Deep within the Mingdou Mountain Range lay a hidden cave, shrouded in shadows. Sparse sunlight filtered through cracks, casting fragmented patterns of light and shadow onto the ground.
Inside, the air was thick with the metallic tang of blood mingled with damp earth, creating an oppressive atmosphere. Moss and ferns clung to the stone walls, and small insects occasionally scurried through crevices.
Gruesome decorations made from human skin and bones hung from the walls, their eerie glow reflecting the flickering flames.
Thanks to his Spirit Eye's spiritual detection, Xiao Yan quickly located the Evil Soul Masters responsible for the village's massacre. It wasn't long before he caught up with them.
In the distance, he spotted a group of figures trudging through the forest. Their bodies were unnaturally robust, their crimson eyes gleaming with malevolence as they devoured fresh hearts and flesh. One by one, they disappeared into a dark cave.
Frowning at the sight, Xiao Yan retrieved a vial of powder from his storage soul tool and sprinkled it over himself. The powder, a concoction taught by Yao Lao, was designed to mask his presence.
Moving silently through the dense forest, Xiao Yan scaled a towering ancient tree. Using its branches for cover, he positioned himself directly above the cave entrance. After wrapping his feet in soft cloth to muffle his steps, he leapt lightly from the tree, landing silently on the ground. Bending low, he darted into the cave.
As Xiao Yan entered, a figure ahead turned sharply, his eyes glowing with a sinister red light. After scanning the area, the figure grunted in confusion and continued deeper into the cave.
Releasing his spiritual detection to its maximum range, Xiao Yan's mind was flooded with a vivid, three-dimensional map of the cave.
The cave's entrance was narrow, but it expanded into a vast chamber. After advancing about fifty meters, a pungent stench of blood assaulted Xiao Yan's senses. The walls were adorned with flayed human skins and even the corpses of infants. The further he went, the more bodies he encountered, each death more gruesome than the last.
Suddenly, several figures leapt from the shadows, surrounding Xiao Yan.
"Who goes there?" one of them snarled.
Xiao Yan smirked coldly, gripping the hilt of his Heavy Xuan Ruler. "I've come to claim your lives."
The Evil Soul Masters' expressions darkened. Without a word, they unleashed their martial souls, their soul rings glowing ominously. With savage ferocity, they charged at Xiao Yan, their attacks aimed to kill.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
A series of dull thuds echoed as Xiao Yan's figure blurred. In mere moments, the Evil Soul Masters were sent flying, their bodies smashing into the cave walls, leaving streaks of blood behind.
More figures emerged from the shadows, their weapons gleaming with a dark, blood-red aura. Chanting ominously, they charged at Xiao Yan in unison.
Closing his eyes briefly, Xiao Yan waited for the chilling aura of their attacks to draw closer. When it did, his eyes snapped open, and he swung the Heavy Xuan Ruler in a wide arc. The massive blade spun like a black wind wheel, sparks flying as it struck their weapons with immense force.
Weapons were knocked from their hands, shattering upon impact. Only a few managed to hold onto their weapons, though their trembling hands and fractured wrists betrayed their fear.
Xiao Yan halted his rotation abruptly, fixing his gaze on the remaining enemies. With a cold smile, he lunged forward, weaving through their ranks like a shadow.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Each strike sent an Evil Soul Master flying, their bodies lifeless before they hit the ground.
A shrill cry echoed from the cave's depths. "Who dares oppose the Envoy of Death? I'll turn you into my corpse slave!"
As the voice faded, the bodies of the fallen Evil Soul Masters began to twitch violently. Red light glowed from their chests, and their corpses swelled grotesquely.
"Not good!" Xiao Yan's eyes widened as his spiritual detection revealed the presence of explosive soul tools embedded within the corpses—Soul Guidance Elemental Bombs, a type of device he'd studied briefly at Shrek Academy's Soul Tool Department.
"Boom!"
A massive explosion rocked the cave, sending debris flying.
---
Meanwhile, at the Star Luo Empire Western Command Base
The distant explosion reverberated through the mountain range, shaking the entire command base. Smoke and flames rose between the peaks, casting an ominous glow over the landscape.
Inside the central tent, Elder Xuan and Duke Dai Hao exchanged a glance before stepping outside. Their expressions grew grim as they stared toward the source of the explosion.
"What's happening?" Dai Hao demanded, his tone heavy.
Du Lei stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Marshal, that's the stronghold of the Hand of Death bandit group. They're a notorious gang of Evil Soul Masters."
"Evil Soul Masters?" Elder Xuan's expression darkened. "Why haven't you dealt with them yet?"
Dai Yaoheng explained, "We've tried multiple times, but their strength and cunning make them difficult to eradicate. Large forces alert them, and small forces are insufficient. Their proximity to the border also complicates matters. Central command deemed it best to monitor them for now."
Elder Xuan snorted coldly. "Someone's already fighting them. Could it be the Sun Moon Empire? Let's investigate."
Dai Hao nodded, unfurling the flight mechanism of his Soul Guidance Tool. Alongside Elder Xuan, he launched into the air, streaking toward the explosion with the White Tiger Guards in tow.
---
Back in the cave, the acrid smell of blood and charred flesh filled the air. The Envoy of Death emerged from the shadows, his skeletal face twisted in a sinister grin.
"You're still alive?" he sneered, his glowing green eyes narrowing as he advanced toward the dust cloud obscuring Xiao Yan's figure. "No matter. You'll soon join my collection of corpse slaves."
The dust settled, revealing Xiao Yan surrounded by pale flames—the Bone Chilling Flame. Its icy aura had shielded him from the explosion.
"Teacher, we can't let him escape," Xiao Yan said, his voice urgent.
"Leave it to me." Yao Lao waved his hand, and the white flames spread, freezing the remaining explosives and neutralizing their threat.
Meanwhile, the Envoy of Death fled deeper into the cave, reaching a massive platform where twelve motionless figures knelt.
"Defend me," he commanded, his voice trembling with frustration.
Suddenly, a calm voice echoed from behind him. "Ten years? You won't live that long."
The Envoy turned to see Xiao Yan stepping onto the platform, his golden eyes now a deep, otherworldly gray. A gray spirit ring materialized around him, trailing afterimages that defied logic.
"You… you're an Evil Soul Master too?" the Envoy stammered, his confidence faltering.
A cold, ancient voice emerged from Xiao Yan's lips. "Evil Soul Master? I've never heard of such a thing. And you… you don't even qualify as a Lich. You're just a pathetic necromancer playing with corpses."
The Envoy roared in anger, summoning his strongest attack, but his confidenc
e wavered as two streaks of light descended from the sky. Elder Xuan and Duke Dai Hao had arrived.
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