Chapter 318: Lu Bu: "Go! I'll Hold Them Off!"
Boom!
With a flash of light, the black misty hand that the Star Reaching Old Ghost had sent hurtling toward Xiao Yan instantly disintegrated into nothingness.
The Star Reaching Old Ghost's pupils shrank as a flash of clarity pierced through his rage clouded mind. His sharp gaze locked onto a figure cloaked entirely in white robes standing before him.
Anyone who could so easily neutralize his attack was no ordinary person.
"Who are you? Must you insist on opposing the Soul Hall?" the Star Reaching Old Ghost bellowed, his voice cold and commanding.
Whoosh!
Before his words had fully left his mouth, a white figure suddenly appeared next to Lu Bu. It was Medusa, also cloaked in white, her beautiful eyes gleaming coldly as she fixed her gaze on the Star Reaching Old Ghost.
"So, this is the Star Reaching Old Ghost?"
Her voice was icy and laced with killing intent. Lu Bu had been forced out of the Northwest Continent by Mu Gu and the Star Reaching Old Ghost, causing Medusa and Lu Bu to be separated for over a year.
Now, Mu Gu was already dead, his soul sealed within Lu Bu's storage ring. That left only this Star Reaching Old Ghost.
"He's mine!" Medusa declared. With a flick of her jade like hand, a gleaming sword appeared in her grasp. Without hesitation, she slashed it toward the Star Reaching Old Ghost's brow.
Clang!
A sharp, frosty light flashed, and a fierce sword aura descended from the sky as if it intended to split both the Star Reaching Old Ghost and the heavens themselves in two.
"What a sharp sword technique!" Iron Sword Venerable, who was watching from behind, couldn't help but tremble. As someone who specialized in sword techniques and had reached the level of a two star Dou Zun, he was deeply shaken by this strike, realizing just how much stronger Medusa was.
"This woman… possesses such terrifying strength?" Even Venerable Feng, a renowned four star Dou Zun, felt a chill. This move gave him a sense of imminent danger he hadn't experienced in years.
"You seek death!" the Star Reaching Old Ghost roared. With a flick of his wrist, black chains burst from his palm and flew up to meet the razor sharp sword aura head on.
Clang!
The clear sound of metal clashing reverberated through the air, sending ripples of sharp sound waves rippling outward in every direction.
Medusa let out a cold shout, her sword vibrating as she slashed repeatedly. Countless strands of chaotic sword energy erupted, sweeping across the battlefield like a razor storm. In an instant, the Star Reaching Old Ghost found himself surrounded, his retreat routes completely sealed.
"You dare!"
The Star Reaching Old Ghost's face twisted into a snarl. With a sharp clap of his hands, a dense black mist surged forth, filling the air behind him. Razor sharp black chains tore through the mist, roaring toward the chaotic sword energy with murderous intent.
Clang clang clang!
The violent collision of the two attacks sent shockwaves reverberating through the battlefield, with piercing booms resounding continuously.
Even the Soul Hall elders and Venerable Feng found themselves dumbfounded. The sight of this white cloaked woman battling evenly against the peak five star Dou Zun, Star Reaching Old Ghost, left them in disbelief.
Originally, the plan was for the Star Reaching Old Ghost to be held off by Xiao Yan's Heavenly Demon Puppet, which felt no pain, knew no fear, and fought without regard for its own life. Yet now…
"Stop gawking and kill the other Soul Hall Dou Zuns!" Lu Bu snapped, his sharp gaze scanning the five Soul Hall Dou Zuns stationed at the hall. His soul power swept over them, instantly gauging their strength.
Two two star Dou Zuns.
Two three star Dou Zuns.
One four star Dou Zun.
"Iron Sword Venerable, you take the four star Dou Zun. Venerable Feng and the puppet, eliminate the two two star Dou Zuns as quickly as possible. I'll handle the two three star Dou Zuns!" Lu Bu barked.
Before he had even finished speaking, the five Soul Hall Dou Zuns' faces turned ashen. They didn't understand the concept of "divide and conquer," but they did understand that their two two star Dou Zuns wouldn't be able to hold off both Venerable Feng and that terrifying golden puppet.
If those two fell, the enemy's forces would be free to focus entirely on the rest of them!
"Not a chance!" the Soul Hall Dou Zuns roared, their voices filled with urgency. Venerable Feng, however, let out a menacing chuckle. In a flash of green light, he appeared directly in front of one of the two star Dou Zuns.
"Soul Hall trash, die!"
In the blink of an eye, a storm of sharp wind blades erupted, engulfing the two star Dou Zun in a whirlwind of lethal force. Venerable Feng wasted no time, determined to take down his opponent as quickly as possible to avoid complications.
Iron Sword Venerable's eyes glinted red, his crazed and arrogant sword aura erupting as he charged recklessly toward the Soul Hall's four star Dou Zun.
"You seek death!" the four star Dou Zun snarled, enraged by the suicidal attack. "You want to die so badly? Fine, I'll grant your wish!"
