The Dan League's powerful members took their orders and left, leaving only Chen Guan's most trusted and closest people in the hall.
"Wow!"
Another map unfolded.
Unlike the densely marked map Medusa had just pulled out, this one had only two red dots.
"This was given to me by my teacher yesterday when Dieyi and I returned."
"Years ago, I had my teacher use Danta's intelligence network to gather information on the Soul Palace, and we've gained quite a bit."
Everyone nodded, knowing at least a little of what Chen Guan had said.
"In Zhongzhou, the Soul Palace has numerous branch halls, not counting the side halls. There are twenty-four of the more important ones, which the Soul Palace calls Earthly Demon Halls. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the Soul Palace has absorbed all of these Earthly Demon Hall personnel into the clan, leaving behind little more than empty shells. They're not worth our time, but we can't let them go if we can."
"Above these Earthly Demon Halls, the Soul Palace also has the three most important Heavenly Gang Halls! These are my next targets!"
"The Heavenly Gang Hall is divided into three halls: Heaven, Earth, and Man. The Heavenly Hall is the Soul Palace's headquarters, normally commanded by its Lord, Hun Miesheng. We've explored their exact location for years, but still can't find any trace of them."
"Is Hun Miesheng the old man who rescued the Great Celestial Venerable a few days ago?" Zi Yan interjected.
Chen Guan nodded.
"Yes, the fact that Hun Miesheng dared to emerge from the Heavenly Hall proves he's confident in its secrecy. We don't need to waste time."
"So, my target this time is the Earthly Hall!"
It was a perfectly reasonable choice.
Of the three Tiangang Palaces, the Heavenly Palace was too hidden to be found, and the weakest Human Palace, with Hun Mie Sheng still around, was also difficult to target.
In comparison, the Earthly Palace was undoubtedly the easiest target.
However, there were few normal people present. Zi Yan's wide, round eyes glanced at Medusa, then at Chen Guan, unable to resist raising a question.
"I've seen Hun Mie Sheng before. He's only a five-star Dou Sheng, but he runs very fast. In a head-on battle, he's definitely no match for me. Besides, there are three of us.
If we catch him off guard and take him down, there's a good chance we can kill him." Killing a five-star Dou Sheng, and the Soul Palace's master, would essentially destroy the Soul Palace.
In comparison, Chen Guan's choice seemed a bit conservative.
Chen Guan remained noncommittal. "There's certainly a chance, but my ultimate goal this time isn't Hun Mie Sheng. You've all seen the Soul Palace capture souls, but have you ever considered why they do that?"
Upon hearing this, Medusa, Zi Yan, Xiao Yixian, and the others were stunned.
However, Tian Lei Zi, Xuan Yi, and the others from Danta, had a vague suspicion of disbelief.
"I have a friend who's now trapped in the Soul Clan. While working at the Soul Palace, he discovered some very important intelligence. The Soul Palace captures soul forms everywhere because they're after Soul Essence. They condense this Soul Essence and periodically send it back to the Soul Clan to provide cultivation for a prominent figure within the Soul Clan."
"What?!"
A startled cry echoed from the void, and the Great Elder of the Small Danta Tower emerged, his aged face filled with horror.
Ignoring the crowd's surprise, the Great Elder stared directly at Chen Guan.
"Chen Guan, are you certain of this?"
"Almost certain," Chen Guan nodded.
The Great Elder took a deep breath, a long moment to digest the information, his expression unusually solemn.
"The Soul Palace has been capturing soul forms for over a thousand years. I can't imagine how much Soul Essence they've accumulated over all those years. Even more so, I can't imagine what kind of being would require so much Soul Essence. Heavenly Realm? No, definitely not..."
"Great Elder, are you saying someone within the Soul Clan is trying to use this to break through to the Emperor Realm?" Tian Lei Zi stood up in shock. This speculation was truly too frightening.
An Emperor Soul!
Just the word "Emperor" in its name speaks volumes.
In this age without Dou Di, a peak powerhouse possessing an Emperor Soul is practically invincible.
If the Soul Clan truly succeeds, wouldn't the Alchemy Alliance's efforts be a mockery?
It's a cruel truth: in this world, the strongest always hold the final say.
Even if the Alchemy Alliance completely destroys the Soul Palace, a breakthrough by that individual could easily turn the tide.
"Master's suspicions are likely true, but the situation isn't that dire yet. Reaching an Emperor Soul isn't easy. Besides, the Soul Clan has such powerful individuals, and so do other ancient races. If they keep each other in check, we have a chance."
No one understood the Soul Clan's plans better than Chen Guan.
Giving everyone some advance information was simply to broaden their perspective and make them aware of the gravity of the situation, but not to overwhelm them, as this would be counterproductive.
"So, you're targeting the Earth Palace this time, for the Soul Origin?" Medusa understood Chen Guan's intentions.
"Yes, I planned this a long time ago. Unfortunately, the Earthly Demon Palaces have shrunk so quickly, and most of the soul essences within them have been transferred. My soul is now in the late Heavenly Realm. If I cultivate normally, it will take me decades to reach Heavenly Realm perfection. These three Heavenly Gang Palaces are my chance."
"Compared to this, Hun Mie Sheng seems insignificant. He is a five-star Dou Sheng, a higher realm than any of us. Moreover, the Soul Clan is extremely cunning and has many means of preserving their lives. Even if the three of us work together, the probability of killing him instantly is less than 50%. If we attract support from the Soul Clan's powerful, our efforts will be in vain."
