1Asj1WtJ

1“No?” Huo Yuhao was the shocked one right now. “What is it then?”
2
3She opened her eyes wide and replied, “My martial soul is called the Spirit of Retribution.”
4
5“Spirit of Retribution? Is there such a martial soul?” Huo Yuhao couldn’t believe what she was saying.
6
7“Why isn’t there such a martial soul? I created it myself. Isn’t it magical?! Hehehehe!” She was laughing, but her laughter sounded very forlorn.
8
9Huo Yuhao squinted. “Self-created martial soul? I know. Your martial soul is mutated, isn’t it?”
10
11“No, no, no!” She replied with three ‘nos’ and her forlorn voice turned callous. “Have you seen a mutated martial soul that only awakened when the soul master was fifteen? No, you haven’t. My martial soul came from hatred, a deep hatred. When my hatred reached its extreme, my Spirit of Retribution appeared. I killed her, I killed her, I killed her! I want revenge! I want revenge! All of you can go and die!”
12
13She suddenly went berserk, and mimicked a lifting action. Following this, her second, third and fifth soul rings lit up at the same time.
14
15A weird white glow spread from her body, and countless Grudges appeared above Huo Yuhao and started to spread in all directions.
16
17At this point, she saw a soul ring shining. It was a clear-white soul ring that flashed with a dim golden color. When its light spread from Huo Yuhao’s body, his eyes started to shine brightly, and turned shiny and translucent. Purplish-gold light that seemed to be illuminated by countless streaks of starlight flashed before disappearing.
18
19“Ah—” The female evil soul master’s head suddenly rocked back, and she even staggered a few steps. The huge avenging spirit that had been drifting behind her all this while was dissipated before it re-formed. The Grudges that she had released earlier were also immediately crushed.
20
21Spiritual Shock! It was Huo Yuhao’s Spiritual Shock in the concrete-immaterial realm.
22
23Huo Yuhao’s body shook slightly. After all, this evil soul master’s cultivation was too strong, far superior to his. Although Huo Yuhao had an advantage in terms of his spiritual power, a fight between soul masters didn’t just involve spiritual power. Moreover, her spiritual world was filled with a grim sense of evil. While Huo Yuhao’s Spiritual Shock struck her, he also suffered from a backlash. Of course, she was hurt much more than him.
24
25As he stepped forward with his left leg, the look in his eyes suddenly turned gentle. A golden projection appeared behind him before embracing him and fusing with his body.
26
27Huo Yuhao’s gaze turned gentle. At this moment, his eyes didn’t reflect the look of the evil soul master in front of him. There was only a look of remembrance in his eyes right now.
28
29Remembrance was a very magical thing. Right now, Huo Yuhao unleashed his Fist of Remembrance, which contained a surging feeling of remembrance!
30
31A fist with an indescribable color, but which yet seemed to shine with a glow that encompassed all colors, was unleashed towards the evil soul master.
32
33At this point, the evil soul master was still suffering under the effects of Huo Yuhao’s Spiritual Shock. However, she was still a Soul Douluo, and it wouldn’t be so easy to curb her.
34
35Just as Huo Yuhao’s Fist of Remembrance was about to strike her, her body suddenly dissipated like a specter. She changed into countless black projections that spread around. Each projection had the same look as her.
36
37However, a sharp scream sounded at this point. All the black projections re-gathered and appeared where she was originally. It was as if she had been struck by Huo Yuhao’s fist.
38
39Her body was covered by a layer of shiny light as she screamed. Her eyes were filled with disbelief.
40
41“This, this is…”
42
43Huo Yuhao didn’t say anything. He exerted a force with his front left foot and it seemed like he was being lifted up. He raised his right fist and pointed his middle and index fingers forward. The glow that seemed to encompass all colors suddenly shot into the sky and turned into a sword light that was more than ten meters long.
44
45Huo Yuhao’s expression also changed. The gentle look in his eyes turned into pain. He pursed his lips tightly, and he appeared to have teared up. His mind seemed to have gone to another world too.
46
47The majestic sword light descended from the sky. One’s swordplay could only reach the peak if he handled his relationship well. This time, it was Huo Yuhao’s Sword of Longing, a sword which would never be forgotten!
48
49The evil soul master was in a daze as she looked at the sword light that was coming down. Her state of mind was already affected because of Huo Yuhao’s fist earlier.
50
51As she was also a spiritual-type soul master, she was also more influenced than any other opponent. Her Spirit of Retribution relied on immense hatred. However, she was forced into a state of remembrance by Huo Yuhao.
52
53“Ah—” Her sense of danger roused her instincts. She lifted her hands, and her seventh soul ring shone. The huge avenging spirit behind her drifted forward and fused with her body. She turned into a specter, but she didn’t attack or resist Huo Yuhao’s attack. Instead, she turned around and fled. She wanted to escape from the sword light that was crashing down towards her.
54
55However, how could she escape Huo Yuhao’s Sword of Longing after she was struck by his Fist of Remembrance?
56
57Huo Yuhao’s Sword of Longing immediately tore her avenging spirit to pieces. Wherever this sword light passed, spots of bright light were left behind in the air. It was as if tears of remembrance had been scattered in the air.
58
59The crushed Spirit of Retribution was re-formed. However, it was no longer in the state of a Martial Soul True Body. Rather, it regained the appearance of the evil soul master.
60
61Huo Yuhao should be proud of his Sword of Longing. Without his sixth soul ring, he managed to force an eight-ringed Soul Douluo out of her Martial Soul True Body using his self-created fighting skill. This showed how strong he was.
62
63More astonishingly, the female evil soul master’s eyes were no longer bloodshot, and the look in her eyes became similar to Huo Yuhao’s.
64
65Huo Yuhao had gone into closed-door cultivation for several months, and fused his various abilities. He had perfectly combined his spiritual and soul power through his emotions, forming his three great skills. No matter how strong his opponent was, she would be affected by him if she wasn’t emotionally resilient enough to resist the invasion of his spiritual power.
66
67These three great skills were mainly controlled using Huo Yuhao’s spiritual power, as his spiritual power was far superior to his soul power. When he was able to increase his soul power to a comparable level and unleash these three skills, he would be able to establish himself as one of the strongest soul masters on the continent.
68
69After unleashing his sword, Huo Yuhao was already crying. He pulled his palm back to his waist before flipping it over. He formed the shape of a heart in the air and all the lights were retracted at this instant. There was now an additional heart at the center of his palm. It was a golden heart. Even the most dazzling gem in this world couldn’t compare to the glow from this golden heart.
70
71This golden heart represented a sincere heart. It was filled with eternal love and remembrance.
72
73Huo Yuhao shut his eyes. At this moment, there was only one figure in his mind. There was no other person or thing that could affect his state of mind. He was already deeply immersed in his thoughts of Wang Dong’er.
74
75Dong’er, Dong’er, Dong’er!
76
77He was gently calling in his heart. He seemed to see Wang Dong’er, and how she sacrificed her life for him without any hesitation. Dong’er, Dong’er…
78
79As he called, that shining, golden heart slowly moved as he pushed his palm forward.
80
81In the sky, the clouds moved, and thunder rumbled. After an inky blackness filled the sky, it suddenly lit up. The lights came from an unknown origin, but they formed a heart shape.
82
83The signals from the three closest three surveillance soul tools were scrambled. After this, their formation arrays blew apart, and they were destroyed.
84
85That huge and seemingly boundless heart resonated with the golden heart on Huo Yuhao’s palm.
86
87Behind the heart in the sky, there seemed to be a beautiful face watching everything that was happening on the ground with a gentle gaze.
88
89As Huo Yuhao pushed his palm out, and the two hearts resonated with each other, it seemed as if countless flowing lights shone behind Huo Yuhao’s back. There were only memories of him and Wang Dong’er within those flowing lights.
90
91Huo Yuhao’s Haodong Palm, a palm which would last eternally!
92
93This was the last strike of Huo Yuhao’s three great skills. It was also his first time unleashing this strike with all his heart.
94
95He didn’t know it yet, but he had already established his position in the world of soul masters as he unleashed this palm.
96
97“Chi—” When his palm was imprinted on the evil soul master’s body, she didn’t experience any tremendous movement because of his strike as she came charging towards it.
98
99
100
101
102
103Chapter 377.1: Dispelling, Clues, Prison of Water
104
105
106The countless flowing lights behind Huo Yuhao were imprinted on her body along with Huo Yuhao’s palm. Instantly, her eyes were no longer bloodshot, and there was only a clear look in her eyes. Her pale-white face even started to flush slightly, and she revealed a relieved smile on her face.
107
108“Thanks.” Her voice was no longer hoarse. Instead, it was captivating, as if she came from another world.
109
110Huo Yuhao shut his eyes as his tears flowed uncontrollably. He didn’t even hear her voice. At this moment, both of them were immersed in their own worlds after a life and death fight.
111
112“Remembrance is a magical thing. I miss my mommy and daddy. Why did you die so early? Why didn’t you protect me? Why did you let that fatso abuse me and leave me humiliated in front of the countless people in that cold basement? They destroyed my body under the instigation of that fatso, ravaging my heart and staining my spirit. I was only fifteen years old then.”
113
114“Hatred kept me alive and enhanced my spirit to another level. My Spirit of Retribution was awakened as a result. I hate those greedy and lecherous men, and I hate that fatso who tore me to pieces. I want to slaughter them, but I’m in so much pain.”
115
116“Am I finally released? You let me see the light, sense what remembrance is and witness a love that’s yet to appear in my spirit. It seems like not everything in this world is dirty. There are still pure and clean things. Thank you, thank you for letting me sense the intense love you have for that unknown person. You cleansed my heart and let me know what release is. Thank you, I’m very happy, I’m very happy…”
117
118Black gas started to flow out of her pores, and she started to age quickly. In an instant, she became very shriveled.
119
120As the black gas flowed behind her back, it slowly formed a human shape before it gradually dissipated. Her body slowly collapsed before she began to crumble. Eventually, she turned into a pile of dust, and disappeared with the wind.
121
122Huo Yuhao was still in his earlier posture after unleashing his palm. It was just that the lights on his body had disappeared, as had the huge heart in the sky. He stood in place without moving a single inch. However, he could still affect everything around him with his emotions.
123
124Six figures silently appeared around him. Every one of them revealed a different look in their eyes. The only similarity between them was the tears that flowed from their eyes.
125
126It wasn’t just them. Within a region that spanned one thousand meters in diameter, all living creatures were tearing up. They had all been influenced by Huo Yuhao’s emotions.
127
128Xu Sanshi silently walked behind Huo Yuhao before lifting his rigid body and wiping his tears. He sighed and turned around before he left.
129
130The other five quickly followed him.
131
132“Why is it like that?” Nan Qiuqiu whispered to Ye Guyi.
133
134Ye Guyi laughed bitterly. “I don’t know either. Why is it like that? He, he actually…”
135
136Ji Juechen was normally very cold, but there seemed to be great changes to him right now. He seemed lost, and his hands were trembling.
137
138“Am I wrong? Am I wrong? Is it only love that can improve my sword intent to its peak? I gave up all romantic emotions to focus on my cultivation. Was I wrong? Do I really need love too so that I can become stronger? Why do I seem to lag behind you every time I feel that I’ve surpassed you?”
139
140Why didn’t Huo Yuhao use the strength of his Eye of Destiny to break free from the lock on of that evil soul master? It was because his original intention was to kill her.
141
142If he was discovered and he didn’t kill her, they would start a city-wide search for them. Furthermore, it was extremely beneficial for them to get rid of such a soul master. With her cultivation, she was likely one of the leaders of the Holy Ghost Church in Sunrise City.
143
144That was why Huo Yuhao set a trap to kill her. He drew her over, knowing that his teammates were already hiding in ambush over here.
145
146An eight-ringed Soul Douluo was indeed very strong. However, his teammates were some of the most outstanding soul masters in the younger generation too!
147
148The Eternal Defense, Xu Sanshi, as well as the Origin of Destruction, He Caitou, were both close to Rank 70. More importantly, there was Ye Guyi, who had the Holy Angel, which could curb evil soul masters. Along with Ji Juechen, Nan Qiuqiu and Jing Ziyan, the seven of them should be highly confident in killing their opponent.
149
150Through his Spiritual Detection, Huo Yuhao had already planned this trap perfectly. His original goal was to use his three great skills to restrain his opponent before Ji Juechen and Ye Guyi unleashed an all-out attack to deal her a lethal blow. The other four would support the two of them.
151
152However, no one would have expected Huo Yuhao to destroy this extremely strong Soul Douluo who possessed the Spirit of Retribution using his three great skills. She was even considered one of the top-ranked individuals in the Holy Ghost Church.
153
154While the Spirit of Retribution was highly reliant on emotions, which made her susceptible to Huo Yuhao’s three great skills, the effect of Huo Yuhao’s attacks still showed that his three great skills were extremely strong.
155
156They were terrifying skills that completely exceeded his current cultivation. When the weather changed, his teammates were all already stunned. All of them could clearly sense his love and yearning for Wang Dong’er.
157
158When he unleashed his Haodong Palm, he completely destroyed his opponent with his emotions. But his soul power had been completely drained at this instant. This was his first time unleashing this attack that encompassed the true meaning behind his emotions, and it was extremely astonishing!
159
160After fifteen minutes, the military sealed the region they had fought in. However, they weren’t able to find anything.
161
162A tall and huge general who was in charge of investigating this situation asked his subordinate, “What happened?”
163
164“I don’t know either…”
165
166“Bullshit, the entire city saw what happened earlier. What’s with that huge heart in the sky? Why did the weather suddenly change? How dare you tell me that you don’t know anything! Do you know how expensive those three surveillance soul tools were?”
167
168“However, nothing really happened. There were no civilian casualties. It’s just that an abnormal number of people started to cry within this region. They claimed that they did so because they were touched.”
169
170“Trash, go and investigate further.”
171
172“Yes!”
173
174In a hotel room.
175
176Huo Yuhao was quietly lying on his bed, still in his previous posture. Xu Sanshi stood up from his bedside.
177
178“Third senior, how is he?” Nan Qiuqiu asked Xu Sanshi.
179
180Xu Sanshi laughed bitterly. “Not bad. He must have unleashed more strength than he could control. Furthermore, imagine how emotionally affected he must be to be able to unleash such a strong undulation of emotions! I know – he showed mercy on me when we sparred in the sect. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to handle those first two strikes of his, given my current cultivation. Sometimes I wonder why he’s so freakish. The strength of his self-created fighting skills has already surpassed that of his soul skills.”
181
182He Caitou sighed and said, “Don’t be envious of him. Are you willing to exchange Nannan for three fighting skills?”
183
184Xu Sanshi glared at him and said, “Why don’t you use yourself as an example? Of course I’m not willing to. Nannan is special.”
185
186He Caitou chortled and said, “Alright, she’s not here. You don’t have to show how loyal you are. When can Yuhao recover?”
187
188Xu Sanshi said, “He’s in a strange state. His soul power has clearly been drained, but he’s recovering at an extremely rapid speed. It’s as if he has a Milk Bottle in his body that’s nourishing him. He should recover after resting for a few more hours. It’s just that I’m not sure how long his spirit will take to recover. The strength of his skills comes from the connection between his spiritual power and his emotions. I don’t think it’ll be easy for him to recover from his emotional state, given how invested in his emotions he was earlier. When he wakes up, I’ll need to warn him not to use these three skills so easily. Otherwise, he’ll go crazy.”
189
190They were all elite students from Shrek Academy. Although they couldn’t completely understand what was going on with Huo Yuhao’s body, they could roughly gauge what was going on from the state Huo Yuhao was in when he unleashed his three great skills and through their understanding of him.
191
192He Caitou turned serious. “Yes, we must stop him from using these three skills so often in the future. They’re strong, but there’s no follow-up, and they affect his emotions too much. I wonder if he’ll be able to use these three skills if Dong’er wakes up.”
193
194Xu Sanshi sighed and said, “These skills are better not used even though they are strong. I hope Dong’er can wake up sooner and return to his side. Little junior’s life is too bitter.”
195
196“Yes.” He Caitou nodded in agreement.
197
198Ye Guyi stood behind all of them and silently watched Huo Yuhao. After that, she turned around and was the first to leave.
199
200Nan Qiuiqu was stunned, and quickly followed her out.
201
202
203
204
205
206Chapter 377.2: Dispelling, Clues, Prison of Water
207
208
209“Sister Guyi, are you alright?” Nan Qiuqiu followed Ye Guyi back to their room and asked her concernedly.
210
211Ye Guyi shook her head gently and said, “I’m fine. I shouldn’t have been curious about that guy!”
212
213Nan Qiuqiu’s eyes opened wide, and she asked, “Have you really fallen for him?”
214
215Ye Guyi remained silent for a moment before saying, “Earlier, I hid my liking for him. He’s a complicated fellow. His abilities are far superior to others of the same age. However, I pity him for some reason. He has too many burdens. I don’t want to give him more trouble.”
216
217Nan Qiuqiu was in disbelief. “Sister Guyi, have you also fallen into his trap? The more you say, the more I feel that…”
218
219Ye Guyi smiled and said, “So what if I’ve fallen into his trap? I’m willing to fall for such a man! However, I rationally told myself that it’s impossible for anything to happen between us. I won’t continue to fall further. Do you know? When he unleashed his palm strike earlier, I fell in love with him. However, I also chose to give it up.”
220
221Nan Qiuqiu smacked her own forehead and said, “Forget it, I can’t understand it. However, you must take care of your own heart! Did you see what happened to Wang Qiu’er? She’s in torment because of her love for him. We don’t even know where she is now. In his heart, there’s only Wang Dong’er. You mustn’t do anything stupid.”
222
223Huo Yuhao took two days to fully recover. He woke up on the second morning, but he was still immersed in his emotions, and couldn’t detach himself from them. It took another day before he fully recovered.
224
225In these two days, the atmosphere in Sunrise City became very tense. There was also a person staying in the hotel that Huo Yuhao and the rest were at. This person was Feng Ling.
226
227After drawing the evil soul master away, Huo Yuhao told everyone about Feng Ling’s condition through his Spiritual Detection. After things were more peaceful outside, Jing Ziyan went to save him.
228
229The building that Feng Ling was abused in seemed to only contain the evil soul master that Huo Yuhao had killed. In addition, there weren’t any other survivors apart from Feng Ling.
230
231After Feng Ling was brought back, He Caitou and Xu Sanshi took turns to watch over him. He was still in a daze now, and wasn’t in a right state of mind.
232
233“What’s wrong? Are you okay now?” Xu Sanshi asked Huo Yuhao, who was sitting cross-legged on his bed.
234
235Huo Yuhao nodded, and there was an apologetic look on his face. “Third senior, I’m sorry.”
236
237Xu Sanshi laughed and said, “There’s no need to be apologetic. Although you shouldn’t have lost control since you were commanding all of us, it was a special situation. That evil soul master was of the rare spiritual type. I asked Ye Guyi too. She said she wasn’t confident of curbing her either. She was an eight-ringed Soul Douluo, and thus it was right for you to unleash all your strength against her. It’s just that you don’t understand yourself well enough. You must keep this in mind. The side effects of your attacks are too strong. From the look in your eyes, I can tell that you are not fully clear-headed yet.”
238
239“Alright.” Huo Yuhao nodded. Just like Xu Sanshi had said, his mind had yet to fully recover. Occasionally, Wang Dong’er’s figure would flash across his mind.
240
241“That evil soul master would’ve been extremely deadly if she had unleashed all her strength. She had her self-created fighting skill that caused my spiritual sea to be affected. After that, I lost control of my emotions when I unleashed my fighting skill because of that too. Otherwise, the strength of my three skills shouldn’t have been so great, and I would’ve been able to control my body after I finished attacking. At least I’ll be able to move. I’ll take note in the future.”
242
243Xu Sanshi sounded very earnest as he said, “Yuhao, it’s best to use your three skills less often. They are indeed very strong, but their influence on you is also very great. In my opinion, they are the products of your lovesickness. You can’t rely on them too much. Otherwise, your own abilities will fall significantly once Dong’er awakes, along with the fact that these three skills will disappear.”
244
245Huo Yuhao shuddered in his heart. He knew that Xu Sanshi was right. If Wang Dong’er was by his side right now, would he be able to use those three skills? Definitely not. They were built on his remembrance of Wang Dong’er, as well as his yearning for her. Not to even mention Wang Dong’er appearing beside him, he wouldn’t be able to use those three skills if he heard Wang Dong’er had awoken.
246
247After nodding his head, Huo Yuhao said, “Third senior, how’s Feng Ling?”
248
249After he mentioned Feng Ling, Xu Sanshi suddenly revealed a weird look on his face. “That…” He coughed.
250
251Huo Yuhao was confused and asked, “What’s wrong?”
252
253Xu Sanshi sighed and replied, “That evil soul master was simply too sick in the mind. Feng Ling is completely crippled. He suffered from a strong curse-type soul skill, and was even castrated. He was also fed some unknown medicine, and his chest has developed like a woman’s. He’s neither a guy nor a girl. I suspect that he was kept to disgust people.”
254
255After hearing what Xu Sanshi said, Huo Yuhao recalled what that evil soul master mentioned earlier, especially what she said before she died.
256
257While Huo Yuhao was immersed in his remembrance of Wang Dong’er then, he still remembered what that evil soul master said to him. His expression turned serious as he recalled what she said now.
258
259“That evil soul master was also a poor soul. She turned evil because of hatred. She disregarded everything because of her desire for revenge.”
260
261“She didn’t realize that she was making more people suffer like she did before by venting her pain on others. Let’s go and take a look at Feng Ling and see if there’s a way of saving him.”
262
263Huo Yuhao followed Xu Sanshi to a single room. He Caitou was standing at the door, and he also wore a weird expression on his face. It seemed like he was unwilling to enter the room.
264
265“Yuhao, are you fine now?” After seeing Huo Yuhao, He Caitou went over to pat his shoulder.
266
267“Second senior, I’m fine. How’s Feng Ling?”
268
269He Caitou replied, “He’s still in a daze.”
270
271Huo Yuhao entered the room. When he saw Feng Ling, he couldn’t help but sigh.
272
273His clothes were torn and damaged in several areas, revealing his flesh and the whip marks on his body. His hair extremely messy, and only his thick lips were striking.
274
275After seeing someone enter, he immediately squirmed to the side of his bed. His whole body was trembling.
276
277Huo Yuhao walked to his bedside and tried his best to tolerate his stench. “Feng Ling, do you still remember me? We met outside Radiant City before.”
278
279“You, you, you…” After seeing Huo Yuhao, Feng Ling appeared to be in a daze, and was stunned. He seemed to recall something, “Did you call my name that day?”
280
281“Yes, it’s me.” Huo Yuhao gently released his spiritual power as he spoke. He stimulated Feng Ling’s brain. This stimulation was similar to his Spiritual Shock, but it was only a fraction of the strength of his Spiritual Shock. This slight stimulation helped Feng Ling out of his confused state.
282
283Feng Ling’s eyes turned clearer. “Oh, oh, who are you? Who are you?”
284
285Huo Yuhao smiled and replied, “I’m Huo Yuhao. I’m here to save people like you who have been captured. Do you know where the rest are?”
286
287After hearing his question, Feng Ling’s body jerked, and there was a look of fury in his eyes along with the confusion.
288
289“I, I…”
290
291“No worries. Take your time to think and remember.” Huo Yuhao’s voice became gentler, but he released stronger spiritual power.
292
293Under Huo Yuhao’s stimulation, Feng Ling started to experience fury, fear, confusion and torment, as well as other emotions. He opened his mouth, revealing his set of yellow teeth, and released his stinky breath. Huo Yuhao had no choice but to form a layer of icy fog to isolate his breath.
294
295After a while, Feng Ling started bawling as he sprawled himself on his bed.
296
297“She, she harmed me. She harmed me and turned me into a woman. She turned me into a woman! I’m no longer a man. She abused me everyday. She hit me every day to vent. She even forced me to work as a madam at that dirty place. My life was worse than death!”
298
299Huo Yuhao stood up and didn’t make a sound. He only watched Feng Ling vent his emotions silently. He sighed in his heart as he empathized with Feng Ling. However, he was sure of one thing – Feng Ling didn’t mean it when he said his life was worse than death. He definitely had the ability to commit suicide. Compared to what he had suffered, he was more unwilling to die.
300
301It was only when Feng Ling’s crying slowed that Huo Yuhao tried to comfort him. “Alright, it’s all in the past. Everything will become better. That person who harmed you has already been killed by me. She won’t abuse you or harm you anymore. Try to clear your mind and think of where those who were captured with you are being kept.”
302
303Feng Ling rubbed the tears off his face. “They are, they are all being held captive in a water prison.”
304
305“A water prison?” Huo Yuhao asked doubtfully.
306
307Feng Ling nodded. At this point, he seemed much more normal. “This water prison is located underneath a moat to the south of the city. It was constructed following the flow of the moat. Everyone is immersed in water, and they are all very weak now.”
308
309An enlightened look flashed across Huo Yuhao’s eyes. No wonder he couldn’t detect it earlier. He hadn’t expected the hostages to be held captive in such a place!
310
311“How many hostages are there? Are their jailers all evil soul masters?” Huo Yuhao asked.
312
313Feng Ling asked, “I don’t know how many people are being held captive there. However, evil soul masters took a few of them away. I was one of them. The evil soul master who took me has already killed a few people. A few others committed suicide.” As he spoke until this point, he started to shudder uncontrollably again.
314
315
316
317
318
319Chapter 377.3: Dispelling, Clues, Prison of Water
320
321
322He Caitou and Xu Sanshi’s expressions changed. The hostages were in a worse situation than they had thought, which made their rescue mission much more difficult.
323
324Huo Yuhao asked Feng Ling a few more questions, but it was obvious that Feng Ling’s state of mind had declined once again, as his words became very unclear. The information that they obtained only consisted of what Feng Ling had revealed earlier.
325
326However, it was still very valuable to the Tang Sect. At least they knew where the hostages were behind held. Indeed, they were being watched by evil soul masters.
327
328In this way, they had a direct target for their upcoming mission.
329
330After exiting Feng Ling’s room, Huo Yuhao immediately gathered his teammates for a meeting. After this, he recounted what Feng Ling had said to him earlier.
331
332“We must start planning our rescue mission. Let me give my suggestion before all of you add on.” Huo Yuhao couldn’t be bothered with remaining hidden anymore, given the crisis they were experiencing in Sunrise City. A missing evil soul master was bound to alert the Holy Ghost Church. This was why they had to act as soon as possible. According to Huo Yuhao’s estimation, the fight near the border over these few days was becoming more intense. They had the biggest chance of success if they exploited this opportunity to rescue the hostages. This was because the Holy Ghost Church was likely to send some strong soul masters to supplement their forces at the border.
333
334“We have limited people and resources. That’s why we can’t do everything. From what Feng Ling has told us, the Holy Ghost Church has already started to lay their hands on the hostages. A portion of the hostages were even taken to a different place, and we all know what will happen to them. Even if there are survivors, I’m afraid their lives are like a living hell. We can only give up on this portion of the hostages.” Huo Yuhao looked very stern as he said this, and his tone also sounded very determined.
335
336Nan Qiuqiu stood up and glared at him furiously. Her eyes seemed to be on the verge of spewing fire.
337
338“Sit down!” Huo Yuhao shouted. His voice didn’t sound very loud, but it had an indescribable might to it. Along with the fact that he had killed a Soul Douluo on his own, Nan Qiuqiu turned pale when he shouted at her, and she sat down uncontrollably.
339
340“I know what you want to say. Qiuqiu, I know you don’t want anything to happen to your mother, but you have to know that our overall abilities can’t compare to the Holy Ghost Church. The Academy only sent us here because we aren’t obvious targets. That’s why we can only do what we are capable of. If we successfully rescue most of the hostages and your mother isn’t among them, I promise you that I’ll stay with you until we find her.
341
342“However, we need to save the majority first.”
343
344Nan Qiuqiu was stunned, and silently lowered her head. She knew that this was the best Huo Yuhao could do. With his immense spiritual power, it was also the most effective if he remained with her to search for her mother. Right now, she could only pray that her mother was with the majority of the hostages. While she was a proud lady, she wasn’t unreasonable.
345
346Seeing that he had convinced Nan Qiuqiu, Huo Yuhao turned to the rest and continued, saying, “I’ll immediately survey the region Feng Ling mentioned, and I’ll try to sneak in. While I get some first-hand information, all of you must be prepared to take action. Second senior, you can start our arrangements over here. Whatever you need me to set up, you can separate and pass to me. I’m confident of leaving and entering the city without being detected.”
347
348He Caitou nodded.
349
350“Third senior, you are adept at controlling water. You should follow me to the water prison and reinforce me.
351
352“Alright.” Xu Sanshi nodded as well.
353
354Although they were older than Huo Yuhao, they treated him as their leader right now. This was extremely wise, considering that they were in a dangerous place right now, and it was pertinent for them to have a common voice.
355
356“Sister Ziyan, starting from now, install the items that I passed to you earlier at the north region of the city when it’s dark. These high altitude surveillance soul tools are the least effective at night. However, you must still remain careful. If you are discovered, you must immediately escape. If possible, try to install as many as possible. They will provide us with opportunities during our mission.”
357
358“Alright, count on me.” Jing Ziyan gave Huo Yuhao a thumbs-up to signal that she understood. She was given this role because of the abilities of her Fog. She could turn into fog and escape anytime she wanted. Compared to the rest, she could make the safest escape.
359
360Huo Yuhao then turned to Ji Juechen. “Brother Ji, you are in charge of reinforcing Sister Ziyan. You must guarantee her safety.”
361
362He nodded coolly.
363
364Huo Yuhao’s gaze finally landed on Nan Qiuqiu and Ye Guyi, “The two of you will remain in the hotel and guard Feng Ling. Also, please protect second senior as he sets everything up.”
365
366Ye Guyi was a little displeased. “Do you need both of us to remain here to guard one person? Going to the water prison will be very dangerous. I can tag along as extra reinforcement.”
367
368Huo Yuhao didn’t completely trust Ye Guyi and Nan Qiuqiu yet. They had both just joined the Tang Sect and there were still many things that they were not completely sturdy in. In the face of a crisis, it was very difficult to tell what kinds of abilities they would unleash.
369
370However, Ye Guyi’s Holy Angel was still very important. It was an effective weapon against evil soul masters.
371
372After pondering for a moment, Huo Yuhao nodded and said, “Alright. Qiuqiu will remain here, while Guyi will follow me and third senior. Let’s go.”
