Chapter 86: Protector Wu, Long Time No See!
Clang!
Within the black mist, a sharp metallic sound erupted as an inky black chain shot out, like a venomous serpent slithering from its lair, striking directly toward Yao Chen.
The chain tore through the air with a piercing, shrill whistle that sent shivers down the spine.
Yao Chen's pupils contracted. Grabbing the heavy black ruler, he infused it with the chilling Bone Chilling Flame and slashed down fiercely.
The Soul Hall's methods were unnaturally effective against soul entities. To fight them, one had to rely on external tools or other types of power. Back in the day, Yao Chen had only managed to escape their clutches thanks to the Bone Chilling Flame.
Clang!!
The impact echoed like a resounding bell. The black mist and Yao Chen were both forced to retreat.
"What… what is that thing?" Yun Yun's face turned pale. Could this be the Soul Hall member Lu Bu had mentioned?
It looked so sinister and strange clearly not something good!
"What is that?"
"No idea, but it's definitely not something good!"
"Obviously! I mean, why is such an eerie, human but not human entity inside the Yunlan Sect? And to think its strength is on par with a Dou Zong level soul entity!"
"Gasp… This situation is getting more bizarre by the second…"
What had started as a simple three year agreement had escalated into complete chaos. First came a soul entity, then a Dou Zong battle, followed by the intervention of the royal family and the Mittel Clan. Now, there was this ghostly monstrosity…
"Retreat!"
"We need to leave. This spectacle is not safe to watch!"
"Agreed, let's go now. There are already three Dou Zongs here this is way beyond what we should be observing!"
With those murmurs, several figures quickly fled toward the mountain's edge. These were the leaders of prominent families; if they were to fall here, their families would be torn apart by opportunistic rivals. They couldn't afford to take any chances.
In the blink of an eye, several groups had already slipped away. Only a few remained to watch Mittel Tengshan, Mu Chen, and Nalan Jie among them.
"There's something like this in the sect?" Nalan Yanran gasped, covering her mouth in disbelief.
"This is getting way too complicated!" The three Dou Wang powerhouses exchanged grave looks.
High in the air, Yao Chen and Protector Wu stabilized themselves after their clash. Yao Chen's expression was stern his current state made him highly vulnerable to the Soul Hall's suppressive methods. Every move had to be calculated with extreme caution.
If not for the restorative medicine Lu Bu had provided earlier, Yao Chen would have already been defeated in a single exchange.
"Jie Jie Jie… Yao Chen, to think you still possess such strength even after being dead for so long!" Protector Wu's black mist churned as his scarlet eyes glowed with apprehension.
No wonder even the elders couldn't capture this man. If Yao Chen were in his prime, Protector Wu doubted he could survive a single move against him.
"Jie Jie… I am Protector Wu. Today, your soul will belong to me!" Protector Wu cackled. It was fate his opportunity had come.
He, Wu Ying, was about to rise to greater heights! The soul that even the elders had failed to claim would be his today.
"Hmph, you think you can take my soul? Let's see if you have what it takes!" Yao Chen sneered coldly. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed Xiao Yan toward Hai Bodong.
Hai Bodong caught Xiao Yan with a confused expression before swiftly passing him toward Mittel Tengshan.
"Cloud Sect Master, your fairness is admirable," Hai Bodong said with a laugh, bowing slightly. Despite the chaotic situation, Yun Yun had refrained from attacking during that exchange a gesture that surprised him.
Yun Yun didn't respond. Standing sword in hand, her thoughts churned. That thing had to be dealt with otherwise, the Yunlan Sect, her teacher, and even herself would be in grave danger.
Lu Bu… When are you going to step in?
Yun Yun bit her lip, her usually composed face now showing a hint of anxiety.
"Jie Jie Jie, Yun Sect Master, how dare you lose focus while fighting me?" Hai Bodong laughed as he lunged forward, his icy spear exuding a piercing chill that jolted Yun Yun back to reality.
Hai Bodong wasn't fighting Yun Yun to the death his goal was simply to hold her and Yun Shan back.
Yun Yun's face grew frosty as she summoned wind blades around her, sending slashing gusts toward Hai Bodong.
"Good! Come at me!" Hai Bodong laughed, brandishing his spear to shatter the incoming wind blades.
The past months had been frustrating for him. Before recovering his strength, he had suffered humiliating defeats against Lu Bu. Even after regaining his peak power, Lu Bu had still crushed him.
Was breaking his seal even worth it?
From the Morrow City to the capital, Hai Bodong had endured setback after setback. But now, he was finally able to revel in the strength befitting a Dou Huang.
Outside the plaza, in the surrounding forest, Mittel Tengshan and the others watched the three ongoing battles in the sky, unsure of what to do.
"Xiao Yan, that black mist… What is it?" Nalan Yanran asked in a hushed tone. Although her voice was soft, it was as clear as day to the sharp ears of the nearby Dou Wangs.
All eyes instantly turned toward Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan's throat moved as if swallowing back words. He wanted to ignore Nalan Yanran and maintain the mutual animosity between them.
But… Nalan Yanran had risked her life to save him earlier. He couldn't harden his heart against her.
One step at a time, he thought with a sigh. Fortunately, he would soon leave for the Jia Nan Academy and wouldn't see her again.
"…That's likely someone from the Soul Hall," Xiao Yan finally said, his voice heavy. "They're an enigmatic faction that specializes in capturing souls."
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