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**
As Gu He and many powerhouses left, the plaza instantly became a bit more spacious.
Though the Yun Lan Sect's plaza was already vast…with so many powerful experts crowding into it, it had still felt somewhat cramped.
After all, in the eyes of true experts, even a distance of a hundred meters was no different from being face-to-face.
Those who remained now were mostly the ones invited by the Yun Lan Sect, or those who feared Yun Shan's might, or were simply vassals of the Yun Lan Sect.
Even though they knew that staying here might result in being caught in the crossfire, under Yun Shan's increasingly gloomy expression, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and stay.
"Fool. All that alchemy talent, and not a single working brain cell!"
"I had originally thought of trying to preserve your life after this. But you insisted on going down the mountain to get yourself killed."
With a dark and bitter curse in his heart, Yun Shan slowly inhaled to suppress the storm raging within him.
The loss of a Tier 6 Alchemist was a blow the Yun Lan Sect could not afford.
"The irrelevant have all left? Good. Now it's a bit quieter."
The squirming black mist let out a strange laugh.
"Jie jie... So, your name is Wei Yang? I didn't expect such a figure to emerge from this remote backwater. A twenty-four-year-old Dou Zong... such talent is truly astonishing. Even in Central Plains, you would be considered a top-tier genius."
There was even a trace of genuine admiration in his words.
Considering Wei Yang's origins, such an achievement was indeed stunning.
In terms of background alone, even Xiao Yan couldn't compare to Wei Yang.
"You flatter me. And you are...?" Wei Yang casually stowed away the solid wooden carved chair behind him, tidied his sleeves, and asked calmly and unhurriedly.
"Jie jie... you may call me Protector Wu," answered the black mist.
So it really is you.
"Protector Wu." Wei Yang nodded slightly.
A small-time boss from the early arcs of original novel.
In the original novel, he was the hidden hand behind the destruction of the Xiao Clan responsible for capturing Xiao Zhan and Yao Lao.
This man could be considered a legend in his own right.
With his actions alone, he had forced the emergence of the Flame Emperor.
Later on, once Hun Tiandi learned the true cause and effect behind these events, he likely would have wanted to skin Protector Wu alive and use his soul to light sky lanterns.
A thousand years of planning—derailed, indirectly, by Protector Wu's hand.
After all, without his relentless early persecution, Xiao Yan might never have grown so fast. He might not have developed such extraordinary determination and boldness—he might never have succeeded in fusing so many Heavenly Flames, and certainly wouldn't have developed such deep hatred toward the Hall of Souls and the Hun Clan.
All of it—was forced upon him.
Figures like Hun Tiandi or Nihility Devouring Flame, those godlike beings, wouldn't spare a glance for the crumbling remnants of the Xiao Clan. Much less care about someone like Yao Chen.
The order to find the Tuo She Ancient God Jade had probably been given casually, without a second thought.
In fact, the higher-ups of the Hun Clan were more suspicious that the Xiao Clan's jade had fallen into the hands of the Gu Clan.
After all, the Gu Clan and Xiao Clan had the closest ties back then and inherited most of the Xiao Clan's legacy.
And now, Protector Wu had taken that momentum to the next level, directly entangling both Wei Yang and Xiao Yan.
The threads of fate—twisted tighter and tighter by his hand—had become utterly knotted beyond repair.
Not even God could save him now.
"Wei Yang, with your talent, remaining here in this barren Northwestern Region is such a waste. You could go much further. I value talent. Why not join us?"
The black mist's voice, for once, grew solemn. He had actually issued an invitation.
"With our support, I believe your achievements could reach new heights. Perhaps even Dou Zun would not be your final destination."
Upon hearing this, Yun Shan frowned slightly. A trace of dissatisfaction flashed in his eyes. But then, thinking it over, he changed his mind—it might not be a bad thing after all.
After all, Wei Yang did seem a bit too powerful. If he could avoid clashing with him, all the better.