373
374Time was not on their side. For now, the Sun Moon Empire was more focused on their borders. While the water prison was under the protection of the Holy Ghost Church, the security of this prison wouldn’t be as tight as compared to before. Furthermore, Huo Yuhao and the rest didn’t have to risk their lives to fight their enemies.
375
376According to Feng Ling’s description, the water prison was beneath the city’s moat at the south wall. However, Huo Yuhao didn’t leave the city to survey it. Without a doubt, the strength of the surveillance soul tools above this moat were bound to be the strongest. If he used his spiritual power to seal his soul power, he couldn’t use his Imitation. However, he couldn’t openly try to enter the prison either.
377
378As a result, Huo Yuhao, Xu Sanshi and Ye Guyi didn’t leave the city. Instead, they proceeded to the south wall from inside the city.
379
380Sunrise City wasn’t very big, but the three of them still needed to make a slight detour before they got close to the south wall.
381
382In the hotel, Nan Qiuqiu was bored as she guarded Feng Ling. After he ate, he fell asleep. As she sat in a chair, there was a worried look in her eyes.
383
384She kept on praying for her mother, and hoped that she was fine. She also knew that Huo Yuhao didn’t bring her along because of her unstable state of mind. It was evidently an accurate decision to leave her behind. However, she was extremely anxious.
385
386In the room, Feng Ling unwittingly let out a few groans as he flipped his body around while sleeping. Suddenly, his body jerked, and a trace of dark-red light flashed above his nose.
387
388Nan Qiuqiu naturally didn’t see this, as she was outside the room. After the dark-red light flashed, he soon became normal again. His body turned rigid for a moment before he relaxed and continued sleeping.
389
390In another room, which was also the largest room that they had booked in this hotel, He Caitou was busy setting everything up.
391
392Every corner of the roof was stuck with starfish-shaped soul tools. There was a red spot of light at the center of each starfish-shaped soul tool, and they were slowly flashing.
393
394They were called surveillance-interference soul tools, newly invented by Xuan Ziwen. They were targeted towards all types of surveillance soul tools, and were able to shield against the effects of most surveillance soul tools apart from thermal detectors. They were especially useful against soul power detectors, and the only problem was that each of them only covered a limited area. This was why many of them had to be used at the same time. Right now, any soul power undulations that came from this room couldn’t be detected by the surveillance soul tools outside no matter how many of them there were.
395
396As for thermal detectors, they were extremely rare and huge. They couldn’t be used on the streets for a patrol. Even if they could be carried around on the streets, what good would they do even if they detected people in the hotel?
397
398The Tang Sect was extremely prepared this time before they set off. To ensure their safety, Bei Bei and Xuan Ziwen had used up every resource that the Tang Sect had. Xuan Ziwen even wanted to hand everything to them.
399
400He Caitou was installing an extremely huge soul tool right now. It had a hexagonal base, and the top of it was carved with many complicated patterns. There were circular, protruding parts on the sides of the hexagonal base. Each side had four circular protruding parts. On a closer look, every circular part was actually a formation array. This meant that there were twenty-four formation arrays on this hexagonal base.
401
402Above the hexagonal base was an oval-shaped metal ball that resembled an egg. This metal ball was able to turn freely on the hexagonal base. The major axis of this ball was around two meters long, while its minor axis was around a meter and twenty centimeters long. There were complicated patterns carved on the entire ball, and whole thing actually looked like a huge, completed formation array.
403
404After He Caitou cautiously installed it, his forehead was already dripping with perspiration. After this, he installed a total of twenty-four Class 6 Sealed Milk Bottles into the base.
405
406He Caitou seemed slightly intoxicated as he caressed the flowery patterns on this huge ball. He muttered to himself, “A complete Class 8 soul tool! And it’s even close to a Class 9 soul tool. Furthermore, it’s used for auxiliary purposes. No matter what, I must bring this treasure back. Otherwise, Teacher Xuan will kill me. When little junior is back, we can adjust its position. We are at the north of the city, which is a very suitable location for this soul tool to be used. Hehe. Let me add a few other accessories, and let it ‘bloom’ when they come.”
407
408
409
410
411
412Chapter 378: The Heavens Have Eyes, the Sword Fanatic Gains Enlightenment
413
414
415As he spoke, He Caitou started to get busy again. He installed soul tool after soul tool in every corner of the room.
416
417What he didn’t know was that his reputation as the Origin of Destruction would start to become notable after this mission, and he would also become one of most well-known fighting soul engineers on the continent.
418
419—
420
421Jing Ziyan was also busy. At this point, she was in her own room, adjusting her storage-type soul tool. At times, she would retrieve items that looked like stones.
422
423These stones weren’t very eye-catching, and they were only slightly bigger than an adult man’s fist. However, Jing Ziyan was very careful, because she had once witnessed how destructive these stones were.
424
425Ji Juechen was sitting on a chair not far away, and silently watched her as she busied herself. He suddenly said, “Can you stop smiling?”
426
427Jing Ziyan was shocked, and a ‘stone’ in her hand suddenly slipped. Jing Ziyan hurriedly reached out and grabbed it again. After that, she patted her chest and said, “Hey, can you not scare me when I’m dealing with these things? If they explode, we’ll be critically hurt, if we don’t die!”
428
429“I just couldn’t take it anymore. Furthermore, I remembered Huo Yuhao said before that they have to be detonated. Even if they drop on the ground, they won’t explode,” Ji Juechen said.
430
431Jing Ziyan snorted. “What can’t you take anymore? Even if it won’t explode, we need to be careful. It’s better to be safe. It’s not like you’ve ever seen the strength of these things.”
432
433Ji Juechen said, “I couldn’t take your expression anymore. Do you know how sinister you looked earlier? You looked just like a little fox.”
434
435Jing Ziyan snapped, “You’re more like a little fox. Have you ever seen a little fox carrying a bunch of bombs? Eh, why are you so talkative today? It’s not like you.”
436
437As she spoke, she picked up a few of the bombs before she turned around and looked suspiciously at Ji Juechen.
438
439Ji Juechen’s cold expression suddenly changed, and Jing Ziyan was shocked. Is he embarrassed? Or is he being shy?
440
441“Heavens! What’s wrong with you, Juechen? Are you sick?” Jing Ziyan walked towards him as she spoke.
442
443“Stop!” Ji Juechen suddenly shouted.
444
445Jing Ziyan immediately stopped and gave him a doubtful look.
446
447“I’m fine, I’m not sick.” Ji Juechen smacked his own forehead, as if he were trying to calm himself down.
448
449“Then what’s wrong with you?” Jing Ziyan stared at him doubtfully.
450
451Ji Juechen lowered his head and seemed to be thinking of something. Fortunately, this didn’t last very long. He suddenly lifted his head again and said to Jing Ziyan, “Ziyan, how long have we known each other?”
452
453“Oh, several years already. We got to know each other when no one was willing to interact with you when you first entered the Academy. Back then, you were only admitted to the Academy to make up the numbers. After that, you found a suitable path, and I watched you progress to where you are now. Why?”
454
455Ji Juechen’s gaze suddenly became determined. “Let’s get together.”
456
457Jing Ziyan was confused as she said, “Haven’t we always been together?” However, she was stunned when she looked at Ji Juechen’s eyes clearly. Three of the stones in her hand fell out and crashed to the ground.
458
459It did prove that the stones wouldn’t explode. However, Jing Ziyan’s expression was extremely terrified at this moment. She was frozen in disbelief, and couldn’t imagine what was happening to her right now. Her expression perfectly displayed how she was feeling.
460
461“You, what are you… speak clearly, what do you mean?” Jing Ziyan’s voice was trembling uncontrollably, as if the most terrifying thing in this world had happened to her.
462
463Ji Juechen lowered his head again, and didn’t dare to look her in the eyes. He muttered, “I said that we should get together. You are right. We’ve known each other for years, and you’ve always been by my side – helping me, encouraging me and taking care of me. Although I never once commented on any of it, I know it in my heart.
464
465“After Huo Yuhao unleashed his three skills that day, I realized that I’ve been detached from this world for too long. There shouldn’t just be swords in my world, because swords can’t help me reach the peak that I’ve always wanted to reach. I should be like a normal person. I should have relationships. I only know one lady, and that is you. In addition, I feel like I can only think of you. Let’s get together, shall we?”
466
467As he raised his head again, Jing Ziyan saw a trace of anticipation and nervousness in his eyes.
468
469“I’m not pretty.” Jing Ziyan seemed to grit her teeth as she said these few words. Her eyes were already on the verge of tearing up at this moment.
470
471“You are the only lady in my eyes. You are just like my sword. Also, do you think I’m very concerned about your beauty?”
472
473Jing Ziyan shifted her head to one side and tried to stop her tears from flowing.
474
475“I’m not gentle, either. I’m competitive, and I like to fight! I might beat you up at any time!”
476
477“Those are precisely the reasons why we should get together.” Ji Juechen seemed to become a little tense. “Are…are you willing?” He started to seem a little depressed right now.
478
479This was probably the most he had spoken in the past ten years, and it was also the day where his mood had experienced the greatest changes. At this moment, he suddenly realized that his sword intent had met some kind of problem. It was as if it had been punctured by some ridiculous thing.
480
481Jing Ziyan raised her head, and her tears flowed down her cheeks. “Heaven! You’ve finally opened your eyes.”
482
483When she looked at Ji Juechen again, her gaze had already turned sharp. She took one step forward and came over in front of him. After this, she sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. They looked into each others’ eyes at this close distance.
484
485“From this moment onwards, you are my man. You can’t turn back, and there’s no time limit. Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this day? From today onwards, Yuhao is my benefactor. Scoundrel!”
486
487Her tears flowed again, but she kissed his lips as if she had gone crazy, and held tightly onto his head. Her tears also flowed onto his face in an instant.
488
489Ji Juechen was stupefied, completely stupefied. He only felt a force that he had never experienced or imagined before coming from Jing Ziyan’s body. This force had nothing to do with her soul power or fighting, but it struck his heart with an unprecedented momentum. His sword intent melted at this point. Jing Ziyan’s slightly salty yet soft lips, and the inexperienced kiss that she planted on his lips, lit a fire in his heart.
490
491Gradually, Ji Juechen recovered from his shock. His hands wrapped around Jing Ziyan’s waist as he hugged her tightly. He started to be the active one. While he was as inexperienced as Jing Ziyan, he was more aggressive and offensive as he sensed that force.
492
493His love was like his sword – they both needed a flash of realization. Just like Jing Ziyan had said, he had finally gotten it right. The feelings that he had been keeping in his heart for so long had finally erupted, and they couldn’t be stopped.
494
495In this perilous city, they had finally taken that defining step, and removed the thin barrier between them.
496
497—
498
499Huo Yuhao, Xu Sanshi and Ye Guyi arrived at the south end of the city. They were less than fifty meters from the south wall.
500
501It was noon, and the three of them found a small, ordinary restaurant to dine at. This restaurant also fit their status according to their dress.
502
503After ordering a few small dishes, they started to eat their lunch.
504
505Huo Yuhao was sitting in a corner of the restaurant, Xu Sanshi sat next to him, while Ye Guyi sat opposite him. It was very difficult for anyone to notice him.
506
507He unleashed his Spiritual Detection, and directed it underground. It drilled through the ground like a sharp awl.
508
509Penetrating the city wall to survey the area beyond it would take a toll on his spiritual power, while going over the city wall would change the direction of his spiritual power, which would make it difficult to control. Thus, Huo Yuhao chose to go underground.
510
511The south wall was indeed more tightly guarded than other places in the city. As Huo Yuhao scanned upward, he discovered that there were more thermal and soul power detectors here than at the northern city gate.
512
513Furthermore, there were also a few hidden offensive soul tools above this wall. The outer perimeter was tightly guarded.
514
515Huo Yuhao kept on moving his spiritual power diagonally downward. The foundation of the city wall only reached a depth of ten meters. After ten meters, Huo Yuhao’s spiritual power managed to extend beneath it.
516
517As he ranged further underground, he exhausted his spiritual power greatly. It was only because of his immense spiritual cultivation that he was able to unleash such strong spiritual power and control.
518
519After reaching close to thirty meters underground, Huo Yuhao felt less resistance to his spiritual power as it entered water.
520
521City moat. This has to be the city moat.
522
523Huo Yuhao was delighted, and continue to move his Spiritual Detection down. At the same time, he also moved it further to either side.
524
525The water was a little polluted, but the senses from his spiritual power were detached from his body. They weren’t like his vision.
526
527Very soon, Huo Yuhao’s spiritual power had swept more than fifty meters of polluted water, but he didn’t discover anything. There was only silt at the bottom of the moat. With his spiritual power, he could only go ten meters below the layer of silt before he started to feel dizzy.
528
529Huo Yuhao lifted his head and shut his eyes slightly. He took a deep breath to soothe his spiritual power.
530
531“How is it?” Xu Sanshi asked softly.
532
533Huo Yuhao shook his head and said, “I can’t. There’s too big of an area to survey. The length of the south wall is quite extensive. I can only search slowly. Third senior, cover me. I’ll try to use my Eye of Destiny. Perhaps I’ll be able to sense more that way.”
534
535“Alright.”
536
537Huo Yuhao gulped down a glass of clear water in front of him before he placed his elbows on the table. His palms were naturally supporting his forehead, but covered the center of it.
538
539His Eye of Destiny opened. When it opened, Xu Sanshi and Ye Guyi had a feeling that Huo Yuhao was illusory. A strange aura came from his head, but this feeling only lasted for an instant. However, they could still clearly see that Huo Yuhao had become different… even scarier.
540
541Huo Yuhao unleashed his spiritual power again, the penetrative abilities of his spiritual power a few times stronger now. In a matter of seconds, he entered the moat once again.
542
543Under his control, his spiritual power swept its surroundings and covered a greater area.
544
545He couldn’t do this all day. After all, it wasn’t possible to construct anything under this layer of silt. Furthermore, Feng Ling’s words weren’t very clear, and he wasn’t able to determine the actual location of the water prison. From what Feng Ling had mentioned, he only recalled three useful phrases – south wall, city moat, and water prison.
546
547As he scanned his surroundings, he soon reached two hundred meters in distance. As the area that he covered grew, he was able to detect more things with the help of his Eye of Destiny.
548
549He slowly sensed traces of a gloomy, despondent aura. This feeling came mostly from the eastern end of the south wall. He quickly shifted the direction of his Spiritual Detection. Indeed, this despondent feeling became stronger and stronger the more he moved east.
550
551The draw on his spiritual power kept on increasing, and Huo Yuhao called to the Skydream Iceworm, “Brother Skydream, give me a hand.”
552
553Skydream’s lazy voice sounded in his spiritual sea. “Okay.”
554
555The ring on Huo Yuhao’s finger that the Skydream Iceworm had changed into lost its glow. In Huo Yuhao’s spiritual sea, the Skydream Iceworm surfaced, and slowly released the strength of his pure spiritual origin into Huo Yuhao’s spiritual sea. Suddenly, Huo Yuhao’s spiritual power became much stronger.
556
557His spiritual power continued to move east, and he finally found something suspicious.
558
559It was at a position around three hundred meters to his east, and around three meters below the river bank close to this side of the south wall. There was an iron fence which was constructed out of thick, fine iron. The despondent and gloomy aura came from there, which meant it either had to be the entrance and exit of the water prison, or an opening for the flow of water into or out of the water prison.
560
561Huo Yuhao heaved a sigh of relief after making this discovery. There were finally clues.
562
563He quickly retracted his Spiritual Detection and shut his Eye of Destiny.
564
565Just this short while had caused his spiritual power to be greatly drained. If not for the fact that it was already in the concrete-immaterial realm, he wouldn’t have been able to take it.
566
567“Let’s go. Let’s take a walk.” Huo Yuhao secretly signaled to Xu Sanshi and Ye Guyi before they quickly settled the bill and left the restaurant. After that, they proceeded towards the south wall.
568
569
570
571
572
573Chapter 379.1: Ma Xiaotao
574
575
576Huo Yuhao’s spiritual power could only reach thirty meters away from the city wall. There were already people shouting, cursing, and chasing people away from the top of the city wall, while patrols began to pay attention to Huo Yuhao and the others.
577
578The three of them hurriedly switched directions, and put on a submissive demeanor as they followed the southern city wall towards the east.
579
580Huo Yuhao relayed what he had just observed to Xu Sanshi and Ye Guyi as they walked.
581
582“What do you plan to do?” Xu Sanshi asked.
583
584Huo Yuhao answered, “We have to go inside and take a look. We will use the same method as we did back at Radiant City. Afterwards, you guys will book a room in a nearby inn, while Guyi will go back and relay our plans to the others. Third senior brother, you will protect me. Tonight, I will release my spiritual avatar so that I can take a look inside.”
585
586Xu Sanshi frowned and said, “Isn’t that too dangerous? There are evil soul masters inside, and every evil soul master is adept at controlling souls and spirits. Furthermore, there are so many surveillance soul tools. Will those things affect you?”
587
588Huo Yuhao shook his head and said, “Surveillance soul tools can’t deal with spiritual power, so it’s safest if I send my spiritual avatar inside. I will be as careful as I can, and I will immediately pull out and run away if something is amiss.”
589
590Investigating and scouting with Huo Yuhao’s spiritual avatar was drastically different from using Spiritual Detection. Spiritual Detection could be withdrawn in an instant, and Huo Yuhao would have nothing to fear even if he was discovered. After all, his enemies could only lock onto his location if they were very close, or if they possessed formidable spiritual power, like that evil soul master he had dispatched the other day. Huo Yuhao could just open his Eye of Destiny to shake off his enemies even if they had locked onto his location.
591
592However, he could reach a lot further with his spiritual avatar, and he would have a lot more flexibility. However, his spiritual avatar was formed from his spiritual power and part of his spirit, and that entity wasn’t something that he could withdraw at a whim. Huo Yuhao would definitely be heavily injured if his enemies were able to restrain or destroy his spiritual avatar. This endeavor was a lot more perilous.
593
594Of course, his spiritual avatar would give him the best investigation and reconnaissance results. The Tang Sect didn’t have a better alternative solution for now.
595
596Xu Sanshi deliberated for a moment before he patted Huo Yuhao on his shoulder and said, “Be careful, then. Let’s go and find a place to stay. Guyi, come back after you return to inform others, and you will join me to protect Yuhao. It’ll be a lot safer if we have one more person protecting him.”
597
598“Alright.” Ye Guyi agreed straightforwardly and happily.
599
600—
601
602Sunrise City wasn’t a large, vibrant, and bustling city, so searching for a small inn wasn’t too difficult. They quickly found an inn that was more decrepit than the one that they had stayed in on city’s northern side and booked three rooms.
603
604Huo Yuhao immediately began to meditate in the center room after everyone settled down. He tried to recover the spiritual power that he had expended before, while Xu Sanshi watched the landscape and their surroundings, and Guyi returned to the city’s northern side. The three of them worked together as they made their preparations nervously.
605
606Time always passed rapidly during meditation, and the sky was now darkening. Huo Yuhao didn’t have anything to eat, but he was back to his full strength and energy. He informed Xu Sanshi before he immediately released his spiritual avatar.
607
608Huo Yuhao released his spiritual avatar a lot more smoothly than back then. Furthermore, Huo Yuhao released a lot more spiritual power and more of his spirit, so that he could accomplish as much as he could on this reconnaissance mission.
609
610Xu Sanshi was full of awe and admiration as he watched a faint golden projection that looked identical to Huo Yuhao appear in front of him.
611
612“Third senior brother.” Huo Yuhao’s original body was just sitting there while his spiritual avatar greeted Xu Sanshi.
613
614Xu Sanshi sounded a little helpless as he said, “Go, quickly. I’m afraid that your spirit will split.”
615
616Huo Yuhao chortled and said, “You don’t understand us spiritual-type soul masters’ control over spiritual power. I’ll be fine. Just wait and see what I can do. Here I go.” Huo Yuhao’s spiritual avatar drifted into the air as he spoke, and he sipped out the window quickly. The pale golden hues disappeared from the air at the same time.
617
618Huo Yuhao could attach even more abilities to his spiritual avatar after his spiritual power and his ability to control it were enhanced. Of course, he could only attach abilities that belonged to his Spirit Eyes.
619
620Huo Yuhao activated Imitation, and his spiritual avatar vanished into the night sky as he left the inn. He was in spiritual form, but his spiritual avatar was a product of his concrete-immaterial spiritual power, similar to his original body. Huo Yuhao could only fly at a certain height above the ground. Otherwise, he would be affected by the winds in the sky, and he would expend a lot more spiritual power. He could even run the risk of shaking and damaging his spirit.
621
622Huo Yuhao’s spiritual avatar was completely concealed at this moment. Just as Huo Yuhao had said, the surveillance soul tools on top of the city wall were useless against him.
623
624Huo Yuhao’s spiritual avatar quickly scaled the city wall, and he arrived by the city’s moat.
625
626—
627
628Inside the city, Huo Yuhao was still sitting inside the inn with his legs crossed. He gestured to Xu Sanshi to signal that everything was alright before he entered meditation right away and focused all his strength and energy on controlling his spiritual avatar as he disappeared into the river water.
629
630Huo Yuhao’s spiritual avatar trembled conspicuously as he entered the turbid river water. Huo Yuhao had to consume a lot more spiritual power when his spiritual avatar was inside the water, but he had already found the right place before this, so his expedition was still relatively smooth for now.
631
632Huo Yuhao went right through the iron fencing beneath the water and swam forward swiftly. His spiritual avatar activated Spiritual Detection at the same time and searched around in front of him.
633
634The river water behind the iron fence was still as turbid as before. Huo Yuhao controlled his spiritual avatar and swam forward for several dozen meters, and felt he had swum back into the city from under its walls. Abruptly, everything in front of him changed, and he could hear some sounds.
635
636Huo Yuhao’s spiritual avatar emerged from the water’s surface and immediately witnessed a shocking sight.
637
638Feng Lin was right – this place was a water prison. The entire place was constructed from tough granite, while row after row of steel cages were neatly arranged. The water prison covered an incredibly large surface area.
639
640There were between eight to ten people imprisoned inside each cage, and each cage was filled with water that was at least one meter deep, so the turbid water soaked everyone. Almost every single prisoner trapped inside had ghastly pale faces, and their auras were extremely weak. The prisoners inside this water prison almost couldn’t rest, and they could only lean to one side.
641
642Huo Yuhao vaguely identified these prisoners as the team members and leaders that belonged to the various academies and sects who had gone to Radiant City to participate in the Continental Elite Youth Soul Master Tournament.
643
644Huo Yuhao and the Tang Sect had even crossed paths with some of these people during the tournament. However, their auras were all very weak at this moment, and not a single soul power undulation appeared on their bodies.
645
646Huo Yuhao withdrew his Spiritual Detection after a brief scan of the area. He was sure that evil soul masters stood guard in this place, and he had no idea if there were more spiritual-type evil soul masters present. Furthermore, his spiritual power was too strong, so even normal evil soul masters could easily detect him if they were a little more sensitive.
647
648Huo Yuhao began to inspect and survey those cages and recognized more and more familiar faces inside them. Huo Yuhao didn’t know most of their names, but he had impressions of them to varying extents. He heaved a faint sigh inside. These people are all elites and prodigies of their generation! They could represent their respective academies and sects for that tournament. Which of them isn’t one of the most outstanding individuals of the younger generation?
649
650The Sun Moon Empire risked universal condemnation by imprisoning them. They had thoroughly and completely antagonized the Douluo Continent’s three native empires while using these hostages to suppress and restrain the academies and sects that belonged to the Douluo Continent’s three native empires so that they wouldn’t join a war or conflict between the empires so easily. The Sun Moon Empire was treacherous and scheming at the same time.
651
652There were two main rows of water prisons. There was a stone platform about one meter above the water’s surface in the middle of these two rows. This stone platform stretched straight forward, and several guards in black cloaks paced and patrolled back and forth.
653
654Huo Yuhao didn’t have to deliberately survey those patrols to feel the evil and chilly auras that emanated from these evil soul masters.
655
656This water prison was located within the city’s walls, and this meant that Feng Lin’s information wasn’t entirely accurate. The water prison borrowed the city’s moat, but it was located within the city walls, not outside. Furthermore, Huo Yuhao could tell from how the water was directed and diverted that there was undoubtedly an entrance within the city that led into this water prison.
657
658Huo Yuhao had an exceptionally strong sense of direction. It only took him a moment of thought to roughly determine this entrance’s position. What rendered him a little speechless was that this entrance was actually located inside a bunker beside the southern city wall.
659
660Bunkers were specifically designed to accommodate soldiers so that they could rest temporarily when they were defending the city. This bunker was located next to the city gate, and soldiers inside it could swiftly reinforce the city gate if they went down, while they could rapidly ascend to the top of the city wall if they went up. What a great arrangement, indeed; bunkers were always guarded by soldiers at any point in time. Adding on the countless surveillance soul tools that were located near the city gate, and infiltrating this bunker without being discovered was almost impossible.
661
662Huo Yuhao was about to make his judgment when he suddenly saw several evil soul masters walk over to his position. The evil soul masters who had been patrolling before this separated respectfully to both sides of the stone platform. Every single one of these patrols bent down and looked very respectful and reverent.
663
664The evil soul masters who were strolling over didn’t have cloaks covering their bodies, and Huo Yuhao was actually familiar with them.
665
666Those walking in front of everyone else were the Third Elder and the Fourth Elder. Huo Yuhao had seen them before at the Radiant City Elite Soul Engineering Tournament. The Third Elder had considered taking him in as his disciple then.
667
668Huo Yuhao was even more familiar with those who followed behind these two elders – they were the three evil brothers; Zhong Litian, Zhong Lidi, and Zhong Liren. All three of them were eight-ringed evil Soul Douluo, and they were adept at manipulating all kinds of beast souls to fight for them. Huo Yuhao had rescued two infant Darkgolden Terrorclaw bears from their evil clutches back then, and the Tang Sect had been taking good care of them. The bears were growing very quickly, and Bei Bei had even requested specialists from Shrek Academy’s Beast Dueling Division to procure a diet so that the Tang Sect could feed them better. The bears were still young, but their strength was increasing at an alarming rate. Right now, they were strong enough to stand guard at the Tang Sect’s main gate. The bears had been most intimate with Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong’er before this, but Huo Yuhao didn’t have much time for them now because there were just so many things he had to do.
669
670Huo Yuhao had already decided that he would bring those bears with him when he ventured into the Setting Sun Forest to help his eldest senior brother search for medicinal herbs to treat Teacher Xiao Ya!
671
672
673
674
675
676Chapter 379.2: Ma Xiaotao
677
678
679There were only a few immortal herbs that Huo Yuhao could retrieve from the Icefire Yin Yang Well, but there were still quite a lot of supplementary and nutritious items. The Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bears would have no problem eating a little more because of their physiques, and these herbs could catalyze their growth. The bears would eventually become the Tang Sect’s Divine Beast Guardians.
680
681Huo Yuhao hadn’t expected to meet these five evil soul masters when he had just arrived, and his real body drew a cold breath when he saw them.
682
683Two of them were Titled Douluo, while the other three were Soul Douluo. The five of them had the strength to fight against five Titled Douluo at the same time. Furthermore, there were at least several dozen evil soul masters stationed in this place, and he had no clue how many other exceptionally powerful evil soul masters were here… and there were two soul engineer legions outside. Sunrise City also wasn’t that far away from Radiant City, so Radiant City could muster reinforcements in no time. The Sun Moon Empire’s arrangements were incredibly meticulous and tight!
684
685Battle had to have broken out at the borders, but the Sun Moon Empire could still afford such an arrangement. This level of defensive strength wasn’t something that the Tang Sect could fight.
686
687Huo Yuhao continued to contemplate as he controlled his spiritual avatar and flew over to one of the cages. He hid discreetly in one corner and completely suppressed his spiritual undulations. He didn’t dare to release even a single bit of spiritual power.
688
689The Third and Fourth Elders scanned the prisoners inside the water prisons as they strolled. The hostages could naturally see them too and glared at them with vengeful eyes as they walked by. However, these hostages were just too weak, and they didn’t even have the strength to curse and swear.
690
691The Third Elder said as he walked, “Are we good on our restraints? Are we using enough drugs?”
692
693“We are using enough. We infuse Soul Eradicating Powder into the water every day. With this powder dissolving in the water, not even Titled Douluo can think about concentrating and mustering their soul power. Furthermore, these fellows haven’t eaten anything in a long time, and they must be weak and limp even with their physiques as soul masters. Several prisoners have fainted, but we gave them sufficient nutrition in time,” Zhong Litian answered.
694
695The Third Elder paused and turned back as he glanced at Zhong Litian. “Ah Tian, you still have to give them food. These people can’t possibly cause any disturbances or trouble with our Soul Eradicating Powder, but we can’t let them starve to death, because they are still very valuable to our leader in the future. I know you and your brothers have a great need for these powerful spirits but now is not the time. Do you understand?”
696
697“Yes, Third Elder.” Zhong Litian nodded. One could tell from his expression that he didn’t quite approve of the Third Elder’s words, but he was very respectful towards the man nonetheless. Zhong Litian immediately continued, “I will make the necessary arrangements now, and we will give them some food. Second brother, third brother – let’s go together.” He nodded in the Third Elder and Fourth Elder’s direction before turning and leaving.
698
699A cold look flashed by the Fourth Elder’s eyes as he watched them leave. He lowered his voice and said, “These brothers are pushing it more and more, just because they are the Leader’s slaves. Do they have to go personally to get some food for those prisoners? They are clearly trying to show defiance.”
700
701The Third Elder glanced at the Fourth Elder, and a disdainful and indifferent look flowed from his eyes. “Don’t spout nonsense, fourth brother. The three of them are under the Leader’s personal command, and we are also loyal to the Leader. We have to place our Church’s interests as our top priority.” These were his words, but a cold look flickered in his eyes at the same time; he was very displeased with how the three brothers were handling things.
702
703They followed the stone platform and went up and down once through the water prison before walking out.
704
705Huo Yuhao had been quietly observing them this entire time. He was delighted! These two Titled Douluo have some beef with the three brothers, and furthermore, the three brothers should be the ones in control of this water prison. This is important intel. I will have a better chance of rescuing the prisoners if I make good use of this information. Also, what’s that Soul Eradicating Powder? The water inside this water prison is connected to moat outside. Are they not afraid of this powder losing its effects?
