Chapter 639

"The Lord is fighting someone?!!" Deputy Lord Hun Zhu appeared from Space, staring in utter shock at the dark hall engulfed by overwhelming power.

Hun Mie Sheng's strength was terrifyingly immense; even the Deputy Lord dared not approach even a fraction.

"Soul-Devouring Sorrow Palm Seal!"

Hun Mie Sheng rapidly formed a palm seal in his hand, launching a palm print brimming with energy capable of destroying the entire Di Dian straight at Xiao Yan—the Heavenly Rank Intermediate Dou Technique was strong enough to severely wound Xiao Chen, a Five-Star Dou Saint Peak.

Boom—a deafening crash erupted in that instant, as deep within Di Dian, Hun Mie Sheng suddenly surged upward and struck a lethal palm strike into the air.

This was Hun Mie Sheng's strongest palm strike, one that could obliterate heaven and earth.

This palm strike, launched into the air, appeared casual, as if swatting a fly in the sky.

Yet, in that very instant, it crossed Heaven and Earth, shattered Space, and slammed toward Xiao Yan standing just ahead—giving Xiao Yan not a single moment to prepare.

Facing this palm strike, Xiao Yan merely smiled faintly; before entering the Demon Fire Space, he could never have defeated the current Hun Mie Sheng—this single palm would have severely wounded him, and escaping would have been his absolute limit.

But now, it was different.

Hum—a sound resonated. After two years, Xiao Yan's Burning Art Dou Qi stirred once more; a force capable of silencing and freezing time and space surged within him.

Facing Hun Mie Sheng's world-destroying palm strike, Xiao Yan's expression remained utterly calm. Without a word to the infamous Lord of Soul Hall, he gently extended one finger.

Whoosh—a wisp of milky-white flame tinged with faint pink appeared at Xiao Yan's fingertip.

He lightly tapped the massive palm print and murmured: "Purify."

In that moment, the world became pure, as if returning to the most primal state of the Dou Qi Continent—as if capable of purifying all things back to their origin.

Under Xiao Yan's light touch, the terrifyingly massive palm print, like a tranquil lake, began to ripple. Pure Lotus Demon Fire purified the Dou Technique at a speed imperceptible to the eye—every trace of Dou Qi, Soul Force, and Heaven and Earth Power was purified, reduced back to their smallest, most fundamental particles.

The enormous black palm print rapidly disintegrated, then dissolved into a gentle breeze that brushed past Xiao Yan's Soul Robe.

The power gap—immense!

Not even remotely the same Rank.

Hun Mie Sheng's palm remained extended forward, yet he dared not advance even a fraction—before his palm hovered a single finger, its tip like a spearhead pointing at him. He could clearly feel: if he so much as touched Xiao Yan's finger, he would be instantly reduced to ashes by the Pure Lotus Demon Fire.

"Five-Star Dou Saint Peak… you… purified the Pure Lotus Demon Fire in just two years!" For the first time in his life, Hun Mie Sheng felt fear and dread—not from Hun Tian Di, but from another being.

He felt a sense he could never surpass in this lifetime—a mountain so high its peak vanished beyond sight.

He was only fit to be a mortal, gazing upward in awe.

Hun Mie Sheng slowly retracted his hand. He knew Xiao Yan had spared his life out of gratitude for his past contribution in the Pure Lotus Demon Fire Space.

"The Clan Leader once said you would emerge from the Demon Fire Space with the Pure Lotus Demon Fire within three years. I didn't believe it then—but now, I see the Clan Leader's foresight was unmatched." Hun Mie Sheng shook his head; compared to Hun Tian Di, he was still vastly inferior.

Hun Mie Sheng withdrew a Soul Token from his storage ring and placed it aside—the token of the Soul Hall Lord—and said: "My mission is complete. Soul Hall has fulfilled every task assigned by the Clan Leader. From today onward, Soul Hall no longer exists."

Hun Mie Sheng did not return to the Soul Sovereign because Hun Tian Di had given him one final task: wait until Xiao Yan emerged from the Demon Fire Space. That palm strike moments ago was a test of Xiao Yan's strength—but he never imagined Xiao Yan had reached such a level.

And it had only been two years!

The moment he set down the token, Hun Mie Sheng felt a great weight lift—he was originally from the Soul Sovereign. When he first left, he had barely reached Dou Saint. He accepted Hun Tian Di's orders to establish Soul Hall, collect Spiritual Soul essences, and seek the Xiao Clan's descendants and the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade.

