Chapter 216: The Bloodthirsty Soul Devouring Formation
Tianwaitian.
As Xiao Yan, Yao Chen, and Yao Tian Huo exited the underground chamber, Xiao Yi Xian hurried over.
Xiao Yan smiled and introduced, "Xiao Yi Xian, let me introduce you. This is my teacher, Yao Lao. You can address him as Elder Yao. And this is Tian Huo Zun zhe…"
At this point, Xiao Yan chuckled. He realized that while Yao Tian Huo's name sounded similar to Yao Chen's "Yao," their meanings were entirely different.
"So, you can just call him Elder Yao as well 'Yao' from the word 'sun.'"
Hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian couldn't help but giggle. "Greetings, Elder Yao. Greetings, Elder Yao!"
Her polite greeting amused the group, causing everyone to laugh together.
Tian Huo Zun zhe then stepped forward and said, "Just call me Senior."
"Alright, Senior," Xiao Yi Xian responded with a smile.
As they chatted, Xiao Bieli approached quickly. Seeing Yao Chen and Tian Huo Zun zhe alive, he immediately understood that Xiao Yan had successfully revived their spiritual bodies.
"Congratulations to you both on your revival," Xiao Bieli said warmly, bowing slightly.
"Greetings, Senior," Yao Chen and Tian Huo Zun zhe replied courteously.
After exchanging greetings, Xiao Yan bowed respectfully and said, "I wish to meet with Ancestor Tiance before I leave. May I trouble you to guide me?"
Hearing this, Xiao Bieli shook his head. "The clan leader and other elders have already left Tianwaitian during your revival process. I'm afraid a meeting won't be possible.
"However, before leaving, the clan leader mentioned that you're free to stay or leave as you wish."
Xiao Yan nodded understandingly, then asked, "In that case, may I trouble you to let me visit my father before I depart?"
"Follow me."
Without further ado, Xiao Bieli led the group to the courtyard where Xiao Zhan and others were residing.
A Journey Back to Jia Ma Empire
Half an hour later, Xiao Yan, accompanied by Yao Chen, Yao Tian Huo, and Xiao Yi Xian, left Tianwaitian.
As they exited, they encountered Medusa, who stood vigilantly at the entrance.
Seeing her, Xiao Yan initially froze in surprise but soon regained his composure. His previous fear of Medusa had waned significantly. Now at the peak of the Dou Huang realm, coupled with the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformation and his ultimate technique, Buddha's Fury Lotus, Xiao Yan felt he could hold his own against her.
"Greetings, Queen Medusa," Xiao Yan said with a polite bow.
However, Medusa ignored his greeting, her expression cold. Instead, she turned to Xiao Yi Xian with a smile and asked, "Xiao Yi Xian, my dear sister, where are you all headed?"
"Medusa, my sister!" Xiao Yi Xian ran to her with excitement and replied, "Xiao Yan's two elder brothers were harmed by the Yun Lan Sect. He's worried about them, so we're heading back to the Jia Ma Empire."
Hearing this, Medusa hesitated slightly before saying, "Be cautious. The Xiao Clan is currently at war with the Soul Clan. Most of the clan's experts have been deployed, so if you encounter danger, they may not be able to assist you in time."
"What?"
Xiao Yan was stunned, his eyes filled with shock. This was news to him.
Seeing his reaction, Medusa shot him a disdainful glance, showing no intention of explaining.
"Medusa, my sister, is the clan leader also away because of this?" Xiao Yi Xian asked, sensing Xiao Yan's confusion.
"Yes. My teacher said that the clan leader and the others left for this very reason. Right now, the Soul Clan forces are concentrated in three locations: Tian Ming Sect, Burning Flame Valley, and the Pill Tower. Xiao Clan elders have already been dispatched to annihilate them," Medusa explained.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan remained silent, processing the information. But beside him, Yao Chen's expression changed drastically. In a flash, he appeared before Medusa, his Dou Saint aura surging.
