Chapter 672: The Location and the Trouble at Jia Nan Academy
In a courtyard in Yuan City.
Upon hearing that Mo Yu had killed Soul Yuan Tian and the other three elders, Xiao Yan was visibly surprised, and even Xun'er was slightly taken aback.
"Cousin, your strength…" Xun'er said in astonishment, her lips slightly parted.
"Heh, I just broke through to an Eight-Star Dou Saint," Mo Yu replied with a faint smile.
"Hiss…" Xiao Yan drew in a sharp breath. Eight-Star Dou Saint—aside from the few Nine-Star Dou Saints, this was already standing at the pinnacle of the continent. Thinking of this, Xiao Yan couldn't help but exclaim, "No wonder those undead perished at your hands, Cousin. I assume you've also gathered all the Gates of Death?"
"Hmm, all four Gates of Death are now in my hands. The Soul Clan has suffered a silent loss because of this," Mo Yu said with a slight smile.
"Well then, congratulations, Cousin," Xiao Yan said with a laugh.
The Gates of Death were a fearsome creation of an ancient Dou Emperor, with extraordinary power. Moreover, they allowed entry into the Deathly Silence Realm, an independent space. Even Xiao Yan, thanks to his ancestor Xiao Xuan, possessed a similar independent space, the Heavenly Tomb. But Mo Yu had managed to seize this treasure from the Soul Clan through his own strength—a truly formidable feat.
After that, Mo Yu and Xiao Yan discussed some matters, and then they both looked up with a smile to greet two figures entering the courtyard.
"Big Brother, Second Brother…"
The two figures entering had one moving stiffly while the other strode forward with a powerful gait. These two were Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, who had recently arrived from the northwestern region.
Xiao Ding's leg injury had been treated by Xiao Yan over the past few days. His legs, which had been immobile due to a poison inflicted by the Soul Clan, were now fully healed. With Xiao Yan's current abilities, curing the poison or even replacing his leg was no challenge. Xiao Ding's stiff steps were merely due to his adjusting to walking again.
Seeing Mo Yu and Xiao Yan walking toward them with smiles, both Xiao Ding and Xiao Li also smiled. The deep bond of brotherhood was evident in their eyes.
"You brat! I used to wonder why you were ignoring the Flame Alliance. Now I see it's because you've joined a much more formidable alliance here in Central Plains. And Mo Yu, thank you for looking after Xiao Li during this time. Otherwise, with his temperament, he'd have caused plenty of trouble," Xiao Ding said with a smile.
"Hehe, you're too kind, Brother Xiao Ding. Brother Xiao Li has been a great help to me. Without him, the Yuan Sect wouldn't have developed so quickly," Mo Yu replied with a light chuckle.
"How is the Flame Alliance doing?" Xiao Yan asked with a smile from the side.
"Hmm, compared to Central Plains, it's still a backwater. Even the Soul Clan hasn't extended their reach too far there. The Flame Alliance is the dominant force in the northwest region, but we do have a few hostile forces eyeing us," Xiao Ding said, patting his chest confidently.
"Oh, by the way…" Xiao Li suddenly turned to Mo Yu as if recalling something important. "A few days ago, I received a report from the Yuan Sect's branch in the Black-Corner Region. It seems some mysterious experts have appeared there, and they resemble members of the Hall of Souls we've fought before."
Hearing this, Mo Yu's eyes narrowed slightly. The Soul Clan was interfering in the Black-Corner Region… Could it be...
Beside him, Xiao Yan also seemed to have a sudden realization, and a flash of insight lit up his mind. His body stiffened for a moment, and in the next instant, he suddenly looked up, his black eyes gleaming with intense light.
"The underground magma world!"
Xiao Yan's sudden outburst startled everyone in the courtyard, and they quickly turned to look at him.
"What's wrong?" Xun'er asked, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.
Xiao Yan's face was filled with excitement as he exclaimed, "I know where the Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion is! I've been there before!"
Hearing this, the people present exchanged puzzled glances, but only Mo Yu seemed to understand, knowing that Xiao Yan had indeed come into contact with that place.
"Cousin Mo Yu, Master, please help me gather twenty Dou Saint experts from the allied forces to accompany me," Xiao Yan said seriously.