Now, the Xiao Clan's Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade was secured, the Ling Clan and Stone Clan were annihilated—Soul Hall had no further purpose. As the Soul Sovereign's Lord, it was time for him to return.

He had accomplished his mission and retired; returning meant receiving immense rewards and becoming a true Soul Sovereign High Rank.

Hum—a massive black hole vortex appeared behind Hun Mie Sheng, generating tremendous suction. He stepped one foot into the passage, then turned his head slightly toward Xiao Yan behind him: "Soul Hall has no value now. Do as you wish."

"The Clan Leader left you this message: 'The Pharmacopoeia is a fine stage to demonstrate Pill Alchemy.'"

Whoosh—the moment Hun Mie Sheng finished speaking, he stepped into the passage and vanished.

Thus, the Lord's seat stood vacant. Soul Hall, destroyed.

Xiao Yan naturally understood Hun Tian Di's meaning.

The Soul Sovereign had already begun gathering Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade—and now it was Xiao Yan's turn. He needed to demonstrate truly sufficient Pill Alchemy.

Xiao Yan had to show the client "sincerity."

After all, to break through to Imperial Soul, he still relied on the Soul Sovereign.

Xiao Yan picked up the Soul Token Hun Mie Sheng had discarded. The token, forged from black iron, was pitch-black like a black hole—gazing at it drew the eye, as if even the Spiritual Soul would be sucked out.

Only four characters were inscribed upon it—bold, powerful strokes. Hun Mie Sheng's Soul Force slowly seeped from within.

Soul Hall, Lord!

Instantly, Xiao Yan focused his mind—a Soul Power stronger than a Medic Spirit's Heaven Realm Great Perfection exploded from his body, surging like an extreme torrent into the Soul Token.

Xiao Yan's Soul Force was boundless, like an endless flood. As it surged skyward, it poured into the Soul Token without ceasing, shaking the earth and causing all to pale.

"Th-this!!"

"What happened? This Soul Power doesn't belong to the Lord!"

"No—this power is far stronger than the Lord's!"

At that moment, Deputy Lord Hun Zhu, with only Three-Star Dou Saint strength, sensed something—his face turned deathly pale as he stared at the Soul Power surging from the hall's depths, trembling: "Could it be… him? He's returned!!"

Xiao Yan's Soul Power was overflowing, seemingly infinite. As it surged skyward, it poured like a dam breaking—endless torrents flooding the Soul Token, shaking the earth, striking terror into all.

Hummmmm!! The Lord's Token vibrated wildly. Soon, the Soul Mark upon it was completely erased by Xiao Yan and replaced with his own.

Soul Hall, destroyed—and then, Reincarnation!

Hun Zhu's pupils dilated. At that moment, not only he, the Deputy Lord, but every Soul Hall Venerable, Great Heavenly Venerable, even the Nine Great Heavenly Venerables—all who possessed a Soul Token—received a Soul Information.

The Second Lord of Soul Hall has been born!

Thud—Hun Zhu, fully understanding, instantly dropped to one knee and bowed low, roaring: "Your servant pays homage to the new Lord!"

Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—in an instant, every Soul Hall Venerable of Dou Zun rank reacted, dropping to one knee toward the hall, their voices thunderous: "Homage to the Lord!!"

Xiao Yan toyed with the token—the symbol of dominion over the strongest Faction on the Dou Qi Continent—and murmured: "This world truly is fascinating. I've become the Lord of Soul Hall."

After a brief silence throughout Di Dian's Little World, a low voice echoed from the hall: "Rise. Dismissed. Carry on as before."

"Yes, Lord!" *N

Xiao Yan tucked away the Soul Token. He did not leave immediately, but walked toward one corner of Di Dian. When he reached its end and found no further path, he stopped.

Around him, not a single ray of light existed—not because lamps or candles were absent, but because this place was a dead zone of light, where all illumination could not enter.

Xiao Yan knew that a passage was hidden here, but only the offspring flame of Void Swallowing Flame could open it—and he knew perfectly well where it led.

Meow!

Xiao Yan's mind stirred, and Mao Wu leapt out from the Nai Ling, staring at the passage before him; even Mao Wu, who had always been free-spirited and fearless, now wore a solemn expression.

"Open it."

Mao Wu nodded, then spat out Void Swallowing Flame—the black flame capable of devouring all things—but strangely, it did not burn through the wall.

Soon, whoosh—a black flame identical to Mao Wu's surged forth from the wall, yet these Black Flames were far stronger than those Mao Wu had spat out!

