Chapter 248: Qing Lin is About to Succeed
After eliminating the two elders from the Soul Hall, Xiao Ze ordered the two Demon Phoenix puppets to capture all the Soul Hall guardians in the vicinity. The commotion caused by the two elders had attracted the guardians searching for Xiao Ze in the southern mountains. Seeing Xiao Ze kill the two elders so easily, the guardians wished they had more wings to fly away faster. However, in terms of speed, they were no match for the Demon Phoenix puppets. Although they tried to scatter and flee, they couldn't escape the pursuit of the puppets.
Those who resisted were quickly eliminated by the puppets under Xiao Ze's control. The advantage of being a spiritual entity was useless against Dou Zun-level puppets. Taking advantage of the time, Xiao Ze collected the spoils of battle, taking everything, whether useful or not, to examine later. The two elders contributed with some high-quality storage rings and their Dou Zun bodies.
Under the pursuit of the puppets, soon all the Soul Hall guardians were captured, except those eliminated during the confrontation. Four guardians remained alive. The Demon Phoenix puppets threw them before Xiao Ze, who immediately pierced them with golden chains, causing cries of pain.
"I will ask questions separately. If your answers don't match, none of you will live."
"Why should I tell you anything?" said one of the guardians with false bravado.
Xiao Ze shrugged and said, "That's fine, I respect your decision."
As he said this, the golden chains piercing him turned into golden flames, transforming him into a human torch. His cries of pain terrified the other three guardians, who trembled with fear.
"I'll tell you everything! I'll tell you everything!" screamed one of them, extending his right hand in a desperate gesture, only to see it slowly turn to ashes.
"It's too late, you no longer have a chance."
With those words, the guardian was completely consumed by the golden flames.
"Do any of you have any objections?" asked Xiao Ze with a cold look. The remaining three guardians quickly shook their heads, trembling with fear.
Seeing the submissive attitude of the three, Xiao Ze smiled and wrapped two of them in a golden light.
"Was your mission to capture me?" asked Xiao Ze.
"Yes, the elder envied your alchemist master's soul," responded one of the guardians quickly, fearing for his life.
"How did you know I was in the southern mountains?"
"The Great Elder's disciple from the Alchemist Tower, Song Qing, betrayed us and joined the Soul Hall. He was the one who informed the elder about your whereabouts."
Xiao Ze nodded, confirming his suspicions.
"How does the Soul Hall know Song Qing is trustworthy?"
"The elder made Song Qing declare his loyalty before other disciples of the Alchemist Tower and then made sure those disciples were imprisoned."
"Where are those disciples now?"
"They are in the Soul Hall branch in the Gui Ku mountains. If you want to go, I can guide you. That branch no longer has strong guardians."
Seeing that the guardian was cooperating so well, Xiao Ze showed a satisfied expression.
"You are quite cooperative, but I must verify your words."
Xiao Ze wrapped the guardian in a golden light and repeated the questions to the other two guardians, obtaining consistent answers.
"We need to rescue those Alchemist Tower disciples, not only because they are from our sect and we can't abandon them but also to obtain evidence of Song Qing's betrayal," thought Xiao Ze as he looked at the guardian.
"How long would it take for other Soul Hall guardians to arrive at this branch for support?"
The guardian showed a doubtful expression, as he had never been in a situation where the Soul Hall was the pursued party.
"I'm not sure, but this branch in the Gui Ku mountains is the closest to the Alchemist Tower. The other branches are quite far away, so it should take them time to arrive."
Xiao Ze narrowed his eyes, still considering the possibility that the Soul Hall would send a high-ranking guardian quickly.
At that moment, a powerful energy wave was felt from underground.
"This wave... it seems that Qing Lin is obtaining great benefits by refining the ancient celestial serpent's soul," thought Xiao Ze.
Xiao Ze sealed the spirits of the three guardians in jade bottles and withdrew the puppets, quickly returning to the underground space.
Qing Lin looked different, with a fierce energy emanating from her. Xiao Ze noticed a dark red mark appearing on her forehead, which gradually lightened, revealing the figure of a miniature Ancient Celestial Serpent. When the mark was complete, Qing Lin's fierce energy disappeared.
Qing Lin opened her eyes, which shone with an intense green light. Seeing Xiao Ze, she smiled and approached him.
"Xiao Ze, can you guess what level I'm at now?" she said playfully.
Xiao Ze put his hand on her head and replied, "In any case, not higher than me."
"Hehe, I am only one step away from reaching the Dou Zun level. Soon, I will be able to protect you, Xiao Ze," Qing Lin said proudly.
The young woman, not yet twenty years old, was on the brink of achieving a level that most people in the Dou Qi continent could only dream of.
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