red robes, though with a weaker presence.
They were the chief and deputy chiefs of the Soul Hall branch in the Gui Ku mountains.
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