Chapter 1042: Soul Cliff Again Seeks Recruits

Meanwhile, as Gu Yi and Hao Yan were engaged in a verbal spat, the other Elders of the Ancient Clan also all looked at the latter with unfriendly eyes.

Although Elder Gu Yi, because he made their young lady lose the match, taking out his anger on a junior was somewhat inappropriate.

But Hao Yan laid hands on their young lady; no matter what, they had to show some reaction.

Otherwise, wouldn't the outside world think they are easy to bully?

And just as the Ancient Clan's Elders and Hao Yan were having an unpleasant time, everyone else present—whether members of the Ancient Clan or invited guests—stood frozen in place at that very moment, unable to regain their senses for a long while.

"Whoosh!"

Moments later, the noisy clamor in the arena suddenly rang out across the sky.

Everyone present subconsciously rubbed their eyes again, then directed their shock-filled gazes, which could not be increased, toward the distant Gu Xun'er.

Meanwhile, some people pinched the thigh of the person next to them hard, to check whether they were dreaming.

After all, this Lin Feng fought against Gu Xun'er, who possesses the Ancient Clan's god-tier Dou Emperor bloodline!

What's even more unbelievable is that Lin Feng actually managed to defeat Gu Xun'er, this genius of the Ancient Clan!

"How is this possible, Lin Feng? Did he really defeat Gu Xun'er?"

"A person without the bloodline actually defeated the foremost person among the strongest ancient race on the Dou Qi Continent."

On the distant seats, a leader of a non-bloodline force invited by the Ancient Clan stared blankly at this scene.

You should know, the person Lin Feng fought against was not those earlier ones, but the true first-person of the Ancient Clan's younger generation!

At this very moment, a certain consensus formed over thousands of years collapsed in their hearts with a roar.

"Elder Gu Yi, what should we do now?"

Unlike the doubtful crowd below, several Ancient Clan Elders flashed over and surrounded Elder Gu Yi, asking at a loss.

Just as the previous words fell, one Elder spoke up: "That Lin Feng is injured so badly, while Xun'er was only hit a few times by the opponent; in my view, we might as well count Lin Feng as the loser."

"After all, if Xun'er loses, it would not only mean we personally admit that the Ancient Clan's top genius is inferior to a poor country bumpkin from a barbaric land; moreover, those things, even for our Ancient Clan, are of considerable value."

When uttering the two words "Lin Feng," that Elder's tone inevitably carried a hint of anger.

If it weren't for that fellow accepting Xun'er's challenge, they wouldn't now be in such an embarrassing situation!

As for the fact that Gu Xun'er herself initiated the match and set up such a wager, heh, they naturally overlooked it unconsciously.

"No, if Lin Feng came alone it would still be okay, but that fellow, for some reason, can make the Grand Void Ancient Dragon Clan treat him this way. If we do that, the other side will surely be unwilling. After all, we can't, for a single match, mobilize our clan's top experts to keep the Ancient Dragon Clan's Dou Saint and Lin Feng here."

Furthermore, even if we wanted to do this, the clan would never agree. After all, we could casually kill experts of other ancient races over a trivial matter; then other forces would all be in danger, such as the Flame, Thunder, Medicine, Spirit, and Stone clans, and they would surely rush to seek refuge with the Soul Clan.

Hearing that, Gu Yi beside them immediately shook his head, rejecting the former's proposal.

After all, although he was angry, he still retained his reason, knowing that if he said that to those people in the clan...

The next moment, the other party would surely be a huge blow that makes him doubt his life.

"What should we do then? Are we really supposed to give those things to that little bastard?"

Hearing that, another Ancient Clan Elder frowned, then opened his mouth to ask.

While speaking, a flash of heartache involuntarily appeared in his eyes.

Although those things were produced by the clan leader himself, they are not his own.

But whenever he thinks of those good things, they are about to be ruined by a lowly peasant.

His heartache is indescribable.

"There's no need to mention this further; the things Xun'er promised earlier, she has already produced that poison scorpion dragon beast that day; as for the eight-color primal stone, since she brought it up, she must have it."

Saying this, he flicked his hand and threw a token at an old man.

At the same time, Gu Yi added: "Take my token, go to the clan's warehouse and fetch a nine-stage fire-attribute magic core, quality as poor as possible. We'll give those things to him, then quickly send these two out of the Ancient Realm, so they don't bother us here. As for those things, the clan leader will surely make up for them later."

