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"Brat Wei, Xiao Yan, whether you're willing or not, you're destined to clash with that colossal monster known as Hall of Souls someday."
Yao Lao's sighing voice slowly echoed in the hearts of the two young men. "With your talent in the soul path, the moment you catch Hall of Souls's attention, they will inevitably mark you. That's unavoidable. Whether overtly or covertly, they will target you, plotting to seize your souls."
"Of course, that includes me as well. Back then, I was careless and didn't expect that, when they couldn't get at me directly, they'd turn to the people around me."
"Learn from my mistake. When you face Hall of Souls in the future, you must be cautious — more cautious than ever!"
Wei Yang and Xiao Yan silently nodded.
"Master, don't worry. When Brother Wei and I grow strong enough one day, we'll find a way to completely uproot that malignant tumor," Xiao Yan said through gritted teeth, his fists clenching tightly.
"Heh… it's good that you have that resolve," Yao Lao said with a faint sigh, "But it won't be easy."
There were plenty of people who resented Hall of Souls — but who dared to actually touch them?
Even a force as mighty as the Pill Tower could only protect itself when faced with Hall of Souls, not daring to provoke them at will.
"No matter how hard it is, I won't give up. If nothing else, I'll at least give them a painful lesson," Xiao Yan said, grinding his teeth.
His father Xiao Zhan was still missing, very likely in Hall of Souls's hands — leaving Xiao Yan with no choice.
"This is still too early to talk about. At the very least, wait until we reach the level of Dou Zun before we consider it," Wei Yang shook his head, cutting the topic off.
If you weren't at least a Dou Zun, you didn't even have the qualification to make Hall of Souls take you seriously — let alone shake them.
"Dou Zun…" A trace of struggle flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes.
Time…!He needed to grow as quickly as possible — but time was so short.
Sea Heart Flame…
Yun Lan Mountain stood tall on the vast plains dozens of li outside the imperial capital.
Towering peaks like blades thrust skyward, faintly emanating sharp sword auras that pierced the clouds.
Amid the swirling mists, loud training shouts and the crisp clang of metal striking metal rang out.
Yun Lan Mountain — still the same Yun Lan Mountain as in the past.
But the Yun Lan Sect that sat upon it had changed beyond recognition compared to before.
The entire mountain was now filled with countless sentries, both visible and hidden. Anyone who set foot here would immediately be watched by unseen eyes. This place had already turned into a mountain fortress, heavily guarded to the extreme.
Nowadays, due to recruiting disciples on a massive scale, Yun Lan Sect's size was undoubtedly much larger than it had been three years ago.
Only because of that did they have enough manpower to set up such a formidable defensive perimeter over the vast mountain.
Yet even though the sect had grown stronger, not only outsiders — even some of the older Yun Lan Sect disciples could sense that today's Yun Lan Sect was no longer the holy land of cultivation it had once been in the hearts of the Jia Ma people.
After all the actions of the past three years, they had become no different from any ordinary power — expanding their influence by any means necessary.
At the summit of Yun Lan Mountain…
The sprawling sect complex stretched to the limits of sight.
On the wide plaza, figures darted about as all sorts of shouting and cursing mixed with the clash of blades, scattering even the thin mists drifting through the air.
This place, once a serene and transcendent holy land of cultivation, now completely lacked that detached aura — instead resembling a chaotic, vulgar gathering ground.
At the center of the mountain stood a majestic and imposing great hall, like a crouching beast exuding an ancient and oppressive air.
This great hall had been passed down since Yun Lan Sect's founding, and it still retained a faint trace of the sect's former dignity.
But the white-robed guards standing outside with cold, grim expressions gave the ancient hall an additional chilling, sinister undertone.
At this moment inside the hall, numerous figures sat quietly, all gazing with reverent and fearful eyes at the old man seated high at the head, not daring to make the slightest sound.
The old man wore a white robe embroidered with cloud patterns, and at the cuffs of his sleeves were intricate sword motifs.
Whenever his sleeves moved, those sword motifs seemed to materialize faintly, emanating a sharp, chilling sword qi.
Though his hair was snow-white, his face bore not the slightest wrinkle. Instead, it had a faint, smooth luster, his skin looking as supple as that of a young man.
