Chapter 631: Peak Battle, Lei Ying of the Thunder Clan
The Great Emperor Mountain Range was located at the border between the territories of Soul Hall and Yuan Palace. Over the years, countless battles had erupted in this mountain range between the two forces, making it a constant site of intense conflict.
The name "Great Emperor" came from ancient times, when two Dou Emperors fought a legendary battle here, making the mountain range famous.
As time passed, the mountain grew quieter. But when Soul Hall and Yuan Palace chose this location for their decisive battle, the Great Emperor Mountain Range once again became the center of attention.
Word spread quickly, and both sides underestimated the impact the news would have. In less than three days, the once relatively quiet mountain range was flooded with people from all over the region. The looming battle for dominance over the Central Plains drew countless powerful factions and warriors.
Everyone was eager to see which side would come out on top—Soul Hall, an established force, or the newly rising Yuan Palace.
In just three days, the crowd gathered at the Great Emperor Mountain Range reached terrifying numbers. As the area became overcrowded, the excitement among the spectators grew. They knew that they were about to witness a world-shaking battle.
As the sun rose on the fourth day, tearing through the clouds, the atmosphere in the mountains heated up. Figures shot through the sky, like locusts, all heading for the peak of the Great Emperor Mountain Range.
The sky around the mountain peak was packed with people. Despite the large crowds, no one dared step onto the central peak itself. Even the powerful experts capable of collapsing space with a wave of their hand stayed a thousand feet away, sensing the intense pressure.
After some time, the space at the peak suddenly twisted, drawing everyone's attention. A spatial tunnel slowly formed in midair, and from it surged a thick, eerie black fog. The fog carried faint, mournful cries, making many of those watching uneasy and fearful.
"Soul Hall has arrived," someone said.
From just this ominous prelude, it was obvious who had appeared. The crowd immediately tensed up.
As the black fog churned, seven figures slowly emerged, revealing themselves to the crowd.
Among the ten figures that appeared, all were Dou Saints, their auras vast and intimidating, causing those watching to tremble in fear.
Leading the group were two figures: the Hall Master of Soul Hall and the Soul Demon Elder. Behind them stood the deputy hall master and other powerful members of the Soul Clan.
With the arrival of these ten, the temperature in the air seemed to drop. Even the sunlight felt cold, casting an eerie shadow over the scene.
"Soul Hall's strength is terrifying," murmured some of the elders from other factions, their expressions growing grim as they realized the overwhelming power Soul Hall possessed.
"The members of Yuan Palace, since you're here, why don't you show yourselves?" The Soul Hall Master glanced casually at the massive crowd around him, then turned his gaze toward a distant mountain peak. His calm voice, though soft, echoed like thunder throughout the Great Emperor Mountain Range.
"Quite the sharp eyes, Hall Master of Soul Hall," came a leisurely voice. Moments later, the space on the other side of the mountain peak twisted, and fifteen figures appeared in midair.
"Yuan Palace actually has fifteen Dou Saints!" the crowd gasped as they took in the sight, their shock palpable. Even the expressions of the seasoned experts shifted.
Fifteen Dou Saints!
Yuan Palace had brought forth its entire force for this battle. In addition to the ten Lei slaves, there was Zi Huo, Yao Ming, Snake Elder, and the newly ascended Dou Saint, the Heaven Nether Old Demon. Yuan Palace had unknowingly amassed a terrifying force of fifteen Dou Saints, comparable to even some of the ancient clans.
A stunned silence fell over the area. Everyone realized that Yuan Palace had grown much more powerful than anyone had anticipated.
"This is Yuan Palace's one chance. If you lose today, there will be no coming back from it. Mo Yu, do you dare accept this challenge?" The Soul Hall Master, seeing the strength of Yuan Palace, slightly narrowed his eyes. His cold gaze fell on Mo Yu, and his voice rang out like a thunderclap, carrying an overwhelming spiritual pressure.
Mo Yu stepped forward, his aura calm and collected. The spiritual pressure from the Soul Hall Master did not make him flinch even slightly. He looked up, his expression indifferent, and said one word: "Accept."
As Mo Yu's response echoed, the Soul Hall Master's eyes gleamed coldly. Though he didn't say anything, the oppressive atmosphere became even more intense.
"Heh, what boldness," sneered the Soul Demon Elder, his chilling gaze fixed on Mo Yu.
Mo Yu glanced at him briefly, then turned to the Soul Hall Master. "What kind of battle are you proposing?"
"Three rounds. Each side will send out three fighters. Best two out of three, a battle to the death," the Soul Hall Master replied coldly.
"Of course, if you prefer an all-out war, we won't refuse. Soul Hall has stood tall in the Central Plains for many years. If you think gathering a few magical beast clans will help you compete with us, then you're sorely mistaken."
"You've got the Soul Clan backing you, so it makes sense you're so confident," Mo Yu said, his hands behind his back. He chuckled coldly. "But don't be so sure about the outcome of a full-scale battle. Yuan Palace has the upper hand in the number of Dou Saints."