706
707Huo Yuhao drifted discreetly towards the entrance he had come in from. He didn’t waste this trip and had discovered and scouted out many things. He needed to go back so that he could digest everything further before he could determine how to rescue these prisoners.
708
709Huo Yuhao was about to submerge himself into the water and was going to bring back some water samples when something happened at the stone platform’s other end. The Third Elder and the Fourth Elder were just walking out when they uttered reverently, “Greetings, Holy Lady!”
710
711Holy Lady? The Holy Ghost Church’s Holy Lady is here? Huo Yuhao vaguely recalled that Tang Ya had been addressed in a similar fashion. His operation would be a lot harder if Teacher Xiao Ya was here. How could he save Tang Ya with his current strength?
712
713Huo Yuhao paused in his tracks and looked over to the stone platform’s other end. The Third Elder and the Fourth Elder were standing on either side of the platform, while the three evil brothers and a girl who was clad in a long dark red dress began to walk towards him.
714
715Huo Yuhao’s eyes went slack when he saw this girl, and he could no longer shift his eyes away. Huo Yuhao lost control of his spiritual undulations, and they became a little disorganized.
716
717“Who goes there?” the Third Elder suddenly snarled. Even though controlling spirits wasn’t his forte, he was the strongest amongst the evil soul masters in this place. The Third Elder immediately detected Huo Yuhao as soon as his spiritual power showed a little disorder.
718
719However, this exclamation jolted Huo Yuhao out of his shock and lifelessness. He didn’t dare to stay even a single moment longer, and his spiritual avatar dove into the water in a flash as he started swimming outwards as fast as he could.
720
721The girl decked in the flowing dark red dress grunted coldly as she raised her right hand and pressed forward through the air. A thick and intense dark red light instantly drilled through where Huo Yuhao had dove into the water, and the beam’s scorching heat immediately dyed the turbid moat’s water a dark red color as large amounts of steam surged into the air.
722
723Huo Yuhao was still escaping through the water as quickly as he could, and he immediately felt a wave of searing heat attacking him from behind in the next moment.
724
725Huo Yuhao wouldn’t be afraid if his original body had been here. He would have his Ultimate Ice to protect him, and any fire-type abilities would have trouble causing him any damage at all. However, at this very moment, he only had his spiritual avatar. His avatar couldn’t possibly have his Ultimate Ice-type soul power.
726
727Huo Yuhao’s spiritual avatar weakened rapidly as that searing heat assaulted him, and even his spiritual origin was shaken. Huo Yuhao could clearly feel that this heatwave his enemy had launched against him, which was full of heat and darkness, also possessed an ability to track and lock onto spiritual undulations. He had absolutely no chance of escaping before this heatwave could eradicate his spiritual avatar.
728
729“Sister!” Huo Yuhao called out desperately, and his spiritual avatar unleashed Spiritual Shock at the same time.
730
731The heatwave that was running him down brutally suddenly paused and Huo Yuhao immediately took advantage of this instant as he picked up the pace and rushed through the iron fence outside. He emerged from the city’s moat and soared into the sky as he followed his original path and escaped through the air.
732
733—
734
735Inside the water prison…
736
737The Holy Lady personally took action, so the Third Elder, the Fourth Elder, and the three brothers had looked on from the side. They had absolute faith in this Holy Lady’s strength.
738
739But in the next moment, they watched as the Holy Lady frowned and said, “That’s strange – some spiritual undulations did appear before this. Can it be that we are too sensitive? My phoenix flames didn’t find anything.”
740
741The Third Elder said, “Can it be that there’s too much vengeance and resentment inside the water prison, and that has produced a lifeless spiritual form?”
742
743The Holy Lady turned towards the three brothers and said, “Check it out carefully.”
744
745The three brothers were a lot more respectful towards her, and all three of them bowed reverently as they acknowledged, “Yes, Holy Lady.”
746
747The Holy Lady turned and walked towards the exit. A vacant look that had a tinge of struggle flashed deep in her eyes, but these emotional changes were instantly extinguished by the dark red flames in her eyes.
748
749Huo Yuhao scaled the city wall and crossed to the other side after he left the water. He rushed back to the hotel as quickly as he could and reintegrated his spiritual avatar into his body.
750
751Jade-green light gradually rose through the air, and only then did Huo Yuhao dispel the heat filled with evil that lingered in his spirit.
752
753Huo Yuhao expelled a deep breath and gradually opened his eyes.
754
755Xu Sanshi and Ye Guyi had been protecting him by his side this entire time. They instantly saw the shock deep in Huo Yuhao’s eyes the moment he opened his eyes.
756
757“What’s wrong, Yuhao?” Xu Sanshi asked softly.
758
759Huo Yuhao leapt down from his bed and took a deep breath. “Sister Xiaotao. I saw sister Xiaotao.”
760
761“Sister Xiaotao? Are you referring to… Ma Xiaotao?” An astonished expression immediately came over Xu Sanshi’s face as he stared at Huo Yuhao with blank eyes and slack jaw. He was at a loss for words.
762
763Huo Yuhao nodded vigorously. His lips were pressed tightly together, and he couldn’t maintain his composure at this moment no matter how much self-control he had.
764
765“Yes, it’s her, my sister. She’s really at the Holy Ghost Church, and they have actually kidnapped her. She’s their Holy Lady now.” The scene that he had just seen was deeply imprinted in his mind. She was wearing a long dark red dress and had seemed so coolly elegant and glamorous. She also possessed scorching phoenix flames, so who else could that be, but Ma Xiaotao?
766
767Ma Xiaotao looked a lot more mature compared to five years ago. Her enchanting features had an extra tinge of cold mystery that came from darkness, while her figure had become more exaggerated and alluring. Ma Xiaotao’s status had surpassed that of those two elders, who were Titled Douluo. Holy Lady, Holy Lady…she was actually addressed as Holy Lady, just like Teacher Xiao Ya. What exactly had happened to her?
768
769The two of them had no words as they stared at one another. Ye Guyi was befuddled as she listened on from one side. “Ma Xiaotao? Who’s that?”
770
771Huo Yuhao explained as concisely as he could. “She’s our senior, and she also graduated from Shrek Academy. Her martial soul had some problems, and she was captured by evil soul masters. She seems confused and is not in her right state of mind right now, and she’s become the Holy Ghost Church’s Holy Lady.”
772
773Ye Guyi didn’t have a good impression of any evil soul masters. She frowned and asked, “How powerful is she?”
774
775
776
777
778
779Chapter 379.3: Ma Xiaotao
780
781
782Huo Yuhao took a deep breath. He already had his initial judgments from the strength that Ma Xiaotao had displayed before this. “Her martial soul is an Evil Phoenix, and she’s inherited that from Shrek Academy’s first Seven Monsters. Her martial soul seems to have completely mutated into a Dark Phoenix now. You can visualize that as Ultimate Fire that possesses the element of darkness. In terms of element, the two of us have to team up against her to even stand a chance at restraining her. However, she has eight soul rings. If my senses are right, my sister’s soul power has increased enough for her to have eight soul rings, but she’s not a Soul Douluo.”
783
784Ye Guyi drew a cold breath as she heard Huo Yuhao’s words. She hadn’t wasted her time at the Tang Sect when she was there, and she now knew a lot more about soul masters.
785
786An eight-ringed Soul Douluo who possessed Ultimate Fire… what kind of concept was that? This existence was probably more terrifying than normal soul masters who had just become Titled Douluo. Furthermore, she also wielded the element of darkness!
787
788Xu Sanshi forced a laugh and said, “If that weren’t the case, how could she become the Holy Lady? In the previous Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, Xiaotao was Shrek’s team leader, and her martial soul mutated because she unleashed too much power during the tournament’s final round. She was eventually kidnapped by the Holy Ghost Church. We are in trouble now, because she isn’t just powerful… We can’t kill her, so we have already lost this battle in psychological terms.”
789
790Huo Yuhao shook his head softly and said, “That may not be true. Sister Xiaotao doesn’t seem to have lost her mind as completely as teacher Xiao Ya has; her Ultimate Fire is just too brutal and violent. Even the evil soul masters might not be able to control her emotions entirely. I tested her before this, and she seemed to respond to my voice. If I can break her out of her trance, then our operation will have a much higher chance of success.”
791
792“No, that’s too dangerous,” Xu Sanshi muttered.
793
794Huo Yuhao laughed bitterly and said, “I have to try no matter how dangerous it is, because she’s already here. Leave right now, the two of you; her mental state is still a little confused. Don’t worry, even if I can’t defeat her, I know how to escape.”
795
796Yes, Ma Xiaotao was here.
797
798Ma Xiaotao was standing on the street outside their inn, still dressed in her long dark red dress, and just silently standing there. It was now late at night, and there wasn’t a single soul on the street. She was waiting quietly, as if she were the sovereign queen of the dark night. She had locked onto Huo Yuhao way before this with her spiritual power.
799
800Huo Yuhao had felt a thread of Ma Xiaotao’s spirit locking onto his avatar when he was escaping. Thoughts spun in his mind like lightning when that happened, and he made a decision.
801
802The Holy Ghost Church had stationed more forces in Sunrise City than he had predicted. If he couldn’t break through via Ma Xiaotao, their operation would have a less than fifty percent chance of success. After all, they had to help several hundred people escape. He had some confidence to break the locks and restraints, but getting a sufficient distance away safely was too difficult.
803
804Huo Yuhao leapt through the window and landed on the street outside quietly. He stared at Ma Xiaotao opposite him, and his eyes gradually became excited and passionate. An image surfaced in his memory…
805
806He was back on the Sea God’s Lake’s shores, and Ma Xiaotao had nearly murdered them because she had lost her mind. He felt like he was back inside the icy lake water once more, when his soul power had interacted with Ma Xiaotao’s soul power.
807
808Ma Xiaotao was his hot-tempered sister, but she had always been concerned about him, and she had always cared about him. He felt so much love and kinship from Ma Xiaotao, and even a little bit of gentle charm.
809
810Back inside the room, Ye Guyi wanted to follow Huo Yuhao outside, but Xu Sanshi grabbed her arm.
811
812“Let’s go.”
813
814“But she’s an evil soul master who possesses Ultimate Fire! She’s also a Soul Douluo, how can Yuhao…?”
815
816Xu Sanshi lowered his voice and said, “Trust him. We can’t help him here, and we will only attract more enemies. Let’s go!” He dragged Ye Guyi forcefully as he spoke, and they rose through the air and jumped through another window on the other side before they vanished into the night sky in the blink of an eye.
817
818“Do I know you?” Ma Xiaotao’s voice sounded a little husky amidst her coldness, while her voice was a lot more pleasing to the ear than before.
819
820“Of course!” Huo Yuhao took a deep breath as he forcefully suppressed his riling emotions at the same time.
821
822“Who are you?” A thread of struggle flickered beneath Ma Xiaotao’s eyes. Her emotions were a little off and confused since she had sensed Huo Yuhao’s outcry inside the water, and scene after blurry scene flashed by in her mind. She felt as if something very important was about to happen, or had already happened before.
823
824“I’m Huo Yuhao, your younger brother!” Huo Yuhao removed his makeup as he spoke and revealed his true face.
825
826“Huo Yuhao? That name sounds familiar. Who is that?” Ma Xiaotao’s eyes became even more confused and perplexed.
827
828Huo Yuhao gradually stepped towards Ma Xiaotao. He was walking very slowly, but every step was very stable. He had been observing the dark red flames that were dancing in Ma Xiaotao’s eyes this entire time.
829
830“Sister, I am Yuhao. Do you still remember me? We first met on the shores of the Sea God’s Lake, on Shrek Academy’s Sea God’s Lake. You lost control of yourself because of your evil fire back then, and you nearly killed Dong’er and I.
831
832“My martial soul possesses Ultimate Ice, and I have suppressed the evil fire inside your body multiple times. You treated me as if you were my own sister, and you loved me and took care of me. We participated in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament together, and we eventually clinched the championship and defended Shrek’s honor. You were our team leader, and you were the one who led us to our ultimate glory.”
833
834“Huo Yuhao? Shrek?” Ma Xiaotao seemed to have remembered some things.
835
836Suddenly, she took a step out and instantly appeared before Huo Yuhao, grabbing at Huo Yuhao’s shoulder with one hand.
837
838Huo Yuhao didn’t dodge, and he didn’t use any of his abilities. He just let her grab him however she wanted, and a wave of searing heat poured into him from Ma Xiaotao’s palm. Huo Yuhao could see dark red flames rising from her right hand, and the clothes on his shoulder were immediately burnt to a crisp, then into ash.
839
840What was more terrifying was that Huo Yuhao’s skin was starting to burn, and half his body subsequently became dark red.
841
842Huo Yuhao’s body reacted instinctively at this moment. Green light surged from his body, and the outline of his skeleton could be seen as green light continued to flicker. Intense chills subsequently burst forth and collided with that wave of searing heat.
843
844Huo Yuhao and Ma Xiaotao’s bodies glowed at the same time, one body flickered with green light glimmering with faint icy-blue, while the other rippled with dark red light. The air around her was starting to twist and contort from all that heat.
845
846Ultimate Ice and Ultimate Fire – two great extremities, and two formidable soul power types that were polar opposites of one another, fought against each other on Huo Yuhao’s shoulder.
847
848Ma Xiaotao had a much stronger cultivation than Huo Yuhao, but for some reason, her Ultimate Fire couldn’t continue deeper once it entered his body.
849
850The Ice Jade Empress Scorpion’s skeleton amplified Huo Yuhao’s elemental strength, and he had also assimilated part of the Snow Empress and the Ice Empress’ origin power, which had allowed him to raise his Ultimate Ice to another level. Huo Yuhao’s elemental power still surpassed Ma Xiaotao’s.
851
852No matter what, Ma Xiaotao’s Ultimate Fire wasn’t pure enough, because it also possessed the element of darkness.
853
854But Huo Yuhao still winced in pain and agony. This contest between the two extremities was still occurring in his body, and Ma Xiaotao just had to slap him with her palm if she wanted to kill him.
855
856Huo Yuhao could break free from her clutches, but he would have to pay a heavy price, and he didn’t move because he didn’t want to abandon this opportunity. He was very clear that he only had a chance to move her when her emotions were still considered stable, and he wouldn’t stand a chance at all when her emotions became confused and disorganized once more.
857
858Huo Yuhao’s glossy eyes were filled with passion and emotion, and he resisted the intense pain in his shoulder with great difficulty as he called out softly, “Sister, sister!”
859
860Ma Xiaotao’s hand that was holding him suddenly stiffened when she felt his Ultimate Ice fighting back against her, and she just stared at Huo Yuhao from a close distance away. The light around them, with the two of them at its center, was twisted. The high-altitude surveillance soul tools in the sky couldn’t see anything at all.
861
862The reason for that was because this entire region was within Huo Yuhao’s Spiritual Interference and Imitation. Two powerful million-year soul skills were being used together, and unless there were thermal detectors close to where they were, nothing could possibly detect them. Furthermore, even if there were thermal detectors nearby, this contest between Ultimate Ice and Ultimate Fire going on between them meant that it wouldn’t take more than three seconds before those thermal detectors exploded.
863
864“Sister…” Huo Yuhao was still calling out to her.
865
866“You are… Yuhao…” A tinge of consciousness finally appeared within the fires dancing in Ma Xiaotao’s eyes.
867
868“Yes! It’s me, Yuhao.” Huo Yuhao called out softly.
869
870“No, you’re my enemy!” The dark red flames deep in Ma Xiaotao’s eyes became stronger, and she applied strength once more with the hand that was still holding onto Huo Yuhao’s shoulder.
871
872Huo Yuhao gritted his teeth, and he called out yet again with a hoarse voice. “Sister!”
873
874Ma Xiaotao’s hand loosened a little more. The skin on Huo Yuhao’s shoulder had peeled off, revealing his tendons and the flesh beneath. Huo Yuhao’s Life Gold bestowed immense life energy to him, but even his Life Gold couldn’t help him repair his tissues amidst this standoff between Ultimate Ice and Ultimate Fire. Fresh blood was vaporized continuously as Huo Yuhao’s life energy seeped away.
875
876Tears flickered in Huo Yuhao’s gleaming eyes. “Sister, do you know how much I’ve missed you over the years? I have no family, and I’ve always treated you like my own sister. I’ve suffered so much pain and agony for so, so long after you disappeared without a trace. I’ve finally found you, sister. Don’t ever leave me again, okay?”
877
878He took a step forward as he spoke as he reached out with his right hand for Ma Xiaotao’s waist.
879
880Ma Xiaotao instantly raised her left hand and cut towards Huo Yuhao’s neck.
881
882Right at that moment, Huo Yuhao’s glistening eyes suddenly flared as he shouted at the top of his voice, “Sister!”
883
884Ma Xiaotao’s left hand stopped half a foot away from Huo Yuhao’s neck, just like that. Ultimate Fire continued to burn as the light of Ultimate Ice rippled continuously from Huo Yuhao’s body. He took this chance, and his right hand finally wrapped itself around Ma Xiaotao’s waist as he hugged her well-developed body tightly.
885
886
887
888
889
890Chapter 380.1: Wake Up, Sister!
891
892
893“Mmph!” Ma Xiaotao grunted softly as the hand that was tightly latched onto Huo Yuhao’s shoulder relaxed a little more. Ma Xiaotao’s Ultimate Fire and Huo Yuhao’s Ultimate collided once more, and both their bodies were jolted painfully, as if they were being electrocuted.
894
895Huo Yuhao couldn’t raise his left arm anymore, as his shoulder was severely injured, and his tendons and blood vessels were damaged. But that wasn’t important to him – what was important was that he had finally taken the most crucial step.
896
897“Sister, sister, wake up! Wake up! I am Huo Yuhao, and you are Ma Xiaotao. We are both students from Shrek Academy, and you are my sister, my sister! Sister, sister…”
898
899He called out to Ma Xiaotao again and again, and he applied strength continuously through his arm that was wrapped around her waist. The Ice Jade Empress Scorpion’s patterns gradually glimmered into view on Huo Yuhao’s back as he began to strengthen his Ultimate Ice.
900
901Intense chills emerged from his body and transformed into countless thin threads that fought against Ma Xiaotao’s Ultimate Fire. But amidst this contest of extremes, a grey soul ring glimmered beneath Huo Yuhao’s feet and discreetly absorbed the energies of darkness within Ma Xiaotao’s Ultimate Fire.
902
903Huo Yuhao was no longer the weak and small soul master that had participated in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament with Ma Xiaotao back then. His soul power had reached Rank 60, and he just needed another soul ring before he would become a Soul Emperor. He might possibly reach an even higher level.
904
905Huo Yuhao had completely absorbed the origin energy of Ultimate Ice that the Snow Empress had infused into his body a long time ago, and his soul power was so pure that even Xu Sanshi, who was nearing Rank 70, would gasp in amazement.
906
907How was Huo Yuhao able to defeat and kill that spiritual-type evil soul master, an eight-ringed Soul Douluo? Besides the power of his three ultimate skills, his personal cultivation formed an important foundation for this feat.
908
909The truth was that Huo Yuhao could almost obtain two soul rings instead of just one. The foundations of his soul power were nearing Rank 70, because of the gift that the Snow Empress had given him a long time ago: formidable soul power, which had brought him incredible pain and agony. This soul power had always been there, and as the hard times ended, the good times began.
910
911This also meant that Huo Yuhao had a chance to directly become a Soul Sage if he could find suitable soul rings, and was the same reason why he had the stamina to resist Ma Xiaotao. He was only Rank 60, but his endurance and the strength of his soul power were close to Rank 70, while his Element wasn’t any weaker than hers.
912
913Huo Yuhao would be considered a powerful individual in the world of soul masters today…or rather, a quasi-powerful individual. He already had the confidence to resist his sister face-to-face, while his strong control over his spiritual power was also part of his foundation and confidence. At this moment, he was using Ultimate Ice to support his spiritual power in an attempt to awaken Ma Xiaotao, and he was also weakening the energies of darkness inside her body.
914
915The most empirical difference between Ma Xiaotao and Tang Ya was that the evil soul masters had directly controlled Tang Ya’s heart and mind. In addition to the drugs and whatnot that those evil soul masters had given her, Tang Ya was almost completely lost and confused. In contrast, one of Ma Xiaotao’s most substantial problems was presented by her martial soul, the Evil Phoenix. All sorts of hallucinogens or psychedelics were futile against someone who possessed Ultimate Fire like she did. Those evil soul masters were able to control her heart and mind, but they were only able to do so because they took advantage of her confusion and her emotional characteristics.
916
917Huo Yuhao continuously weakened the energies of darkness within her body so that her confused will and consciousness could gradually recover. Even if Ma Xiaotao couldn’t awaken completely, she would at least be able to retrieve part of her memory.
918
919What Huo Yuhao had inherited from the Calamity Necromancer Electrolux allowed him to discreetly purify the evil aura’s fundamental existence within Ma Xiaotao’s body. If Huo Yuhao was as powerful back then as he was today, he wouldn’t have been afraid of Ma Xiaotao going mad at all.
920
921“You… you…”
922
923Ma Xiaotao’s right hand finally relaxed completely. Her right hand was still on his shoulder, but her confused and befuddled eyes gradually became clear and transparent, while those dancing flames in her eyes were slowly receding.
924
925“Sister, sister…” Huo Yuhao continued to call out to her, and every single call came from deep within his heart. Every single exclamation was filled with his intimacy with Ma Xiaotao.
926
927“You are… Yuhao…” Ma Xiaotao’s voice didn’t sound so hoarse, as the Ultimate Fire on her body ebbed.
928
929Huo Yuhao slowly withdrew his Ultimate Ice at the same time.
930
931“Yes, I am your Huo Yuhao! I am your little brother. Wake up, sister, wake up!”
932
933“I am Ma Xiaotao! I’m not the Holy Lady, I’m not the Holy Lady…” Ma Xiaotao’s eyes were becoming increasingly clear, and Huo Yuhao continued to dispel the energies of darkness within her body as her eyes became brighter and brighter. The dark red flames that were emanating from her body slowly became fiery-red.
934
935“We have a chance!” Huo Yuhao was elated as he enhanced his absorption of Ma Xiaotao’s darkness. He patted Ma Xiaotao softly on her back again and again as he continued to guide her with his spiritual power.
936
937“I am Ma Xiaotao. What am I doing here?” Ma Xiaotao muttered as if she was in a daze.
938
939Huo Yuhao gently released her from his embrace. He raised his head and stared into her eyes.
940
941The dark red colors in Ma Xiaotao’s eyes had abated. Even though her eyes couldn’t be considered impeccably clear and transparent, she didn’t have that coldness from before.
942
943“Yuhao! You’re Yuhao. How have you become so tall?” Ma Xiaotao stared at him with a dazed look in her eyes.
944
945Huo Yuhao answered, “That’s because I’ve grown up! Sister, I am Yuhao.”
946
947Ma Xiaotao suddenly saw his shoulder and asked, “What happened to your shoulder? Who was the one that hurt you so much? I’ll kill him.” Her eyes instantly became sharp as she spoke.
948
949“Calm down, sister, calm down. I did that to myself by accident, and I’m alright. You need to calm down.” Huo Yuhao urgently tried to explain. He couldn’t let Ma Xiaotao descend into her original state of confusion because of any emotions that were rippling in her heart.
950
951“What’s happening to me, Yuhao? Why do I feel so muddleheaded? I feel like I’ve been this way for a long time. I’ve finally seen you after so long! How have you been?”
952
953Huo Yuhao said gently, “I’ve been well, sister. Life has been tough on you these days. Ever since you lost control of your martial soul during the big competition, we took you back to the academy for treatment, but the Hallmaster of the Illustrious Virtue Hall, Jing Hongchen, entered the academy and destroyed your treatment room. The Holy Ghost Church, which consists entirely of evil soul masters, took that opportunity to kidnap you before they turned you into another person with their evil sorceries! Can you remember anything?”
954
955Ma Xiaotao quivered when she heard “the Holy Ghost Church”, and seemed to regain her memory slowly. “The Holy Ghost Church – I am the Holy Ghost Church’s Holy Lady. No, why have I become the Holy Ghost Church’s Holy Lady? No! I am Ma Xiaotao, I am Ma Xiaotao!” Her eyes were starting to become confused and bewildered once more.
956
957Huo Yuhao lifted his right hand and pressed it against her forehead as he channeled threads of cool soul power into her.
958
959Ma Xiaotao shivered from the cold, and her eyes became clear yet again. “Where are we, Yuhao? I seem to have forgotten many things, but my brain seems to contain many things too! What do we do? What should I do?” She displayed some weakness as she spoke, and she took a step forward and hugged Huo Yuhao again. Her delicate body was still trembling faintly.
960
961Huo Yuhao gently patted her back and said, “It’s alright, sister. What happened in the past has already happened, and as long as you recover, you’ll still be Ma Xiaotao, and you’ll still be my sister. Sister, you should try to clear your head, and you should try your best to think back.”
962
963Ma Xiaotao seemed to gain quite some comfort in Huo Yuhao’s embrace, and her emotions finally slowly settled down.
964
965“I think I can remember…I can remember some things. Have I done many bad things, Yuhao?” Ma Xiaotao’s voice sounded a little grief-stricken.
966
967“No, sister, you have never done anything bad or wrong. The Holy Ghost Church’s Holy Lady is the one who has done those things, and not you. Furthermore, I have never seen you harm anyone. You need to relax…we are in grave danger at the moment, and you have to calm down as quickly as possible.”
968
969“Alright.” The necromantic halo beneath Huo Yuhao’s feet had absorbed much of the darkness within Ma Xiaotao’s body. Ma Xiaotao could finally control her own emotions with her willpower, and memories flooded into her brain like a tsunami.
970
971“I’ve killed people, Yuhao. I’ve killed many people—innocent people! And soul masters! I have…”
972
973Huo Yuhao swiftly interrupted her and said, “Don’t say that, sister. I already said, the Holy Ghost Church’s Holy Lady did all that, not you. Do you understand? You didn’t do all those things.”
974
975Ma Xiaotao was momentarily stunned. “Not me? I didn’t do those things?”
976
977“That is correct; you weren’t the one. Those people died at the Holy Ghost Church’s hands.” Those were the words that came out of Huo Yuhao’s mouth, but he couldn’t help but shut his eyes from all the pain that he felt. He could tell from Ma Xiaotao’s status within the Holy Ghost Church that she was different from Tang Ya. Perhaps Tang Ya wasn’t strong enough, or her abilities were insufficient, so she hadn’t come into contact with much of the Holy Ghost Church’s duties and administration. However, with Ma Xiaotao’s abilities and her cultivation rank, and with her frighteningly exalted status…
978
979“I understand. Thank you, brother.” Ma Xiaotao stood up straight and stared at Huo Yuhao. Her eyes were actually entirely clear at this moment.
980
981“Yuhao, you’re using Ultimate Ice to help me suppress the riling emotions in my mind, but how are you able to suppress my evil aura from rising again? I don’t know what the Holy Ghost Church has left behind in my body, but that thing has been integrated into my martial soul, the Evil Phoenix. Because of it, that thing has been affecting my emotions and my mental state.”
982
983Huo Yuhao lowered his voice and said, “I’m using some special methods to absorb the energies of darkness inside your body, but I can feel that these energies are still rising continuously. As soon as I stop absorbing them, I’m afraid they will come back again. In your case, you have to completely fix your martial soul’s problems so that you won’t be affected anymore.”
984
985Ma Xiaotao sounded despondent and defeated. “Completely fix my martial soul’s problems? That’s a lot easier said than done. Not even Elder Mu had a solution back then.”
986
987Huo Yuhao felt a pain in his heart when she mentioned Elder Mu, but he didn’t tell her that Elder Mu had passed away. Huo Yuhao knew that it was best that he didn’t stimulate her in any way.
988
989
990
991
992
993Chapter 380.2: Wake Up, Sister!
994
995
996“I have a solution, sister, I really do. I’ve been to a place, and I’ve obtained the Poison Chapter that Tang San, who was part of Shrek Academy’s first generation of Shrek’s Seven Monsters. There is a record in there that describes how to resolve the problems with your Evil Phoenix! You have to ingest some immortal herbs, and you can dispel that evil aura within you. Furthermore, there are several immortal herbs that you can choose from. When we finish what we have to do here, I will accompany you to look for them. Alright?”
997
998“Really?” Ma Xiaotao’s eyes lit up. “Are you just saying that to make me happy?”
999
1000“How can I crack jokes about something like this?” Huo Yuhao said seriously. “Your ancestor, Ma Hongjun, who was the first to possess the Evil Phoenix, used the very same method to resolve his problems. Can you remember what happened before this?”
1001
1002A complicated look and a dash of pain flashed across Ma Xiaotao’s eyes. She nodded slightly and said, “I can remember parts of what happened. I need some more time to regain my memory.”
1003
1004Huo Yuhao continued, “Sister, we are in Sunrise City, and this place is very dangerous. I’m staying in this inn next to us, and I’ll be here for a while. Come and find me at midnight everyday so that I can help you suppress the evil flames inside you. At least, I can help you control them so that they won’t affect your emotions and your mental state. Judging by how fast those energies of darkness are recovering inside your body, they shouldn’t affect you within a day.”
1005
1006Huo Yuhao stopped here, and his face suddenly changed. “Not good, someone else…it seems like they’re from the Holy Ghost Church. Sister, you’re not fully lucid yet, can you manage?”
1007
1008Ma Xiaotao’s eyes froze for a moment, then she immediately nodded. “I can manage. As long as I remain lucid, I can use my willpower to fight against that evil within me. Leave, quickly. I can deal with this.”
1009
1010“Take care, sister.” Huo Yuhao hugged her tightly before he jumped into the air and swiftly disappeared into the inn that he came from.
1011
1012Ma Xiaotao watched him leave. A forlorn look flickered across her eyes as she muttered, “Yuhao, my brother…do you know that some things can’t be forgiven and forgotten by lying to myself? Do you know that I’ve created mountains of corpses and oceans of blood while following them?”
1013
1014She couldn’t help but press her lips together tightly as she spoke. Ma Xiaotao looked up into the sky and forced back her tears as she clenched her fists tightly. “The Holy Ghost Church, the Holy Ghost Church!”
1015
1016Shadow after shadow quietly appeared not far behind her, and stepped briskly in her direction.
1017
1018There were six people altogether, but when they realized that Ma Xiaotao was the one standing in the middle of the street, not a single one dared to come near. They knelt down on one knee as they muttered in unison, “Greetings, Holy Lady.”
1019
1020“Eh?” Ma Xiaotao suddenly turned around, and in that moment, dark red flames were dancing in her eyes once more.
