Chapter 39: Soul Hall Trial

In the void of space, there existed a world shaped like a nebula.

Upon stepping into this world, a faint, fragrant aroma filled the air—cool and refreshing; with a deep breath, one felt utterly at ease, for this scent nourished the Spiritual Soul, and even the most ordinary Dou cultivator would grow significantly stronger in Soul Force after residing here for a time.

Such a world, existing within boundless space, could not be seen by the naked eye without guidance; unless permitted, even powerful Dou Saints could not enter.

Deep within this world lay a landmass, teeming with people and inhabited by countless residents—clearly an ancient empire.

Soul Realm, a world controlled by the Soul Sovereign, existing within space as an invisible realm.

It was unimaginable that in such a world one could see the sun hanging high overhead, radiant and bright—truly astonishing.

In the Central Hall of Soul Realm City, a man sat in white robes, elegant and refined, upon the highest desk in the hall.

The man appeared to be around thirty, with a handsome face and unusually bright eyes that seemed to pierce straight into the heart; his first impression was one of scholarly grace, and in his right hand he held a cup of Soul Nourishing Tea, sipping it with utmost elegance.

"What are you standing there for? This Soul Nourishing Tea is brewed with Nine Serenities Ice Spring Water from the Soul Realm, its leaves plucked from the thousand-year-old Soul Tea Trees atop Soul Top Ridge, refined through three steps by three Eight Grade Alchemists—it possesses the miraculous effect of nurturing Soul Force and aiding Soul Cultivation; outside, a single cup is impossible to obtain." The Soul Clan Clan Leader, Hun Tian Di, sipped the tea gently and smiled at those below.

Such tea—no mortal could obtain it, not even a Dou Saint could easily acquire a cup; only the Soul Clan High Rank possessed the privilege to taste it.

"Excellent tea, an absolute treasure."

"Under your leadership, our Soul Sovereign is flourishing."

"Our Soul Sovereign's domination of the Dou Qi Continent is imminent."

Flattering words poured in from below; had anyone recognized those elderly men speaking, they would have been stunned—for all of them were ancient monsters who had lived for hundreds or even thousands of years, every single one a Dou Saint of formidable cultivation.

Any one of them could turn the entire Dou Qi Continent upside down, yet before this refined youth, they spoke with utmost caution, fearing even a single misstep.

Hun Tian Di smiled faintly, sipped his tea, and said with a half-smile: "Is that so? I feel our Soul Sovereign is nearing its demise."

!!!!!!!!!!!!

All below immediately knelt, prostrating themselves, trembling in terror.

These Soul Clan Strong Experts feared him not because he was the Soul Clan Clan Leader, but solely because Hun Tian Di possessed the supreme power to annihilate them with a wave of his hand.

Nine Star Peak Dou Saint cultivation, Imperial Soul realm—just one step away from the supreme Dou Emperor.

"Why are all you Elders kneeling?"

"Rise. This has nothing to do with you—it is only my failure as Clan Leader that deserves blame."

Hun Tian Di sighed, sat upon the black Imperial Throne, and spoke with an air of deep concern: "This year, in our Bloodline Test, not a single member of the New Generation achieved Eight Grade bloodline; only one reached Seven Grade."

All Soul Clan Elders swallowed hard—they knew this truth all too well; their Soul Sovereign was already in decline.

Once the Dou Di Bloodline vanished entirely, they would become like a wounded Wolf King, reduced to an ordinary family; the Soul Sovereign, once awash in resources, would become a delicious morsel, torn apart by rivals.

Just as the once-mighty Xiao Clan had been—its vast resources, Heaven Grade Cultivation Methods, Heaven Grade Dou Techniques, all seized and hoarded by others.

"Now the Tuoshe Ancient Jade of the Xiao Clan has fallen into the hands of the Gu Clan; given time, the other clans' Tuoshe Ancient Jades will follow suit. Even with the Swallowing Flame's Soul Devouring Ability, it will be hard to sustain."

All Soul Clan Elders trembled inwardly—they were ancient monsters who had lived countless eons; how could they not understand what Hun Tian Di meant?

Hun Tian Di intended to emulate the actions of Xiao Clan Clan Leader Xiao Xuan!

Long ago, the Xiao Clan also suffered severe bloodline decay; their Clan Leader Xiao Xuan, like Hun Tian Di, had been a Nine-Star Dou Sheng Peak with Imperial Soul. Then, the Xiao Clan made a desperate decision—they concentrated all their Dou Di Bloodline power into Xiao Xuan, attempting to forcibly break through to Dou Emperor.

It failed. Xiao Xuan was gravely wounded, then besieged and annihilated by Hun Tian Di and the Soul Clan High Rank; the Xiao Clan's world was destroyed, and most of its legacy fell into the hands of the Soul Sovereign.

The Xiao Clan, stripped of all bloodline power, became an ordinary family, and after a thousand years, vanished entirely.

This was gambling the entire Soul Sovereign on a single roll! If Hun Tian Di failed to obtain the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Ruins, he would stake every Soul Clan member as a wager!

After all the Elders had left the hall, a black flame suddenly appeared behind Hun Tian Di; the flame spoke: "We have located the Ling Clan's Ling Realm."

Hun Tian Di slowly sipped his tea and said calmly: "Then begin with the Ling Clan. Whether or not I obtain all the Ancient Jades, I must maintain sufficient Dou Di Bloodline."

"Xiao Xuan's greatest failure was not being ruthless enough—if he had absorbed the bloodlines of the other Dou Emperor Families back then, he might truly have become a Dou Emperor."

The Swallowing Flame fell silent for a moment, then said: "If you obtain that Emperor Pill, you can become a Dou Emperor without such complications."

"I dislike placing everything on a single gamble. Hun Xu Zi may not succeed in refining it." Hun Tian Di set down his teacup slowly and gazed calmly beyond the Soul Realm.

The Swallowing Flame said: "Do as you wish—but don't forget our agreement."

"Of course."

Meanwhile, in Peace Town, Xiao Yan had no knowledge of what transpired in the Soul Realm, nor could the two within the Soul Realm imagine how severely the world's timeline had already diverged.

Xiao Yan passed through the spatial barrier and once again arrived at the dilapidated Soul Sacrifice Old Shop, pushed open the door—the interior remained unchanged: shelves covered in dust, and an old man on the verge of death.

Sensing Xiao Yan's entry, Hun Lao Gui slowly opened his eyes; his oily green irises glowed faintly as he grinned, revealing rotten teeth: "Boy, it seems you've made your decision."

Xiao Yan smiled, his face free of any hesitation, wearing his usual calm and confident grin: "I wish to join your Soul Hall."

Xiao Yan understood: the moment he spoke those words, he walked upon a tightrope, with the Shen Yuan yawning beneath.

When you gaze into the Shen Yuan, the Shen Yuan gazes back—Xiao Yan sought to take something from the Shen Yuan, and thus risked being swallowed by it!

Hun Lao Gui narrowed his eyes and pointed to the curtain beside him: "Hehehe, go inside. Our Soul Hall does not accept trash—only those who pass the Soul Hall Trial may become members of the Soul Hall."