The sudden burst of power startled Medusa, though she quickly steadied herself.
Realizing his mistake, Yao Chen withdrew his aura immediately and asked urgently, "Young lady, did you just say that Soul Clan forces are attacking the Pill Tower?"
"Teacher…"
Xiao Yan tried to intervene, but Yao Chen silenced him with a wave of his hand and focused on Medusa.
Annoyed by Yao Chen's earlier display, Medusa frowned but answered, "That's correct. According to my teacher, the Soul Clan has destroyed Yin Valley, Ice River Valley, and Yellow Spring Pavilion. Their forces are now split into three groups attacking Tian Ming Sect, Burning Flame Valley, and the Pill Tower."
"Thank you," Yao Chen said, his tone grave. Then, turning to Xiao Yan, he added, "Xiao Yan, I'm afraid I can't accompany you to the Jia Ma Empire. I must go to the Pill Tower. My old friends are there, and they need my help."
After a moment's thought, Xiao Yan nodded. While he was worried about his brothers, he felt confident they were safe for now. Bowing deeply, he said, "Teacher, let me accompany you to the Pill Tower!"
Yao Chen hesitated, but before he could speak, Medusa interrupted with her usual sharpness. "Don't be ridiculous. You're just a peak Dou Huang. In a battle where Dou Zun and above dominate, you'd be nothing but a burden."
Her words, though harsh, were grounded in reality.
"You " Xiao Yan clenched his fists, but Yao Chen intervened. "Xiao Yan, as blunt as she may be, Medusa is right. Your brothers' safety is also a priority. Go to the Jia Ma Empire with Tian Huo Zun zhe and Xiao Yi Xian. With them by your side, the Yun Lan Sect won't be able to trouble you."
Reluctantly, Xiao Yan relented. "Alright, Teacher. Please take care of yourself."
"Don't worry. I'm a Two Star Dou Saint now. As long as I'm careful, I'll be fine."
With that, Yao Chen activated a spatial rift and stepped inside, vanishing in an instant.
After his departure, Xiao Yan sighed, turning to Yao Tian Huo and Xiao Yi Xian. "Elder Yao, Xiao Yi Xian, let's head to the Jia Ma Empire. We can't help my teacher now, but we can ensure my brothers' safety."
"Understood," Yao Tian Huo said with a nod, while Xiao Yi Xian smiled reassuringly.
And so, the three set off toward the Jia Ma Empire, leaving the chaos of the Soul Clan war behind them for now.
As Xiao Yi Xian and Medusa bid farewell, Xiao Yan and his group departed. Medusa silently watched their figures fade into the distance. She stood motionless for a long time before sighing softly and turning back toward the entrance of Tianwaitian.
Meanwhile, at the Tian Ming Sect:
The Xiao Clan's forces arrived to find a massive formation covering the entire sect. Through the glowing barrier of the formation, Xiao Wu and his team witnessed a hellish scene. Corpses littered the ground some belonging to the Soul Clan, but the overwhelming majority were members of the Tian Ming Sect.
"Tsk tsk, this is truly the Soul Clan's signature style turning every place they touch into a living hell," Xiao Wu said coldly.
Behind him, ten Xiao Clan Dou Shengs and a group of Dou Zun level experts looked on with grim expressions.
The massacre before them left no doubt: the Soul Clan had annihilated the Tian Ming Sect.
As Xiao Wu and his team stood observing, several masked individuals approached, each wearing badges engraved with the words "Tian Luo." The group saluted respectfully and greeted him.
"Greetings, Lord Xiao Wu."
Recognizing the badges, Xiao Wu confirmed their identity as members of the Tian Luo organization. To be cautious, however, he issued a challenge code.
"Tian Luo Di Wang?"
The masked figures responded in unison, "Like maggots on bones!"
Satisfied, Xiao Wu said, "Report the situation."
"Yes, Lord Xiao Wu.
We began tracking the Soul Clan's movements three days ago when they first attacked the Tian Ming Sect. Following orders, we did not reveal ourselves.