"That's fine."

Seeing the former's decision made, that Ancient Clan Elder could only sigh, then turned and flew off into the distance.

Meanwhile, the other Elders, seeing that they really had to give those things to Lin Feng, angrily glared at Lin Feng below, who was eyes closed absorbing medicinal potency.

That fellow actually dared to covet the Ancient Clan's possessions—truly hateful!

"Alright, there are still many people here; adjust your mindsets, lest we lose face. Bring out those things; although we'll feel heartache for a while, afterward we can raise taxes on the Central Province Eastern Region and the Eastern, Northeastern, and Southeastern continents, and in no time we'll be able to loot again and earn it back."

Gu Yi saw the Elders' actions, his face slightly sank, and he spoke softly.

Lin Feng, at this moment, naturally would not know, because of this match with Gu Xun'er.

The protection fees of the various major powers in the Central Province Eastern Region and the Eastern, Northeastern, and Southeastern continents will increase by more than thirty percent in the future.

However, even if he knew, he wouldn't pay too much attention to it.

After all, this matter was not something he initiated, nor did he instruct the Ancient Clan to do so.

Those people, even if they want to blame someone, can only blame the Ancient Clan!

However, while everyone present harbored their own thoughts, Gu Xun'er in the sky also finally recovered from her headache, gazing blankly at everything before her.

She couldn't understand; she came from the Ancient Clan, and the person who taught her was at least a Dou Venerable cultivator.

The cultivation methods and combat techniques she practices are also the best available at her level.

But why would she still lose to that Lin Feng?

Thinking this, Gu Xun'er unconsciously clenched her hands, wanting to find Lin Feng again for another showdown!

But soon, she wearily loosened her grip.

Now, she has already been defeated by Lin Feng; if she refuses to accept loss and continues to struggle, it will only give others more material to laugh at.

"Lin Feng, let you be proud for a while longer; today's humiliation, I, Gu Xun'er, will have you repay it in full later!"

After venting those harsh words in her heart, she immediately adjusted her mindset, suppressed the killing intent within, forced a smile, and rose to her feet.

She tapped her toes lightly, came to a spot not far in front of the guest seats, and sweetly said: "I didn't expect Mr. Lin Feng to also possess such means; truly enviable, I admit defeat wholeheartedly."

Hearing her voice, Lin Feng, who had largely recovered, immediately opened his eyes.

Seeing Gu Xun'er constantly suppressing the killing intent in her eyes, Lin Feng gave a light chuckle, his expression calm: "Just luck; I also owe much to Miss Xun'er—if it weren't for those things you promised, I wouldn't have had this opportunity."

"Lin Feng. I'm not done with you!"

"Later, I will definitely kill you, and then retrieve all the alien flames for brother Xiao Yan!"

Looking at the other's provocation, Gu Xun'er's delicate hand couldn't help clenching into a fist, and she let out a sky‑ward roar of frantic fury.

But in front of the crowd, she naturally wouldn't act inconsistently.

Therefore, even though she wanted to rush forward and kill Lin Feng, then eat his flesh and drink his blood, she forced herself to suppress it.

"Lin Feng, this is the fire‑attribute Ninth‑Tier Demon Core that Gu Xun'er promised you earlier; take it."

Just as the former tried to calm down, a slightly displeased, hoarse voice immediately echoed through the heavens and earth.

Immediately after, an elder's figure suddenly appeared beside Lin Feng's seat.

While speaking, he also flicked his massive hand and tossed out a jade box about half a meter in size.

"Hoo~"

At that moment, Gu Xun'er, after exhaling heavily, suppressed the fire within her heart and then stared coldly at everything.

"Swoosh!"

As for the jade box, after a brief flight through the air, Lin Feng reached out and caught it.

He then opened the lid of the jade box and gazed inside.

As his eyes swept inside, in an instant a spherical crystal about the size of a head, its surface riddled with pits and hollows, materialized before him.

"Snort~"

When the former opened the lid, the red sphere, upon touching sunlight, burst into a burst of pomegranate‑red flame that surged up from the crystal's surface.

At the same time, the temperature around Lin Feng suddenly spiked.

In the blink of an eye, heat waves of several hundred degrees enveloped the space for miles around.

"Is this… the Ninth‑Tier Demon Core?"

"Who would have thought—during my lifetime, I could actually see a Demon Beast core of a peak‑level, almost‑Saint fighter!"

"."

