Chapter 389: A Perfectly Timed Treasure Like This Naturally Belongs to Me
The shrill sound wave reverberated through the massive main hall, causing many powerful cultivators to frown slightly. They could feel the immense strength hidden behind that voice.
While confusion rippled through the crowd, a gust of wind suddenly howled from beyond the hall. In the next instant, a tide of black mist surged in like a wave, eventually converging above the center of the hall. As the mist dispersed, several figures appeared—instantly recognized by many present.
"The Hall of Souls?!"
Gasps spread across the chamber. The arrival of the Hall of Souls made more than a few hearts skip a beat. Everyone in the Central Plains knew their fearsome reputation. If they too were here to fight for the Heaven-tier Dou Techniques, then the already chaotic situation would only grow more deadly.
"That one… is Old Ghost Star Reacher?!"
Some veterans in the crowd recognized the elder leading the group. Faces paled immediately.
He was a Hall of Souls enforcer at the rank of Heavenly Venerable, a terrifying five-star Dou Zun!
Xiao Yuan's eyes locked on the emaciated old man in gray-white robes hovering above, whose face bore a cold sneer. His heart was already burning with killing intent.
This guy… sounded very familiar.
Old Ghost Star Reacher surveyed the crowd and let out a bizarre, screeching laugh. "Jie jie jie… what a lively gathering! Who would've thought this place would draw so many people? If we linger here collecting souls, I imagine we'll walk away with overflowing rewards."
Disgust rippled through the crowd at his words. Everyone was well aware of the Hall of Souls' infamous habit of hunting down soul bodies. Though most despised it, none dared provoke them due to the organization's terrifying might.
With a wave of his sleeve, Star Reacher led the Hall of Souls party to the very front of the hall. Their overbearing behavior stirred resentment—but again, no one was bold enough to confront them. Even other top-tier factions chose to turn a blind eye.
Xiao Yuan retracted his gaze from Star Reacher and swept the hall again, finally resting his eyes on the stone puppet guardians around the altar. He murmured quietly:
"When the seal breaks, don't be the first to move. These things are dangerous. Whoever grabs the treasures first will be the first to be killed."
The others nodded in agreement. Everyone knew it: whoever touched the scrolls first would become the center of attention—and dozens of bloodthirsty experts. Not even Star Reacher would walk away unscathed.
"The seal is about to break."
Xiao Yuan said solemnly.
At his words, the ten glowing spheres suddenly trembled violently. Then, with a blinding flash of light, scrolls shot out of each sphere in dazzling arcs!
The moment the scrolls appeared, the entire hall exploded into chaos.
At the same time, the stone puppets around the altar suddenly opened their long-shut eyes, unleashing an overwhelming bloodlust!
Boom!
A powder keg had been ignited. The once-tense hall erupted into a battlefield in an instant.
Fwoosh!
The ten different-colored scrolls flew like lightning, their aura ancient and awe-inspiring. Dozens of eyes turned blood-red as breathing grew heavy.
"The Heaven-tier Dou Techniques have appeared!"
The silence lasted only a heartbeat. Then, a sharp cry pierced the air, followed by thunderous explosions. Torrents of Dou Qi erupted everywhere as countless figures shot into the air like a swarm of locusts, chasing after the dazzling scrolls.
As if intelligent, the scrolls twisted midair, dodging grasping hands with ease.
Crack! Boom!
Fights broke out above the crowd. Figures collided violently, some being blasted back and vomiting blood. Their bodies crashed to the floor below with sickening thuds, making even the boldest tremble.
"Hold on!"
Seeing the escalating chaos, Xiao Yuan frowned and grabbed Zi Yan before she could join in.
Tang Zhen also held back his Burning Flame Valley team. His sharp gaze remained fixed on the scrolls flying between the frenzied fighters.
"Xiao Yuan, can you tell which scroll is the real Heaven-tier Dou Technique?"
"No. They're all highly unusual. I'd say each one is at least high-rank Earth-tier. But there's something unnatural about them. It won't be easy to catch them."
Xiao Yuan shook his head. To him, the true Heaven-tier technique was still on the Dou Saint's skeleton. These scrolls, powerful though they were, didn't surpass the might of the Emperor Seal Technique.
"Well then, shall we each try to grab one? Can't leave this place empty-handed, right?"
Tang Zhen smiled as more fighters crashed from the air like broken kites.