The Soul Hall Dou Zun grinned maliciously. Once he finished off Iron Sword Venerable, he could assist his comrades in eliminating Venerable Feng. Let's see if the enemy's gamble paid off then!
"Attack together! Kill this brat and help the others!" the two three star Soul Hall Dou Zuns shouted, their gazes cold and deadly.
"You really think you can handle the two of us?"
"Black Soul Sky Python!"
With a series of hand seals, chains rattled and roared as two massive black mist pythons formed and slithered menacingly toward Lu Bu.
"Hmph… The same old tricks. You Soul Hall scum are truly devoid of creativity," Lu Bu sneered. Violet black flames erupted around him, coalescing into a massive, hundred foot long fire serpent.
Roar!
The fire serpent let out a guttural roar as an intense pillar of fire shot forth, streaking across the battlefield like an arrow loosed from a bowstring.
Boom!
The sheer heat of the flames incinerated the two mist pythons instantly, turning them to ashes. The fire pillar surged forward, heading straight for the two three star Dou Zuns.
"Look out!"
The two Dou Zuns cried out in alarm, their Dou Qi surging violently as they desperately summoned energy barriers. After exerting all their strength, they barely managed to neutralize the attack.
"This guy isn't simple!" one of the Dou Zuns muttered, his face pale.
"Full power! Don't hold back!"
In the chaos, Venerable Feng, who had just struck his opponent hard enough to make them cough blood, glanced toward Lu Bu. His eyes narrowed.
This kid… isn't he just a two star Dou Zun? How is he this strong?
"Wait… His strength definitely isn't limited to two star Dou Zun!" Venerable Feng's eyes gleamed with sudden realization. Lu Bu's aura was faint and elusive, as if veiled by mist. Venerable Feng had merely guessed at his rank.
"This kid hides his strength well…" Venerable Feng muttered to himself, impressed.
Meanwhile, amidst the frenzy of battle, a white storage ring silently slipped from someone's hand. Unnoticed, it fell to the ground amidst the rubble and began slowly gliding toward the depths of the Soul Hall.
Deep within the underground halls of the Soul Hall, a massive chamber stretched endlessly, its ceiling supported by towering stone pillars. Black chains crisscrossed the area like a massive spiderweb, each chain ending in a spectral, semi transparent soul.
Xiao Yan's gaze swept over the horrifying sight, his scalp tingling as he inhaled sharply. "Damned Soul Hall… Why do they need so many souls?!"
Releasing his soul power, Xiao Yan quickly found what he had been searching for his long separated teacher.
…
Elsewhere in the Suoyu Mountain Range, the moment the battle at the Soul Hall erupted, the Scorpion Demon Three Ghosts had already taken notice.
"Heh… now this is getting interesting!" Earth Scorpion let out a sinister chuckle, his voice dripping with schadenfreude. "The Soul Hall's finally run into someone who doesn't care about their life!"
"That man is Feng Xian, isn't it?" The eldest of the three, Sky Scorpion, furrowed his brows as he observed Feng Venerable ruthlessly thrashing the Soul Hall Dou Zun.
Feng Xian must have lost his mind. To bring people to attack the Soul Hall? Does he not fear their retaliation?
Sky Scorpion's mind raced. Feng Xian wasn't a fool he wouldn't be doing this unless he had a reason compelling enough to risk his life, even the Starfall Pavilion itself.
"So… what exactly is worth that risk?" Sky Scorpion murmured to himself.
"Big Brother, have you forgotten? Feng Xian and Yao Chen were like brothers!" Earth Scorpion's eyes glinted coldly as he sneered.
"Yao Chen?" Sky Scorpion's expression turned icy. "That… makes sense."
"So, what do we do now?" Earth Scorpion made a throat slitting gesture. The situation was perfect like fishermen watching their prey exhaust itself they could seize Yao Chen and eliminate Feng Xian's group in one fell swoop.
"Third Brother, what do you think?" Sky Scorpion turned to the third of their trio, still harboring some reservations.
Yao Chen wasn't much of a concern. If not for his status as an alchemist, the three Scorpion Brothers would have already crushed him into powder.
The problem was the Soul Hall. If they intervened and ended up incurring the Soul Hall's wrath, it would spell disaster for the trio.
The three Sky Lords of the Soul Hall were all no weaker than himself, and the second Sky Lord, Gu You, was a terrifying half saint akin to a demon of the heavens.
And beyond them, the Great Sky Lord and the Hall Masters were bona fide Dou Shengs existences far beyond their ability to contend with.
"Heh… Big Brother, look at that white cloaked figure!" Human Scorpion pointed at the figure battling the Star Reaching Old Ghost, a lecherous smile spreading across his aged face. "That woman is an absolute beauty!"
Sky Scorpion's face darkened. He flew into a rage and bellowed, "You fool! This isn't the time to be thinking about women!"
"Big Brother, you're just overthinking things!" Human Scorpion scoffed, his tone full of disdain. "If there's a benefit, we act. If not, we don't. What's there to be so conflicted about?"