When the Ninth‑Tier fire‑attribute Demon Core inside the jade box manifested, representatives of many surrounding factions immediately cast scorching gazes onto the jade box in Lin Feng's hand.

After all, this core was taken from a Demon Beast of Saint‑level.

And killing a Beast of that caliber is as easy as slaughtering a chick.

They simply lack the ability to obtain it.

Its value alone could make them abandon their current cultivation techniques and combat skills for a superior set!

If it weren't for the presence of the Saint‑level fighter Hao Yan, and the fact that they were in the Ancient Clan's realm, they might have already acted.

"Hey, you kid are really 'generous', using a fire‑attribute Demon Beast core that belonged to a one‑star Saint as a wager."

Seeing the core, Hao Yan instantly analyzed the Beast's former condition and couldn't help beginning to 'praise' the elder.

"Hehe, there's nothing we can do; everyone knows how precious a Ninth‑Tier Demon Core is. I also searched the storage for a long time before finally finding this passable Ninth‑Tier fire‑attribute core."

In response to the former's mockery, the elder's face first flashed an unnatural expression, then he brushed it off.

Anyway, Gu Xun'er hadn't clarified before that it had to be a Ninth‑Tier core belonging to a Beast whose strength reached several stars of Saint level in life.

He just brought a lowest‑quality Ninth‑Tier fire‑attribute core; what can you, Lin Feng, do about it?

Hearing that, Hao Yan sneered, "You say you searched for a long time before finding this core; I believe you, but is that last sentence an insult to my intelligence?"

"A petty half‑Saint dares to speak to me like that; beware, I might slap you straight out of the Ancient Realm."

"Senior, please forgive me; our Ancient Clan lacks the keen sense of smell that your Tai Xu Ancient Dragons have, so we cannot locate so many heavenly treasures. Although we have gathered quite a bit, our people are many, and this in‑and‑out flow cannot store much."

While speaking, Gu Xun'er also muttered a covert mockery at the elder's snout.

"Girl, don't think that because you have the Ancient Clan's protection you can act as if you rule the world and provoke anyone. My strength may not surpass some of your clan's top elites, but if you anger us, the Ancient Dragon clan will kill you—unless you stay in the Ancient Realm forever. Otherwise, I guarantee you won't live to see your divine‑grade bloodline mature."

Saying that, Hao Yan narrowed his eyes, his dragon pupils glinting with a trace of murderous intent as they stared at the furious Gu Xun'er.

Hearing that, Gu Xun'er clenched her silver teeth and said in a deep voice, "This is the Ancient Clan, not yours."

"Hehe, Gu Xun'er just lost the contest, her emotions are a bit unstable; please don't compare with the junior."

Seeing Gu Xun'er truly provoke the other into real anger, the Ancient Clan elder hurried forward, pulling the half‑spoken elder behind him, his tone softened.

After all, with both sides so close, unless their clan chief arrives personally, the other elders truly have no definite chance to save Gu Xun'er.

As for the other guests, aside from the other ancient races, they continued to point fingers at the Ancient Clan.

The remaining non‑bloodline factions watched the drama in quiet.

However, judging from their ever‑changing expressions, they were clearly pondering something.

"Bang!"

At that moment, Lin Feng, who had just inspected the core, suddenly closed the jade box, and amid the lingering gazes of the surrounding onlookers, sealed it into his storage ring.

Having secured the item, Lin Feng immediately turned to Gu Xun'er and said, "Gu Xun'er, the contest is over now; I have other matters, so I won't stay any longer."

"We will follow our previous agreement: you bring out the Ancient Clan's non‑leakable inheritance, then hand over that storage ring, along with the Ninth‑Tier Sky‑Poison Scorpion Dragon corpse, the eight‑color primordial stone, and the items you promised after that great war."

The items Lin Feng mentioned later are undoubtedly the very things Gu Xun'er promised to give when she invited him to the Ancient Clan.

"Right, and the snow‑silk soft armor you wear also counts as a wager; bring it over as well. I searched for ages before finding your snow‑silk soft armor, hehe."

Upon hearing about the other's item, Hao Yan instantly perked up, then his gaze swept over the snow‑white soft armor on Gu Xun'er, and he added with a wicked grin.

Lin Feng, hearing the elder's words, instantly looked at Hao Yan with a face full of admiration.

He had already taken note of that soft armor during his earlier battle with Gu Xun'er.

However, seeing that this was the Ancient Realm and surrounded by many guests, he refrained from asking for it, fearing it might drive the other party mad.