At the very least, just by his appearance, outsiders would find it hard to judge his true age.
This man was none other than the current ruler of Yun Lan Sect — the Dou Zong powerhouse, Yun Shan.
At this moment, Yun Shan's half-closed eyes slowly opened, and within their indifferent depths flashed a cold, chilling gleam.
Anyone who happened to catch even a glimpse of that light felt a chill run through their whole body, cold sweat breaking out as they quickly averted their gaze, not daring to meet his eyes directly.
Clearly, Yun Shan's prestige and tyrannical aura far exceeded Yun Yun's, making the entire Yun Lan Sect revere and fear him deeply.
"Any word from Yun Fan?" After a long silence in the hall, Yun Shan finally raised his eyelids slightly and spoke in a faint tone.
As soon as he spoke, everyone in the hall instinctively straightened up slightly.
Seated at the first position below, Yun Leng hesitated for a moment before respectfully replying, "Reporting to the Sect Master, no word yet from Yun Fan. He's likely still waiting for the right moment."
"It's just Zhen Gui Pass. How can he drag things out like this?"
Yun Shan frowned slightly, clearly displeased. "Send word to him: there's no need to be so cautious. Within five days, he must fully take control of Zhen Gui Pass."
"And also — in other areas, people can act according to the situation. Once we have the imperial army under our control, we don't need to fear any waves they might try to stir up."
"Yes!" Yun Leng quickly bowed and acknowledged the order.
"Haha, over these years, the Sect Master has moved boldly and decisively, and almost without anyone realizing, we've already planted Yun Lan Sect disciples in most of the empire's key cities.
Once the order is given, I fear most of this Jia Ma Empire will instantly change hands and come under our Yun Lan Sect's rule," a middle-aged man flattered Yun Shan with a smile.
That smile was filled with obsequiousness.
"This is just the first step. Our Yun Lan Sect's ambition won't stop with this little Jia Ma Empire."
"As long as we completely take control of the empire, Yun Lan Sect's strength will leap to a whole new level. By then, we'll be one of the leading forces in the entire Northwestern Region of the Dou Qi Continent!"
"And then, as long as we become the overlord of the northwestern and continue to expand step by step, even truly dominating the entire continent… might not be far off!" Yun Shan said with a faint smile.
At this moment, his eyes were filled with an ambition entirely at odds with his apparent age.
It had to be said — ever since breaking through his shackles and stepping into the realm of Dou Zong, the surging power within him had given Yun Shan a profound and inexplicable confidence… and a grand ambition.
Of course, such words could only be spoken here in the Jia Ma Empire. If outsiders overheard them, they would surely scoff and find it laughable.
This perfectly illustrated the phrase: "a frog at the bottom of a well."
Still, no law forbids delusions.
"Haha, the Sect Master is absolutely right! In the past, at the Northwestern regional sect summits, our Yun Lan Sect could at best be considered second-tier. When the next summit comes around, those ignorant fools who used to look down on our Yun Lan Sect will surely be shocked out of their wits!" another sycophantic laugh followed right after Yun Shan's words.
Hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Yun Shan's face as he waved his hand. "How is the matter I instructed progressing?"
Immediately, a man in the hall stood up and respectfully reported, "Reporting to the Sect Master: the personnel have already been assembled. Once you give the order, we can march into the imperial capital and completely uproot the Mittel Clan!"
At this point, he hesitated slightly before adding cautiously, "However, the Mittel Clan's Hai Bodong is not weak. In addition, the imperial family and the Alchemist Guild might also intervene. If we only rely on those troops… I'm afraid it won't be enough."
"You don't need to worry about the Imperial Family or the Alchemist Association — I will keep them in check."
As Yun Shan spoke, he looked toward two figures standing quietly below and ordered: "Yun Du, Yun Sha — this time, the two of you will lead the operation and completely eliminate the Mittel Clan. I want to see who dares to interfere."
"And remember — after you wipe out the Mittel Clan, be sure to hunt down and eliminate the remaining scum of the Xiao Clan."
"As you command!"
From a corner of the hall, the two old men who had been silent all this time quickly rose and answered in unison.
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