"In that case, we won't act," Sky Scorpion said coldly, making his decision without hesitation.
"Huh?" Human Scorpion was taken aback. "Big Brother, but she's a once in a lifetime beauty! Such a huge benefit, and you're just…?"
"Which is more important: avoiding the wrath of the Soul Hall or chasing after some woman?" Sky Scorpion snapped.
Human Scorpion muttered under his breath, but he didn't argue further. Still, his eyes remained fixed on the white cloaked figure, burning with desire.
"Tch, such a rare beauty…"
Soul Hall Base
Boom!
A deafening explosion shook the area as black flames surged skyward from the underground. Xiao Yan's face lit up with excitement as he let out a triumphant howl. "The target is secured! Retreat!"
"Not so fast!"
The Soul Hall Dou Zuns' eyes turned blood red. The command to imprison Yao Chen had come directly from the Hall Master himself. If Xiao Yan succeeded in rescuing him, none of them would leave this place alive the Hall Master's wrath would demand their deaths.
Suddenly, the surrounding energy turned chaotic and violent. A badly battered two star Dou Zun, still being ruthlessly pummeled by Feng Venerable, let out a guttural roar. His body began to swell, energy raging within him as he prepared to explode.
"Not good, he's going to self destruct!"
BOOM!
An earth shattering explosion erupted. Feng Venerable's face turned pale, and he groaned, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He had been closest to the blast and bore the brunt of its force.
"Go! I'll cover the rear!" Lu Bu shouted at Xiao Yan. Before his voice had even faded, another surge of maddened energy erupted this one far stronger than before.
BOOM!
A storm of blood and flesh exploded outward. Xiao Yan, who had just begun to feel a hint of relief, was suddenly struck by a massive force that sent him staggering. Blood spurted from his mouth as he let out a muffled grunt.
"Move!" Feng Venerable wasted no time. Summoning a whirlwind around himself, his figure flickered like a ghost as he appeared behind Xiao Yan and Iron Sword Venerable. Grabbing them both by their collars, he shot toward the horizon with blinding speed.
Wiping the blood from his mouth, Xiao Yan frowned deeply. Lu Bu… could he really be so altruistic? What scheme was he brewing this time?
"You won't escape! Does the Soul Hall look like a place you can come and go as you please?" the Star Reaching Old Ghost roared, his voice filled with fury.
Shing!
A flash of sword light tore through the air, carving a deep gash into the Star Reaching Old Ghost's chest, down to the bone. Despite his injury, the ghost let out a sinister laugh as his fingers closed around a pure white jade slip.
"Kehehe… None of you are leaving! Prepare yourselves for the Soul Hall's wrath!"
Crack!
The spatial jade slip shattered in his grasp, sending ripples of spatial energy spreading outward.
The jade slip was a summoning tool capable of opening a spatial passage to call reinforcements.
The ripples spread like stones cast into a pond, but… nothing happened.
Moments later, the ripples faded, as if nothing had ever occurred.
"What… What's happening?" The Star Reaching Old Ghost's eyes widened in disbelief, his voice tinged with panic.
"Heh… You think you can manipulate spatial energy in front of me? You're not even qualified!"
A faint purple light shimmered into view as a tall, curvaceous figure stepped out from the distortion. It was Zi Yan, her mature, captivating face adorned with a playful yet disdainful smirk.
Though her body had matured, her mischievous nature hadn't changed one bit.
Shing!
A swift slash of a sword sent blood spraying into the air as three heads were sent flying. With a single move, Medusa had decapitated the remaining three Soul Hall Dou Zuns.
"You… a five star Dou Zun?" The Star Reaching Old Ghost's pupils shrank in terror as he pointed at Medusa, his voice trembling. Had she been hiding her strength this entire time?
"Do what you must; leave this to me!" Medusa said to Lu Bu in a cold tone. Her sword gleamed in one hand, while rainbow colored light danced across the other. A terrifying aura erupted from her, no longer concealed.
"Be careful," Lu Bu said with a faint smile as golden light enveloped his figure. In the blink of an eye, he vanished without a trace.
The Star Reaching Old Ghost's face twisted with dread, but he didn't have long to think before a devastating slash descended upon him.
"Die!"
Medusa's cold, melodious voice carried the weight of a death sentence, sending chills down his spine.
Soul Hall Underground
Even though he had mentally prepared himself, Lu Bu couldn't help but be momentarily awestruck by the sight before him as he reached the Soul Hall's deepest chamber.
A massive glowing orb, nearly a hundred meters wide, floated serenely, emanating an irresistible fragrance that called out to the soul. It was both beautiful and intoxicating.
"Lu Bu, stop gawking and hurry up!" Venerable Skyfire urged from not far away. He had found what Lu Bu wanted, but the massive soul essence orb far exceeded his ability to collect it was up to Lu Bu now.
"Heh… of course!" Lu Bu chuckled softly. As he stepped forward, the formation beneath his feet lit up. Intricate runes began spreading toward the mesmerizing soul orb, ready to claim it.
(Chapter End)
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