He truly hadn't expected Hao Yan's shocking words, as he directly demanded the item from the other.

"You!"

Regarding Lin Feng's request to take those, Gu Xun'er had already mentally prepared; though it hurt, she could accept. However, when she heard Hao Yan's words, she felt insulted, and her pretty face instantly flushed red with anger.

Don't even mention the former; even that Ancient Clan elder, being senior to the former, also demanded with little restraint.

After all, having Gu Xun'er strip off the soft armor on her body and give it to Lin Feng is plainly a naked act of revenge, just like the words Gu Xun'er said before.

"The piece on Xun'er is already somewhat damaged, so it's not fit to hand over. How about this: we'll give you a new one, and as for the one behind Xun'er, forget it."

Having said that, the former, without waiting for Lin Feng and the other to refuse, quickly signaled to another elder in the distance.

Gu Xun'er, seeing this, added: "We can't produce that many Eighth Grade Pills. Just take two scrolls of the Nine-Grade Treasure Pill Prescription, as if they were the things I promised him earlier."

"Here it is."

Although that Ancient Clan elder didn't understand why the former suddenly gave Lin Feng two scrolls of the Nine-Grade Treasure Pill, he thought the former wouldn't do it without reason, so after a moment's hesitation the elder finally nodded in agreement.

As soon as the words finished, the former's figure suddenly vanished from the spot.

Seeing this, Gu Xun'er immediately turned to Lin Feng and said, "I don't have those pills, but these two scrolls of the Nine-Grade Treasure Pill Prescription are things that many alchemy masters covet but cannot obtain. And you happen to be an Eighth Grade Peak Alchemist, so you should soon advance to Ninth Grade; this is me preparing the prescription for you in advance."

While speaking, a faint smile involuntarily appeared at the former's mouth corner.

To others, this Treasure Pill Prescription is an extremely valuable thing.

But for a great clan with such a long heritage as theirs, it's nothing special.

After all, their Ancient Clan's Heavenly Tier Soul Alchemists, though not as good as those of the Medicine Clan, still number several.

In their spare time, they would replicate the high-end prescriptions stored in the warehouse.

Having inherited for tens of thousands of years, and with what they obtained from the Xiao Clan, the Ancient Clan's Treasure Pill prescriptions, counting duplicates and reproductions, amount to several thousand scrolls.

Taking out two scrolls is truly nothing.

"Hiss, how sneaky!"

Regarding the former's words, some strong ones who understand these things couldn't help but gasp sharply.

The former's words seemed congratulatory, but those who know understand that it's outright bullying.

After all, between an Eighth Grade Peak Alchemist and a Ninth Grade Treasure Pill Master, the gap seems only a thin line.

In fact, there is a barrier of unknown width between them.

Because an Eighth Grade Peak Alchemist, without considering Pill Thunder, as long as one's cultivation method and soul pass, even without exotic fire or other special flame enhancements, can reach Mid Dou Zun Level and then can normally refine.

But the first condition for a Ninth Grade Treasure Pill Master is that one must have Dou Saint strength!

And the barrier between Dou Zun and Dou Saint has thwarted countless heroes.

A Dou Zun who can break through this barrier is a rarity, one in a thousand.

Most of them can only meet their end with resentment before this barrier.

Now, Gu Xun'er, instead of giving Eighth Grade Pills, offers the Nine-Grade Treasure Pill Prescription, clearly to prevent Lin Feng from using those pills to recruit troops and boost his own strength.

And Lin Feng wanting to use the Nine-Grade Treasure Pill Prescription—who knows how many years he'll have to wait.

After all, the former is only a Second-Transformation Dou Zun; under normal circumstances, within a few hundred years he is unlikely to advance to the Dou Saint realm.

And within those few hundred years, Lin Feng simply lacks the ability to use those two scrolls of the Nine-Grade Treasure Pill Prescription!

This Gu Xun'er cannot be said to be without poison.

"Hehe, this Gu Xun'er still hasn't forgotten to play petty tricks even now."

Regarding the former's little scheme, Lin Feng, after a brief pause, immediately deduced it.

However, he didn't object, just silently chose to accept.

As for Gu Xun'er, after speaking, she immediately tore off the Binding Ring on her finger.

She took out some things from inside, immediately tossed them disdainfully toward Lin Feng, and said, "The body of that Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast and the Eight-colored Primal Stone are both in there; I haven't missed a single thing!"