That's the real one!

Xiao Yan was enveloped in Black Flame, then stepped into the Black Flame passage; as soon as he entered, the entire passage vanished completely with the disappearance of the Black Flame, as if it had never existed.

As Xiao Yan stepped into the passage, he saw a dim space beyond, where black mist blanketed the sky and chilling energy seeped into every corner of this realm.

Deep within this space, a figure sat cross-legged in Space, from whose body endless streams of pitch-black Black Flame seeped out; from afar, he looked like a black hole, endlessly devouring all things in heaven and earth.

Below, countless glowing orbs filled the space—translucent and colorless, yet brimming with pure energy so potent it could turn one's blood cold; Xiao Yan recognized them at once: they were all the Spiritual Soul Origins collected by the Spirit Hall!

Back then, Xiao Yan had only refined one orb—and his Soul Power had reached Heaven Realm Great Perfection; yet here, there were at least dozens, perhaps hundreds!

Whoosh!

Above, the dark silhouette within the sky suddenly emitted a howling wind, then torrents of Black Flame erupted forth, drawing in a powerful suction that directly pulled up the multitude of Spiritual Soul Origin orbs.

As soon as these Spiritual Soul Origins touched the Black Flame, they were instantly devoured; with each passing moment, as more and more Spiritual Soul Origins were forcibly swallowed by the dark figure, a terrifying Soul Power fluctuation gradually spread from within the figure.

Moreover, Xiao Yan faintly sensed a trace of Stone Clan's Dou Emperor Bloodline within these Spiritual Soul orbs.

If his guess was correct, every member and descendant of the Stone Clan, as well as those of the Ling Clan, must have had their Spiritual Soul Origins extracted and turned into these orbs.

From this point on, the Ling Clan and the Stone Clan were erased from the Dou Qi Continent.

The dark figure's Soul Force had already reached the Half-Imperial Soul level; if he absorbed all these Spiritual Soul orbs, he would step into the Imperial Soul Realm!

Sensing Xiao Yan's arrival, the dark figure slowly lifted his head; Xiao Yan's eyes ignited a wisp of Pure Lotus Demon Fire, finally revealing the figure clearly.

His entire body was wreathed in Black Flame, covered with strange black Spiritual Energy Sealing Array Runes; his eyes resembled black holes, radiating a terrifying devouring force. Due to the Black Flame's veil, his face was slightly indistinct, but as he appeared, an extremely ancient and eerie aura slowly filled this realm.

Void Swallowing Flame, true body!

Whoosh whoosh!! As the true body of Void Swallowing Flame turned toward him, milky-white flames spontaneously surged from Xiao Yan's body, enveloping him; a flawless white Fire Baby emerged from Space, its expression tense as it stared at the "archenemy" before it.

When Pure Lotus Demon Fire appeared, a faint glimmer of white light entered this space—but black still dominated overwhelmingly.

"Pure Lotus Demon Fire… you actually obtained it." Void Swallowing Flame looked at Xiao Yan, slowly rising to his feet; even he found it incredible that Xiao Yan had refined Pure Lotus Demon Fire.

Logically, it was impossible—yet Xiao Yan already possessed so many Strange Flames, having shattered the fundamental law.

"So now, do I have the qualifications?" Xiao Yan had not come here to avenge the Stone Clan or the Ling Clan; frankly, he cared nothing for the fate of these Dou Emperor Families.

Xiao Yan had come to meet Void Swallowing Flame.

Back then, in Jia Nan Academy, the voice Xiao Yan heard was none other than the true body of Void Swallowing Flame! Mao Wu was its offspring flame—there was naturally a connection between them.

When Xiao Yan first met Hun Lao Gui, passed the trial, and refined Mao Wu, he received certain messages.

Think back: when Xiao Yan entered the Treasure Hall, how could it be a coincidence that he encountered the birth of an offspring flame? And why had the refining process caused him no pain or resistance—as if it had always been destined for him?

Without doubt, from that moment on, the true body of Void Swallowing Flame had been watching Xiao Yan.

And during his time at Jia Nan Academy, the true source of Void Swallowing Flame had spoken to Xiao Yan, telling him he was not yet qualified to cooperate—because they had discovered the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion buried deep beneath Jia Nan Xue Yuan Nei Yuan!

The world had shifted slightly: because Yao Lao died earlier than expected, a butterfly effect had altered the timeline, and Xiao Yan had obtained the offspring flame of Void Swallowing Flame.

(End of Chapter)