Wei Yang was momentarily stunned by the offer. Then he glanced silently at Xiao Yan beside him, half amused, half speechless.
"You... want me to join your Hall of Souls?"
Beside him, Xiao Yan's heart instantly tightened.
But then, just as quickly, he slowly relaxed.
Wei Yang's reply hadn't surprised Xiao Yan—he knew Wei Yang's nature well.
He would never accept.
"Oh? You even know about our Hall of Souls?" The black mist sounded surprised.
"I've heard a bit," Wei Yang nodded.
"Hall of Souls?"
Many people around the plaza were puzzled by the unfamiliar name.
In the Jia Ma Empire and the surrounding regions, no one had heard of such a force.
But recalling the earlier mention of the Central Plains by Protector Wu, the crowd began to connect the dots. They gradually surmised that this Hall of Souls was probably a major power from the Central Plains.
"Since you already know, that makes things easier. I won't need to waste time explaining,"
Protector Wu said calmly. He wasn't surprised that Wei Yang had some knowledge of them.
"However, I'm sure what you know is only very superficial. I can tell you this—our Hall of Souls' strength is far greater than you can imagine. Much, much greater. So much so that you wouldn't even be able to comprehend it."
"A being like me, even I am not considered high-level within the Hall of Souls."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present was utterly shocked.
Even a Dou Zong-level powerhouse wasn't considered a high-ranking member?
Then what did count? Dou Zun?
This Hall of Souls was simply terrifying.
The more they thought about it, the more disturbing it became.
Xiao Yan stood silently, his heart weighed down by pressure. His fists clenched tightly, and even when his fingernails pierced into his palms, he felt no pain.
So this is the Hall of Souls...
Pressure.
Just from these few words, he could already feel a mere glimpse of the Hall of Souls' overwhelming might.
A crushing, formless pressure.
So intense, he could barely breathe.
"The growth of a true powerhouse depends not only on talent," The black mist continued, "Background, resources, and standing with a major force—these are also vital."
"So, what do you say? Join us. I promise you, you won't regret it. In fact, you'll be grateful for the opportunity..."
"Stop."
Wei Yang frowned, raising a hand and directly interrupting his endless chatter.
"What?"
Protector Wu's tone grew colder after being cut off, clearly displeased.
Wei Yang pointed to Xiao Yan beside him and said expressionlessly: "Did you not hear what he called me just now? 'Brother Wei.' If you still don't understand... I'll put it simply—we are fellow disciples under the same master. Would that make it clearer for you?"
"Oh?"
Protector Wu was stunned for a moment, then let out a strange laugh.
"Jie jie... so what? So what if you're from the same sect?"
"Anyone who wishes to accomplish great things must be willing to kill even their own kin. What's a mere fellow disciple compared to that?"
"You've heard of Han Feng, haven't you?"
"Besides, you have no blood ties with this Xiao Clan remnant. So-called loyalty? It's only because the price of betrayal hasn't been high enough."
"Your own self-interest is what truly matters. If he's just a stepping stone, kick him aside."
"When one day you stand at the very peak of this world, who will even remember what you once did to get there? Am I wrong?"
"Jie jie jie... Now, all you need to do is personally hand over Xiao Yan to me—offer this as your token of loyalty. And I guarantee, the Hall of Souls will value you greatly."
"With your talent, if the higher-ups take notice, the benefits you'll receive will be beyond imagination. Your future will be limitless."
The moment the last word dropped, the entire plaza fell into deathly silence.
Everyone felt an involuntary chill creep up their spines.
The way Protector Wu spoke about personal gain—so blunt, so naked—and dressed it up with twisted logic, made many frown in discomfort.
Yes, in theory, he wasn't wrong.
This was the reality of the world—a dark jungle ruled by the law of the strong.
A world where individual power could surpass all else.
But for some reason, his words were utterly revolting to hear.
From this small glimpse, one could already see what kind of organization the Hall of Souls really was: A cold, ruthless machine—one that recognized only gain and had no regard for emotion or humanity.
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