1021
1022“We’ve just received reports from the city defense army that there were chaotic soul power undulations around this area, so we came here to take a look. I’m not sure if you…”
1023
1024“Scram!” Ma Xiaotao shouted coldly.
1025
1026“Yes.” All six evil soul masters didn’t dare to probe any further, and they turned and slunk away. They had witnessed with their own eyes what their Holy Lady was capable of.
1027
1028Ma Xiaotao watched them disappear, and two rows of tears started streaming down her cheeks. Memories shocked her heart and soul like torrential tides, but she still had to take step after step into the distance. The window behind her that closed not too long ago was deeply imprinted at the bottom of her heart.
1029
1030My younger brother…no matter what, I will always have you, brother.
1031
1032A dash of despondence flickered beneath Ma Xiaotao’s eyes as she rose into the air and flew into the darkness.
1033
1034Huo Yuhao lay on his bed limply, as soon as he returned to his room. He managed to seal the blood vessels in his shoulder, but the pain that he felt was so intense that he had to grit his teeth as tightly as he could so that he wouldn’t cry out in agony.
1035
1036Huo Yuhao had started this day by using his spiritual avatar to scout and investigate, and he had ended it with his attempt at awakening Ma Xiaotao. Furthermore, he had had to sustain Spiritual Interference and Imitation continuously while resisting Ma Xiaotao’s Ultimate Fire and suffering the wound on his shoulder at the same time. It had taken all of his willpower to accomplish all that!
1037
1038The high-altitude surveillance soul tools had finally discovered something amiss in the end, because Huo Yuhao had already reached the limit of what he could take, and his spiritual power was almost unable to sustain his soul skills.
1039
1040However, Huo Yuhao had a smile on his face at this moment.
1041
1042He had succeeded, he had successfully awakened Ma Xiaotao! I’ve successfully awakened my sister! From the bottom of his heart, helping Ma Xiaotao to clear her head brought him more happiness than if he had saved every single hostage, because she was his family. Furthermore, with Ma Xiaotao as their inside man, they would have a far, far easier time saving those hostages.
1043
1044Spiritual weakness and bodily pain were nothing much for Huo Yuhao’s resilient willpower. He calmed himself down for a moment, and waited to recover a little before he immediately activated his Eye of Destiny to amplify his spiritual power. He found Xu Sanshi, and he passed a message to him that he was alright. Afterwards, he sat down with his legs crossed and began to meditate.
1045
1046He wanted to return to the northern side of the city, but his body was in such a state that he really couldn’t do that. Furthermore, he had awakened Ma Xiaotao, so he naturally wasn’t afraid of his enemies coming back to search for him.
1047
1048Huo Yuhao quickly displayed his formidable regenerative powers. The wound on his shoulder had completely scabbed over after two hours, while his spiritual power was recovering at lightning speed.
1049
1050—
1051
1052There were two other people hard at work late into the same night.
1053
1054Ji Juechen was sitting in a small bar not far from the northern city gate. He was drinking by himself, and his handsome looks had attracted more than one girl. But whenever they came over to flirt with him, he had shaken his head each time.
1055
1056Ji Juechen’s face had always been ice-cold, but he would laugh foolishly from time to time, and his facial expression would occasionally become a little strange.
1057
1058Jing Ziyan was still feeling a little excited as she walked discreetly between shadows from wall to wall. She tossed rocks one after another into certain dark corners, and some even rolled near the city wall.
1059
1060Jing Ziyan’s movement and actions were very covert and discreet, while she applied just enough strength from her wrists. She completed almost one round back and forth along the northern city wall within two hours.
1061
1062She looked up at the sky after she finished all that. It was now late into the night, but she didn’t feel any fatigue or exhaustion at all. Instead, there was only satisfaction in her eyes.
1063
1064Jing Ziyan patted her hands and stepped out silently from the shadows, and quickly arrived at the bar Ji Juechen was drinking at.
1065
1066A cunning look flashed across her eyes, and the smile on her face immediately transformed into fury as she barged into the bar looking angry and indignant.
1067
1068Jing Ziyan gazed around inside the bar once she stepped in, and instantly locked her eyes onto where Ji Juechen was sitting.
1069
1070“Very well, you drunkard! You don’t come home this late into the night, and you come out to drink alcohol. Follow me home, right now!” Jing Ziyan seemed just like a termagant as she dashed in Ji Juechen’s direction. She pinched his ear viciously and immediately began to drag him out.
1071
1072“Aiyo, can you be gentler?” Ji Juechen felt the pain from his ear as a thread of exasperation and helplessness flowed from his eyes, but there were also dashes of amusement and happiness.
1073
1074“Gentler? What? If I find out that you’ve come out to drink one more time, I’ll break your legs!” Jing Ziyan was still pinching his ear as she dragged him out of the bar just like that.
1075
1076The bar’s customers all looked on with widened eyes and slack jaws, and even the bartender, who was initially dozing off, now had a pitiful look in his eyes. “No wonder he didn’t dare to accept those girls’ flirts, he actually has such a fierce wife! That’s just pitiful. So, so pitiful.”
1077
1078Jing Ziyan dragged Ji Juechen several dozen meters outside before the furious and ferocious look on her face gradually became one of amusement.
1079
1080Ji Juechen didn’t struggle out of her pinch, and he forced a laugh as he asked, “Are you enjoying yourself?”
1081
1082Jing Ziyan giggled and said, “A little bit.”
1083
1084Ji Juechen said, “Then you should pinch for a little while longer.”
1085
1086Jing Ziyan was momentarily stunned. “You…”
1087
1088Ji Juechen heaved a faint sigh and said, “I’ve devoted my life to the sword before this, and I’ve overlooked far too much. I’ve overlooked things that I should be treasuring, especially you.
1089
1090Jing Ziyan was momentarily stunned. She subconsciously released her grip on his ear, and she planted her hands on her hips. “Are you saying that I’ve been very proactive, and I’ve always been trying to take advantage of you?”
1091
1092Ji Juechen shook his head as he smiled faintly and said, “I’m foolish and stupid.”
1093
1094Jing Ziyan couldn’t maintain her pose anymore, and her chin quivered gently as tears covered her eyes. “Why do you have to make me cry?”
1095
1096Ji Juechen pulled her into his embrace and said, “I will use our future days to compensate you, alright?”
1097
1098Jing Ziyan hammered his shoulder heavily and said, “Who needs your compensation?”
1099
1100Ji Juechen didn’t answer her question. Instead, he hugged her tightly around the waist. “I don’t know anything about words of love, Ziyan, and I can only tell you that I thought about this long and hard when I was drinking before this… you are more important than my sword.”
1101
1102Ji Ziyan’s body trembled when she heard his words. She suddenly looked up, and stared at Ji Juechen with incredulous eyes.
1103
1104If another couple had the same conversation, comparing one’s partner to an object would undoubtedly lead to conflict and resentment. However, these words were different when they came from Ji Juechen’s mouth.
1105
1106Ji Juechen was a sword maniac, and his sword had been the only thing in his life over his entire twenty years alive. His sword was his everything!
1107
1108Jing Ziyan raised her trembling hands and clasped them around his face. Her voice quivered as she said, “You’re the foolish one. No words of love can be more melodious than what you’ve just said to me. I love you, Juechen.” She whimpered and sobbed, and tears were all over her lips as she pressed them against his. This time, her kiss wasn’t passionate and intense anymore. Instead, her kiss was full of tenderness and warmth.
1109
1110—
1111
1112Dawn arrived, and Huo Yuhao had already awoken from his meditation when the first ray of sunlight peeked through the windowsill.
1113
1114There were two more people in his room long before he woke up: Xu Sanshi and Ye Guyi. They were both sitting in their own chairs with their legs crossed, and opened their eyes when they felt Huo Yuhao awaken.
1115
1116“Seems like you’ve succeeded? How’s your wound?” Xu Sanshi asked Yuhao with a smile on his face. Even though they were startled when they witnessed Huo Yuhao’s injury after they came back last night, the fact that he could return to this place and indicated many things!
1117
1118
1119
1120
1121
1122Chapter 380.3: Wake Up, Sister!
1123
1124
1125Huo Yuhao nodded firmly and said with a delighted look, “I’ve managed to awaken her. She should come over tonight, so we have to start our preparations immediately.”
1126
1127Huo Yuhao washed up briefly and had some breakfast before he took out the water sample he had retrieved the previous day.
1128
1129“Third senior brother, can you help me separate the water elements inside? I studied that water prison very closely yesterday. Its position is quite low, while the moat’s water outside should be running water, so it’s always flowing. This means that if there isn’t enough water inside the water prison, the moat will replenish it, while water won’t flow backwards, and so the water won’t change. There’s something called Soul Eradicating Powder inside the water prison, and I’ve retrieved some samples. We have to investigate and research it as quickly as possible, because providing antidotes for the hostages will be crucial to saving them. My spiritual avatar isn’t afraid of the toxins in the water, and I can bring the antidote back to the hostages as long as we can find it.”
1130
1131Xu Sanshi nodded and said, “That’s not a problem. But the antidote…”
1132
1133Huo Yuhao nodded self-confidently and said, “I should be able to do it.” He possessed his ancestor Tang San’s Poison Chapter, and had studied it closely. If he could figure out that Soul Eradicating Powder’s composition, he had a chance to find an antidote with his recollection of the Poison Chapter’s contents and his own understanding. If he failed, he would have to ask Ma Xiaoatao for help when she arrived later on.
1134
1135Huo Yuhao placed a glass bottle filled with toxic water on the table in front of him. Xu Sanshi pointed his right hand at the bottle, and gentle black soul power that resembled faint mist began to orbit it.
1136
1137The bottle started to quiver gently as threads of water vapor gradually seeped out, and Xu Sanshi’s black fog currents carried all of it away. The bottle’s liquid contents were conspicuously diminishing.
1138
1139Everything seemed so simple, but was separating elements like that truly easy and simple? Xu Sanshi controlled everything as if the entire process were a piece of cake, but even Huo Yuhao, who possessed the Ultimate Ice, knew that he couldn’t extract pure water elements like that while maintaining the liquid’s initial toxin composition.
1140
1141Xu Sanshi himself wouldn’t have been able to do this before his Xuanwu Shield’s true awakening. Ever since he had gained the Xuanwu Shield, his ability to control and manipulate the element of water had reached an exceptional level. What he was doing at the moment was as easy as cutting a knife through butter for him.
1142
1143It didn’t take long before only some grey liquid was left inside the glass bottle. There were some other impurities besides those toxins, but the toxins were a lot easier to distinguish after purifying the bottle’s contents.
1144
1145Huo Yuhao immediately retrieved some utensils and medicinal liquids and started experimenting on those toxins.
1146
1147Xu Sanshi and Ye Guyi accompanied him and guarded him, silently awaiting his results.
1148
1149Reality proved that Tang San’s Poison Chapter was very reliable. Huo Yuhao only took a little more than an hour to gain a rough idea of the Soul Eradicating Powder’s origin.
1150
1151The powder contained plant toxins, and it was formed from fusing the juice of three different venomous plants. It would be easier for Huo Yuhao to find the antidote if he could reach accurate conclusions and judgments, so he used his spiritual avatar once more to retrieve some more samples, before patronizing some pharmacies outside and purchasing all sorts of medicinal items to experiment.
1152
1153The sun had gone behind the Western Mountain, and evening had arrived by the time Huo Yuhao finally succeeded.
1154
1155“That’s it! If we follow this proportion, we can neutralize the toxicity.” Huo Yuhao declared excitedly, wiping some sweat from his forehead.
1156
1157Spending his entire day researching and investigating poisons and toxins was a lot more exhausting than researching soul tools. After all, he was a lot less familiar with poisons than he was with soul tools.
1158
1159Huo Yuhao swiftly jotted down the prescription he had devised from his experiments and passed it to Xu Sanshi and Ye Guyi as he said, “This prescription needs five different kinds of medicine, and I’ve written down the formula’s proper proportions. Third senior brother, the two of you will immediately return to the north and call everyone to set off together to purchase those medicines. Everyone will buy one kind each, and everyone will process those medicines according to my directions. I will continue suppressing the power of darkness inside Xiaotao’s body at night. The proportion of these five medicines cannot be wrong, because this antidote also has supplementary and strengthening effects, and I hope we can help the hostages recover their physical strength as quickly as possible.”
1160
1161They finally had a proper direction for their rescue operation, and Xu Sanshi and Ye Guyi were also excited. Ye Guyi asked subconsciously, “Yuhao, have you found Qiuqiu’s mother?”
1162
1163Huo Yuhao was momentarily stunned. “I didn’t notice when I went in before. There were many evil soul masters guarding and patrolling during that time, so I wasn’t able to check every cage. But I think her mother should be alright. We will know when we bring everyone out.”
1164
1165“Oh.” Ye Guyi acknowledged as she turned to leave the room. Xu Sanshi stared at Huo Yuhao with a deep look in his eyes before he followed her out.
1166
1167Xu Sanshi understood Huo Yuhao a lot better than Ye Guyi did. He was acutely aware that with Huo Yuhao’s Spiritual Detection, how could he not scout everything inside the water prison, which couldn’t be considered spacious? They had both met Nan Qiuqiu’s mother, Nan Shuishui, before, so searching for her shouldn’t have been difficult at all. Huo Yuhao’s words meant that he didn’t find a single trace of Nan Shuishui when he was inside, but he had to provide an ambiguous explanation so that Nan Qiuqiu wouldn’t spoil the entire operation because of her worry and anxiety.
1168
1169However, Xu Sanshi also remembered that Huo Yuhao had promised her that if they couldn’t save Nan Shuishui during their operation, he would stay behind with Nan Qiuqiu.
1170
1171Huo Yuhao was naturally clearer about these things. He heaved a sigh inside, and he prayed that nothing had happened to Nan Shuishui. It wouldn’t be that difficult to find clues about whether Nan Shuishui was still alive; he just had to wait for Ma Xiaotao tonight, and see if she could give him an answer.
1172
1173—
1174
1175Xu Sanshi and Ye Guyi nervously went ahead to make the necessary preparations, while Huo Yuhao wasted no time, and began to cultivate. They were in a place filled with danger and peril, so maintaining himself at his peak condition was the optimal choice.
1176
1177At this moment, there were “starfishes”, which blocked surveillance soul tools, installed in every corner of the room he was staying in. He wasn’t that far away from the southern city wall, but he was relatively safer.
1178
1179Huo Yuhao had his dinner, and waited for Ma Xiaotao inside his room. However, the night was gradually getting late, and Ma Xiaotao was nowhere to be seen.
1180
1181Huo Yuhao was beginning to feel anxious. Even though Ma Xiaotao hadn’t appeared, enemies didn’t surround him to flush him out either, which meant that Ma Xiaotao hadn’t completely lost her mind and her will. But why wasn’t she here yet?
1182
1183Huo Yuhao was becoming increasingly worried until his door quietly opened, and a shadow dashed inside in a flash and blew out all the lights in the room at the same time.
1184
1185Huo Yuhao subconsciously drifted into the air and rapidly positioned himself in one corner on the opposite side. He activated his Eye of Destiny at almost the same time, and his Spirit Eyes burst with light in all directions.
1186
1187Sudden darkness was very disconcerting and disorienting for normal people, but Huo Yuhao had his Spirit Eyes, so it wasn’t that different to him.
1188
1189Huo Yuhao immediately relaxed after he composed himself for a second; wasn’t that Ma Xiaotao who had just discreetly stepped into his room?
1190
1191“Sister Xiaotao,” Huo Yuhao hurriedly called out to her.
1192
1193Ma Xiaotao nodded in his direction before she briskly walked towards his bed, as if she were silently sensing something.
1194
1195Huo Yuhao was a little surprised as he watched her. Ma Xiaotao’s Ultimate Fire was incredibly powerful, and her spiritual power had become exceptionally strong as well. Even though he hadn’t deliberately scouted outside his room, the fact that Ma Xiaotao could come into his room without being discovered by the Spiritual Antennas that he had set up outside was quite impressive.
1196
1197Ma Xiaotao responded softly, “I was held back by something.”
1198
1199“How do you feel, sister? Have the powers of darkness inside your body given you any backlash?” Huo Yuhao asked her sincerely as he hurriedly walked over to her side.
1200
1201Ma Xiaotao shook her head and said, “After you helped me dispel those powers of darkness last night, they have been stubbornly regenerating, but they will need at least three days to return to their initial levels. But as long as I control my own emotions and my state of mind, I should be able to hold off for roughly seven days. That also means that as long as you treat me within seven days, I will be able to maintain my mental clarity. Of course, the prerequisite is that I can’t fight with my full strength. Otherwise, if I expend too much soul power, those powers of darkness will regenerate a lot faster as my soul power recovers. When that happens, I will really need you to treat me every day.”
1202
1203Huo Yuhao tilted his head and said, “Treating you every day is not a problem, because I’m not planning to separate from you, anyway. I can help you suppress all that darkness, sister. I almost have enough soul power now; once I become a Soul Sage, and I have my martial soul true body, I might not even need medicines or anything to completely dispel the evil fire in your body.”
1204
1205Ma Xiaotao glanced at him, and dash of rosiness appeared on her cheeks for no reason. “Let’s just stick with medicines.”
1206
1207Huo Yuhao’s vision was great, but he didn’t notice the changes on Ma Xiaotao’s face. He grasped her hands and began to release his aura of Ultimate Ice into Ma Xiaotao’s body to guide her soul power.
1208
1209Ma Xiaotao had rested for the entire day, and she seemed to have completely restored her consciousness and state of mind. She worked together with Huo Yuhao this time, and they had a far easier time dispelling and suppressing those powers of darkness inside her body.
1210
1211Towards the end, Huo Yuhao could even be sure that as long as he stayed by her side and helped her suppress her powers of darkness every day, those problems within her body wouldn’t bother her again. Of course, this would only treat her symptoms, and not the root cause of the problem.
1212
1213Ma Xiaotao allowed him to treat her in silence. She couldn’t see as clearly as Huo Yuhao could in the darkness of the night, but she was a powerful Soul Douluo, so nighttime wasn’t that much different from daytime for her.
1214
1215Ma Xiaotao stared at Huo Yuhao, who had become a lot taller than her… he was still a little boy back then, but he had transformed into a handsome youth. Her eyes gradually became gentle and tender, but mournful looks flashed deep within from time to time. It was clear that her emotions weren’t calm and settled at this moment.
1216
1217“Oh, we’re done. Sister, I’ve helped you suppress those powers of evil successfully, and today’s results are better than yesterday’s. Take a look…how do you feel?”
1218
1219Ma Xiaotao nodded and said, “I don’t have to feel; there’s no problem at all. You must be here to save all those hostages, right?”
1220
1221Huo Yuhao answered, “Yes. I’m not the only one here; almost the entire Tang Sect is here this time.”
1222
1223“The Tang Sect? Oh, I remember now…they must be the people who participated in the big tournament not too long ago.” Ma Xiaotao seemed to have recalled everything that had happened recently.
1224
1225Huo Yuhao nodded and confirmed, “Yes.”
1226
1227
1228
1229
1230
1231Chapter 381.1: Starting to Move
1232
1233
1234Ma Xiaotao furrowed her brow and said, “It’s difficult to rescue people. Although I don’t know how you breached the water prison that day, you should have seen that the hostages in the prison were all poisoned. They aren’t able to gather their soul power, and there are many evil soul masters from the Holy Ghost Church deployed there. There are even soul engineer legions inside and outside of Sunrise City. I’m afraid it will be impossible to save these few hundred people, even if the entire Academy was sent here for this rescue mission. Sunrise City is very close to Radiant City, and reinforcements from Radiant City will arrive quickly if anything happens here.”
1235
1236Huo Yuhao smiled and said, “Elder sister, don’t be anxious. We are almost done with our set-up. When the time comes, we’ll have a few ways to deal with the problems outside the city. At the very least, we’ll keep them occupied. We’ll also use diversion tactics inside the city, and draw some of the evil soul masters watching the hostages away. If my guess is right, the border of the Sun Moon Empire shouldn’t be peaceful right now. Some strong individuals must have been dispatched to the border from Radiant City. However, they’ll still need people to guard their capital. Even if they realize something abnormal is happening here, they won’t be able to send too many reinforcements over.”
1237
1238Ma Xiaotao nodded and said, “I believe that you can succeed. However, how are you going to leave with a few hundred old and sick people? They’ve all been poisoned by Soul Eradicating Powder. I don’t have any antidote for that poison, either. I’m afraid that only the leader of the Holy Ghost Church knows how to neutralize that poison.” Ma Xiaotao’s expression turned cold when she mentioned the leader of the Holy Ghost Church. She unwittingly clenched her fists tight.
1239
1240Huo Yuhao said, “I’ve already concocted an antidote.”
1241
1242“What?” Ma Xiaotao was stunned as she looked at him. “You’ve concocted an antidote?”
1243
1244Huo Yuhao nodded and said, “Did you forget that I mentioned that I obtained Ancestor Tang San’s Poison Scripture? In terms of using poison, the Tang Sect has been extremely notable on the continent for tens of thousands of years. The Holy Ghost Church’s poison is nothing. However, it’s indeed going to be a huge problem to leave with the weak hostages. That day, I heard the Third and Fourth Elders from the Holy Ghost Church instructing the Zhong brothers to feed the hostages more. However, it seemed like the Zhong Li brothers were only pretending to obey orders. Elder sister, can you ask them to give the hostages more food? In my opinion, the hostages will be able to recover at least half of their abilities if the poison of the Soul Eradicating Powder is neutralized and if they are given more food.
1245
1246“Among these hostages, there are elite soul masters and engineers from the younger generation, teachers of various academies, and elders from different sects. If they are able to recover their abilities, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with. It won’t be impossible to escape then if we coordinate with our outside forces.”
1247
1248Ma Xiaotao revealed a thoughtful look in her eyes. When she looked at Huo Yuhao, she seemed to see him in a different light. “I haven’t interacted with you in five years, but you’ve really grown up. No wonder the Academy is confident enough to send you out alone to rescue the hostages. Your plan seems to be fine for the moment. When you use your diversion tactics, I can help bring Third Elder and Fourth Elder away. They aren’t normally in the water prison, anyway.
1249
1250“The Zhong brothers are the ones who are mainly in charge of the water prison. The three of them are direct descendants of the Holy Ghost Church’s leader, Zhong Liwu, and they are also his lackeys. They are extremely loyal to him, and only listen to his orders. You’ll need to deal with the three of them, as well as the evil soul masters who are guarding the prison. Those evil soul masters mainly have cultivations between four and six rings. They are considered ordinary disciples of the Holy Ghost Church, and there are about thirty of them. Of course, there are also some military troops guarding the prison. However, they won’t be much of an obstacle.”
1251
1252After hearing the details that Ma Xiaotao provided, the plan in Huo Yuhao’s head became clearer. “Sister Xiaotao, did you notice a lady called Nan Shuishui? She’s the leader of the Earthdragon Sect, and her martial soul is a Ruby Dragon. She’s also a Soul Douluo, but her abilities are at the standard of a Titled Douluo.” Huo Yuhao had asked Nan Qiuqiu about Nan Shuishui’s abilities.
1253
1254“Nan Shuishui? I’ve heard of this name before. If I’m remembering it right, she was taken away by Third Elder. Her martial soul has special attributes of annihilation. If we can understand them well and fuse them into soul tools, we can achieve groundbreaking results.”
1255
1256“Yes, it’s her.” Huo Yuhao was delighted and asked, “Is she still alive? Was she…?”
1257
1258Ma Xiaotao answered, “I don’t know the details. However, Third Elder’s interest is completely in soul tools. He’s a Class 9 soul engineer, and he’s not too bothered about women. I hope that this person you’re talking about is still alive. Why? Are you planning to save her?”
1259
1260Huo Yuhao shook his head without any hesitation and replied, “Nan Shuishui is the mother of my friend. However, we can’t save her first. Otherwise, we’ll alert our enemies. Oh yes, we killed a spiritual-type evil soul master not long ago. Did anyone find out about it?”
1261
1262“Spiritual-type evil soul master? Are you talking about Wu Yun? She’s been killed?” Ma Xiaotao was more shocked when she heard that Wu Yun had been killed than when she heard Huo Yuhao had an antidote to neutralize the poison of the Soul Eradicating Powder.
1263
1264Huo Yuhao nodded and said, “Yes, I killed her. Will there be any trouble?”
1265
1266Ma Xiaotao shook her head and said, “Wu Yun is an elder in the Holy Ghost Church. She’s actually the head of the Holy Ghost Church’s branch in Sunrise City. After I came here, I temporarily replaced her. The one who was originally in charge of watching over the hostages was the vice-leader of the church, Feng Ling. After that, Feng Ling left for some unknown reason. I think it must have something to do with the situation at the border. I don’t normally interact with Wu Yun, but her martial soul was very strong. Even if I fought her, I wouldn’t be entirely confident of beating her. But you managed to kill her? Unbelievable.”
1267
1268“Hehe.” Huo Yuhao laughed. He wasn’t going to explain how he had killed Wu Yun, and quickly changed the topic, “Elder sister, we’ll set it like this, then. If possible, please try to preserve Nan Shuishui’s life. I’ll rescue her after I rescue most of the hostages. Shall I brief you about our arrangements in detail?
1269
1270Ma Xiaotao nodded and said, “Alright, let’s not delay since this is the case. You don’t have to tell me about your arrangements. When you make your move, I’ll distract Third and Fourth Elder. However, I’ll have to leave all of you to deal with the Zhong brothers. Don’t leave any clues when you breach the water prison again. If not for the fact that I was there that day, you wouldn’t have been able to escape easily. Take care, and remember safety is your priority.”
1271
1272“Yes.” Huo Yuhao nodded.
1273
1274Ma Xiaotao caressed his head and gently said, “You are already taller than me. In five years, you’ll become a Soul Emperor. Fantastic!”
1275
1276After she finished speaking, she smiled at Huo Yuhao before drifting away.
1277
1278As he watched Ma Xiaotao leave, Huo Yuhao also touched his own head. For some reason, he felt that there was something wrong with Ma Xiaotao. He had already felt there was something wrong with her when he woke up yesterday, but it became clearer and clearer to him right now.
1279
1280However, Huo Yuhao was certain about one thing; Ma Xiaotao’s mind was clear. He was too sensitive to spiritual undulations. The pampering look in her eyes when she looked at him couldn’t have been faked.
1281
1282The leader and vice-leader of the Holy Ghost Church are actually called Zhong Liwu and Feng Ling. This was important information to him. At the same time, Huo Yuhao could also roughly guess that Zhong Liwu had to have something to do with the woman that Elder Mu and Long Xiaoyao fell in love with. That was because he recalled that the evil soul master that woman followed seemed to have the surname ‘Zhong’. He just didn’t know if that woman was still alive, and what the connection between Zhong Liwu and Long Xiaoyao was.
1283
1284—
1285
1286On the second morning, Xu Sanshi brought him the concocted antidotes. Huo Yuhao also started to make his move. He used his Spiritual Avatar to silently breach the water prison and mixed the antidote with the poisoned water in the water prison.
1287
1288As the dosage he needed was too high, it took him a full day to move all of the antidote into the water prison.
1289
1290The Third and Fourth Elders didn’t appear in the water prison again. Even the Zhong brothers only came to patrol occasionally.
1291
1292Ma Xiaotao’s orders worked on the Zhong brothers. The hostages were finally given sufficient food. Although they weren’t fed luxuriously, it was enough to fill their stomachs. Along with the antidote that Huo Yuhao mixed into the water they were immersed in, the hostages were feeling much better after a day, even though not all the poison from their bodies had been neutralized. Especially for a few of the stronger soul masters, Huo Yuhao’s Spiritual Avatar could tell that they had sensed the change in their soul power from their expressions.
1293
1294It was time for him to communicate with them.
1295
1296—
1297
1298On the second night, he went to visit Ma Xiaotao again. After suppressing the power of darkness in her body, he released his Spiritual Avatar into the water prison once again.
1299
1300To coordinate with him, Ma Xiaotao sent the Zhong brothers away on a pretext of important matters to attend to. This was a benefit of being the highest-ranked commander of the Holy Ghost Church in Sunrise City.
1301
1302Without the Zhong brothers, Huo Yuhao was more brazen. It was impossible for those six-ringed evil soul masters to discover his Spiritual Avatar.
1303
1304After entering the water prison, he drifted into mid-air and released his spiritual power. Very soon, his spiritual power engulfed the entire water prison.
1305
1306It was not long ago that Huo Yuhao could only communicate with a few people using his spiritual power. However, he could now communicate with everyone within a specific region.
1307
1308“If you can hear my voice, please don’t move. I’m here to save all of you.” This gentle thought was transmitted to every cell. It was so light that everyone could sense it, but still felt that it was an illusion.
1309
1310
1311
1312
1313
1314Chapter 381.2: Starting to Move
1315
1316
1317The quality of these hostages was indeed very high. After sensing the thought that Huo Yuhao transmitted to them, many of their bodies turned a bit rigid, but they soon regained their composure. They exchanged strange glances with one another.
1318
1319“If you can hear my voice, please don’t move. I’m here to save all of you.” Huo Yuhao repeated his words once again.
1320
1321This time, his communication was much clearer than before. Everyone could confirm that they weren’t hallucinating.
1322
1323Indeed, some of the younger hostages started to get excited. They had long since had enough after being held captive for a few months in complete darkness. They had even started to believe that they would never be free again, but this sudden voice soothed the pain in their hearts.
1324
1325Of course, not everyone was excited. Those who were slightly older, and were either team leaders or teachers continued to remain alert. After all, how could they be sure that this wasn’t a ploy? Evil soul masters were capable of anything.
1326
1327“Calm down. I need everyone to calm down. If you want to escape, you need to keep calm. Otherwise, I won’t be able to help you. I’ll need everyone’s cooperation so that we can leave this place.” Huo Yuhao transmitted another thought to them. This time, his thought was completely clear in their minds.
1328
1329The elders started to be moved. Who wouldn’t wish to escape this hell they were in?
1330
1331The rest of the hostages started to calm down after their elders looked at them.
1332
1333Huo Yuhao secretly heaved a sigh of relief. He was afraid that his interaction with them would be discovered by the evil soul masters. If that happened, they would be alerted, and that would make things much more difficult for them later.