"Huh? Where are we going?" Everyone was taken aback by Xiao Yan's sudden request.
"To Jia Nan Academy. If I'm not mistaken, there may be clues to the Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion there," Xiao Yan said in a grave tone.
Hearing this, Mo Yu nodded and said, "If that's the case, then let's follow Cousin Xiao Yan's plan and quickly gather a group of Dou Saint experts. Cai Lin, Little Doctor Fairy, you both come with me as well."
Grateful for Mo Yu's support, Xiao Yan nodded in thanks. He then said, "Fortunately, we've built a space wormhole that connects to the northwestern region. I'll take some people and head there first. Master, please inform Uncle Gu, Lei Ying, and Chief Yan Jin of this as well."
"Understood." Seeing the serious expressions on Xiao Yan and Mo Yu's faces, Yao Lao nodded. If what Xiao Yan said was true, then this was indeed a matter of great importance.
"But I can't be completely sure yet. So tell Uncle Gu not to remove the surveillance. If you detect a large number of Soul Clan experts, rush to the Black-Corner Region immediately!" Xiao Yan said quickly.
"Don't worry."
After giving their instructions, Mo Yu and Xiao Yan bid farewell to Xiao Zhan and swiftly led their group away.
At the same time, in the Soul Realm.
In a grand hall where black flames danced, the Soul Heavenly Emperor sat on his throne, gazing down at a figure kneeling before him. In a cold voice, he asked, "What news do you bring?"
"Reporting to the Clan Leader, after thorough investigation over this period, we've identified five regions that match the descriptions from the map. Upon further examination, we've determined that one of them has the highest similarity!" The black-clad elder reported respectfully.
"Oh?"
Hearing this, a glimmer of light appeared in the usually emotionless eyes of the Soul Heavenly Emperor. He smiled and said, "Tell me."
"That region is called the Black-Corner Region. Although it's now filled with many factions, the general terrain is almost identical to what's depicted on the map," the elder said in a deep voice.
"The Black-Corner Region…"
The Soul Heavenly Emperor slowly stood up, sweeping his gaze across the hall. "Who do we have near that area?"
"Clan Leader, Elder Soul You is stationed in that region. He is in charge of the Hall of Souls' operations outside of Central Plains," someone replied.
"Send word for him to gather all Hall of Souls members in the area and clear the Black-Corner Region. He should know how to handle it," the Soul Heavenly Emperor said calmly.
"Yes!"
The black-clad elder bowed respectfully and then slowly retreated.
As the elder disappeared, the Soul Heavenly Emperor raised his head. A smile gradually crept across his face before he finally burst into laughter, which echoed throughout the grand hall.
"I've finally found you, Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion!"
In the Black-Corner Region.
Today was a day of celebration at Jia Nan Academy. It marked the admission of new students and the promotion of older students to the Inner Academy. The academy had organized a grand ceremony, and the whole campus was filled with a joyous atmosphere.
The central plaza was crowded with people, and the noise was deafening, with voices merging into a thunderous roar that seemed to reach the sky.
Several large stages were set up in the middle of the plaza, and on them, people were exchanging fierce blows, their Dou Qi clashing as the duels became increasingly heated. Victorious fighters stood tall and proud, drawing the admiring gazes of many young women in the crowd.
The academy was filled with the unique energy and vitality of youth.
In the center of the plaza, three enormous statues stood tall. One depicted an elderly figure, while the other two were young and handsome, looking as though they were not much older than the current students. This oddity caused some of the newer students to feel confused.
"Sister, we know one of these statues is the legendary headmaster, but who are the other two? They don't seem that old," a group of lively young girls asked a tall senior curiously.
"Those two are the most remarkable individuals ever to attend Jia Nan Academy. Do you know about the Xiao Alliance and the Stone Gate? Those two senior students founded them. The Yuan Sect in the Black-Corner Region is also under Senior Mo Yu's leadership. Thanks to him, you all managed to pass through the Black-Corner Region so smoothly. In the past, many new students lost their lives there every year. You've seen how dangerous it can be," the senior girl explained with a smile, casting an admiring glance at the handsome statue.
"They sound amazing! So, where are these two seniors now?" another girl asked with a grin.