Xiao Yuan nodded slightly—then paused, eyes narrowing.
"Wait. Someone's about to suffer."
Just as Tang Zhen was about to speak, a blood-curdling scream echoed through the hall.
All eyes turned—and many faces went pale.
The stone puppets around the altar had fully awakened.
An overwhelming killing aura surged outward as they struck the closest targets.
They moved with terrifying speed and power—each one a Dou Zun-level monster. Within seconds, the floor was soaked in blood. No one near the altar survived.
"Those aren't just puppets," Xiao Yuan muttered grimly. Then, he caught sight of their eyes—burning with an intense light, not empty like normal constructs.
"These are Ancient Human Puppets—crafted by extracting the soul of a powerful cultivator and sealing it inside the puppet body. They retain intelligence and can use Dou Techniques. Far more dangerous than ordinary puppets."
Venerable Tianhuo's expression darkened as he confirmed Xiao Yuan's suspicion.
Xiao Yuan's eyes gleamed. These were just like the puppets he wanted to build. In fact, they might be better—meant for someone like him to inherit!
With the awakened puppets rampaging, the hall's chaos escalated. Even factions that had hoped to wait and strike last were now forced to act. The puppets attacked anyone nearby—no exceptions.
"Alright then—let's make our move."
Xiao Yuan's soul force spread across the battlefield. He observed how people had gone mad in pursuit of the scrolls—becoming so blind they didn't even register the deaths around them.
"Got it."
The group nodded. Better to act now before things got worse.
Boom!
Suddenly, a group of cultivators burst into blood mist. A gray shadow shot out, spear dripping red, charging straight at Xiao Yuan.
"Watch out! That's one of the puppets!"
Cai Lin appeared before Xiao Yuan in a flash, intercepting the puppet. Her Dou Qi exploded with dazzling force.
As she held it off, Xiao Yuan studied the puppet more closely. Wrapped in strange, glowing gray-white ribbons, its flexible body was protected by shockingly durable defenses—even Dou Sect attacks couldn't tear them.
"Try taking control," Tianhuo suggested quietly while locking down the area with his own energy.
Xiao Yuan nodded. As Cai Lin tangled with the puppet, he sent his soul force inside.
He instantly found a powerful imprint—left by a Dou Saint. Even after all these years, the command remained perfectly intact.
"I can do it—but not now!"
He pulled his power back and whispered. It wasn't the time to take control—better to let these things cause havoc for now.
"Fine."
Tianhuo smirked and punted the puppet toward the Sky Underworld Sect group.
Clearly, he held a grudge.
Xiao Yuan's gaze scanned the battlefield, locking onto a crimson scroll that had already soaked in blood. Dozens had died pursuing it.
"That one's the target."
He could feel its fiery nature—perfect for himself, Xiao Yan, Tianhuo, and Cai Lin.
"I'm going in. Cover me."
Golden flames surged from his body as he launched forward like a roaring fire dragon, charging into the fray.
His sudden appearance startled many, who immediately struck out—mad with greed.
Hmph!
Xiao Yuan snorted. With a flick of his finger, golden dragons of flame shot forward, clashing with dozens of Dou Qi attacks—and overwhelming them all.
The explosions blasted several attackers into balls of fire.
The sheer brutality of his retaliation forced several others to hesitate.
Taking advantage of the moment, Xiao Yuan broke through the crowd and dove toward the red scroll.
A lone Dou Zun in that group scowled. He had been chasing the scroll from the start and didn't take kindly to interference.
He summoned a massive battle axe and roared, "GET LOST!"
Muscles bulged, Dou Qi surged, and the axe came crashing down from the sky.
"You think you're worthy?"
Xiao Yuan sneered and punched upward—flames swirling around his arm.
Clang!
The punch shattered the axe—and the man.
Blood and bits flew everywhere. The shockwave knocked back nearby Dou Sect cultivators.
Everyone nearby froze in horror.
Seizing the moment, Xiao Yuan grabbed the scroll, burned off its defenses, and stashed it in his ring.
"Hand it over!"
Dozens of bloodthirsty fighters surged toward him, enraged.
Xiao Yuan smirked—and vanished in a blur.
He reappeared next to a rampaging puppet—and kicked it into the oncoming crowd.
SCREAMS FILLED THE AIR.
(END CHAPTER)
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