In fact, Chen Guan still has a trump card: Ming Xie, the third elder of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan. If he attacks, Hun Mie Sheng will undoubtedly die.
But for the time being, Chen Guan does not want to expose Ming Xie.
Chen Guan's plan envisioned the Soul Clan's conspiracy coming to light soon. The Ancient Clan would then become the primary force against the Soul Clan, leaving them to deal with minor matters. This way, they could maximize their strength and stand firm to the end with minimal losses.
"This plan works! The three of you will attack together, ensuring a swift and decisive victory. I'll secretly monitor the Corpse Burial Mountain Range and notify you immediately if Hun Miesheng and the Great Celestial Venerable leave." The Great Elder nodded, taking the initiative.
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Either Hun Miesheng or the Great Celestial Venerable could crush the Great Elder, so he didn't overestimate his own abilities by even attempting to stop them.
Even keeping a close eye on things would have been a significant risk.
"Okay, thank you, Great Elder."
—
The next day.
The sky was as clear as water, without a single cloud in sight.
However, amidst this balmy air, most of Zhongzhou was aware that something was amiss.
In the past few days, even when the two alliances clashed, warriors above the Dou Zun level remained in the minority. It was only because the battles were numerous and prolonged that reports of fallen warriors were frequent.
But today was something truly unusual!
Dou Zun warriors were marching in droves, leading large groups of troops in and out of the spatial wormhole.
Such activity, even to the most unresponsive, revealed the gravity of the situation.
Rumors swirled.
Soul Palace alliance forces like the Huangquan Pavilion, the Tianming Sect, and the Glacier Valley were all on edge.
"Reverend Huangquan, don't panic. This is merely an expected counterattack. We can't possibly be the ones constantly attacking. The Alchemy Alliance has countermeasures, and our alliance certainly has them too. If an enemy attack truly occurs, I will personally intervene. Even if I'm defeated, the Palace Master and the Great Celestial Venerable will quickly dispatch reinforcements."
Inside the Huangquan Pavilion, a Soul Hall elder spoke quietly, addressing the restless Huangquan Venerable.
However, just as his words had fallen, a loud bang was heard from outside, followed by the cry of a Huangquan Pavilion elder.
"Pavilion Master, the enemy is attacking! The formation has been broken!"
Huangquan Venerable locked eyes with the Soul Hall elder, then flashed into the sky.
Upon seeing the incoming force, the Soul Hall elder lost his composure.
Yao Chen and Xuan Yi!
Two Semi-Saints!
Behind them stood renowned Dou Zun figures like Xiao Yan and Feng Zun.
Without hesitation, the Soul Hall elder quickly withdrew a jade slip and crushed it.
"Haha, don't waste your time. This space has already been sealed off by me. Besides, the rest of the world is vulnerable." Yao Chen clasped his hands behind his back, his clothes fluttering, a show of prestige.
Without giving the two a moment to respond, Yao Chen nodded slightly to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan immediately understood, a surge of murderous intent emanating from his body. With a wave of his hand, dozens of Huangquan Pavilion disciples were brutally murdered, and wherever the strange fire passed, no grass grew.
"Those implicated in the Soul Palace shall die!"
"Xiao Yan!!!"
Reverend Huangquan roared, charging forward, and a fierce battle began.
The other three armies followed suit, one battle after another erupting. The entire land of Zhongzhou was like a night in the middle of the year, no place was at peace. One by one, renowned warriors vanished like fireworks.
—The
Zhuoshe Mountains, nestled at the junction of Zhongzhou's southeastern region.
Rumor has it that in ancient times, a mutated snake-like monster, nearing the ninth level, wreaked havoc here, its ferocity terrifying the heavens. One day, a mysterious and powerful figure passed by, slew it with a single arrow from thousands of miles away, bringing peace to the area.
The Snake Mountains are thus named.
Due to the terrain, the area is shrouded in a dense yin energy. Even in broad daylight, it appears shrouded in thick fog and gloom.
Normally, it's virtually impossible to find anyone here; no one would want to be in such a haunted place.
Of course, the Soul Palace doesn't
count. Chen Guan found the Earth Palace's location in such a gloomy place unsurprising.
Things that are shameful to the naked eye, like those poisonous insects, can only exist in the shadows.
A faint ripple rippled through the silent sky.
The next moment, three figures emerged. Space distorted slightly around them, making them invisible to the naked eye. Even a Dou Zun, looking up, would have appeared normal.
"The Earth Palace is located deep within the Zhuo Snake Mountains, but the Soul Palace will certainly set up a space barrier. Once someone enters, they will be discovered,"
Chen Guan smiled and looked at Zi Yan. Professional issues should be left to professionals.
Zi Yan snorted and raised her pretty face with pride. Then she waved her sleeves lightly, and the space of this world began to fluctuate quietly, and finally turned into an even larger space barrier, completely enveloping the entire Zhuo Snake Mountains.
Ordinary Dou Shengs can still open up space, let alone a Dou Sheng of the Taixu Ancient Dragon. For her, it's like Zhang Fei eating bean sprouts.
A piece of cake.
Chen Guan nodded in appreciation and looked at Medusa and Zi Yan. Zi Yan's gaze turned to the depths of the mountains, and a grim expression appeared on her face.
"The Deputy Lord of the Soul Palace is in charge here. Kill this man first, then find the origin of the soul, and leave no one alive!"
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