After the soul fluctuations subsided, Xiao Jietian sensed his soul realm.
"This intensity… my current soul is at the peak of the Mortal Realm, perhaps even half a step into the Spirit Realm."
A wild joy spread across Xiao Jietian's face. Improving one's soul was far more difficult than breaking through a cultivation realm. With his current soul strength, even in the Central Plains, he was rare.
Spirit Realm soul power already qualified one to become a Grade 8 Alchemist. With the peak of the Mortal Realm behind him, becoming a high-grade Level 7 Alchemist was a certainty.
Xiao Jietian walked out of the bedchamber and looked at the sky; the appointed time was almost here.
Hall of Souls… Protector Wu… are you ready?
He returned to the Dou Qi Continent from the Eternal Heaven World. No experience cards, no temporary boosts—this time, Xiao Jietian would rely solely on the terrifying power of his soul.
With a step, he concealed himself within the spatial folds, moving silently like a shadow.
In moments, he arrived above the Cloud Mist Sect. Sensing Yun Shan's aura, he approached the cave where the Sect Leader was in seclusion.
From his hand, he crushed a charm. A subtle, transparent dome spread across the cave area, masking all signs of intrusion. Even the most perceptive Dou Zuns could not detect him.
Inside the cave, Yun Shan sat cross-legged, waiting. Protector Wu was present—but hidden, lingering in the shadows.
Xiao Jietian's eyes glinted. Without a sound, he subtly tapped Yun Shan, signaling that the plan would begin.
Yun Shan, calm as ever, nodded imperceptibly. He had already prepared the first step.
"Protector Wu, come out."
The black mist shimmered and solidified, revealing Protector Wu's form. His red eyes glowed sharply.
"Yun Shan… have you truly considered this?" Protector Wu's voice was laced with suspicion and caution.
"I agree. I will hand him over to you. Do what you said," Yun Shan replied indifferently.
Protector Wu's eyes gleamed, and he let out a low chuckle. "Hehehe… naturally. You won't regret this decision."
But before he could react further, Yun Shan struck.
"Great Compassion Rending Wind Hand!"
A massive palm of Dou Qi energy erupted from Yun Shan. At the same time, he placed a Soul Purification Talisman on his forehead, channeling his Dou Qi into his sea of consciousness. The talisman flared with light, purifying his soul and preparing him to resist any counterattack.
The palm crashed into Protector Wu's hidden form. Caught off guard, he had only time to form a protective Dou Qi barrier. The impact shattered it, and Protector Wu was sent flying, sustaining minor injuries.
Even as he twisted his body midair to recover, Xiao Jietian activated his full soul power.
Profound Sky Shattering Moon Finger!
From behind the fleeing Protector Wu, three-colored soul energy converged into a blinding beam. It tore through the air, cutting directly toward him.
Protector Wu felt a cold terror grip his heart. Soul energy—not Dou Qi—attacked him. It pierced deeper than any physical strike, bypassing his defenses.
He tried to absorb the residual souls inside him, but it was too late. Xiao Jietian's Nine Nether Soul Refining Technique flared to life. Dark, twisted energy dragons coiled around Protector Wu like a cage of shadow, binding him in place.
Xiao Jietian's aura surged. The Nirvana Devil Emperor Soul awakened fully. A black-red domain enveloped the entire cave, suffocating the very essence of Protector Wu.
He screamed, thrashing, but the attack wasn't just physical. The soul domain pressed into his consciousness, shredding his defenses and consuming every fragment of energy he relied upon.
Myriad Phenomena: Funeral of Souls!
Xiao Jietian extended his hand. Strange, crimson-black flames rose, burning Protector Wu's armor, Dou Qi layers, and trapped souls. Every soul within him screamed in liberation and despair simultaneously.
Protector Wu roared, attempting a final absorption, but the flames of Xiao Jietian's soul were the natural enemy of his black-mist body.
"Give up resisting. You have no chance." Xiao Jietian's voice was calm, yet cold enough to freeze the blood in Protector Wu's veins.
The last fragments of Protector Wu's soul were incinerated in Xiao Jietian's flame. His form became faint, transparent, powerless—a shell.
Protector Wu's eyes, once burning with hatred, now only reflected fear and helplessness. "I… admit defeat… but don't get too complacent. I've sent a message… The Hall of Souls…"
Xiao Jietian remained unmoved.
Yun Shan's eyes were calm, yet glinted with satisfaction. Finally, his life was no longer controlled by external forces.
Protector Wu's last words were a garbled threat, but they carried no weight now.
Xiao Jietian's soul glowed with an unearthly light, his domain still active. Every trace of Protector Wu's remaining power had been neutralized.
The cave was silent, except for the faint crackling of Xiao Jietian's soul flame. Protector Wu, the once-feared Four-Star Dou Zong, now lay utterly defeated—by soul power alone.