"You mean those mindless fire puppets you stole from the Heavenly Flame space? Pfft, those low-level Dou Saints are no match for my Soul Hall. One of our fighters could take on four or five of them," the Soul Hall Master sneered. "Now, choose. Will it be a full war or three rounds?"
Mo Yu smiled faintly. "Three rounds will do. Not because we fear you, but because allowing this challenge is a good show of manners."
Though Mo Yu wasn't afraid of a full-scale war, he didn't want Yuan Palace to suffer heavy losses either. After all, it had taken him years to build Yuan Palace into what it was, and he still needed it to conquer the wider world.
"Looks like you're unwilling to risk a full-scale battle," the Soul Hall Master said with a knowing smirk.
"Let's see who you'll send out for the fight," Mo Yu replied calmly.
"Heh, for years, no one has challenged our Soul Clan like this," the Soul Demon Elder said darkly as he stepped forward. "For this fight, count me in."
As the Soul Demon Elder moved forward, the ground beneath him trembled slightly. Dark energy shot from his foot into the mountain, shattering the stones and roaring toward Mo Yu.
"Boom!"
Just as the dark energy was about to erupt from the ground, a figure appeared out of a spatial crack behind Mo Yu. The newcomer's foot stomped down, shattering the dark energy and causing the ground to sink half a foot.
"Soul Clan, still as underhanded as ever," said the new arrival, his expression cold as he stared at the Soul Demon Elder.
"It's you, Blood Axe Xiao Chen!" the Soul Demon Elder hissed, his eyes narrowing like a snake's as he stared at Xiao Chen in shock.
"Mo Yu, let me take one of the spots in this battle," Xiao Chen said, his hoarse voice cutting through the tension.
Mo Yu was initially surprised, but then smiled. "Of course, Senior Xiao Chen. We'd be honored to have you fight on Yuan Palace's behalf."
Mo Yu had been worried about Yuan Palace being at a disadvantage in the best-of-three battle, even considering using a soul avatar for one round. Xiao Chen's unexpected help was more than welcome.
"Xiao Chen isn't a member of Yuan Palace. Isn't this against the rules?" the Soul Hall Master interjected.
"Quit your whining. The Soul Demon Elder isn't a member of Soul Hall, is he? And since when does Xiao Chen need Soul Hall's permission to join a side?" Xiao Chen retorted coldly.
The Soul Hall Master was momentarily speechless, unable to refute the point.
"Heh, you're as fierce as ever, Blood Axe Xiao Chen," came a raspy voice. A figure leaning on a cane appeared without warning, drawing everyone's attention.
When Mo Yu saw this old figure, his expression turned serious. The man's aura was even stronger than the Soul Demon Elder's—it was at the level of a Six-Star Dou Saint!
"Soul Qianmo!" Xiao Chen's eyes locked onto the old man. "You, who once begged for mercy from our clan leader, dare show your face again?"
Soul Qianmo's skeletal face twitched slightly, his voice rasping like bone scraping against bone. "No matter how powerful he was, your leader still fell in the end. The victor writes history, and now the Soul Clan remains at the top while your Xiao Clan is but a shadow of its former self."
"Boom!"
In a flash, Xiao Chen appeared before Soul Qianmo, swinging his giant blood-red axe with the force of a thunderbolt. The attack was swift and deadly.
"Xiao Chen, even if you've survived until now, you're no longer the Blood Axe Xiao Chen of the past!" Soul Qianmo sneered as he met the axe with his bony fist, delivering a powerful counterpunch.
"Clang!"
The collision between the two unleashed a massive shockwave, forcing several of Soul Hall's Dou Saints to retreat. Only the Soul Hall Master and the Soul Demon Elder remained unmoved.
Xiao Chen was knocked back ten steps, his expression dark. Though he had improved greatly in his time trapped in the Heavenly Flame illusion, Soul Qianmo's normal cultivation had allowed him to surpass Xiao Chen.
"Xiao Chen, times have changed. You are no longer my equal," Soul Qianmo said dismissively, glancing at the shallow cut on his hand before turning his attention to Mo Yu. He licked his lips with a sinister smile. "I can smell the divine bloodline in you. Too bad for the Thunder Clan—you ran into the Soul Clan."
Mo Yu's face remained calm, despite Soul Qianmo's overwhelming power. He wasn't afraid.
"Soul Hall has assembled. Now it's your turn," the Soul Hall Master said coldly as he stepped forward, signaling that he would be the third fighter.
Mo Yu's eyes narrowed. Today's battle was going to be more brutal than he had anticipated. The Soul Hall Master and the Soul Demon Elder could be dealt with, but Soul Qianmo was a major problem.
"Am I going to have to fight two of them?" Mo Yu thought.
"Relax, kid. I'll handle that old fossil. The Soul Clan might fight dirty, but the Thunder Clan won't let you face them alone." A deep voice suddenly echoed beside Mo Yu as a towering figure wreathed in lightning appeared.
The man was an elderly but muscular warrior with dark skin, a long beard, and a lightning-shaped scar on his chest. A character for "Thunder" was emblazoned on his right shoulder.
When Soul Qianmo saw this man, his expression immediately became solemn. "It's you… Lei Ying of the Thunder Clan…" (Chapter End)
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