1334
1335“Everyone, you should have found out that the poison in your bodies is slowly being dispelled. That’s because I added an antidote to the water that all of you are immersed in. I believe the poison in your bodies will be completely removed by tomorrow. From now on, I hope all of you can do your best to recover your soul power and physical condition. We’ll take action the night after tomorrow. When that time comes, I’ll need all of you to cooperate with me so that we can charge out of this place in one go. Tomorrow, I’ll add more tonics to this water to help all of you recover. You must stay strong. We’ll only have one opportunity to leave this place and regain our freedom.”
1336
1337Huo Yuhao explained his plan, and provided words of encouragement to the hostages. He had been watching the hostages through his Spiritual Detection earlier. If there were any spies among them, he would have detected some kind of emotional fluctuation, but the truth was that no one was willing to be stuck in this water prison, and thus there were naturally no spies.
1338
1339“Alright, continue to rest well. When you recover your soul power, you must not let the guards find out. Otherwise, everything will be futile. Elders, please take care of the younger ones and remember to help cover for them. I’m going to leave. We’ve already set up everything on the outside. I’ll give each of you a Heartcalming Pill. I’m from Shrek Academy.”
1340
1341The Tang Sect’s reputation wasn’t as notable as Shrek Academy’s. This was why Huo Yuhao mentioned that he was from Shrek Academy to better reassure these hostages.
1342
1343The gloomy atmosphere in the water prison started to change after Huo Yuhao told them his plan. The lifeless-looking eyes started to look brighter, and the elders who had already started to sense the recovery of their soul power started to circulate it. The water they were in that had brought them so much torment was now their best cover.
1344
1345Huo Yuhao retracted his Spiritual Detection, but he didn’t leave. Instead, he unleashed his Spiritual Interference and engulfed the entire water prison with it.
1346
1347With his current spiritual power, the Zhong brothers and the two Titled Douluo elders would definitely discover his Spiritual Interference if they were here. However, these lower-ranked evil soul masters wouldn’t be able to discover anything unless they paid close attention.
1348
1349Huo Yuhao was taking precautions. If there were spies that he had missed, or any soul master lost control of his emotions, he could still salvage the situation with his Spiritual Interference.
1350
1351However, his worries were unfounded. These soul masters and soul engineers from the various academies and sects were all strong enough. After a momentary shock, they soon regained their composure with the help of their elders. With the polluted water in the water prison as their cover, they could still control their emotions even though they were angry.
1352
1353After observing them for an hour, Huo Yuhao calmed down and silently left the prison.
1354
1355This was the start of a huge rescue operation. The Tang Sect’s operation was about to be unveiled.
1356
1357Huo Yuhao soon mixed more tonics into the polluted water. According to the information Ma Xiaotao had provided him, the toxicity of the Soul Eradicating Powder was very strong. It was only added in every half month. The next time it was going to be added into the water was in five days, and thus there was a vacuum now. Huo Yuhao’s rescue plan would be carried out during this vacuum period.
1358
1359Everyone from the Tang Sect was prepared to save the hostages. When the second night arrived, there was another guest in Sunrise City.
1360
1361This person was completely masked with a black veil and hat. Under this cover, it was impossible to tell his gender or age.
1362
1363He entered the city in a much more convenient method than ordinary people. He walked to the city gate and revealed a token. After this, he was allowed to enter the city without any checks.
1364
1365He walked in a weird manner. He seemed to be gently drifting, as if he were exerting no strength at all. He wasn’t walking very quickly. However, he was very adept at avoiding detection – if one tried to watch him, he would soon discover that this person would disappear from his view.
1366
1367Very soon, he came to a building with a pointed tip.
1368
1369If Huo Yuhao were here right now, he would know that this building was the building that he had tailed Feng Ling to, and where he had discovered Wu Yun.
1370
1371After he drifted into this building, he came to the place where Wu Yun had once hanged and hit Feng Ling. A sinister aura that was filled with grievance started to spread. He sat cross-legged on the ground and started to recite something before a red glow started to subtly surface behind his back. It seemed as if a weird human projection were drifting behind him.
1372
1373…
1374
1375“It’s done?” He Caitou asked Huo Yuhao.
1376
1377Huo Yuhao nodded and jumped down from the base of the egg-shaped soul tool. At this point, this wide room was filled with all types of soul tools. It was like an arsenal.
1378
1379He Caitou chortled and said, “Alright, leave this place to me. I’ll teach them a good lesson later.”
1380
1381Huo Yuhao hurriedly instructed, “Second senior, don’t be tempted to fight. After you launch these soul tools, you must immediately meet everyone in the south.”
1382
1383“Okay, don’t worry. I know my limits.”
1384
1385Huo Yuhao took a look at the sky outside, which was getting darker and darker. “It’s about time. Third senior and the rest should be in position. I need to go over to prepare too. Second senior, be careful. If necessary, you must give up everything for your own safety.”
1386
1387He Caitou patted his shoulder and gave him a thumbs-up.
1388
1389Huo Yuhao gave him a confident smile before saying, “Once this is over, all of you proceed south, and get on the boat when you reach it. Don’t wait for us. There are only a few of us, which will make it much more convenient for us to move around. We’ll meet back at the Academy.”
1390
1391“Yuhao…” He Caitou stopped Huo Yuhao and sounded a little hesitant.
1392
1393Huo Yuhao smiled and said, “Second senior, I know what you want to say. However, there are things a man should and should not do. Since you’ve promised me, you should do your best. We’ll all be careful.”
1394
1395“Alright. Come back soon. We’ll celebrate in the Tang Sect.” He Caitou wasn’t a pushy guy either. After giving Huo Yuhao a thumbs-up again, he watched as Huo Yuhao left.
1396
1397After leaving the hotel, Huo Yuhao quickly proceeded towards the southern city gate. He didn’t proceed to prepare immediately, but returned to their room in the hotel on the southern side.
1398
1399Xu Sanshi and Ye Guyi were already gone. The two of them had left the city with Jing Ziyan and Ji Juechen. Only Nan Qiuqiu and Feng Ling were left here.
1400
1401After a few days of recovery, Feng Ling seemed to be in a better state. However, he was still a little lost, possibly because of the deep trauma he had suffered. It was as if he was unwilling to wake up from his dreams.
1402
1403Everyone from the Tang Sect could understand the predicament he was in. Feng Ling had completely lost his ability to enjoy pleasure after suffering such critical injuries to his body. His desire to live was already very commendable.
1404
1405However, Huo Yuhao left him in the city because of his special condition, and to prevent any complications. If he was snuck out of the city, he might expose more things. Nan Qiuqiu was in charge of watching him now.
1406
1407Huo Yuhao was well-aware that Sunrise City’s martial law would be completely meaningless once they managed to rescue the hostages. They could think of a way to leave with Feng Ling after rescuing Nan Shuishui.
1408
1409He had also briefed Nan Qiuqiu about Nan Shuishui’s condition. After rescuing most of the hostages it would be the best opportunity for them to rescue Nan Shuishui. Nan Qiuqiu didn’t pose any objections to this. After Huo Yuhao decided to remain with her to rescue her mother, her attitude towards him changed greatly. She acted less proud in front of him.
1410
1411“Is it about time?” Nan Qiuqiu couldn’t help but ask Huo Yuhao when she saw him.
1412
1413Huo Yuhao nodded slightly and said, “Let’s move out together. How’s Feng Ling?”
1414
1415
1416
1417
1418
1419Chapter 381.3: Starting to Move
1420
1421
1422Nan Qiuqiu evidently didn’t like Feng Ling, and twisted her lips as she said, “He only sleeps after he eats.”
1423
1424Huo Yuhao said, “Let him sleep then. This region is very dark, thus this hotel is safer than the one in the north. Later, just proceed to the location that we’ve decided on. Once I finish things over here, I’ll go over to find you immediately. Don’t act blindly. There’ll be at least a Class 6 or 7 soul engineer over there, as well as several evil soul masters standing guard. If you expose yourself, you can forget about saving your mother.”
1425
1426Nan Qiuqiu replied without any hesitation, “Okay, I’ll listen to you. I won’t barge in blindly. I’ll wait for you to come. If you don’t come after a day, I’ll…”
1427
1428Huo Yuhao’s expression turned serious at this moment. “If I still don’t arrive in a day, you must think of a way to leave this place. Don’t think about rescuing anyone anymore. Otherwise, the bloodline of the Earthdragon Sect will never be passed down. Do you think that will be what your mother wants to see?”
1429
1430Nan Qiuqiu’s was moved, and she suddenly hugged Huo Yuhao tightly. “We’ll succeed, won’t we?”
1431
1432Huo Yuhao couldn’t bear to push her away as he felt her body tremble. He gently patted her back, “Yes, we’ll succeed. All of this will be over, and everything will be fine again.”
1433
1434“Thanks. If you can save my mother and the disciples of the Earthdragon Sect, we’ll do anything for the Tang Sect in the future.”
1435
1436Huo Yuhao smiled and said, “Silly girl. You are a part of the Tang Sect. How can you speak on behalf of the Earthdragon Sect?”
1437
1438Nan Qiuqiu relaxed her hug and took two steps back. After this, she wore a displeased expression on her face. “You aren’t even as old as me yet. Don’t always think that you can act like an elder. You’re not even twenty, but you act like you’re forty.”
1439
1440An upset look flashed across Huo Yuhao’s eyes. Yes! His mental age was far older than most others of the same age, which was a result of the unfortunate events he had experienced when he was younger, as well as everything that had occurred afterward. It was also because of this that he could play a leading role in the Tang Sect, became the youngest member of the Sea God’s Pavilion in Shrek Academy, and was the first to complete the Ultimate Soldier Plan.
1441
1442Huo Yuhao took in a deep breath and checked everything he had on him before he said resolutely to Nan Qiuqiu, “Let’s go.”
1443
1444“Yes!” Nan Qiuqiu nodded.
1445
1446The two of them quickly left the hotel before they proceeded in two different directions.
1447
1448Huo Yuhao’s destination was very close, so he stopped after only walking for a short while. As he made a turn, he silently entered a narrow, dark alley. Even though there were high-altitude surveillance soul tools above him, he couldn’t possibly be detected without the use of thermal detectors.
1449
1450At the north of the city, He Caitou was standing at a window and watching the sky. It was getting closer and closer to the agreed-upon time.
1451
1452The four who had snuck out through the southern city gate were now waiting quietly twenty-five kilometers from this same city gate.
1453
1454There were simply too many surveillance soul tools in Sunrise City. There were even soul tools stationed outside the city, which prevented them from getting close. They were also waiting for their opportunity to come.
1455
1456It was getting darker and darker. The darker it was, the worse the effect of the surveillance soul tools. Of course, such a situation wasn’t going to last for long. Once high-altitude surveillance soul tools were able to be combined with thermal detectors, there would be significant improvements in the aspect of high-altitude surveillance.
1457
1458Everything was in place, and it was about time too.
1459
1460“Begin!” An instruction suddenly sounded in He Caitou’s mind.
1461
1462A passionate look suddenly flashed across He Caitou’s eyes. He rubbed his right hand across his bald head and turned around immediately. He faced all the soul tools that he had installed in the room.
1463
1464A huge ring on his right hand shone, and a dark-red barrel around a meter long with a ten-centimeter caliber appeared in his grasp.
1465
1466He took one step forward and was behind the Class 8 egg-shaped soul tool. He pointed the dark-red barrel upward.
1467
1468The structure of this hotel was very simple – there were only several two-storey buildings. They were in a room which was on the second floor of one of the buildings.
1469
1470Red lights rose silently at this point. A huge hole was vaporized in the roof of this room when the red light from the barrel was fired at it. No dust fell from the roof.
1471
1472He Caitou became more and more excited. He swept his barrel quickly, and many sections of the roof were disintegrated in a matter of seconds. Very soon, the roof ceased to exist entirely. At this point, the ‘starfishes’ that had helped to conceal the soul power undulations from this room earlier were no longer in effect.
1473
1474He Caitou quickly retracted the barrel in his hand, and it turned into a disc-like item. At the same time, he stepped on a semi-circular piece of metal that wasn’t very eye-catching below the base of the egg-shaped soul tool. One end of that soul tool immediately cracked open, and a pitch-black barrel slowly extended out. Blinding red light started to shine within this barrel, and the twenty-four Milk Bottles inside the base started to release soul power. The soul power undulations that were generated as a result immediately triggered alarms in the city.
1475
1476He Caitou wore a calm expression on his face, but there was a wild look in his eyes. He moved his right hand rapidly on the disc and kept on pressing it. A soul cannon that was pointed towards the sky started to light up. Following this, fierce gusts of wind started to rage.
1477
1478The impact caused by the tremendous soul power undulations didn’t just cause the roof to be torn apart. The surrounding walls also collapsed, and close to a hundred streaks of flowing light were targeted and shot towards the sky instantly.
1479
1480Apart from that egg-shaped soul tool in this room, there were also ten Zhuge Divine Crossbow Cannons. Each cannon was completely filled with stationary soul cannon shells. In the first wave of attack, one hundred and eighty Class 4 shells were fired.
1481
1482In monetary terms, the cost of all the shells in these ten cannons was enough to cover half a year of Sunrise City’s revenue.
1483
1484Sunrise City was indeed tightly guarded. When more than a hundred streaks of lights were fired, countless soul rays and soul cannon lights started shining near the closest north wall before they were fired to intercept the streaks of incoming light.
1485
1486Outside the city, the northern legion of soul engineers also started to gather a lot of firepower to intercept the incoming attack. They formed a huge interception net in the air and tried to stop all of the incoming shells.
1487
1488Things started to get messy inside Sunrise City too. No matter how fast they reacted, the troops in the city would only be able to arrive after fifteen minutes.
1489
1490He Caitou didn’t seem to have seen the changes in the sky. Right now, he had already focused his energy on the egg-shaped soul tool. The scarlet-red light was gradually turning golden-red at the front of this soul tool. The terrifying soul power undulations even caused He Caitou to feel a little breathless.
1491
1492He was pressing the other side of this egg-shaped soul tool right now, specifically on a red button with a skull on it.
1493
1494Rings of demonic patterned lights quickly surged upward from the base of the soul tool. When this entire soul tool turned golden-red, He Caitou pressed this button with force.
1495
1496Suddenly, the surrounding air distorted tremendously, and the high-altitude surveillance soul tools within this region lost their effect. They could only detect distorted waves.
1497
1498Following this, a ball of cone-shaped, golden-red light was fired from that barrel, and quickly rose into the sky. In the blink of an eye, it crossed the city wall and was northbound.
1499
1500There were people in charge of the high-altitude surveillance soul tools over where the northern legion of soul engineers was. In the entire continent, the Sun Moon Empire’s soul engineer legions had the greatest fighting experience with soul tools.
1501
1502Once they discovered that something was wrong, this area started to sound with deafening alarms. Following this, halos were quickly released. In the blink of an eye, they formed three layers of barriers that protected this area.
1503
1504Soul engineer legions were terrifying because they contained many soul engineers. When there were sufficient soul tools and soul engineers, the strength of a soul engineer legion could far surpass a single soul engineer.
1505
1506As they erected their defense, this legion of soul engineers focused their firepower towards the sky. They targeted the ball of golden-red light that He Caitou fired into the sky.
1507
1508Whether it was in terms of their reaction time or their methods, the Sun Moon Empire’s soul engineering legions were on point. They were dealing with an attack that came from a Class 8 soul tool.
1509
1510He Caitou revealed a cold smile on his face. He didn’t even verify whether the shots he fired were successful before he immediately retracted his egg-shaped soul tool.
1511
1512A ball-shaped soul tool drifted above his hand and the egg-shaped soul tool. A layer of icy fog was released, and helped to dissipate the heat from his egg-shaped soul tool while he quickly took out the Milk Bottles inside the base of his egg-shaped soul tool and put them away.
1513
1514If those soul engineers knew that twenty-four Class 6 Sealed Milk Bottles had been completely drained in an instant, they might not be very confident in how they were reacting.
1515
1516A middle-aged man in a purple warrior robe charged furiously out from his tent in the area where the northern legion of soul engineers was quartered, and he immediately raged, “What’s going on?”
1517
1518“Vice-commander, there are sudden, intense soul power undulations coming from inside the city. We aren’t sure what’s going on either.”
1519
1520Just as they were speaking, a series of tremendous booms had already sounded in the sky. Terrifying soul power undulations caused a dazzling scene of fireworks to appear in the sky.
1521
1522More than ninety-five percent of the stationary shells fired from the ten Zhuge Divine Crossbow Cannons were successfully intercepted, and blew apart in the sky.
1523
1524
1525
1526
1527
1528Chapter 382.1: All Sides Exploding Out!
1529
1530
1531“Clown, go send people over to check the situation out, now.” The vice-captain had a strong look of contempt as he saw the exploding lights in the sky. Does this intruder have a problem with his brain? He’s playing with soul tools with our Sun Moon Empire.
1532
1533At this moment, an extremely sharp alarm suddenly rang out. This caused the vice-leader’s expression to immediately change. “Not good, our aerial soul tools have temporarily been rendered ineffective, so we can’t use them for targeting. Our enemies still have another move, so we need to activate all defenses. I’ll go to the main control area of the military front.”
1534
1535Right. There was no one who could beat the Sun Moon Empire in terms of proficiency in soul tools, as well their use in military warfare. Even Shrek Academy wasn’t an exception to this. However, Huo Yuhao was the only person who’d successfully completed the Ultimate Soldier Plan, while He Caitou was an outstanding soul engineer who was bound to be a star of Shrek Academy. They were naturally not too worried about the Sun Moon Empire when it came to the overall strength of their soul tools. If they were to launch a carefully planned surprise attack that used all of the Tang Sect’s resources, how could they not have a chance of succeeding?
1536
1537Another hundred and eighty beams of light surged into the firework-filled sky. Every single beam was extremely accurate, as if their paths had been measured with a ruler. They left brilliant trails of fire in the sky as they flew, and their blazing glows instantly carved out another dazzling wave of light in the sky.
1538
1539The time taken between the first and second waves of the Zhuge Divine Crossbow Cannons was very short, astonishing all onlookers. This was one of the benefits of using stationary soul cannons—there was no need to charge up soul power for each shot. As long as there was enough ammo, much more firepower could be used at the same time.
1540
1541Although the Zhuge Divine Crossbow Cannon had already been sold to the three empires of the original Douluo Continent, they’d never truly appeared on a battlefield before. All of the defenses set up by the Sun Moon Empire had been geared towards soul master and soul tools.
1542
1543After using Huo Yuhao’s Spiritual Detection to lock onto their targets, they used the first wave of shots to act as a guide, while using the second wave to act as the true killer. At the same time, they used a Class 8 stationary soul cannon to control the northern city front. This was a plan that was completely directed at the aerial soul tools, and could be said to be flawless.
1544
1545Furthermore, all of the aerial soul detectors in the air crumbled to dust due to the blazing-hot explosives amidst the firework-filled sky. The godly might of the Zhuge Divine Crossbow Cannon once again revealed itself, and a third wave was once again fired in a short period of time.
1546
1547They didn’t target the northern city this time around. Instead, it was fired at the eastern and western city walls. After He Caitou fired the Class 8 stationary soul cannon, he’d completed a simple tuning of the Crossbow Cannons.
1548
1549The soul engineer legions stationed in the western and eastern parts of the city simply had no way of stopping these stationary soul cannons. This was because they’d fired at a much lower trajectory than before. Combined with the lack of their lack of aerial surveillance soul tools, they’d turned into blind men. How could they blindly fire their soul tools towards the city?
1550
1551Just as the third wave of cannons were fired, that brilliant beam of golden light collided with the northern city’s protective barrier.
1552
1553“Boom…” The earth shook, and mountains quaked.
1554
1555A terrifying explosion shook the heavens and the earth, and even Radiant City could faintly hear the loud explosions from this place.
1556
1557The protective barrier over at the Soul Engineer Legion front was on the verge of collapse, but they were able to take this barrage of attacks.
1558
1559The commander, who’d already rushed to the core of the front, suddenly had a change in expression, and finally let out a long sigh.
1560
1561“It’s still good. This is only the strength of a Class 7 stationary soul cannon. Otherwise, our protective barrier wouldn’t be standing. Pass down my commands. Everyone, use all of your soul power and increase the reserves of soul power in our defensive soul tools. Fire all of our backup aerial surveillance soul tools towards the sky.”
1562
1563Although the aerial surveillance soul tools in the air were already a large part of their reserves, they were still reserves. However, though there weren’t a lot of reserves, something was better than nothing! Since they were already used to aerial surveillance soul tools guiding them in battle, they didn’t dare to act rashly at all with the lack of their little toys.
1564
1565The vice-captain, who was the acting commander at the military front, had an expression so ugly that he wanted to die. He fiercely said to himself, “Don’t these good-for-nothings in the city know how many stationary soul tools they’ve set up? You’d need at least three hundred Class 4 or stronger stationary soul cannons to generate this amount of force. You’d need at least three thousand square meters to set something like that up. Why didn’t these incompetent bastards notice that many soul tools in the city? They’re truly thorough bastards. Hmm? Why do I feel the earth shaking a bit? Quick, where are our land surveillance soul tools? Go check on them. Don’t tell me that a Dragon has woken up?”
1566
1567Just as the vice-captain was muttering to himself, his expression suddenly changed enormously. The ground beneath him had already transformed into a patch of gold, and the area that this patch covered had already far exceeded the area that their Soul Engineer Legion front had stationed themselves in.
1568
1569Class 7? No, that’s a Class 8. Also, it’s a Class 8 like the one the Illustrious Virtue Hall meticulously crafted, one that’s specifically geared towards taking down defensive fronts like this one.
1570
1571As the violent explosions rang out, nobody was able to see an even more piercing golden light vigorously tunnel itself into the ground. After that, it quietly travelled several hundred meters beneath the ground to arrive at the core of their military front. Then…
1572
1573“Boom, boooom, booooooom….”
1574
1575A terrifying golden light instantly transformed the entirety of the northern city into a golden sea. An enormous ball of golden light that resembled the early stages of sunrise revealed itself from the ground. Not even ten people were able to activate their personal soul barriers and Invincible Barriers in time to block and escape from this terrifyingly huge explosion that was like punishment from the heavens.
1576
1577At this exact same time, the walls of the western and eastern cities each received a baptism from ninety stationary soul cannons. These were stationary soul cannons! Just how large were these cities? They were only mock-ups of ordinary cities.
1578
1579A large number of soul detectors and defensive soul tools stationed on the two city walls blossomed with resplendent light.
1580
1581Due to the limited area of the city walls, the soul tools stationed there were mostly soul detectors aimed outside and inside the city. Who would’ve thought that they’d actually be attacked, given that there were two Soul Engineer Legions stationed outside the city walls? Furthermore, this had been done from the inside. Because of that, the defensive power of the city walls weren’t strong enough. This was also the correct decision made by Huo Yuhao after carrying out a thorough investigation.
1582
1583Because of that, the various expensive soul detectors on the city walls shattered after their defensive soul tools couldn’t withstand the continuous bombardment of Huo Yuhao’s stationary soul cannons. In the next instant, over a third of the city walls collapsed.
1584
1585He Caitou was not happy at all. He put the perfect Class 8 stationary soul cannon he’d just fired away, then quickly put the Zhuge Divine Crossbow Cannons away as well. However, from the racket he could hear outside, he knew that he didn’t have much time left.
1586
1587Why was he not happy? Moreover, why did he look like he was attending a funeral? This was because he couldn’t bear to do it! He felt pained!
1588
1589Those were three hundred and sixty stationary soul cannon shells! An overwhelming majority of them had been taken from Radiant City, and these three hundred and sixty stationary soul cannons shells were around a third of the total Class 4 stationary soul cannons they’d taken back. The total value of these soul tools couldn’t even be measured with money.
1590
1591However, Bei Bei had let them bring all of this to ensure they would be be able to safely overwhelm their opponents during the course of this mission. Within a short minute, they had squandered all of this.
1592
1593The Zhuge Divine Crossbow Cannon was truly powerful. It was absolutely much more powerful than any other soul tool of its class.
1594
1595However, the firing of this terrifying array of cannon shells was backed by countless amounts of gold. It would’ve been slightly better if they’d used soul power instead. For example, in a situation like this, where they’d used stationary soul cannons. It was true that stationary soul cannons were powerful, and their effects were superb. However, they’d also caused so much heartache that it would render one unable to breathe!
1596
1597“Damn it. These brats are coming really quickly. I have to go. Babies, I can’t bear to part with you guys!” He Caitou, who’d only managed to keep two Zhuge Divine Crossbow Cannons, took out a miniature floating soul detector from midair. He looked at the bright red light on it, then looked at the other eight Crossbow Cannons with a look of unwillingness. Then, he clenched his teeth and jumped off the roof.
1598
1599The instant he jumped out, a pitch-black soul cannon appeared on his shoulder. Without any booms or whatnot, a dark figure shot towards the direction of the northern city and vanished into the night. Without any aerial surveillance soul tools around, nobody had noticed his movement.
1600
1601Just as He Caitou quietly snuck away, everyone within Sunrise City started to move about as though they’d been awakened.
1602
1603The cold-faced Ma Xiaotao had already flown towards the northern city along with the Third and Fourth Elders. The instant they rose into the air, what they saw was an astonishing, enormously large explosion of gold.
1604
1605The defense of the water prison was paramount. Thus, even Ma Xiaotao couldn’t drag Zhong Li and his brothers away at this point in time. She could only warn them to carefully guard the water prison before leaving.
1606
1607While Sunrise City was in a state of chaos, nobody noticed that a person had borrowed the cover of darkness to quietly lie down beside the southern moat. This person quietly dipped into the moat.
1608
1609Huo Yuhao had borrowed the opportunity granted to him by the destruction of the aerial surveillance soul tools to slip away stealthily from the city walls. This time around, he used the same old trick—he’d used his spiritual power to seal his soul power, then used his Ultimate Ice to lower his body temperature.
1610
1611
1612
1613
1614
1615Chapter 382.2: All Sides Exploding Out!
1616
1617
1618By using his Ultimate Ice to lower his body temperature, all the remaining soul tools would be rendered ineffective for a short period of time. Naturally, Huo Yuhao would be at his weakest during this period of time as well.
1619
1620He relied completely on the physical strength of a Soul Emperor to cross the city walls. Combined with his Spiritual Interference, he was able to leave the city without alerting anyone. He was now lying by the moat to slowly recover his soul power.
1621
1622By the time the terrifying explosion caused by the Class 8 stationary soul cannon occurred, he’d nearly removed the seal placed on his soul power. Only then did he quietly submerge himself into the water and dig his way into the water prison.
1623
1624This time around, what he used was his physical body and not his spiritual avatar. Once he entered the water prison, it wouldn’t be easy for him to leave.
1625
1626Huo Yuhao performed a cursory observation of the water prison with his spiritual power. Very quickly, he discovered the lively soul power contained within the various soul masters and soul engineers it held. Even if they weren’t fully recovered, they had enough strength to fight one battle, at least.
1627
1628Huo Yuhao held on to the metal railings of the water prison with a single hand and used the other to push against the water in the moat. A jade-green light rose from his body, and the little Snow Lady quietly appeared by his side.
1629
1630The current Snow Lady was already a big kid who looked around eight or nine. A noble and cold look had already replaced her originally cute face, making her seem much like the original Snow Lady.
1631
1632An extremely chilly intent instantly spread outwards, freezing the moat outside at a speed that the naked eye could see.
1633
1634The little Snow Lady nodded softly towards Huo Yuhao, then gently twisted about in the water to reach the depths of the moat. Unexpectedly, one could see snowflakes fluttering around her, even underwater.
1635
1636The moat, which was originally flowing vigorously, had been blocked by a wall of ice after a short period of time. The area of this wall of ice then covered both sides of the moat at an astonishing speed.
1637
1638With the Snow Lady here, Huo Yuhao simply didn’t need to do anything. With a wave of his right hand, the Darkgolden Terrorclaws shot out and noiselessly tore the metal railings apart.
1639
1640His use of Ultimate Ice was perfect. Just like how the water in the water prison wouldn’t flow outwards, the extreme cold within it wouldn’t diffuse out either. Otherwise, a large problem could occur if they were to freeze everyone within the water prison.
1641
1642After quietly submerging and swimming around in the water, Huo Yuhao began to spread his spiritual power out to cover the entirety of the water prison.
1643
1644At this moment, the evil soul masters within the water prison were somewhat nervous. The Zhong brothers were huddled together on another side of the water prison, which was also its true entrance.
1645
1646Never in their wildest dreams would they have imagined that somebody would enter the water prison via the moat under the surveillance of so many soul detectors on the southern city walls. From what they were aware of, the moat water still contained the extremely toxic Soul Exterminating Powder. If a soul master was to swim within the water, their soul power would quickly be dispersed. What threat would they be able to pose then?
1647
1648Huo Yuhao’s spiritual power deliberately avoided the area where the Zhong brothers were and even the hostages who were by their side. For the sake of preventing any accidents, it was sufficient to inform a large number of people, but not all, of what was going to happen.
1649
1650“Everyone, make your preparations.” Huo Yuhao’s thoughts were quickly transmitted into the minds of the hostages by way of his Spiritual Detection.
1651
1652The hostages, who’d been acting as though they were weak all this while, immediately felt their spirits rise.
1653
1654In reality, they were already doing their best to hold themselves back after recovering their soul power. Although there were quite a few evil soul masters here, they were insignificant compared to the number of hostages held here. They were still somewhat fearful of the two evil Titled Douluo from before, but the number of evil soul masters left here was clearly much less than before!
1655
1656Were it not for the elders restraining them, some of the younger hostages would’ve been unable to stop themselves from trying to escape. After being held captive here for a few months, the gloominess pent up in their hearts could be imagined.
1657
1658Huo Yuhao didn’t tell them what the signal to move was, because there was simply no need for that.
1659
1660—
1661
1662The southern city walls.
1663
1664All of the patrolling soldiers were staring at the northern city. The brilliant golden light that had risen into the air had finally started to disperse, though there were still sparks faintly flying about along the walls of the eastern and western city. The sounds of the violent explosions from those areas made the atmosphere in the Southern City extraordinarily tense.
1665
1666Many of the soldiers stationed there felt inwardly happy. Fortunately, nothing had happened to them.
1667
1668“What are you looking at? Get to your places, what are you doing?!” A strict voice suddenly rang out. As he started shouting, the various soldiers rushed back to their positions.
1669
1670“Commander, take a look at this. This, what is this?” A soldier in charge of a soul detector cried out in surprise.
1671
1672“Hmm?” The originally angry commander quickly ran over.
1673
1674“What’s the situation?”