Lin Feng, seeing this, didn't react much, simply took the Binding Ring calmly and placed it into the collar of his chest garment.

After all, his goal was achieved, and he was too lazy to clash further.

Even the incident where, after he defeated Gu Xun'er, the Ancient Clan elder who couldn't swallow his anger struck far away, was not brought up again.

Because with his current strength, he still can't contend with the Ancient Clan.

Moreover, even if he raised the matter, the other side would surely brush it off with the excuse of worrying that Gu Xun'er is in danger.

And if the other side gave that excuse, he still wouldn't back down, and most likely would get a bad outcome.

Therefore, a little disgust toward the opposite side is fine, but provoking them into anger would be troublesome.

Of course, he can't provoke them now, but if he truly manages to grow later.

Ancient Clan, Gu Xun'er, humph.

"Whoosh~"

At the same time, the Ancient Clan elder who had left earlier to fetch the snow silk soft armor and the Treasure Pill Prescription also appeared here at this moment.

Immediately, he tossed the white soft armor and two rustic scrolls in his hand toward Lin Feng, his expression cold, saying, "Besides the two scrolls, this armor, like the lady's, is made from snow silk excreted by a Half‑Saint level Cold Snow Ice Silkworm, so it hasn't cost you a dime; take it."

Hearing that, Lin Feng didn't mind, calmly took the prescriptions and armor, and after confirming they were fine, quickly stored them in his Binding Ring.

"Hiss!"

The people around, though aware that Gu Xun'er was disgusted with Lin Feng, couldn't help but gasp at the sight of the two Treasure Pill Prescriptions.

They were amazed by the Ancient Clan's profound foundation.

These two Treasure Pill Prescriptions, they actually just gave them away.

"Since you have business, we can't keep you any longer; then I'll personally see you out to the exit."

Seeing the former speak of good things, Gu Yi couldn't wait to speak.

From his demeanor, he especially didn't want to see Lin Feng and Hao Yan again.

"Fine."

In response to the former's urging, Lin Feng nodded in agreement.

After all, he himself also didn't want to stay any longer.

"Jie Jie, Mr. Lin Feng, please wait a moment."

Just as the former was preparing to leave, a familiar smile of the former sounded again.

Oh, it's Mr. Hun Ya; may I ask what guidance you have?

Lin Feng turned around and, upon seeing that it was Hun Ya hidden beneath the black robe, immediately clasped his hands with a calm expression.

Keke

And Hun Ya merely gave a strange smile; shortly after, a voice with a hint of recruitment slowly echoed in this space.

I just wanted to remind Mr. Lin Feng that as long as you agree to join the Soul Hall, those previous conditions still count. As for the Ancient Clan, if they dare to come and persecute you, we will definitely protect you with our lives. After all, others fear the Ancient Clan, but our Soul Clan does not.

At the same time, everyone in the Zhongzhou Continent knows that our Soul Clan's Soul Hall never discriminates based on origin. As long as you can serve us and have merit, rewards and such will not be lacking. And most of the current Nine Great Heavenly Sovereigns of our Soul Hall were once renowned powerhouses on the continent, right?

Having said that, Hun Ya smiled and continued: "They joined our Soul Hall in order to further their strength. And after they made contributions, we also did not treat them unfairly."

Many have gone from being Dou Zuns whose potential was almost exhausted to reaching the present Half Saint Realm, hehe, and in this, our Soul Hall has certainly contributed a lot.

Hiss!

Hearing that Dou Zuns whose potential was almost exhausted had been forcibly raised to the Half Saint Realm by the Soul Hall, many people around couldn't help but draw in a cold breath.

As for the former's words, their hearts also felt a series of stirrings.

However, thinking of how the Soul Hall, since its establishment, has continuously collected souls across various continents, carried out mass slaughter, and provoked everyone to shout against it, they also couldn't help but hesitate.

Ah, if only the Soul Hall's reputation weren't so bad.

Thinking of this, many people couldn't help but sigh with worry.

The fairness and benefits inside the Soul Hall are good; as long as you complete tasks, no one comes to restrict your freedom—this is common knowledge.

But the Soul Hall's reputation is truly too poor, causing most non-bloodline continental powerhouses to dare not easily seek refuge there.

Otherwise, the Soul Hall would indeed be an excellent workplace.

After all, the things Hun Ya said have indeed been fulfilled by the Soul Hall; whether true or false, everyone knows in their hearts.