Chapter 496: The Rearguard, Nine Heavens Sovereign
"Old Ghost of the Star Snatching Sect? I didn't expect someone of your status to be guarding this place," Yao Lao said, his face changing as he saw the strange old man appear.
"Hehe, the Hall Master values you greatly, so he sent me to keep an eye on things. You just didn't notice," the old man, known as the Star Snatching Ghost, replied with a smile. His gaze then shifted to Xiao Yan and Mo Yu as he continued, "I was planning to catch a big fish, and it seems I caught more than I bargained for."
"You knew I'd come?" Xiao Yan sneered.
"It was only a matter of time," the Star Snatching Ghost chuckled. "You're the big fish, after all. The Hall Master is more interested in you than Yao Chen. I'm talking about the 'key' from the Xiao family, which should be in your possession. Your father never gave it up, but now that you're the most promising member of the Xiao family, keeping it with you makes the most sense. As for your helper here—if we were elsewhere, the Soul Hall might not dare touch him, but since he's walked into his own grave, don't blame me for striking him down!"
Hearing this, Mo Yu raised an eyebrow. This old man wasn't just targeting Xiao Yan; he had his sights on Mo Yu as well.
"My father?" Xiao Yan's expression darkened.
"Don't fight him, just leave. You're not his match," Yao Lao warned in a low voice, seeing Xiao Yan's grim face.
Gritting his teeth, Xiao Yan nodded.
"Now that I've shown myself, how can I let you leave?" the Star Snatching Ghost sneered. His pale hand emerged from his sleeve, and a vast black mist surged out, instantly forming a massive ten-meter-wide palm of darkness that slammed toward Xiao Yan.
"Hoooomph!"
As the terrifying force of the attack rushed toward him, Xiao Yan's expression changed. His hands moved rapidly, forming a series of seals.
"Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations: First Change! Second Change! Third Change!"
A cold voice echoed in Xiao Yan's mind as his aura surged. Purple-brown flames burst from his palm, transforming into a roaring fire dragon that crashed into the black mist palm.
Boom!
A deafening explosion rocked the hall, and the terrifying shockwave shattered several nearby black chains. Xiao Yan was pushed back, his blood surging as he stumbled more than ten steps.
"This old ghost is at the peak of Five-Star Dou Zun. Don't clash with him head-on!" Yao Lao quickly advised upon seeing Xiao Yan retreat.
Xiao Yan's face darkened even further.
"Cousin Xiao Yan, take Yao Lao and go. Leave this old ghost to me," Mo Yu said calmly.
"Cousin Mo Yu, but…" Xiao Yan hesitated.
Although Mo Yu had broken through to the Dou Zun realm, the Star Snatching Ghost was at the peak of Five-Star Dou Zun. The gap in power was significant.
"Don't worry, I have it under control," Mo Yu said with confidence, smiling.
Seeing the familiar confidence that had always accompanied Mo Yu's victories, Xiao Yan began to feel more reassured. He nodded solemnly. "I'll leave it to you, cousin. I'll return to help as soon as I get my teacher out!"
"Thank you, Mo Yu," Yao Lao added gratefully.
"No need for thanks. Just go," Mo Yu replied with a light smile.
Xiao Yan nodded and, after having Yao Lao retreat into his ring, he turned and dashed out of the hall.
"Think you can just leave?" the Star Snatching Ghost growled. His hand stretched out, and five tendrils of black mist shot from his fingers, forming eerie black chains. The chains lashed out, piercing the void and appearing above Xiao Yan's head in an instant.
Caught off guard by the sudden attack, Xiao Yan's expression changed. But before he could react, a thunder dragon roared through the air and shredded the black chains into pieces.
"Star Snatching Ghost, are you ignoring me?" Mo Yu sneered as he stepped between Xiao Yan and the old man.
Waving to Xiao Yan, Mo Yu signaled him to continue running. Xiao Yan nodded and sped out of the hall.
Whoosh!
The Star Snatching Ghost's face darkened as he watched Xiao Yan escape. Another black chain lashed out at him, but just as it was about to strike Xiao Yan, a silver figure appeared and kicked the chain away.
The chain embedded itself into the hard black stone floor with a crack, splitting the rock.
With this chance, Xiao Yan finally escaped the range of the black chains and vanished into the distance.
"You brat from the Lei Clan, you're courting death!" the Star Snatching Ghost snarled, turning his gaze to Mo Yu.
"Trying to stop me with a mere Five-Star Dou Zun? You're a little too arrogant," Mo Yu said with a playful smile.
"You've got a sharp tongue, brat. Fine, I'll let that Xiao boy run for a bit. I'll take your life first, and then I'll capture him and Yao Chen afterward," the Star Snatching Ghost sneered. Flicking his fingers, the black chains shot forward like venomous snakes, slashing through the air and targeting Mo Yu's vital points.
The chains moved at terrifying speed, leaving trails of afterimages behind as they darted through the air.
Clang, clang, clang!
Facing the Star Snatching Ghost's fierce attack, Mo Yu grasped his Godly Might Black Thunder Spear. With a flick of his wrist, countless spear shadows formed around him, blocking the incoming chains.