Initially, the Tian Ming Sect resisted fiercely, but as more Soul Clan reinforcements arrived, they were overwhelmed.
By yesterday afternoon, the entire Tian Ming Sect was annihilated no survivors. After the attack, the Soul Clan did not leave but instead set up the formation you see below.
This formation is highly unusual. We tested it by sending two eighth tier magical beasts into the barrier. Both were killed almost instantly, and their souls were absorbed into the formation."
Hearing this, Xiao Wu frowned.
One of the Xiao Clan's Seven Star Dou Shengs stepped forward and said, "This is the Bloodthirsty Soul Devouring Formation, also known as the Soul Devouring Array.
It is one of the Soul Clan's most dangerous and powerful formations, second only to the Death Realm Grand Formation.
Three thousand years ago, several of our mid level Dou Shengs perished within this formation. Not only were their souls destroyed, but even their corpses were consumed, leaving no trace behind."
Another Seven Star Dou Sheng added, "My father was also killed in this formation. It's incredibly vicious its power grows with the number of corpses and souls fed into it. Judging by the intensity of the energy within this array, it could already pose a serious threat to high level Dou Shengs. We must be cautious."
These two elders were veterans of the Xiao Clan, known for their vast experience and wisdom.
Xiao Wu listened carefully, his gaze fixed on the black and red glowing formation. After a moment of thought, he turned to the second elder who spoke.
"Fifth Granduncle, this formation has enveloped the entire Tian Ming Sect. If we wish to attack, we must first break the array. Do you have any suggestions?"
The elder, known as Fifth Granduncle, responded coldly, "Breaking this formation will be difficult. Beneath it lies an untold number of corpses, and with Soul Clan Dou Shengs maintaining it, its power is immense.
However, it has one weakness: Heavenly Flames. If we can burn the barrier with Heavenly Flames, we can deplete its energy, weakening the blood energy and soul essence that fuel it."
The first elder added, "Heavenly Flames are indeed the key. Alternatively, high level lightning attribute Dou Qi could work, but the energy expenditure would be enormous. Judging by the scale of this formation, it would require the Dou Qi reserves of five or six high level Dou Shengs."
Xiao Wu nodded and turned to two Six Star Dou Shengs. "If Heavenly Flames are the solution, I'll need your assistance."
Before they could respond, a calm voice interrupted.
"There's no need for them. If Heavenly Flames are effective, I can handle this myself."
A figure stepped forward it was Qinglian, whose head glowed faintly with the aura of the Green Lotus Core Flame.
Xiao Wu smiled. "If you're willing to help, Qinglian, that would be ideal. However, it might be faster if you work with the others. Together, your flames should break the array more efficiently."
Qinglian shrugged indifferently. "Suit yourself."
With that, he and the two Six Star Dou Shengs flew toward the array's barrier. A moment later, three powerful Heavenly Flames erupted, crashing against the formation.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The resulting explosions sent waves of intense heat rippling outward, lighting up the entire area.
Inside the Tian Ming Sect
The Soul Clan members noticed the Xiao Clan's arrival almost immediately. However, with the Bloodthirsty Soul Devouring Formation in place, they were unconcerned.
But as the Heavenly Flames began to attack the formation, the expressions of the Soul Clan Dou Shengs darkened.
"Damn it! I didn't expect the Xiao Clan to know how to counter the array. What should we do now?" one of them asked.
An Eight Star Dou Sheng from the Soul Clan, exuding a chilling aura, stood up. His cold gaze swept over the group as he barked, "Why the panic? We are here to delay the Xiao Clan, nothing more.
If they know the array's weakness, so be it. Let's see if their Heavenly Flames can outpace our rate of killing.
Listen up! Every half incense stick of time, kill one hundred captives and throw their corpses into the array.
Let's see whose resources run out first our souls and blood, or their flames!"
As he spoke, the cruel smirk on his face deepened, and the room filled with a cold, murderous aura.
(End of Chapter)
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