"They left Jia Nan Academy long ago. I heard from one of the elders that they went to Central Plains, that land where countless powerful experts reside. So don't go dreaming about them…" the senior girl teased.
"Sounds like you're the one dreaming, Sister!" someone quipped, causing everyone to giggle.
Up on the platform, Su Qian, the head elder of Jia Nan Academy, looked at the lively scene with a gentle smile. He then glanced at the two statues in the plaza's center and couldn't help but shake his head.
"It's been over ten years since those two left the academy. I wonder how they're doing now. With their talent and abilities, they must have achieved great things by now…" Su Qian murmured to himself.
Over the years, Jia Nan Academy had produced many extraordinarily gifted students, but none could quite compare to Mo Yu and Xiao Yan.
"Elder Su Qian."
A voice suddenly called out from behind him, interrupting his thoughts. He turned and smiled.
Standing behind Su Qian were two figures, a man and a woman. The woman wore a red dress, with a whip coiled around her waist, her youthful appearance brimming with energy. Her sharp gaze made many students afraid to stare at her for too long. After all, no one wanted to attract the wrath of Hu Jia, the academy's notorious female fighter.
Next to her was a man with a stoic expression, carrying a massive sword on his back. His mere presence created a stifling atmosphere. These two were now the most outstanding figures at Jia Nan Academy, and if Mo Yu and Xiao Yan were here, they would immediately recognize them—Hu Jia and Wu Hao.
As the duo arrived and more elders and instructors filled the seats around the platform, Su Qian slowly stood up. With his movement, the bustling plaza began to quiet down.
All eyes turned toward him. Su Qian was, without a doubt, the current leader of Jia Nan Academy. As for Mang Tian Chi, the academy's hands-off headmaster, even the instructors had almost forgotten his name.
"Everyone…"
Su Qian began to speak, his kind smile still in place, but just as he was about to continue, his brow furrowed, and he suddenly raised his gaze, looking toward the distant horizon.
Faintly, he could hear the sharp sound of something cutting through the wind. The sound carried with it a foreboding sense of bloodshed and killing intent.
"Wu Hao."
Years of leading the academy had made Su Qian as steady as a rock. Without showing any signs of alarm, he calmly called out.
"Law Enforcement Team, Elders, be on guard!"
Wu Hao immediately stood up, his body slowly rising into the air as he gave the command in a deep voice.
At his order, several figures swiftly took to the air around the plaza, their eyes filled with vigilance as they looked toward the sky.
The sudden change startled the students, but under the calming influence of their instructors, panic was averted.
The sound of wind breaking grew louder and louder. Moments later, a large group of dark figures appeared on the horizon. In a few quick flashes, they arrived in the skies above Jia Nan Academy.
"Today is a day of celebration for Jia Nan Academy, and we aren't accepting visitors. Please excuse us," Su Qian said, frowning at the figures in the sky. He could sense a strong smell of blood from them, and his heart sank. It seemed that these visitors were not friendly.
"Celebration?"
The leader of the group chuckled. He slowly lifted his hood, revealing a dry, withered face. Glancing down at Su Qian, he said coldly, "You have one hour. Evacuate everyone from the Black-Corner Region. Is that enough?"
"Friend, this is no time for jokes," Su Qian said sternly, his expression darkening. If it weren't for the fact that he couldn't gauge this person's strength, he might have already attacked.
"If that's not enough, then we'll have to kill everyone. Even if they're just children, well… no choice," the black-robed elder said indifferently.
His words ignited a flicker of rage in everyone's eyes.
"Elder Soul You, that statue seems to be of Mo Yu and Xiao Yan, those two who have repeatedly thwarted our Soul Clan's plans!" someone next to the black-robed elder suddenly pointed at the statues below.
"Oh? Mo Yu and Xiao Yan, those two brats who've been a thorn in my Soul Clan's side?"
Hearing this, Elder Soul You's face instantly darkened. He stared at the statues with a sinister gaze, then let out a twisted laugh.
"I was planning to show a bit of mercy, but I didn't expect to find their statues here. In that case, it seems I must let rivers of blood flow through this place!"
"Listen up! Slaughter everyone here—leave no one alive!"
As soon as Elder Soul You gave the command, a terrifying killing intent surged across the sky! (End of Chapter)
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