1675
1676“Commander, there are undulations of soul power. However, we can’t see anyone at all!” The soldier pointed at the simple soul screen in front of him.
1677
1678Large, greenish ripples were floating about on the screen in front of him. This signified that there was an extremely strong and wide undulation of soul power in the city below him.
1679
1680“This is…” The commander was at a loss as well. He immediately took a look at the other soul detectors around him and discovered that they were all inactive. Nor did he discover any life signs of any living creatures. Only the soul detector in front of him had produced this result.
1681
1682“Commander, you’d better come over here!” Another soldier at a different area cried out.
1683
1684“What now?” The commander quickly rushed over.
1685
1686The soldier pointed at the screen in front of him, dumbstruck, “My thermal soul tool seems to have malfunctioned! It’s showing that the temperature underground is dropping madly! How, how can this be?!”
1687
1688“The temperature of the ground beneath us is dropping?” The commander quickly stretched his head to look down the wall, and the soldier next to him turned on a soul lamp to light up the area.
1689
1690The city walls around Sunrise City weren’t too tall. When the light from the soul lamp illuminated the moat, the commander finally discovered what the problem was.
1691
1692He suddenly let out an ear-piercing screech, “Enemy attack!”
1693
1694Why would the moat suddenly freeze for no reason? He himself was a soul master, and he could guess the reason for this. Only a soul master could cause an astonishing phenomenon like this!
1695
1696Unfortunately, he’d made his discovery too late.
1697
1698The water prison. When the little Snow Lady quietly returned to Huo Yuhao’s body, his eyes lit up.
1699
1700It was time!
1701
1702His body shook slightly, and the soul thrusters on his back caused Huo Yuhao to shoot out from the water with a whoosh.
1703
1704The moment he appeared, he immediately attracted the attention of every single hostage and evil soul master. Even the Zhong brothers, who were discussing the situation outside, were not an exception to this.
1705
1706Five soul rings rose from Huo Yuhao’s feet one after another. For the sake of attracting even more of his opponent’s attention, he made all five of these soul rings glow with a blood-red light.
1707
1708His third soul ring lit up, and a white layer of light instantly spread out from Huo Yuhao’s body.
1709
1710Mass Enfeeblement!
1711
1712Huo Yuhao didn’t hold anything back at a time like this. The instant he released his Mass Enfeeblement, Huo Yuhao clenched his fist in midair.
1713
1714The violent sound of an explosion instantly rang out.
1715
1716The reason why Ice Explosion was known as a godly skill was because of its terrifying effect whenever there was sufficient ice.
1717
1718Although Ice Explosion couldn’t be used within the moat due to a lack of soul power that could be used to trigger it, it had transformed into Huo Yuhao’s best source of gunpowder after it was frozen.
1719
1720The large moat had been frozen solid, causing the violent explosion from Huo Yuhao’s skill to spread all the way to the outside.
1721
1722This was also the exact instant that the commander yelled out.
1723
1724After receiving so many new hostages, the overall defenses of Sunrise City had increased by a few levels. However, the only thing that didn’t change was the thickness of its city walls.
1725
1726After all, this was just a small city. They’d only set this whole shebang up to draw in people from the Douluo Continent’s three empires, who would attempt to rescue the hostages. There was no way that they’d specifically reinforce the city walls for this.
1727
1728Because of that, the foundations of the southern walls were thoroughly shaken by the explosion of the moat.
1729
1730It seemed as though the entire earth was trembling within the water prison. The violent rumbling, as well as Huo Yuhao rushing out of the water was already the best signal he could give the hostages.
1731
1732Rays of light began to glow within the prison. The hostages who’d gone through countless hardships during their imprisonment finally went all-out.
1733
1734The prison could keep them in while their soul power was limited, but how could it withstand the might of several experts who’d recovered their soul power?
1735
1736The entire prison was destroyed in an instant. The instant the prisoners rushed out, they launched a wave of long-range soul skills towards the evil soul masters guarding the prison. Everything was shaking at this moment, and the wall had already begun to collapse. The other entrance of the water prison, which was where Huo Yuhao had entered, had already been blown apart.
1737
1738Everything had perfectly gone according to Huo Yuhao’s plan.
1739
1740Although the Zhong brothers reacted instantly, they were facing several hundred soul masters.
1741
1742This group of soul masters didn’t just consist of the students who were representing their various academies and sects. There were also a few teachers, leaders and experts as well! There was no lack of seven-ringed and eight-ringed existences within this group!
1743
1744During their imprisonment, they’d suffered at the hands of these evil soul masters. They’d lived in suffering and neared the border between life and death every day. When this pent-up anger instantly exploded, even evil soul masters would be afraid of them going all-out with no regard for their lives!
1745
1746A few of the several dozen evil soul masters were instantly destroyed by the first wave of attacks.
1747
1748Although the Zhong brothers didn’t really understand why the hostages had regained their combat strength, they could only run away at top speed. Otherwise, they would definitely be torn to shreds by these people!
1749
1750—
1751
1752At the same time, several kilometers away from the south side of the city…
1753
1754Xu Sanshi stood on a small hill, looking toward Sunrise City.
1755
1756The sounds of explosions from Sunrise City signified that the plan had fully started. They were now waiting, waiting for the signal for the next part of the plan.
1757
1758
1759
1760
1761
1762Chapter 382.3: All Sides Exploding Out!
1763
1764
1765“It’s time to move. The troops stationed in the East and West have already moved towards the North. Caitou should’ve succeeded.” Jing Ziyan fiddled with a little device in her hand.
1766
1767Xu Sanshi nodded.
1768
1769Ji Juechen stood beside Jing Ziyan. He now had his usual stern face on, as he tightly gripped the Judgement Sword in his right hand.
1770
1771Jing Ziyan turned to Xu Sanshi and said, “The troops outside the South City haven’t made a move yet. It seems like they’ve received an order to remain there no matter what. Are we going to start the plan or not?”
1772
1773Xu Sanshi shook his head. “Let’s just wait for a bit longer. Once Yuhao makes his move, the Soul Engineer Legion outside the city will definitely not be able to stay silent anymore. They should send a few soldiers away to the front. That’s when we’ll make our move.”
1774
1775“Okay.” Jing Ziyan nodded.
1776
1777Xu Sanshi closed his eyes, as though he had entered a meditative state standing up. Streams of dull, black air started to move about near him, and the other three moved away from him. Standing near him made them feel as if they’d sunken into quicksand.
1778
1779Huo Yuhao didn’t make them wait for long. After a few minutes, the large explosion coming from the southern moat occurred. The terrifying explosive power it released made the city walls tremble, and even caused cracks to appear in many places.
1780
1781Sure enough, the army stationed outside the city made a move the instant something came up. Via her soul detector, Jing Ziyan was able to tell that the troops stationed there were a mess. It seemed like they were gathering together.
1782
1783“Prepare to move out. Go to your designated positions!” Xu Sanshi let out a low shout.
1784
1785Ye Guyi, Ji Juechen, and Jing Ziyan quickly ran towards a circle drawn not far away from Xu Sanshi.
1786
1787Two yellow, two purple, and two black soul rings rose from Xu Sanshi’s feet. An enormous Black Tortoise image also appeared behind him.
1788
1789A pitch-black Xuanwu Shield appeared noiselessly in his palm. As Xu Sanshi turned towards the sky, Jing Ziyan took out another soul tool and pressed a button on it.
1790
1791When all of the aerial surveillance soul tools above Sunrise City were destroyed by the Zhuge Divine Crossbow Cannons, Jing Ziyan quietly fired two soul tools into the sky. One was an aerial surveillance soul tool similar to that used by the Sun Moon Empire, specifically used to monitor the situation of the Soul Engineer Legion outside the city.
1792
1793The sudden appearance of an enemy, moreover in three different areas, was especially devastating. The southern city’s most important duty was to protect the water prison, but they were instantly turned into blind men following the destruction of all of their aerial surveillance soul tools. Although they were prepared to launch replacements, they still needed a bit more time. Naturally, they couldn’t be faster than someone like Jing Ziyan, who was already prepared.
1794
1795Other than the aerial surveillance soul tool, the other thing Jing Ziyan had fired was much stranger. Even she didn’t know what it was.
1796
1797That thing was very large, around five meters long and shaped like a huge umbrella. This was the largest soul tool they’d brought along with them.
1798
1799The instant Xu Sanshi announced the start of the mission, Jing Ziyan pressed the button that activated this umbrella-shaped soul tool.
1800
1801Immediately, a point in the sky lit up, and the huge umbrella opened up!
1802
1803The enormous umbrella had a diameter of nearly ten meters and released a bright silver light. A weak beam of light and had no offensive capabilities instantly landed outside the city by the barracks, about ten kilometers away from Xu Sanshi.
1804
1805The appearance of this beam of light was precisely when the barracks was in a state of chaos, the instant they’d sent out reinforcements to Sunrise City! Due to the lack of aerial surveillance soul tools, only a few people noticed the glow of this beam of light that accompanied the opening of the huge umbrella and felt that something wasn’t right.
1806
1807At this exact moment, a brilliant light shot out from Xu Sanshi’s eyes. With his Xuanwu Shield held high, his fourth soul ring lit up.
1808
1809The umbrella-shaped soul tool shot out another beam of light. This time around, it shone on the circle Ye Guyi and the others were standing in.
1810
1811Xu Sanshi leapt forward, jumping into this ray of light. Right after that, the dark light on his Xuanwu Shield lit up brightly. With a flash, he vanished into thin air. However, a flabbergasted soul engineer from the Sun Moon Empire’s Soul Engineer Legion appeared in his place and directly fell to the ground.
1812
1813Ji Juechen made an overly simple movement with his Judgement Sword, causing the struggling soul engineer to vanish.
1814
1815Right after that, another light flashed. Ji Juechen vanished into thin air, but Xu Sanshi returned.
1816
1817The enormous umbrella-shaped soul tool in the sky was something Xuan Ziwen had created especially for Xu Sanshi, called a soul mirror. This was a soul tool that could utilize the mirror within the huge umbrella to magnify an image of places far away for Xu Sanshi to look at.
1818
1819If Xu Sanshi still had his Mysterious Underworld Shield, this soul tool would’ve been of no use to him at all. However, certain impossible things had become possible following his martial soul’s evolution into the Xuanwu Shield. For example, he could now use his Mysterious Underworld Displacement on anything within his line of sight! It would now be more appropriate to call it the Xuanwu Displacement!
1820
1821Xu Sanshi had used this soul tool to transport himself over to the Soul Engineer Legion, then sent Ji Juechen over afterwards.
1822
1823At this moment, there were still not many people within the southern Soul Engineer Legion who had discovered what had just occurred.
1824
1825Ji Juechen appeared out of thin air, then gently landed. Immediately afterwards, he charged out from the circle of light that the soul mirror had created.
1826
1827The surrounding soul engineers felt something was off. Immediately, someone came up to question him.
1828
1829Ji Juechen possessed a certain level of strength. He shot forward like a bolt of lightning and grabbed at a soul engineer who was questioning him. He threw him into the circle of light with a flip of his hand.
1830
1831And so, Xu Sanshi returned. After three consecutive displacements, Xu Sanshi, Jing Ziyan, and Ye Guyi used the same method to forcefully charge into the southern Soul Engineer Legion several dozen kilometers away from them!
1832
1833Even a Titled Douluo who was skilled in spatial abilities wouldn’t be able to use an Instant Teleportation that could cross a distance that far! However, Xu Sanshi had done it, albeit with the aid of a soul tool.
1834
1835Naturally, he was drained of a large amount of soul power following this displacement. He held a Milk Bottle in each of his hands and began recovering his soul power immediately after he re-appeared.
1836
1837Only at this moment did the men in the barracks realize that something was wrong. However, the soul mirror in the sky had already been put away by Jing Ziyan.
1838
1839This little thing was still useful to them. There was even a possibility that they would need this to save Huo Yuhao and the rest later.
1840
1841A large number of soul engineers started to surround them, blocking them off.
1842
1843The first person to make a move, however, was still the Sword Fanatic.
1844
1845Even if he had love in his heart, his fighting style would never change! With his Judgement Sword pointed towards the sky, he took a step forward with his left foot. Then, he made a half-turn and swept his longsword horizontally.
1846
1847An intense, chilly light spread out in a fan-shaped sweep. The soul engineers who were activating their soul tools in order to attack felt a chill pervade their bodies, then lost consciousness in the next moment.
1848
1849Ye Guyi was standing behind Ji Juechen and thus was able to see him most clearly. Ji Juechen’s horizontal sweep contained a biting cold sword light that reached out a full hundred meters, and no living beings remained wherever his sword passed. At least thirty Class 3 and 4 soul engineers were cut down with a single stroke of his sword.
1850
1851This fellow is really scary! Ye Guyi felt a chill go up her spine. She clearly remembered how she and Nan Qiuqiu had constantly challenged him to fight. She could now tell from the imposing aura coming off Ji Juechen’s sword that he had been going easy on them all this while.
1852
1853Ji Juchen didn’t stop moving. With his sword in his hand, he shot through areas with the most number of people like a bolt of lightning. The Judgement Sword in his hand seemed to look disdainfully upon its enemies, and corpses littered the ground wherever it swept past.
1854
1855It would be very hard to determine who was the strongest person in the Tang Sect. However, if one were to talk about the most destructive, and the person whose ability to kill was greatest, the answers to these questions would be He Caitou and Ji Juechen.
1856
1857If one were to take out the use of soul tools, then only Ji Juechen would remain.
1858
1859Many soul engineers already had their soul tools pointed at Ji Juechen. However, the troops stationed here were not the best troops that the Sun Moon Empire had. Their greatest strength lay in defending the military front, as well as the soul tool formations they’d set up in advance.
1860
1861Just as a soul engineer’s worst nightmare was fighting against a soul master in close-combat, the way this army fought was also susceptible to close-combat.
1862
1863The area inside the front itself was the weakest point of the Soul Engineer Legion!
1864
1865Ji Juechen was already a Soul Sage, but his destructive power wasn’t something that ordinary Soul Sages could compare to. Those Class 3 and 4 soul tools were completely destroyed by his chilly sword intent before they even reached him.
1866
1867The only person who made him pause slightly was a Class 6 soul engineer. However, the sad thing was that this soul engineer was skilled at close-combat.
1868
1869Thus, Ji Juechen gripped his sword with both hands. After standing still for a brief moment, the area between him and the Class 6 soul engineer turned into a patch of grey.
1870
1871This was the Sword Fanatic’s Domain, the Solitary Domain!
1872
1873Afterwards… there was no afterwards! The Sword Fanatic would never show mercy to an opponent. This was especially true after he’d gotten a new lover. His lover was standing on this battlefield, and one less opponent meant one greater chance that his lover would remain safe. This had also caused the fighting intent in this cold man to reach an unprecedented level.
1874
1875Naturally, in Ji Juechen’s own opinion, he stubbornly believed that the reason his will to fight had grown stronger was because he had found the right path. Yes, this was the power of love!
1876
1877While Ji Juechen was killing his way through the battlefield, the others didn’t just laze around. As if she had sprinkled beans on the ground to create soldiers, Jing Ziyan released an all-terrain self-driving soul fort and hid herself within it.
1878
1879As a member of the Tang Sect, although she didn’t know how to create soul tools, she was relatively proficient at using them. One couldn’t forget that she had originally come from the Sun Moon Soul Engineering Academy. After seriously practicing their use a few times, she was naturally skilled at using this all-terrain self-driving soul fort!
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885Chapter 383.1: Breaking Out From the Siege
1886
1887
1888The all-terrain self-driving fort she drove had been enhanced. The moment it entered its control mode, over a hundred cannons started to fire furiously. It was as if it did not require any soul power at all as it shot the soul cannons placed by the soul engineer legions to smithereens.
1889
1890It actually did not require any soul power. Specifically, it did not require any of Jing Ziyan’s soul power!
1891
1892This all-terrain self-driving fort was equipped with more than thirty Class 5 Milk Bottles. It could fight for hours without recharging, and Jing Ziyan now used it to its maximum potential.
1893
1894Instantly, the soul engineers whose positions were under fire were sent running in all directions.
1895
1896All of the soul engineer legions of the Sun Moon Empire had a subordinate army. After all, soul engineers were more important and costlier. Someone had to do the dirty and tiring work, such as raising the outer defenses.
1897
1898That was work for the subordinate army.
1899
1900To the south of the city, there were more soul engineers in position, numbering around three hundred. There was a Class 8 soul engineer, two Class 7 soul engineers, and five Class 6 soul engineers. Coupled with the many other soul engineers who had taken up position there, their defenses were very tight.
1901
1902However, at this moment, the Class 8 soul engineer had brought the two Class 7 soul engineers to reinforce the south of the city. There were no strong soul engineers left over there.
1903
1904The subordinate army, realizing that something was wrong, charged over. However, the many less powerful soul engineers fell into despair under the heavy bombardment from the all-terrain self-driving fort and the sharp sword qi of the Sword Fanatic.
1905
1906The inky-black light only started to dissipate at this very moment. Xu Sanshi did not even need to maximize the power of his Xuanwu Domain. All he had to do was to ensure that its area of effect was maximized.
1907
1908Everything within a two hundred and fifty meter radius appeared to have turned into a swamp. Everyone, both soul engineers and the subordinate army, who rushed into this area immediately felt as if they had dived into a deep pool of mud. There was no way they could even see the location of the Sword Fanatic and the all-terrain self-driving fort.
1909
1910This was the strength of the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy! While soul engineers continually threatened the position of soul masters, truly powerful soul masters were highly intimidating.
1911
1912Even Xu Tianran, who had a high opinion of himself, had no choice but to collaborate with the Holy Ghost Church because of his fear of powerful soul masters! Shrek Academy was one such power he feared greatly!
1913
1914Xu Sanshi and the other three could not sustain this onslaught for long. Once the soul engineer legions reacted properly, they would gather even more soul tools to take care of them. They would be in trouble then. However, by launching this sudden attack, what they wanted to do now was not to destroy the positions of the soul engineers, but to create as much chaos as possible. This would create enough opportunities for Huo Yuhao and the others to break out with the hostages.
1915
1916—
1917
1918Inside the water prison, the many hostages rushed out like a group of starving tigers had just been released. They had suffered greatly over the past few months, and they hated the evil soul masters with all their guts. The moment they could, they covered the entire area with long-range attacks launched at full power, killing more than half of the weaker evil soul masters.
1919
1920The Zhong brothers realized that the situation was turning bad for them, and they made their way to the exit while defending themselves. Their attackers were a few hundred soul masters! Even the weakest ones had at least four rings! Even if there were no powerful Titled Douluo, there were still many powerful Soul Sages and Soul Douluo, most of whom were teachers or powerful members of the various sects. Their numbers rivaled that of a soul engineer legion. In terms of individual fighting abilities, they surpassed the soul engineer legions! How could the brothers possibly beat them?
1921
1922Huo Yuhao did not try to stop the Zhong brothers from leaving. The three of them were extremely powerful, and they specialized in controlling the souls of soul beasts to fight. They were all eight-ringed evil soul masters, and the moment they got over their shock, they would wreak horrific destruction. Ma Xiaotao could not delay the two evil Titled Douluo for long, either. After such a huge commotion, they would surely return shortly. Hence, the most important thing for them to do was rush out. They had to break through the seal of the soul engineers outside and reach somewhere spacious. Even a Titled Douluo would not dare to fight against more than a hundred soul masters at once!
1923
1924Hence, the most important thing right now was to break out as far as they could. Huo Yuhao knew what to do afterward.
1925
1926He activated his Spiritual Detection Sharing fully, and in the minds of every emotionally-charged person, the same voice resonated, “Calm yourselves. Follow me and break out.”
1927
1928As he said that, Huo Yuhao turned around and looked toward the south of the city, which had been completely flattened. His body started to shine with an eye-catching jade-green light.
1929
1930In the next instant, a thick jade-green pillar of light pierced through the sky and bombarded the area over there. An intense explosion sounded, and flakes of ice flew in all directions. A huge hole had appeared in the wall. Huo Yuhao’s soul thruster shone with light once more as he quickly arrived in front of the hole. As the hostages watched, dark-golden claws almost ten meters long appeared suddenly and silently. The broken hole became five times larger.
1931
1932Someone, either a powerful member of a random sect or a teacher, gasped and said, “The Darkgolden Terrorclaw?”
1933
1934“Go, now!” Huo Yuhao cried out. This time, his voice was filled with spiritual undulations.
1935
1936While many of these hostages’ soul power had recovered, and they had also been soaked in a reinvigorating medicine, they had also been imprisoned in the water prison for a few months. Their strength was far from optimal. Hence, they could not wait until their bodies showed signs of fatigue. There could be no delay in their breakout.
1937
1938As for the Zhong brothers, Huo Yuhao believed that they would not dare re-enter for the moment. There were a few hundred soul masters here! No matter who was guarding them, surely their first response right now was to get help.
1939
1940Huo Yuhao, who was at the front, rushed out first.
1941
1942The moat outside was now riddled with explosions. Right now, the water from the moat was flowing outwards.
1943
1944Huo Yuhao’s soul thruster fired down to ensure that he could remain suspended in mid-air. As his hands touched the water, one could clearly see that they were enveloped in diamond-like ice crystals. This was his Ice Empress’ Pincer.
1945
1946A cold gas started to spread and turned into two rays of emerald-green light. First, they struck the surging water, which slowed, and then stopped. Then, under the terrifying chill of his Ultimate Ice, Huo Yuhao froze the moat solid.
1947
1948As he pulled his hands apart, he cast his gaze afar.
1949
1950The soul engineers had been thrown into complete disarray. At this moment, a team of around fifty soul engineers was rushing toward them. When they saw Huo Yuhao, a ball of blinding red light flew toward him like a shooting star in the night sky.
1951
1952A smile crept across Huo Yuhao’s face. He had expected this. The fifty soul engineers stationed outside the southern gate were caught between a rock and a hard place. They had realized that something was amiss at their flank, but they had no choice but to push forward.
1953
1954As he watched the high-explosive bomb hurtling toward him, Huo Yuhao did not try to dodge.
1955
1956A layer of golden light shone from his body and his eyes turned completely golden. In his eyes, he was analyzing the path of this high-explosive bomb. With his terrifying spiritual power, his ability to analyze any single object was intimidating.
1957
1958He raised his right hand, and diamond-like ice crystals shone brightly on his hand. Then, he reached out to grab the incoming high-explosive bomb.
1959
1960Poof! A curious scene appeared. The moment Huo Yuhao’s right hand grabbed the high-explosive bomb, the explosion the soul engineers were expecting did not materialize. Instead, the red light surrounding the high-explosive bomb faded. Its impact, however, made Huo Yuhao waver slightly in mid-air. Following that, the high-explosive bomb was completely destroyed in Huo Yuhao’s hand.
1961
1962A high-explosive bomb’s power came from an intense compression of fire-type soul power. With the formation array of a Class 6 soul tool, its soul power was further destabilized before it was fired. Once it hit its target or met any resistance, it would disrupt and cause a massive explosion.
1963
1964What Huo Yuhao did was use his spiritual power to find the location of its unstable core and then, with his Ultimate Ice, freeze it!
1965
1966While it sounded simple, it was extremely difficult to locate the highly-unstable core of a powerful high-explosive bomb in such a short time! However, he did it almost perfectly.
1967
1968“It’s my turn!” Huo Yuhao muttered to himself. Then, the air around him started to twist and turn as he activated his Spiritual Interference.
1969
1970In the eyes of the fifty soul engineers facing him, the person who was floating in mid-air disappeared. The originally-destroyed city walls regained their original state, as did the moat. It was as if nothing had happened, and everything had been a dream.
1971
1972“This…” For the fifty soul engineers, who were all armed to the teeth and wielding their favorite soul tools, this scene left them speechless. They had no qualms about attacking their enemies, but right now, the city walls and the moat in front of them were completely intact. Where were their targets? How could they fire with no target?
1973
1974“No, this is an illusion. I order—” The soul engineer legion commander was a Class 8 soul engineer. He had seen many things in his life, and after a momentary pause, he realized that something was amiss. However, he did not manage to issue his order.
1975
1976An odd golden whirlpool suddenly appeared above his head. He felt everything in front of him go blurry, and forcibly swallowed his words. His thoughts were scattered.
1977
1978This was Huo Yuhao’s fourth soul skill, Spiritual Confusion!
1979
1980While Huo Yuhao was at Rank 60, he only had five soul rings. However, with the terrifying strength of his spiritual power, while he lacked the fighting abilities of a six-ringed soul master, he had no need to conserve soul power like other soul masters as he used the many soul skills of his Spirit Eyes.
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986Chapter 383.2: Breaking Out From the Siege
1987
1988
1989He used his spiritual power to replace the functions of his soul power. From when he had first entered the water prison until now, he had used his soul skills one after the other without stopping, yet remained in his prime state.
1990
1991One versus fifty? Huo Yuhao was not that dumb or that powerful. His opponents included Class 7 and Class 8 soul engineers. Right now, his role was not one of an assault-type soul master, but instead one of a control-type soul master. His objective was to control the entire battlefield.
1992
1993After a momentary pause, dozens of figures rushed out of the illusion from the river, which still appeared intact.
1994
1995The greatest advantage of Huo Yuhao’s Spiritual Detection was fully exemplified at this very moment. After he broke out from the water prison, he used his Spiritual Detection to accurately determine the distance of the fifty soul engineers from the southern part of the city. They were less than a hundred meters away from the river. This distance, to soul engineers, was not safe at all.
1996
1997After the dozens of soul masters rushed over from the frozen riverbed of the river, they would be less than a hundred meters away from the confused soul engineers.
1998
1999Under Huo Yuhao’s Spiritual Detection, the hostages were split into three forces. Among them, those with six rings and above were split into two groups. One group would rush forward first as the vanguard. The other group would remain at the back to keep the rear safe. The other soul masters, who had fewer than six soul rings, would remain in the center.
2000
2001This meant that the first wave of those who rushed out all had at least six rings. They were all at least Soul Emperors!
2002
2003The moment they rushed out of the river, they maximized their speed as they rushed toward the soul engineers like frenzied tigers.
2004
2005The soul engineers finally reacted. Rays of light shot out from their soul tools.
2006
2007If the two sides were in formation, and if there was enough distance between them, the hostages would not have an advantage no matter how powerful they were. This was because the soul engineer legions of the Sun Moon Empire had trained together for a very long time. Various soul tools could work in tandem with one another, helping each other out, and hence, they would be able to project much more power than what their numbers might suggest.
2008
2009However, the fifty soul engineers were currently faced with an impossible scenario. They had lost their center of command, and they could not put enough distance between themselves and their enemies. When they finally reacted, they were naturally unable to unleash their most powerful attacks. The soul masters they faced right now were the best from some of the most powerful sects and schools in the world. They were the elites among the elites!
2010
2011Furthermore, these elites had a commander. Their commander’s Spiritual Detection covered the entire battlefield, and was able to accurately convey distance, speed, angle, strength, and other types of information on every soul ray and soul cannon shell to them. Their commander was none other than the control-type Soul King, the Eyes of Asura, Huo Yuhao.
2012
2013Huo Yuhao was able to gain the respect of the number one Academy in the world, Shrek Academy, enter the Sea God’s Pavilion before the age of twenty, and become one of its members. This was due to his strength and unlimited potential.
2014
2015With each life-and-death experience, adventure, and obstacle, he was able to grow at a speed that even Elder Mu did not anticipate.
2016
2017After he recovered his ability to move again and completed his closed-door training, Huo Yuhao was like a caterpillar that had finally become a butterfly. He had reached a completely new level. Among Shrek’s Seven Monsters, he was ranked first in terms of strength. His overall strength surpassed that of a Soul Sage.
2018
2019Spiritual Detection, Spiritual Sharing. In the eyes of the soul engineers and soul masters who were fighting, these were godly skills.
2020
2021Four eight-ringed Soul Douluo, twelve seven-ringed Soul Sages, and around twenty Soul Emperors charged out in advance of the hostages.
2022
2023They were the elites of the elites. Under the instructions of Huo Yuhao’s Spiritual Detection, coupled with the furious fighting spirit that rose non-stop in their hearts, how could they show any mercy to their foes?
2024
2025When the commander of the soul engineer legion, the Class 8 soul engineer, finally snapped out of the confusion Huo Yuhao had induced in him with his Spiritual Confusion, he saw dozens of furious soul masters who were only a hair’s breadth away.
2026
2027The soul masters were able to rush up to the soul engineers without incurring any casualties. One could imagine what happened next.
2028
2029Huo Yuhao did not participate personally in the fight. He flew above the heads of the soul engineers and unleashed his Spiritual Interference to its fullest extent, enveloping the battlefield completely. Near the core where most of the fighting took place, nothing other than sound could spread to the outside world.
2030
2031Since Huo Yuhao’s Spiritual Interference reached its domain stage, this was the first time he had used it over such a huge area.
2032
2033As the fifty soul engineers were destroyed, all of the hostages rushed out of the water prison. At this moment, in the sky above Sunrise City, one could see colorful fireworks exploding.
2034
2035This was probably a distress signal the three Zhong brothers had released.
2036
2037Huo Yuhao did not even look at it. Right now, he was in a race against time.
2038
2039The three Zhong brothers were not scary. Even the two evil Titled Douluo were not scary. What was scary was the huge amount of troops that could come from Radiant City. Once they arrived, they would be in serious trouble.
2040
2041After all, the five most powerful soul engineer legions of the Sun Moon Empire were all equipped with flying-type soul tools. If they used their flying-type soul tools, they would be able to reach Sunrise City from Radiant City pretty quickly.
2042
2043Charge! Without giving the hostages any time to rest, Huo Yuhao immediately gave the order to charge. Xu Sanshi and the rest still held on, but how much longer could they hold on? They could only escape if they broke through the positions the soul engineers had taken up to the south of the city!
2044
2045The taste of freedom was a huge motivation for these hostages. Every single one of them was in an almost frenzied state as they charged south.
2046
2047At this moment, a thunderous explosion sounded. This made Huo Yuhao, who was in mid-air, turn his head. His face turned dark.
2048
2049How can this be possible? How can it be so fast?
2050
2051Where did the thunderous explosion come from? It came from the northern city walls of Sunrise City, which was the only part that had not yet been hit. However, Huo Yuhao had instructed Jing Ziyan to plant a large number of soul bombs there.
2052
2053The one who could detonate these bombs was He Caitou.
2054
2055Before He Caitou left, he had planted an aerial surveillance tool there to monitor the situation.