Clang!
The chains clashed heavily with the spear, forcing Mo Yu back and carving deep grooves into the floor as he slid.
"Impressive. This old ghost truly lives up to his reputation as a peak Five-Star Dou Zun. This will be fun," Mo Yu thought, his battle spirit surging.
Ever since breaking through to the Dou Zun realm, Mo Yu hadn't had the chance to fully test his strength. Now, facing the Star Snatching Ghost, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to stretch his muscles.
"I must admit, reaching the Dou Zun realm at such a young age, without even pure Lei Clan blood, is impressive," the Star Snatching Ghost said, his eyes flashing with curiosity. Then, he smiled mockingly. "But if you think you can defeat me with just one star of Dou Zun power, you're dreaming."
The Star Snatching Ghost's body leaned forward, like a predator preparing to strike. "I don't have time to play with you. After I finish you off, I'll capture that Xiao boy and Yao Chen."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the Star Snatching Ghost vanished into thin air.
Sensing the shift, Mo Yu immediately detected a withered hand emerging from the space beside him, reaching toward his throat. The hand, though lacking any visible Dou Qi, left a dark tear in space as it moved.
Mo Yu's expression hardened. He quickly stepped back and thrust his spear forward.
"Nine Heavens Thunder Cloud Slash!"
With a roar, a spear light dozens of meters long shot from the spear tip, slamming into the withered hand.
The attack only caused the hand to pause for a moment before it accelerated, appearing before Mo Yu's chest in an instant.
The strike was too fast, and even Mo Yu couldn't dodge it. At the last second, he raised his spear to block.
Clang!
The withered hand landed lightly on the spear, producing a crisp sound.
Mo Yu's face changed slightly. The hand, though thin and bony, felt as heavy as a mountain. His arms creaked under the pressure.
Just as the hand was about to strike his chest, a smile crept onto Mo Yu's lips. Two massive wings, radiating thunderous power, burst from his back.
With the appearance of the Thunder Wings, Mo Yu's aura surged dramatically.
In an instant, his strength skyrocketed to the level of a Three-Star Dou Zun!
Feeling the immense power coursing through him, Mo Yu grinned. The spear in his hand flared with blinding light as Dou Qi surged into it like a roaring dragon. The spear shot forward with unstoppable force toward the Star Snatching Ghost.
Boom!
The sheer intensity of the attack caused the Star Snatching Ghost's expression to shift. He quickly retreated, narrowly avoiding the deadly spear light. Behind him, the spear pierced through the ceiling of the hall, leaving a massive hole and shaking the structure.
"How did he reach the strength of a Three-Star Dou Zun?"
The Star Snatching Ghost's form reappeared several meters away, his face pale as he stared at Mo Yu's spear. His heart raced.
There were many secret techniques to boost one's strength, but he had never heard of one that could elevate a Dou Zun's power by two stars in such a short time. Even the ancient clans with pure Dou Emperor bloodlines didn't have such fearsome methods.
"Hehe, how does it feel, old ghost?" Mo Yu twirled his spear, smiling confidently.
Mo Yu had purposely refrained from using his full power, keeping some cards hidden. He didn't feel the need to use his Thunder Armor yet. His current Three-Star Dou Zun power was enough to handle this situation.
"Hmph, no matter what tricks you have up your sleeve, they're useless in the face of absolute power," the Star Snatching Ghost growled, his face darkening. With a sharp movement, he shot toward Mo Yu like a released arrow, his face twisted in a vicious grin.
Mo Yu noticed the change but wasn't fazed. His battle spirit flared even higher.
"Brat, it's time to die! Star Snatching Hand!"
Dark energy swirled around the Star Snatching Ghost as his right hand swelled in size. He lunged at Mo Yu, trapping him in a field of twisted space.
"Boy from the Lei Clan, this is the end!" the Star Snatching Ghost sneered. His hand shot forward, the space around Mo Yu collapsing as he closed in.
But just as the Star Snatching Ghost thought victory was in his grasp, a silver figure burst out of the collapsing space.
Surrounded by crackling lightning, Mo Yu darted backward. In his hand, a terrifying orb of lightning rapidly formed, exuding a powerful energy that made even high-ranking Dou Zun experts tremble.
It was Mo Yu's Black Gold Thunder Orb.
Seeing the orb, the Star Snatching Ghost's face turned pale, cold sweat forming on his brow. He could feel death looming in that orb's energy. Without hesitation, he turned to flee.
"Trying to escape?" Mo Yu sneered. With a flick of his finger, the Black Gold Thunder Orb shot toward the retreating Star Snatching Ghost.
Boom!
A deafening explosion rocked the hall as the orb detonated, releasing a massive wave of electrical energy that shattered the support pillars and tore apart the roof, exposing the sky outside.
Caught in the explosion, the Star Snatching Ghost's speed faltered. In terror, he watched the wave of destruction close in.
Overwhelmed by fear, he finally cried out in desperation.
"Nine Heavens Sovereign, save me!" (End of Chapter)
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