Chapter 484: You Came to Deliver a Heavenly Flame, So Don't Leave!
"The Nine Heavenly Venerates of the Soul Hall who in the world wouldn't know of them?"
Wu Tian swirled the tea in his cup, smiling casually at the black robed man before him.
"Huh…?"
The black robed man was utterly baffled how could an outsider possibly know about the Nine Heavenly Venerates of the Soul Hall?
If their names were truly known, the Soul Hall's reputation would far surpass that of the Pill Tower. In reality, they already stood above the Pill Tower, but the Soul Hall preferred to operate in secrecy.
To harvest more souls, they roamed the continent, remaining hidden, steering clear of power struggles in the Central Plains. This low profile made them seem like a mysterious and terrifying force no one truly understood their full strength.
Even within the Pill Tower, only the Three Giants had vague knowledge of the Nine Heavenly Venerates.
So how did Wu Tian know?
Could there be a traitor within the Soul Hall?
"Hmph! I am the Second Heavenly Venerate of the Soul Hall Bone Ghost Saint!"
The black robed man lifted his skeletal, withered hand, clenched his fist, and a miniature fiery tornado ignited within his palm.
"If the Lord of the Pavilion is wise, you will hand over the technique. Do so, and I will spare your life tonight!"
"You should know the difference between a Dou Venerate and a Dou Saint is not something you can overcome!"
The black robed old man was none other than Bone Ghost Saint, the Second Heavenly Venerate of the Soul Hall one of its true high ranking leaders.
Though he called himself a Dou Saint, the truth was... his foundation was shaky at best.
Wu Tian, still seated, watched with a cold smirk as crimson flames flickered between his fingertips.
"Bone Ghost Saint, is it? Tell me, how do you manage to be so shameless?"
"You're nothing more than a Half Saint yet you dare call yourself a Saint?"
"Hmph!"
Bone Ghost let out a sinister snarl, wasting no more words.
With a flick of his arm, the yellowish brown fiery tornado tore through space, howling like a raging sandstorm, surging straight toward Wu Tian!
Faced with this massive vortex of flames, Wu Tian merely raised his hand, and in an instant, a gigantic crimson fire serpent coiled into existence, filling the entire courtyard.
The fire serpent wrapped itself tightly around the tornado, trapping it completely.
The moment the two flames collided, the fiery tornado froze in place, unable to move an inch.
Hissing softly, the fire serpent suddenly opened its gaping maw, lunging down from above and swallowing the fire tornado whole.
"Heh, your Wind Fury Dragon Flame is far too weak, Bone Ghost."
Wu Tian's tone was full of disdain, his gaze mocking as he looked at the stunned old man.
"What?! Y Your strength... you've reached the high tier Half Saint level?!"
Bone Ghost's skeletal fingers trembled as he pointed at Wu Tian, his voice filled with shock.
This was beyond belief!
According to the Soul Hall's intelligence, the Lord of the Cai Lin Pavilion was only a Dou Venerate.
Yes, he was powerful, but that was merely due to his many Heavenly Flames.
The plan had been simple send someone with a stronger cultivation level and a Heavenly Flame, and Wu Tian would be easily crushed.
This was why Soul Extinguisher had sent Bone Ghost for the task.
Additionally, after the death of Elder Mu Gu, Bone Ghost had become the only remaining eighth tier alchemist within the Soul Hall.
Despite being the Second Heavenly Venerate, his authority was nearly equal to that of the First Heavenly Venerate.
In fact, many only knew of Bone Ghost but not the First Heavenly Venerate's name.
Of course, that was because the First Heavenly Venerate preferred to remain in the shadows, focusing on strengthening the Soul Hall.
Bone Ghost, on the other hand, was the opposite he sought fame, believing that for an alchemist, reputation was everything.
This was why Soul Extinguisher had entrusted him with two tasks:
Forging alliances with Heavenly Underworld Sect and Ice River Valley.
Seizing the Three Thousand Burning Flames from the Pill Tower.
As for Wu Tian…?
Well, killing the Lord of the Pavilion was just a bonus.
Soul Extinguisher had full confidence in Bone Ghost and even greater confidence in the Heavenly Underworld Sect.
Since they had pledged loyalty to the Soul Hall, they would eliminate their own enemies.
With this, the power balance of the Central Plains would shift entirely in the Soul Hall's favor.
And as for how the Ancient Clans would react?
That wasn't a concern.
After all, the Soul Hall never made the first move.
The constant conflicts in the Central Plains? The endless massacres?
Those were all caused by the local factions themselves.
The Soul Hall was merely here to "maintain order."
To protect peace.
Yes… this was their noble mission.
However, as Bone Ghost stared at Wu Tian now, a deep sense of dread crept into his mind.
Wu Tian's power was growing far too fast.
At this rate… Bone Ghost himself might soon be in danger.
Even though their current levels were similar, Bone Ghost knew he wasn't Wu Tian's match.
Wu Tian's fusion of multiple Heavenly Flames made him a force beyond logic.
It was clear this mission had already failed.
"Heh… impressive."
"Your techniques and cultivation are truly powerful… but next time, I'll take back what belongs to me!"
As he spoke, Bone Ghost lowered his guard, swiftly dispelling the barrier of soul energy around them.
Clearly, he was preparing to flee.
But just as he was about to leave
Wu Tian casually waved his hand.
In an instant, the soul barrier reformed, trapping Bone Ghost inside.
This time, however it was Wu Tian's barrier.
"Since you came all this way… don't you think it would be rude to leave?"
Wu Tian slowly stood from his chair, his gaze locking onto Bone Ghost.
"Hmph! This is the Pill Tower's territory you wouldn't dare fight here!"
Bone Ghost sneered, but his expression was tense.
"Fight?" Wu Tian chuckled.
"Apologies, I never take the initiative to attack. After all, it was you who came to me first."
"That said… since you're already here, I might as well collect a little interest."
"Consider it a small… 'service charge' for your visit."
In a flash, Wu Tian disappeared from sight only to reappear beside Bone Ghost an instant later.
A blazing red flame gathered in his palm, and before Bone Ghost could react
"BOOM!"
Wu Tian's flaming palm struck Bone Ghost directly.
Bone Ghost's expression drastically changed, his Wind Fury Dragon Flame erupting around him in defense.
But it was too late.
The moment their hands collided, Bone Ghost's skin turned an eerie shade of red and purple!
"Damn it… This is fire poison?! But I have a Heavenly Flame how could I be poisoned?!"
Bone Ghost stared in horror at his own infected skin.
Heavenly Flames were supposed to make one immune to fire poison yet here he was, poisoned nonetheless!
His Wind Fury Dragon Flame… was simply no match for Wu Tian's terrifying fusion of flames.
"No!"
Panicked, Bone Ghost ignited his flame, slamming himself toward the soul barrier in a desperate attempt to escape.
(End of Chapter)
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