2056
2057This was because any soldiers from Radiant City who were rushing over to assist their compatriots had to reach the northern walls first. By placing the bombs, they hoped to injure and kill many of them before they could arrive, as well as attract their attention. The timing of the explosion was completely controlled by He Caitou.
2058
2059But the bombs actually went off so quickly. What did this mean? This meant that the soldiers from Radiant City were here already!
2060
2061Only a few minutes had passed since the start of the mission.
2062
2063According to Huo Yuhao’s calculations, the soldiers from Radiant City, upon realizing that something was amiss, would need at least an hour to organize themselves, set off, and arrive. This would be more than enough time for him and the hostages to evacuate.
2064
2065However, the arrival of the soldiers from Radiant City was much faster than he had expected. This completely turned the situation around.
2066
2067He quickly informed the hostages to charge toward the positions of the soul engineers with all their might. After they defeated their opponents, they had to regroup with the four of them, who would then give them instructions to escape safely.
2068
2069After he conveyed this message, Huo Yuhao turned around and flew back toward Sunrise City. Not only did he have to pick up He Caitou, but he also had to find Nan Qiuqiu. If he could not save Nan Shuishui soon, it would be immensely difficult later, as Sunrise City would have turned into a tiger’s den.
2070
2071Of course, for most people, Sunrise City had already turned into a tiger’s den.
2072
2073Huo Yuhao was no longer able to control whether the hostages could escape. However, according to his calculations, the series of explosions at the northern city walls would create a huge problem for the soldiers who were rushing to render assistance. Even if they flew, they would surely descend to ascertain the situation upon seeing the explosion. After all, they could not possibly know what was happening in Sunrise City.
2074
2075The soul engineer legion stationed to the south of Sunrise City had only two hundred and fifty men after fifty of them left the main group. After being harassed by Xu Sanshi and the others, they were unable to hold their ground in face of the attacks by powerful soul masters. Hence, the hostages still had a good chance of escaping. Huo Yuhao’s important task right now was to get everyone from the Tang Sect out and save Nan Shuishui.
2076
2077Despite having been trained under the Ultimate Soldier Plan, Huo Yuhao knew that emotions played a huge part in his decision-making. The ideal plan now would be to abandon He Caitou and Nan Qiuqiu and help the hostages escape. He should not be turning back.
2078
2079However, could he really do that? Of course not! He was not a machine whose only purpose was to complete missions or kill people, but a human with flesh and blood. How could he abandon He Caitou and escape all by himself? As for Nan Qiuqiu, while his ties with her were not as deep as his with He Caitou, she was still out to save her mother! For Huo Yuhao, nothing touched him more than maternal love.
2080
2081This was why he had told Nan Qiuqiu that if Nan Shuishui was not in the water prison, he would stay behind to help her save her mother. He knew the pain of losing one’s mother very clearly.
2082
2083This time, Huo Yuhao did not fly back to Sunrise City via the city walls. Instead, he released his Butterfly Wings and ascended vertically. Covered by his Imitation, he flew straight into the sky.
2084
2085The advantage of doing this was so that he could observe the soldiers who were coming to assist those in Sunrise City. At the same time, he could bypass the Zhong brothers!
2086
2087
2088
2089
2090
2091Chapter 383.3: Breaking Out From the Siege
2092
2093
2094Without the threat from aerial soul tools, Huo Yuhao felt much more at ease with his flying-type soul tool and Imitation.
2095
2096This feeling accompanied his ascent five hundred meters into the sky, and then it vanished quickly.
2097
2098To the north, he could clearly see that there were rows of dark-blue figures landing near the city. These dark-blue figures only numbered in the hundreds, but the formless awe and pressure they exuded almost suffocated him.
2099
2100When he saw these dark-blue figures, Huo Yuhao’s face changed instantly. While he had never personally seen the most powerful soul engineer legions of the Sun Moon Empire, he was able to ascertain the extent of the threat with his spiritual awareness. The pressure he felt from those hundreds of figures surpassed what he had felt from the soul engineer legions stationed outside the city.
2101
2102The Nation Protecting Hand. Only the five most powerful soul engineer legions of the Sun Moon Empire could exert such pressure.
2103
2104The Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Legions were tasked with protecting Radiant City. Unless the emperor left the city, they would not leave the capital so easily. And yet, these figures, each giving off a dark blue light, were from one of the Beast Lord-ranked soul engineer legions. No matter which one it was, its presence here would be catastrophic!
2105
2106The two five hundred-man-strong soul engineer legions stationed around Sunrise City were comprised of soul engineers who had two or three rings. Their entry requirement was two rings, and while their overall strength was formidable, they depended primarily on coordinating the use of their soul tools, fighting as a group, and positioning their soul tools strategically to fight.
2107
2108For the Beast Lord-ranked soul engineer legions, they were all comprised of soul engineers who were equivalent to Soul Ancestors. Each of them could use flying-type soul tools, and could attack from both land and air. Their commander was a Class 9 soul engineer. All three hundred of the soul engineers in such a legion were extremely formidable! The explosive power and fighting abilities of a Beast Lord-ranked soul engineer legion was greater than a heavily-armored cavalry legion of more than ten thousand men.
2109
2110Their direct fighting abilities were terrifying. Coupled with their flying abilities, how far could the hostages run should they start their pursuit?
2111
2112Why were they so fast? How can this be possible?
2113
2114Just as he was coming to terms with his shock, Huo Yuhao suddenly sensed a signal from He Caitou. He Caitou no longer had access to his Spiritual Detection, but he remained in contact with him via a method used by soul engineers. With a simple soul power frequency emitter which he had pre-installed, Huo Yuhao was able to locate him accurately when he used it.
2115
2116He descended sneakily, and was able to find He Caitou not far from the city gates.
2117
2118He Caitou’s face was grim as he said, “Yuhao, how is it? Did we manage to get them out?”
2119
2120Huo Yuhao nodded and said, “Yes, we did. They’re all rushing out according to our original plan. However, they’ll still need time.”
2121
2122He Caitou said solemnly, “Radiant City has already sent back-up. My aerial surveillance soul tools were instantly destroyed.”
2123
2124Huo Yuhao nodded and said, “I saw that. I wonder how long the explosion at the northern city walls can hold them off. Second senior brother, go. Rendezvous with everyone else. I’m off to look for Qiuqiu. You have to escape as fast as you can. Don’t worry about us.”
2125
2126He Caitou was momentarily stunned as he said, “Yuhao…”
2127
2128Huo Yuhao raised his hand and did not let him continue. He smiled brightly and said, “Second senior brother, believe in me.”
2129
2130He Caitou inhaled. He knew that at this moment, time was of the utmost importance. He nodded vigorously and said, “Be careful. If you face overwhelming obstacles, don’t force it. I’ll make a move first.” With that, the light behind his back lit up, and a dark light flashed. After the light from the flying-type soul tool was completely shielded, he shot into the sky and disappeared.
2131
2132This operation was built on destroying all aerial surveillance soul tools. If not, how could they fly so smoothly in the air?
2133
2134Unlike what he told He Caitou, Huo Yuhao did not go and find Nan Qiuqiu immediately. On his forehead, his Eye of Destiny opened once again. He unleashed his Spiritual Detection to its maximum extent, which covered the skies above Sunrise City. His spiritual intent also expanded massively.
2135
2136As he did all this, he quickened his pace toward the place where he expected Nan Qiuqiu to be.
2137
2138Before long, he stopped and looked up in a certain direction. A purple-gold light started to shine from his Eye of Destiny. Not far from where he was, a low rumble sounded in the sky. A figure descended unsteadily from the heavens and fell down to the city.
2139
2140As a qualified commander, the first thing one would do upon arriving at such a chaotic scene would be to obtain information. Even though the commotion in the northern part of the city was greater, there was no way no one would be deployed to investigate the other parts of the city. What Huo Yuhao had to do now was stop these people and buy time for his comrades.
2141
2142While he was clear that he could not hold them back for long, any amount of time was good enough.
2143
2144—
2145
2146“Bastards! Is this how you look after the hostages?” Ma Xiaotao bellowed as she looked at the Zhong brothers.
2147
2148While the Zhong brothers were older, they did not dare to show any signs of discontent in front of her. All of their heads were bowed, and the dozens of evil soul masters around them were as quiet as crickets.
2149
2150The Third and Fourth Elders stood behind Ma Xiaotao. Their faces were green.
2151
2152They had just come from the northern part of the city. When they were there, they could not help but inhale a breath of cold air when they saw the huge explosion. The Third Elder accurately deduced that only a Class 8 stationary soul cannon shell could be this destructive. All of the positions for the soul engineers’ soul tools were obliterated, and at least two hundred soul engineers were dead or injured. Only some more powerful ones were able to escape after detecting the incoming attack.
2153
2154The eastern city walls and the western city walls had been destroyed as well. At this moment, Ma Xiaotao ordered everyone to investigate in depth. They had to locate the enemy, but Third Elder and Fourth Elder were both highly-experienced thanks to their age. They immediately deduced that someone was trying to create a diversion. Their target was the hostages!
2155
2156Persuaded by them, Ma Xiaotao had to return with them. However, at this moment, another explosion rocked the northern city walls. This time, Ma Xiaotao brought the two elders on a detour to see what was going on. When they saw the dark-blue figures appear, her heart sank. She knew that they were in trouble.
2157
2158Indeed, when Third Elder and Fourth Elder saw the soul engineer legion, they instantly asked to return to the southern part of the city to look after the hostages. After all, they had just arrived.
2159
2160The southern city wall was blown to bits by Huo Yuhao, who had used his Ice Explosion on the moat. The hostages all rushed out of the city, but the Zhong brothers had not pursued them. Instead, they waited for their return. How could Ma Xiaotao not take this chance to blow up in anger?
2161
2162Zhong Tian chuckled bitterly and said, “Holy Lady, it’s not that we don’t want to give chase. You know that there were more than five hundred hostages. They all had at least four soul rings, and there were a whole bunch of Soul Douluo, Soul Sages, and Soul Emperors. If we gave chase, we would have died!”
2163
2164Ma Xiaotao said angrily, “Didn’t you say that there was enough Soul Eradicating Powder? How did they find the antidote to it? Only the Leader has the antidote for the Soul Eradicating Powder. If you don’t use enough of it, it’ll lose its effect. How did you guard those hostages?”
2165
2166Zhong Tian said as if he had been wronged, “Holy Lady, you can’t blame me! Why don’t you ask those under me? We definitely used enough Soul Eradicating Powder. Earlier, the legs of the hostages were soft as jelly.”
2167
2168Ma Xiaotao said coldly, “Go get some water from the water prison and assess the amount of Soul Eradicating Powder inside. Do you think that I have wronged you?”
2169
2170“Wait a minute, Holy Lady,” the Third Elder said solemnly. “Now’s not the time to find out who was responsible. The most important thing right now is to re-capture all the hostages. We should move immediately. While there are many powerful people among the hostages, their bodies should have deteriorated from their stay in the water prison. Now is the best time to pursue them. As long as we can delay them, they will all be caught when the Sun Moon Empire’s soul engineer legions catch up.”
2171
2172Ma Xiaotao’s eyes glinted as she said, “Alright. Everyone, pursue them with me.” She had no way of delaying them anymore. If not, they would sense that something was amiss. The killing intent in her heart had been triggered. She was ready. When they caught up to the hostages later, she would ambush the elders. As long as these two Titled Douluo were injured, the hostages could easily defeat the remaining evil soul masters. The main problem now was that the soul engineer legion, coming from the north, would soon reach them.
2173
2174“Let’s go!” Ma Xiaotao, along with Third Elder and Fourth Elder, as well as the Zhong brothers, rose into the air as they began their chase.
2175
2176When they left the city, the two elders and the Zhong brothers all had ugly expressions on their faces. This was because it was completely silent and peaceful outside the city. Hundreds of hostages had seemingly disappeared without a trace. All that was left were the ruined positions the soul engineers had formerly manned.
2177
2178“This is impossible! They rushed out only fifteen minutes ago. How…how did they take so little time?” The three Zhong brothers were stunned.
2179
2180No matter how one put it, there used to be three hundred soul engineers, an entire soul engineer legion, outside the city! Among them were Class 6 and Class 7 soul engineers. Even if they could not resist the many soul masters, they should have been able to delay them!
2181
2182How could they know that Xu Sanshi and the rest went teleporting from afar and and dropped in on the soul engineer legion, attacking them from the inside? The soul engineer legion was split up. The most powerful soul engineers were instantly eliminated by the group of soul masters led by Huo Yuhao. The other soul engineers, who had two to three rings, how could they resist so many hostages, all of whom were savage with hate! The disappearance of the hostages was another trick Huo Yuhao had played on them.
2183
2184
2185
2186
2187
2188Chapter 384.1: Rescuing Nan Shuishui
2189
2190
2191Sunrise City was surrounded by fields. Although it would be difficult, they would still have a chance. Before even leaving, the Sea God’s Pavilion had talked about this exact matter during a meeting. However, the most troublesome matter would be escaping after being surrounded. How would running from an area which was filled with plains as far as the eye could see be easy? This was especially so at this moment, considering that the hostages were all somewhat injured. It wouldn’t take a genius to deduce that they would be assaulted from afar.
2192
2193And thus, Shrek Academy had decided to make a bold and costly decision.
2194
2195There was only one way to escape from enemy sightlines in an area filled with plains—with speed!
2196
2197The only way they could escape from enemy attacks within a short amount of time was to rely on an astonishing amount of speed. How could they increase the speed of the hostages they were rescuing? By using flying-type soul tools!
2198
2199Huo Yuhao’s team had brought a total of eight hundred flying-type soul tools with them. Although they were all of the lowest class, and were even somewhat crude, the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy, as well as the Star Luo and Heavenly Soul Empires, had done all they could.
2200
2201These eight hundred flying-type soul tools had been placed in the wilderness by Xu Sanshi and the rest in advance. Once the hostages were able to escape, they would immediately equip these flying-type soul tools.
2202
2203Although many modern soul masters were still against the use of soul tools, a large majority of them had come into contact with them. After all, who wouldn’t want to experience the thrill of flying at four rings? Because of that, flying-type soul tools were the soul tools that most soul masters had used. It wasn’t as though every single soul master had used them, but the number of soul masters who hadn’t was very small. Moreover, soul masters could adapt to the use of flying-type soul tools relatively quickly. Even if they hadn’t used them before, they would be able to after experimenting for a few minutes.
2204
2205Every single flying-type soul tool was equipped with a map. After that, everyone from the Tang Sect offered a prayer and split up.
2206
2207Every single hostage, including those who came from the various sects and academies, flew off in different directions. However, they only had a single objective—to get to the harbor city where Huo Yuhao had rented a boat. The only way they could escape from the enclosure of the Sun Moon Empire was by the sea.
2208
2209This was Huo Yuhao’s rescue plan!
2210
2211The speed at which the hostages broke free from the enclosure could only be described as ’astonishing’. In reality, even Xu Sanshi and the rest didn’t think that they would be that destructive. Without any of the experts from the Soul Engineer Legion obstructing them, a close-combat clash between them and ordinary soul engineers was like smashing an egg against a rock. This was the main reason why the hostages were able to instantly crush the military line held by the Soul Engineer Legion.
2212
2213The battle between the subordinate army and the soul engineers was a unilateral slaughter. It didn’t even take five minutes before the entire front was completely destroyed. Moreover, the splitting of Sunrise City’s troops due to the need to rescue their soldiers and to scout out the situation in the northern part of the city meant that they couldn’t stop the hostages at all.
2214
2215Huo Yuhao’s plan could be said to be nearly perfect. At the very least, the hostages were already flying through the air and disappearing into the boundless night sky.
2216
2217Throughout this entire process, he had controlled a few key points very well. First, he was able to judge the strengths of the northern, eastern, and western parts of the city very well, and find an accurate time to misdirect them.
2218
2219Although their enemies might have guessed that they were trying to misdirect them, the secret location of the water prison gave the people from the Holy Ghost Church somewhat of a backing to rely on. Even the two soul engineer legions and the city defense troops stationed by the city didn’t know that there were that many soul masters being kept in the water prison.
2220
2221With Ma Xiaotao cooperating with them, they were able to pull off a misdirection very effectively.
2222
2223The second key point was destroying the moat with his Ice Explosion. The amount of time he had to do this was very short.
2224
2225If they had forcefully charged out while similarly destroying the water prison when the moat was still there, it would definitely have cost the hostages a lot of time, as well used a longer route. However, Huo Yuhao was able to save a lot of time by blowing open a path and freezing the moat.
2226
2227After that, both Huo Yuhao and Xu Sanshi had used their respective soul skills to save a lot of time as well. Because of that, it had only taken around fifteen minutes for the entire plan to be carried out.
2228
2229“Holy Lady, what should we do?” Zhong Tian turned to Ma Xiaotao.
2230
2231Ma Xiaotao flew into a rage. “What should we do? You go give an explanation to the leader!” With that, she turned around and flew back towards the city.
2232
2233The Third and Fourth Elders looked at each other and sighed simultaneously. Their opponents had already fled into the distance, and although it wasn’t easy to escape from a plain, could they really go and chase after them with the current number of people they had? With only the six of them, what if they were to fall into a trap while chasing after the hostages? They didn’t know who had come to rescue the hostages! They could discern how strong the hostages were, but they didn’t know how strong the rescuers were!
2234
2235At this moment, several blue figures had appeared in the sky. Several hundred rays of blue light rushed over from the southern city, forming a river of stars in the sky.
2236
2237“All of you are not to move, or else we’ll kill you,” a vigorous and forceful voice spread out through the sky above the southern city.
2238
2239Even Ma Xiaotao, who was about to fly back towards the city, had no choice but to stop.
2240
2241Those figures had arrived very quickly. Within the blink of an eye, they had surrounded all of the evil soul masters.
2242
2243Rays of blue light instantly formed a wide net within the air, trapping Ma Xiaotao, the Third and Fourth Elders, and the three Zhong brothers within it.
2244
2245“Don’t attack, we’re with you.” Zhong Tian said hurriedly. At the same time, he took out a medallion from his chest.
2246
2247They had noticed that every single one of these people who were clad in bluish light had a flying-type soul tool on their backs. They were dressed in black warrior robes, and had the pattern of an enormous blue eye on their chests. This group of people wasn’t dressed in a simple manner, considering that their outfits were seemingly made of metal. The reason why they saw the blue lights was due to the light from the eyes on their robes.
2248
2249Those blue eyes had pupils as deep as the abyss, and although they were only patterns on a robe, it still seemed as though they could devour everything around them. There were even countless dark blue patterns around the sides of these pupils that resembled veins.
2250
2251This was the Evil Tyrant Soul Engineer Legion!
2252
2253Ma Xiaotao was inwardly astonished. This was one of the Sun Moon Empire’s four great Beast Lord-ranked soul engineer legions. With the Evileye Tyrant as its symbol, this soul engineer legion was famed for its speed and surprise attacks. Clearly, they were the most suitable troops to assist Radiant City.
2254
2255An elderly man whose robe glittered with a bright blue eye walked over to the evil soul masters.
2256
2257“The only people who are with you are those who follow you. You can talk after being tied up.” This elderly man had a tall figure, an aquiline nose, and large eyes that shone with an ominous glint. His cruel and untamed aura gave off the impression that he didn’t like strangers.
2258
2259“Who are you trying to tie up?” Ma Xiaotao’s cold voice rang out. As there was quite a distance between her and the other evil soul masters, she quickly turned around.
2260
2261“No moving!” the Evil Tyrant Legion immediately shouted out angrily.
2262
2263“Scram!” There was no need to even mention Ma Xiaotao’s identity as an evil soul master. Even at Shrek Academy, she had always been famed for her temper. Moreover, she had been looking forward to causing a mess.
2264
2265Blazing phoenix flames instantly rose from her body as two yellow, two purple, three black, and one red soul ring appeared, along with the resounding cry of a phoenix.
2266
2267The somewhat chilly air in the sky instantly heated up. What was even more terrifying, however, was that ripples had appeared in the air ten meters around Ma Xiaotao. All of the lock-on effects of the soul tools targeting her were instantly rendered useless.
2268
2269Why did the Zhong brothers respect Ma Xiaotao so much? Other than her position in the Holy Ghost Church, it was because of her undeniable strength. The Holy Ghost Church had spared no costs to help her obtain her eighth soul ring, which was a hundred-thousand year one. The leader of the Holy Ghost Church, Zhongli Wu, had even said that she was the first in line to be his successor.
2270
2271The moment Ma Xiaotao released her martial soul, a smidge of dark-red was immediately added to the pitch-black night sky. She comfortably unfurled the blazing, dark-red wings of her Dark Phoenix, and the soul engineers closest to her were astonished to find that their soul tools had become extremely hot. Not only were they unable to fire them, but they even started to melt.
2272
2273“Halt!” A sharp voice rang out. This voice came loftily and abruptly, yet was abnormally sharp. Even with Ma Xiaotao’s cultivation, she trembled, and the phoenix flames she released withdrew slightly.
2274
2275A pitch-black figure shot out from the rear of the Evil Tyrant Legion, then sharply shouted at the leader of the legion, “Commander Wang, are you trying to start a civil war? These are men from our national religion, and this is our Holy Lady. If you don’t quickly capture those hostages, who’s going to take responsibility for this?”
2276
2277The face of the elderly man who had an aquiline nose twitched slightly. Only then did he raise his hand to order all of the soul engineers to lower their weapons. At the same time, he sighed inwardly. Although he was confident in taking on Ma Xiaotao in a fight, he was scared of the losses he would receive.
2278
2279However, Ma Xiaotao was cursing inwardly. Although she couldn’t beat all of these people, Huo Yuhao’s escape would be helped if she could stall them. That was why she had provoked them. If they started a fight here, it would naturally give Huo Yuhao’s team a great advantage. She was simply not afraid of what this Evil Tyrant Legion could do to her.
2280
2281From the expression of their leader, she could tell that they detested evil soul masters. Even though this was the case, however, they wouldn’t dare to openly go against the national religion and the Holy Ghost Church had already been declared the Sun Moon Empire’s national religion!
2282
2283“Chase them. They can’t have run too far. Head to the south. Also, use our long-range communication soul tool to tell the City Guard to release all of the aerial surveillance soul tools they have. Pass on this message: a hundred of you are to stay here and guard Sunrise City. The rest of you are to follow me!”
2284
2285As he spoke, the aquiline-nosed elderly man was already rising into the air. The enormous wings of a flying-type soul tool unfurled behind his back, and twelve lights simultaneously shot out, transforming him into a stream of light shooting into the distance.
2286
2287
2288
2289
2290
2291Chapter 384.2: Rescuing Nan Shuishui
2292
2293
2294“We’ll take a look as well. Elders, you two can stay behind. The Zhong brothers will follow me.” Ma Xiaotao immediately made a quick decision after twitching her eyes slightly. She didn’t know where Huo Yuhao was. He hadn’t told her that he would stay in Sunrise City. Instead, he’d instructed her to flee from the evil soul masters and regroup in Shrek Academy after their plan was carried out. With Ma Xiaotao’s current condition, the evil energy in her body wouldn’t act up for a week at least. If she didn’t get into a fight, this period of time could be extended further.
2295
2296Seeing that the Evil Tyrant Legion was this powerful, she naturally couldn’t just let them go after Huo Yuhao and the rest. In the event that they were able to catch up to him, what good would come of that? On the other hand, she could use the name of the Holy Ghost Church to snatch them when the time came. The reason why she didn’t want the two elders to follow her was because she couldn’t control two Titled Douluo. Moreover, the Zhong brothers could only listen to her orders now, since they had committed a grave mistake earlier.
2297
2298Ma Xiaotao’s plan wasn’t bad, but she never would’ve thought that her little brother, who she worried the most about, was actually in Sunrise City, and not far away from her.
2299
2300The few evil soul masters around her didn’t have any objections at all. In the first place, they were the ones who’d let the hostages escape. As a result, Ma Xiaotao’s preference to chase after them by herself was naturally within reason. Moreover, she’d even left the two elders behind.
2301
2302Two hundred rays of blue light, in addition to Ma Xiaotao and the Zhong brothers, flew into the distance like a bolt of lightning. Within the blink of an eye, they had disappeared without leaving any traces behind.
2303
2304—
2305
2306The Third and Fourth Elders looked at each other with ugly expressions on their faces. How could they not see how Ma Xiaotao was trying to exclude them? However, she was a person who would wield enormous power in the Holy Ghost Church in the future.
2307
2308The Fourth Elder whispered, “We’ll need to find the vice-leader when we get back.”
2309
2310“Yes,” the Third Elder replied. Then, he turned towards the person fully clad in black and said, “Are you Wu Yun or Wu Yu?”
2311
2312The black-clothed person suddenly raised her head, letting her cloak slide back to reveal an extremely pale, yet abnormally beautiful face.
2313
2314If Huo Yuhao were here, he definitely would have been stunned to see that this woman was completely identical to the evil soul master that he had killed a few days ago.
2315
2316“How were you people even watching over Sunrise City? My sister is dead. Did you people not know that? Were it not for the spiritual connection that we had, I would’ve been left in the dark.” The black-clothed woman’s sharp voice was filled with rancor, and her blood-red eyes looked as though they wanted to spit out fresh blood.
2317
2318“You’re Wu Yu? Are you saying that Wu Yun is dead? How can this be?” the Third Elder said, astonished.
2319
2320Regardless of whether it was him or the Fourth Elder, they both understood Wu Yun’s strength very well. Although she was only an eight-ringed Soul Douluo, even a Titled Douluo would find her a nuisance in a fight due to her powerful Spirit of Vengeance. The Third Elder knew that he wouldn’t be a match for her if they were to fight within a distance of a hundred meters.
2321
2322However, it was because of the peculiarity of their martial souls that Wu Yun and Wu Yu were considered extremely abnormal people, even within the Holy Ghost Church. No one was willing to interact with them, and so they were stationed in an unremarkable city to govern it.
2323
2324When Sunrise City was chosen to hold the hostages, the Holy Ghost Church didn’t feel reassured with Wu Yun alone. Thus, they specially sent Ma Xiaotao over to directly take over Wu Yun’s position.
2325
2326However, the two elders didn’t think that Wu Yun, who they saw as evil and powerful, would actually perish.
2327
2328Wu Yu’s blood-red eyes trembled slightly after seeing the astonishment in the eyes of the two elders, “It seems like you weren’t the ones who did it. The astonishment on your faces can’t be faked. The person who harmed my sister is still in the city. Follow me.” As she spoke, Wu Yu turned around and flew towards the city.
2329
2330The hundred members of the Evil Tyrant Legion who were left behind all unfurled their flying-type soul tools and followed her.
2331
2332The Third and Fourth Elders also hurriedly followed her. They were both flabbergasted at this moment, as they didn’t know what this Wu Yu was trying to do.
2333
2334—
2335
2336Sunrise City was currently a mess, but there were very few people on the streets.
2337
2338To the citizens living in Sunrise City, the violent booms and shaking earth were signs that something huge was coming. What else could the ordinary folk do but hide in their houses, trembling? The soldiers didn’t travel via the streets, leaving a deathly silence looming in the city. The sky was already very dark, but, possibly due to the excessively bright lights from the huge explosion earlier, Sunrise City was still somewhat lit up.
2339
2340A light and twisting figure quietly appeared at the corner of the street, then leapt like a fish over a wall to arrive at a different street. His footsteps were extremely quick, and he switched roads every few moments. Finally, he stopped at a rather large courtyard.
2341
2342“Qiuqiu,” Huo Yuhao whispered. After splitting up with He Caitou, he had immediately rushed over to group up with Nan Qiuqiu.
2343
2344Hidden beneath the shadow of the door to a nearby house was Nan Qiuqiu, who leapt up as lightly as a cat. Within a few moments, she arrived by Huo Yuhao’s side and was covered by his Imitation, which allowed her to blend into their surroundings.
2345
2346“You’re finally here. I was almost worried to death.” For the first time ever, Nan Qiuqiu finally thought that Huo Yuhao was rather cute. At the very least, he had been able to make it on time at a crucial moment like this.
2347
2348Huo Yuhao asked, “Are there any movements inside?”
2349
2350Nan Qiuqiu shook her head. She said with an impatient look on her face, “I’m worried precisely because I haven’t heard anything going on inside! What about your side? Were you able to save everyone?”
2351
2352Huo Yuhao nodded, “I’ve saved them, but I can’t say for sure how many of them will be able to escape. Hopefully, most of them will make it out.” As the hostages had split up in different directions, a large majority of them would definitely be able to escape. He could guarantee that this would happen. However, Huo Yuhao knew that their plan wasn’t a hundred percent perfect. If one person were captured, it would be hard to say whether their meeting point could remain a secret. Yet, they simply couldn’t make any careful arrangements, nor relay them to the several hundred hostages due to the time constraints they were put under. As such, they could only resign themselves to fate. In any case, Huo Yuhao had already told Xu Sanshi and the rest that a ship had been prepared for them once they reached the harbor. Moreover, Shrek Academy’s support should’ve already arrived by then, as well.
2353
2354It didn’t matter whether the soldiers chasing after them could find their meeting point. What did matter, however, was whether the hostages could reach the meeting point in the first place. They would be safe if they could make it there.
2355
2356Other than the people from Shrek Academy who were in charge of rescuing them, there were also experts from the Body Sect, as well as the various sects and academies whose disciples and students had been kidnapped. This was a force that contained over ten Titled Douluo, as well as countless Soul Douluo and Soul Sages. A large majority of these people were under the surveillance of the Sun Moon Empire, and as such couldn’t leave their home empires easily, but after using substitutes and various different methods to escape from the Sun Moon Empire’s spying, they had traveled over to the harbor using the greatest possible speed they could muster. This was because Huo Yuhao had only given out the correct meeting point two days before the plan had been carried out.
2357
2358Even if the Sun Moon Empire were to discover that these people were missing, it wouldn’t be easy for them to relay this news back home that quickly. Moreover, the rescue team and hostages would already have started returning to the Douluo Continent by that time. Considering how boundless the world was, how could they even attempt to recapture them at that time? There was no need to even talk about a Beast-Lord Soul Engineer Legion. Even two or three Legions would have no choice but to flee after encountering so many experts. Even if the main army arrived, they would have to fight over the ocean, where soul engineers couldn’t fight for long, as they would have to rely on flying-type soul tools. Once their soul power was fully exhausted, they would only be food for the sea-type soul beasts living in the ocean.
2359
2360At this point, Huo Yuhao’s plan could be considered to have been successful.
