Yun Shan stepped forward without hesitation.
This time, his movements were decisive, no longer carrying the hesitancy and pride of the former Yunlan Sect Master, but rather the gravity of a man who clearly understood the stakes before him.
He first turned toward Xiao Yan.
Then—before anyone could react—he bowed deeply.
The entire hall went silent.
This was Yun Shan, a newly advanced Dou Zong, the former supreme authority of the Yunlan Sect, bowing to a junior.
Xiao Yan was startled and immediately stepped forward to return the courtesy, but Yun Shan straightened first, already turning toward Ning Fengzhi.
"School Master Ning," Yun Shan said solemnly, "several months ago, a person from the Soul Hall sought me out."
At the mention of Soul Hall, the temperature in the hall seemed to drop several degrees.
Gu Yuena's eyes sharpened.
Medusa's pupils narrowed slightly.
Yun Shan continued, his voice steady but heavy.
"He called himself Wu Protector."
"A black robe, no visible face, a chilling aura that gnawed at the soul even when he spoke. He approached me in the back mountain of the Yunlan Sect, under the cover of night."
Yun Shan clenched his fists unconsciously.
"He promised to help the Yunlan Sect unify the Gama Empire. More than that—he claimed to possess a secret method capable of forcing a breakthrough to Dou Zong."
The hall stirred.
A forced breakthrough.
Using Soul Hall methods.
Everyone present understood exactly what that implied.
"The condition," Yun Shan said slowly, "was that the Yunlan Sect would become a subordinate force of the Soul Hall."
A complicated expression crossed his face—shame, bitterness, and lingering fear all tangled together.
"At that time," he admitted frankly, "my lifespan was nearing its limit. The bottleneck before Dou Zong had blocked me for decades. I… was tempted."
No one mocked him.
Facing death, even Dou Zongs were still human.
"Fortunately," Yun Shan continued, his gaze briefly shifting toward Xiao Yan, "Yun'er later obtained a Po Zong Pill from Wanbao Pavilion. I broke through through legitimate means."
His tone hardened.
"After that, I rejected Wu Protector outright."
Ning Fengzhi's expression had already turned grave.
He did not waste a single breath.
"Describe everything in detail," he said sharply.
"Time. Location. The nature of the secret method. Every word he spoke."
"This matter concerns not only the Xiao Family, but the entire Northwest."
Yun Shan was briefly taken aback by the intensity of Ning Fengzhi's questioning, but he quickly steadied himself.
"It was about ten months ago," he recalled.
"He came alone. No escort. His face was hidden. His voice was hoarse, deliberately distorted."
"As for the secret method—he did not explain it fully. Only that it required guiding the soul with the soul, and that the cost would be… permanent."
A subtle chill crept into the hall.
"And did he mention the Xiao Family?" Ning Fengzhi pressed.
"No," Yun Shan shook his head. "Not at that time. His focus was entirely on Gama and the Yunlan Sect."
Jia Xingtian frowned slightly.
"The timing doesn't completely align," he said. "If that was ten months ago, and the Xiao Family was only targeted recently—could we be mistaken?"
Xiao Yan's brows knit tightly as well.
But Ning Fengzhi answered with absolute certainty.
"No," he said. "The Xiao Family is still the core target."
Seeing the confusion on everyone's faces, Ning Fengzhi calmly raised a hand.
"Let's retrace everything from the beginning."
His voice was unhurried, but every word carried weight.
"If the Soul Hall wanted only to silence witnesses, why send only two Dou Zongs?"
Yun Shan answered immediately, understanding dawning in his eyes.
"Because I rejected Wu Protector. They lack local forces in the Gama Empire."
"Correct," Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Which also means they lack stable intelligence channels."
He paused.
"Then explain this—how did they know the exact timing of the Xiao Family's relocation? How did they know the entire clan was moving?"
"And more importantly—how did they know that Qian Daoliu and Posessi, two peak Dou Huangs, were secretly escorting the convoy?"
The hall fell deathly quiet.
Xiao Yan's face changed.
"Only my father and I knew," he said hoarsely.
A realization struck him like lightning.
"Unless… one of those Dou Zongs had been monitoring the Xiao Family long-term."
The implication was horrifying.
"To observe without acting," Ning Fengzhi continued, "means they were waiting."
Waiting for the perfect moment.
Xiao Yan's complexion turned pale.
"They weren't trying to kill a few people," he whispered.
"They wanted to wipe out the Xiao Family completely."
Everyone understood immediately.
The Xiao Family had members scattered across Wutan City and beyond—business routes, trade caravans, distant branches.
Even a Dou Zong couldn't silently eliminate them all in a short time.
"One survivor," Xiao Yan said, voice trembling,
"would mean exposure."
"That's why they waited," Ning Fengzhi concluded.
"They waited until the Xiao Family gathered together."
Silence pressed down like a mountain.
Xiao Yan's fists shook uncontrollably.
"If not for the relocation… if not for this forced move…"
His voice faltered.
"The Xiao Family would have vanished without a trace."
School Master Ning looked at him steadily.
"And once they realized extermination was no longer possible," he continued,
"they immediately shifted targets—to Patriarch Xiao Zhan."
"Not because of his strength," Ning Fengzhi said,
"but because he was most likely to hold the key."
The ancient jade.
Everything aligned.
Fear, awe, and anger churned through the hall.
Then Ning Fengzhi spoke again, deliberately steering the direction.
"Whatever secret the Xiao Family holds," he said calmly,
"it is unknown."
"But one thing is certain."
His gaze swept across the Magic Beast Kings and human powerhouses alike.
"The Sacrificial Shop is a known quantity."
"It is fair. Transparent. Powerful."
"Compared to gambling on the Soul Hall's intentions, relying on the Sacrificial Shop is the wiser choice."
The Magic Beast Kings nodded almost in unison.
The Profound Water Nether Serpent snorted.
"Even if we obtained that secret, what then? Trade with the Soul Hall?"
"I'd rather deal with the Steward directly."
The Amethyst Winged Lion King laughed loudly.
"The shop helped me break through. That alone is enough."
Agreement spread rapidly.
No one displayed greed toward the Xiao Family's secret.
Only caution.
Relief finally flickered in Xiao Yan's eyes.
Ning Fengzhi turned to him.
"Our goal remains unchanged," he said.
"Escort you safely to the Black-Corner Region."
"There, under the Steward's direct oversight, even the Soul Hall will hesitate."
Then, without delay, he straightened.
"Since there are no objections—"
"We depart immediately."
That very day, an unprecedented formation assembled.
Five Seventh-tier Magic Beast Kings:
Iron Arm Ape KingProfound Water Nether SerpentGolden Feathered Eagle KingAmethyst Winged Lion KingEarth Demon Scorpion Emperor
Four human Dou Zongs:
Gu YuenaMedusaYun ShanJia Xingtian
More than twenty Dou Huangs followed.
Nine Dou Zong-level powerhouses.
An escort lineup capable of crushing an empire.
Their Dou Qi surged into the heavens, vast and overwhelming, escorting a single youth at the center.
Xiao Yan.
The journey toward the Black-Corner Region began openly—deliberately so.
And as Ning Fengzhi intended, the news spread like wildfire.
Xiao Yan—the Sacrificial Shop Steward's only direct disciple.
The Northwest erupted.
By the time the team neared the Black-Corner Region, over thirty Dou Zongs had gathered, with Dou Huangs filling the skies.
Meanwhile, in the shadows—
Wu Protector and the other Soul Hall agents stood frozen, staring at the impossible lineup.
Xuan Protector's crimson eyes burned with unwillingness.
"…This matter," he said slowly, "is no longer within our authority."
"Report everything."
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