2361
2362Roughly five minutes after splitting up with He Caitou, he received the latter’s last message via his long-range transmission soul tool. The objective had been achieved, and all of the flying-type soul tools they had prepared had been activated, and they were no longer in the area they had been left in. In other words, the hostages had already flown away using the flying-type soul tools.
2363
2364Those flying-type soul tools were equipped with Class 4 Sealed Milk Bottles. Even if they didn’t have any physical strength at all, these Sealed Milk Bottles would allow them to fly for two hours. If several hundred people all flew in different directions for two hours, even a few hundred soul engineers wouldn’t be able to catch up to them. Even if the Evil Tyrant Legion was more conceited than they already were, they wouldn’t dare to split up and chase after so many elite soul masters.
2365
2366“Let’s go in.” Huo Yuhao was feeling quite happy now. What he needed to do now was rescue Nan Shuishui, then hide the mother and daughter duo for a while before returning to the academy once this whole mess was over. Since there would only be three of them and combined with how things were going already, they simply had no need to travel via water. Huo Yuhao had his own ways to conceal them as they returned to Shrek Academy by a different route.
2367
2368This courtyard was where the Third Elder had imprisoned Nan Shuishui. Huo Yuhao released his Spiritual Detection and sent it out like a net that covered the entire courtyard.
2369
2370There was no way the Third Elder could be here. Sunrise City was a big mess, and Sister Xiaotao was by his side.
2371
2372Huo Yuhao gestured at Nan Qiuqiu, then gently leapt up. He used his right hand to vault the top of the courtyard’s walls, then floated into the courtyard.
2373
2374Nan Qiuqiu quickly followed him, and she too entered the courtyard.
2375
2376Huo Yuhao gestured at her again, then used his Spiritual Sharing to send her a mental message, “I’ll handle the two in the room, and you handle the two in the courtyard. Your mother is fine. I can sense her breathing. She’s just a bit weak, so don’t worry.” The evil soul masters who were in the room were a bit stronger, and as such he felt more reassured taking them on.
2377
2378“Okay.” Nan Qiuqiu was overjoyed. Bending down, she quietly hid in a dark spot near the courtyard. On the other hand, Huo Yuhao used his Imitation to quietly reach a side room on the left side of the courtyard.
2379
2380“Pa!” Nan Qiuqiu flicked her fingers, and a small rock fell into the courtyard without making much noise.
2381
2382Almost noiselessly, a shadowy figure instantly appeared at the spot the rock fell. This shadowy figure was followed by a rotten smell, and green smoke started spreading through that narrow area.
2383
2384Nan Qiuqiu squinted her eyes. What a fierce evil soul master!
2385
2386
2387
2388
2389
2390Chapter 384.3: Rescuing Nan Shuishui
2391
2392
2393Once the greenish mist appeared, two figures stepped out from the veranda underneath the corridor.
2394
2395“Xiao Hong, you’re too sensitive. It could just be a cat or mouse. Why’re you so suspicious of such a little noise? This courtyard’s going to turn toxic from your Corrosive Poison Ball.” The person speaking was a relatively short evil master who had an ash-grey face and a set of wide nostrils.
2396
2397“Humph!” Xiao Hong made a gesture with his fingers, and his triangular eyes darted around. As he snorted disdainfully, he even revealed two buck teeth.
2398
2399“It’s just called being prepared. Didn’t the Third Elder praise me for how agile I was last time? Killing someone innocent is fine, but we can’t let a guilty person off. Who cares if it’s a mouse or cat? Mao Mao, you can’t be this casual, either. If the Third Elder knew about this, you’d be whipped again.”
2400
2401Nan Qiuqiu felt goosebumps rise as she heard these childish voices.
2402
2403She didn’t make a move, as she was waiting for Huo Yuhao’s signal. The evil soul masters in the room could threaten her mother’s life, but the two outside were only four-ringed Soul Ancestors, which wasn’t something that could threaten her.
2404
2405Huo Yuhao had already entered the room when the two evil Soul Ancestors had rushed out from the veranda. He simply didn’t have any fear of being discovered due to his Imitation.
2406
2407Nan Shuishui was imprisoned in the basement, and only two evil soul masters were stationed in the room above the basement. He couldn’t give them the opportunity to kill her, and thus not only did he have to be careful, but he had to move like lightning once he made a move.
2408
2409After noiselessly arriving outside the room the two evil soul masters were in, the air around Huo Yuhao’s body twisted slightly as he released a gem-white soul ring. He had activated his Spiritual Interference Domain.
2410
2411The two evil soul masters in the room were currently drinking wine. Although there were only two of them, a large array of dishes were placed on the table in front of them, and they were drinking merrily.
2412
2413“Eeh, I say brother, why do you have two heads?”
2414
2415“Two, what do you mean two? You’ve drank too much, you. Why are you so weak today? Use your soul power to flush out the alcohol.”
2416
2417“Bullshit! What’s the point of drinking if I do that? I’ll have a nice sleep later after getting a bit dizzy. Recently, I’ve reached a bottleneck in my soul power, and I can’t increase it anymore. It seems like I’ll have to kill a few more people and eat their hearts to increase my blood qi.”
2418
2419“How disgusting. What’s nice about a human heart? Human brains are the best. That soft and sticky taste, tsk tsk tsk…”
2420
2421Peng!
2422
2423The evil soul master who was indulging fully in his daydreams was suddenly flabbergasted. That was because the person sitting in front of him suddenly had his head blown off. The soft and sticky brains splattered everywhere, and the brain juices that landed on him actually had that ever-familiar flavor he remembered.
2424
2425He used his finger to touch some of the brain juice that had landed on his face, then tasted it. “It seems like I’ve drunk too much. Why does the brain juice in my dream taste so real? Haha, it’s really delicious! I’m dreaming about eating a brain while drinking alcohol. Not bad, not bad. Eeh, why is it so cold?”
2426
2427A hand that held a diamond-shaped crystal of ice landed on his neck. Right after that, this Soul King-ranked evil soul master followed his companion into death with a gentle crack.
2428
2429Due to Huo Yuhao’s Spiritual Interference Domain, they had not felt any undulations of soul power throughout the entire process. It was also why this brain-eating person thought that it was only a dream when the person sitting in front of him had his head blown apart.
2430
2431However, that had been real. Death was the only result for an evil Soul King who didn’t specialize in spiritual force when facing the Eye of Destiny-enhanced Spiritual Shock.
2432
2433As for this other person, he was even drunk while Huo Yuhao’s Domain of Perpetual Ice was taking effect! His neck was directly crushed by the Ice Empress’ Pincer.
2434
2435While Huo Yuhao was making a move, he gestured mentally at Nan Qiuqiu, who then used the power of Annihilation to devastate everything in front of her. Within a few breaths, she had already charged right into the room.
2436
2437“Yuhao, what about my mom?” Nan Qiuqiu quickly walked over to Huo Yuhao, not even bothering to spare a glance at the corpses of the two evil soul masters.
2438
2439Huo Yuhao didn’t utter a word. He walked over to the table they had been drinking at on, then tapped the ground with his right leg. With a crunch, a slab broke apart, revealing a pitch-black hole that had faint air currents flowing out.
2440
2441“Your mom’s down there. Go rescue her. You’ll have to be quick though. I’ll be waiting for you outside.” With that, he turned around and went outside.
2442
2443Nan Qiuqiu couldn’t be bothered to care about Huo Yuhao’s somewhat strange expression. Without hesitation, she jumped into the basement.
2444
2445Although there were air currents coming from the basement, Nan Qiuqiu was astonished to discover once she landed that not only was the ventilation in this room pretty good, but it was abnormally clear and fresh, yet not too cold.
2446
2447“Mom—” In the next moment, she saw her mother. However, her eyes instantly widened, and she opened her mouth, astonished.
2448
2449The environment in the basement was far better than Nan Qiuqiu had thought before. From her point of view, her mother must’ve suffered a great crime while being held captive by the evil soul masters. However, what about reality? Not only was this basement extremely clean and fresh, but there was even a complete set of clean furniture. There were various types of fruits laid on the table. The ground even had a thick carpet covering it. Other than the heavy atmosphere present, it was practically a luxurious bedroom!
2450
2451Naturally, the reason why Nan Qiuqiu was astonished before wasn’t because of the conditions of the room. Instead, it was because of her mother.
2452
2453Although Nan Shuishui looked somewhat pale, she was quite healthy. She was currently seated by the table eating fruit, and her eyes turned somewhat dull as she saw Nan Qiuqiu arrive. The only abnormal thing about her was that she was completely naked. There was a thin, silver chain on her right leg.
2454
2455“Mom…” Nan Qiuqiu’s voice was clearly trembling.
2456
2457The fruit in Nan Shuishui’s hand dropped to the table with a thud. Her face instantly paled, and she answered in a trembling voice, “Qiuqiu!”
2458
2459Nan Qiuqiu’s eyes instantly became clear. With a sudden stride forward, she walked over to Nan Shuishui. Right after that, she bent down and unleashed the pinkish-red power of Annihilation on the chain attached to her mother’s feet.
2460
2461However, although this silver chain looked very thin, it was extremely sturdy. Even her power of Annihilation wasn’t able to damage it in any way.
2462
2463Nan Shuishui seemed to have sobered up somewhat as she quickly called out, “Qiuqiu, Qiuqiu, why have you come? Quickly, go! It’ll be troublesome if that person comes back!…”
2464
2465Nan Qiuqiu didn’t look at her mother. Instead, her eyes were fixed on the chain in her hand, “Mom, I’m here to rescue you. I can definitely break this chain.” As she spoke, she raised her soul power to the maximum, causing the chain in her hands to glow pinkish-red.
2466
2467However, the chain didn’t move at all, and showed no signs of breaking. Nan Qiuqiu’s hands were already starting to bleed. Her tears also began to fall down her cheeks in large drops.
2468
2469“Wa…” As her tears wildly surged forth, Nan Qiuqiu pounced into her mother’s embrace and cried, “Mom, mom, you’ve suffered! Mom, I’ve come late! Mom…”
2470
2471All sorts of feelings welled up in Nan Shuishui’s heart as she hugged her daughter. She sighed, “Silly girl, it’s not what you’ve thought. Your mother is fine. Although that fellow destroyed my clothes, he didn’t sully me. You’ve thought too deeply into it.”
2472
2473“Ah?” Nan Qiuqiu raised her head, and she said with misty eyes, “What happened, then?”
2474
2475Nan Shuishui had a helpless look on her face as she said, “I knew that fella many years ago. He was one of your father’s love rivals when I was young. When I later married your father, he became an evil soul master in a moment of rage. However, he lost his manhood because of it. I haven’t been sullied by him or anything during these few days. He’s just destroyed my clothes. He comes to see me everyday, and he does his best to take care of my everyday life. To be honest, I don’t hate him. I even feel somewhat guilty. If it wasn’t for me, he wouldn’t have walked the path of an evil soul master.”
2476
2477Nan Qiuqiu stared blankly at her mother. She’d never thought that something like this would’ve occurred to her mother in the past.
2478
2479“Then what about these chains?” Nan Qiuqiu asked with a depressed look on her face.
2480
2481Nan Shuishui laughed bitterly, “I tried breaking them before he fed me that Soul Eradicating Powder. I couldn’t even break it with my cultivation, so there’s no need to talk about whether you can do it. You should go quickly. In any case, he definitely won’t kill me. You should just leave this place safely before considering anything else. Oh, right. Give me a spare change of clothes. If he destroys them again, I’ll just smack my head against a wall and die.”
2482
2483Only then did Nan Qiuqiu come to her senses. She hurriedly took a set of spare clothes from her storage-type soul tool and helped dress her mother. The silver chain bound to her leg proved somewhat of a hindrance, however.
2484
2485“Quickly, go.” Nan Shuishui’s expression immediately became much better after she was fully dressed.
2486
2487Nan Qiuqiu shook her head strongly and hugged her mother tightly. “No, I’m not going. I was only able to find you after much difficulty, so how can I just leave like this? I’ll definitely rescue you. Oh, right. Even if I can’t do it, that fellow might be able to. Yuhao, Yuhao, quickly come down now. The lock on my mother’s leg won’t open.”
2488
2489After hearing Nan Qiuqiu’s cry, Huo Yuhao re-entered the room and leapt down into the basement.
2490
2491Nan Shuishui nodded softly after seeing him. However, a smidge of red instantly appeared on Nan Qiuqiu’s charming face as she stared at him.
2492
2493At this moment, she finally understood why Huo Yuhao didn’t follow her down earlier. He must’ve known beforehand that her mother was naked via his Spiritual Detection. This fellow…
2494
2495Huo Yuhao said respectfully, “Hello, Senior Nan.”
2496
2497Nan Shuishui sighed softly. “How can you risk your lives like this? Sunrise City is filled with people from the Sun Moon Empire, and there are even people from the Holy Ghost Church! It’s too dangerous. Quickly, go! You two won’t be able to break this chain on my leg!”
2498
2499Huo Yuhao took the chain from Nan Qiuqiu and looked it over for a few moments. After that, he wiped his forehead with his right hand, and a jade-green light appeared in his palm.
2500
2501With a flash of jade-green light, the link instantly snapped clean off. Before Nan Shuishui could even finish speaking, her eyes widened.
2502
2503Huo Yuhao tugged the chain, and quickly walked over to the ring on the wall it was connected to. The jade light in his hand flashed once again, cutting the ring apart. He immediately put the chain away in his storage-type soul tool.
2504
2505“This…” Nan Shuishui was completely stunned. She had personally tried breaking this chain using her cultivation as an eight-ringed Soul Douluo, along with the power of Annihilation, and had failed to so so. However, Huo Yuhao was able to break it with no difficulty at all. This was simply inconceivable!
2506
2507
2508
2509
2510
2511Chapter 385: Empyreal Net
2512
2513
2514“Senior, your soul power was limited by the Soul Eradicating Powder, right? Eat this first,” Huo Yuhao said as he passed the antidote he had prepared to Nan Shuishui. Nan Qiuqiu hurriedly took it for her mother and placed it in her mouth.
2515
2516Only then was Nan Shuishui able to react. Without even asking Huo Yuhao how he did it, she said in a low voice, “Let’s go.”
2517
2518Leaving this place was the best thing that could happen to them. However, she did not expect it to be easy.
2519
2520Nan Qiuqiu hunched forward slightly to carry her mother. With one leap, she jumped out of the basement. The antidote needed time to take effect. The Soul Eradicating Powder was powerful, and it was impossible for Nan Shuishui to regain her powers in such a short period of time.
2521
2522Huo Yuhao followed them out of the cellar. The secret behind why he was able to break the silver chains was naturally his Life Guardian Blade. Life Gold was able to devour the life energy of every solid object. It had even been able to gradually destroy the large door of the underground storage room in Radiant City. While the chain was strong, there was nothing it could do when faced with its greatest opponent!
2523
2524After they rescued Nan Shuishui, Huo Yuhao felt an immense sense of relief. Now was not the best time to leave the city, as it was surely completely controlled by soldiers from the Sun Moon Empire. There was also a Beast Lord-ranked soul engineer legion around, too. Aerial surveillance soul tools no doubt covered the skies above Sunrise City once again.
2525
2526After so many battles, both Huo Yuhao’s soul power and spiritual power were greatly depleted. The best course of action now was to hide. Then, when the chance presented itself, they could sneak out of the city. With Nan Shuishui, a Soul Douluo around, they had a good chance of breaking out.
2527
2528“Where do we go now?” Nan Qiuqiu asked Huo Yuhao in a low voice. Since he was using his Imitation, they had no fear of being detected by aerial surveillance soul tools.
2529
2530Huo Yuhao said, “We’ll go back to the hotel first. Feng Ling is still there. While it’s close to the southern part of the city, we have yet to be exposed. We’ll go back to rest first. After aunty has regained her strength, we’ll find another way to leave.”
2531
2532“Alright, I’ll listen to you.” Huo Yuhao had fulfilled his promise and helped her save her mother. Any unhappiness Nan Qiuqiu had had with Huo Yuhao before this was completely wiped clean. All that remained was respect and shame. She suddenly realized that he was able to provide her with a strong sense of security. She gradually understood how Ye Guyi’s curiosity eventually left her infatuated with Huo Yuhao. He’s really exceptional, and he’s mature beyond his age.
2533
2534Nan Shuishui, lying on her daughter’s back, said nothing. The antidote started to kick in, and she started to gather her soul power once more. Right now, Sunrise City was danger-ridden. Nothing was more important than regaining her soul power.
2535
2536—
2537
2538Indeed, there were soldiers everywhere in the city. Every single street was being monitored very closely. The soldiers used sound-amplifying soul tools to issue orders, instructing all civilians not to leave their homes. They then used various types of surveillance soul tools to search each and every building.
2539
2540In the sky, one could see blue dots of light flashing by frequently. This indicated the presence of the Evileye Tyrant Soul Engineer Legion.
2541
2542Huo Yuhao stood in front. He unleashed his Imitation, and was able to walk right by the waves of soldiers as he quickly walked in the direction of the hotel.
2543
2544As he walked, he whispered to Nan Qiuqiu, “Don’t rush to return later. We should observe our surroundings. If the hotel is being searched, they will have found Feng Ling. I don’t know what they will make of him. I just hope that they have not yet searched that place.”
2545
2546Nan Qiuqiu nodded and said, “That guy is so dumb. What if he is discovered?”
2547
2548Huo Yuhao frowned and said, “Let’s see the situation first. If we can save him, we should save him. He’s a poor sod.”
2549
2550Nan Qiuqiu’s mouth twitched as she said, “I heard Third Senior Brother say that he’s a gangster. He probably did many bad things before. This is his comeuppance…”
2551
2552Huo Yuhao turned to look at her and said, “Stop being so harsh. He’s already in such a sorry state.”
2553
2554Nan Qiuqiu stuck out her tongue and said, “Fine, fine, I’ll listen to you.”
2555
2556Huo Yuhao smiled slightly and quickened his pace. After they saved Nan Shuishui, Nan Qiuqiu acted much more mature.
2557
2558After they navigated their way through many alleys and backstreets, avoiding many patrolling soldiers in the process, they finally saw their hotel.
2559
2560There were no soldiers patrolling the front of the hotel. The alleys all seemed very quiet.
2561
2562Huo Yuhao suddenly felt his forehead turning hot. His Eye of Destiny seemed to have shivered.
2563
2564Eh?
2565
2566His mind shook, and he deployed his Spiritual Detection like a fisherman casting his net, enveloping everything within a 500-meter radius.
2567
2568To Huo Yuhao, his Spiritual Detection was more useful than his eyes. It had helped him turn the tides of countless battles.
2569
2570When his Eye of Destiny trembled, it seemed to be warning him. However, after he used his Spiritual Detection, he discovered nothing. Everything seemed normal.
2571
2572When Nan Qiuqiu saw him stop, she nudged him and asked, “What’s wrong? Is everything alright?”
2573
2574Huo Yuhao shook his head and said, “Let’s go. We’ll return to the hotel to see if Feng Ling is still there.”
2575
2576As he said that, he and Nan Qiuqiu flipped over a wall to enter the hotel. For safety, he continued to us his Imitation to conceal himself as he slipped into the hotel.
2577
2578Quickly, he walked to the room where Feng Ling had been. With his Spiritual Detection, Huo Yuhao could sense that Feng Ling was still in his room, alive.
2579
2580He slowly pushed the door open, and just as expected, Feng Ling lay on the bed like before. He was curled up, and seemed to be mumbling something.
2581
2582Nan Qiuqiu sighed in relief as she said, “It appears that they have yet to search this place. Our luck isn’t bad. Yuhao, why don’t we hide him? Let’s bring him out of the hotel first. What if the soldiers find him here?”
2583
2584Huo Yuhao appeared to not have heard Nan Qiuqiu’s words. He stood there and he looked straight ahead. He touched his forehead with his right hand.
2585
2586Between his brows, his Eye of Destiny was shaking rapidly. This was the first time he had encountered something like this. The pressure he felt made him deeply uncomfortable.
2587
2588“No, let’s go,” Huo Yuhao said as he suddenly pulled Nan Qiuqiu. He did not even let her put Nan Shuishui down as he ran out of the room with her.
2589
2590The moment he ran out the door, a huge rumble could be heard.
2591
2592This terrifying shockwave was accompanied by a terrifying rain of carnage. Despite Huo Yuhao’s quick reflexes, the huge energy still hit him from behind.
2593
2594His heart ran cold. He knew that he was being ambushed.
2595
2596Nan Qiuqiu asked confusedly, “What’s going on?”
2597
2598The more dangerous the situation, the calmer Huo Yuhao was. He grabbed Nan Qiuqiu with his right hand as he said in a low voice, “Flying-type soul tool.” At the same time, he maximized his spiritual power. He unleashed his Spiritual Interference and Imitation.
2599
2600Nan Qiuqiu was still carrying Nan Shuishui. While she wanted to deploy her flying-type soul tool, her hands could only fumble at it clumsily. At this moment, Huo Yuhao had already released his flying-type soul tool.
2601
2602At this moment, he did not care about whether his actions were ’appropriate’ anymore. He grabbed her by the waist as his flying-type soul tool propelled him upward. He punched the ceiling with his hands.
2603
2604“Boom! Boom!” Two explosions rang out. Two holes appeared in the ceiling.
2605
2606Instantly, one could see that a huge swathe of light had covered the sky outside. The very air trembled.
2607
2608No matter how dumb Nan Qiuqiu was, she now understood the severity of the situation. She did not struggle, but instead used her soul power to try and make her mother and herself lighter.
2609
2610Huo Yuhao’s embrace was warm and brimmed with masculinity. The light outside flashed. A layer of golden light started to shine from Huo Yuhao’s body as he used his Invincible Barrier.
2611
2612With his Spiritual Interference Domain, Imitation, and Invincible Barrier, Huo Yuhao was completely protected and concealed. His Butterfly Wings spewed out light as he flew out of one of the two holes as fast as he could.
2613
2614Huo Yuhao was clear that this was his only chance. They were definitely surrounded. As to why, he had an inkling. It definitely had something to do with Feng Ling, who had been blown apart.
2615
2616“Go back,” a raspy old voice said in mid-air. With that, Huo Yuhao felt like a moth who had flown into a huge net as something forcibly blocked his ascent.
2617
2618He could not go back. No way!
2619
2620Huo Yuhao was clear that if his next attack was blocked, there would be no chance of escape!
2621
2622He lashed out with his right fist, and his eyes brimmed with sadness and longing. It was the Fist of Remembrance, a fist which contained a surging feeling of remembrance.
2623
2624Boom! A layer of white light appeared after being struck by this punch. A shadow materialized outside the screen of light.
2625
2626When he saw this person, the look of longing in Huo Yuhao’s eyes faded. Nan Shuishui, who was on Nan Qiuqiu’s back, recoiled forcefully.
2627
2628This was because the person who was now looking down on them from outside the barrier was none other than the Third Elder from the Holy Ghost Church. He was also Nan Shuishui’s former lover, who had imprisoned her!
2629
2630Not only that, but blue figures also appeared outside the light barrier, surrounding Huo Yuhao and the three of them.
2631
2632Then the Fourth Elder appeared, and a group of people clad in black appeared behind the Third Elder.
2633
2634Trapped!
2635
2636After his body rebounded from the light barrier, Huo Yuhao did not use his Three Ultimate Haodong Skills anymore. Those were last-resort moves. Once he used them all, he could no longer control his emotions. If that happened, how could he leave with Nan Qiuqiu and Nan Shuishui?
2637
2638He stopped using his Imitation, revealing the three of them.
2639
2640The soul engineers from the Evileye Tyrant Soul Engineer Legion all wielded a soul tool each. They aimed their soul tools at Huo Yuhao and his companions. With just one order, they would open fire at them.
2641
2642On the ground, a bunch of carefully-positioned soul tools started to become visible. Powerful soul power fluctuations were everywhere.
2643
2644This was a truly well-planned trap!
2645
2646The Third Elder looked at Nan Shuishui before he turned his gaze to Huo Yuhao. He clapped his hands lightly and said, “You’re skillful indeed, and full of tricks and schemes. With just a few of you, you actually dared to mount a rescue mission, which succeeded. I can’t help but admire you. At your age, I was still a clueless youth. If I had half of your powers, no one would have been able to steal my lover from me.” When he said that last bit, he could not help but look at Nan Shuishui.
2647
2648Nan Shuishui wore a heavy expression on her face. She sighed and said, “They’re still kids. Let them go. I’ll return with you. I’ll do whatever you want me to.”
2649
2650“You’ll do whatever I ask you to? What can you do for me? Hahahaha…” the Third Elder laughed shrilly. “Had this been twenty-five years ago, how happy I would have been to hear you say that! However, it’s too late now. This should be your daughter, right? Look, she resembles you so much! Do you think you have a chance of leaving me anymore? I can’t do anything to you, but I won’t let you leave me. Don’t worry, I won’t kill you or your daughter. If I kill her, you’ll be sad. I’ll let her accompany you. As for this bastard here, I can’t decide his fate. Wu Yu, do you have anything you want to say?”
2651
2652They are the butchers, and I’m the meat. thought Huo Yuhao. He could not help but despair. Despite his many calculations, he had still slipped up. He knew that he had been exposed because of Feng Ling, who had died from the explosion. He did not hate Feng Ling, because he was controlled by the evil soul masters. No matter how resolute he was, however, Huo Yuhao could not help but lose hope in this situation.
2653
2654He was facing two evil Titled Douluo, with one of them being a Class 9 soul engineer. Furthermore, there was a Beast Lord-ranked soul engineer legion with hundreds of men nearby, as well as the soul tools which had long been placed in position underneath him. There was no escape!
2655
2656Wu Yu, who was clad in a huge cloak, floated up next to the Third Elder and asked Huo Yuhao sharply, “You killed my sister?”
2657
2658“Your sister?” Huo Yuhao looked at her suspiciously.
2659
2660Wu Yu freed her head from the cloak. When Huo Yuhao saw the pale, familiar face with its blood-red eyes, he felt his heart tremble. His questions were finally answered.
2661
2662They had the same vengeance-filled faces and blood-red eyes. Here was another one who possessed the Spirit of Vengeance.
2663
2664“You are twin sisters, right?” Huo Yuhao asked bitterly.
2665
2666“That’s right. Did you kill my sister? Why? Why? You’re so weak, how could you have killed my sister?” Wu Yu shrieked hysterically.
2667
2668Huo Yuhao sighed and said, “Your sister died peacefully. That’s right, I killed her. However, to her, death was the best release. Both of you possess a Spirit of Vengeance, which is immensely strong. However, your lives are both cursed. Is this feeling good? Your sister died because she sensed my love for my lover. My emotions destroyed her Spirit of Vengeance, and hence, she died. Actually, to her, death was a form of purification and elevation.”
2669
2670
2671
2672
2673
2674Chapter 386.1: That Brilliant Smudge of Golden Light
2675
2676
2677As he spoke, Huo Yuhao’s eyes shone brightly, and an image appeared in front of Wu Yu.
2678
2679There were too many things he could do with his Imitation.
2680
2681The Haodong Palm, the palm that would last eternally was clearly revealed in that image. At this moment, the weather changed, and even the Third Elder was moved.
2682
2683Wu Yun wore a final smile on her face after being struck by Huo Yuhao’s Haodong Palm. Her bloodshot eyes turned clear again, and she died a glad woman. Wu Yu was stunned when she saw this scene.
2684
2685“Thank you.
2686
2687“Remembrance is a magical thing. I miss my mommy and daddy. Why did you have to die so early? Why didn’t you protect me? Why did you let that fatso abuse me and leave me humiliated in front of countless people in that cold basement? They destroyed my body under the instigation of that fatso, ravaging my heart and staining my spirit. I was only fifteen!
2688
2689“Hatred kept me alive and enhanced my spirit to another level. My Spirit of Vengeance was awakened as a result. I hate those greedy and lecherous men, and I hate that fatso who tore me to pieces. I want to slaughter them, but I’m in so much pain.
2690
2691“Am I finally being released? You let me see the light, sense what remembrance is, and witness a love that’s yet to appear in my spirit. It seems like not everything in this world is dirty. There are still pure and clean things. Thank you, thank you for letting me sense the intense love you have for that unknown person. You cleansed my heart and let me know what release is. Thank you, I’m very happy, I’m very happy…”
2692
2693While there were many people around, Wu Yun’s voice still sounded very clear on this abnormally quiet night.
2694
2695To the soul engineers of the Evileye Tyrant Soul Engineer Legion, this mournful voice only moved them. However, the Third and Fourth Elders, as well as Wu Yu, were all astonished by Wu Yun’s words.
2696
2697Wu Yu was even trembling uncontrollably, and she muttered to herself, “Elder sister, elder sister, how could you bear to leave me alone…?”
2698
2699“Trying to escape?” The Third Elder shouted as he witnessed this scene. He smacked his right hand down, and a bluish-black lightning dragon instantly surfaced from his arm. Huo Yuhao, Nan Qiuqiu and Nan Shuishui all turned into bubbles and disappeared, while this lightning dragon charged downwards immediately. It unleashed a lightning net that engulfed a huge plot of space.
2700
2701The entire air seemed to be suffused with a smell that resembled ultraviolet rays coming from sunlight on a bright day.
2702
2703Amidst this lightning net, three sorry figures appeared slightly more than a hundred meters away from where Huo Yuhao and the other two had disappeared earlier.
2704
2705Huo Yuhao released intense azure lights from his body, which resisted the strong lightning that was coming towards him. However, he still felt his body turning numb.
2706
2707This was the strength of a Class 9 soul engineer! He had managed to make the three of them reappear easily.
2708
2709As the only successful person to have completed the Ultimate Soldier Plan, Huo Yuhao had no intention of giving up, even though he was in a precarious situation right now.
2710
2711He had almost succeeded in using his Imitation to confuse his opponents, which included two Titled Douluo, and escape.
2712
2713The sky was completely sealed, so their only chance of escape was through the ground. They only stood a chance if they entered the city and exploited the complex geography and messy situation to their advantage. At the same time, Huo Yuhao had to rely on his Spiritual Interference Domain and Imitation.
2714
2715However, the Third Elder had reacted too quickly, and killed off their hope.
2716
2717Huo Yuhao couldn’t tell what soul tool the Third Elder was using. However, the tremendous suppression he was under caused him to become completely immobilized as he unleashed his Domain of Perpetual Ice. The difference in their abilities was simply too huge. Even though his soul power was already at Rank 60, he was still technically a Soul King because of the number of soul rings he had. The gap between a Soul King and Titled Douluo, and a Class 6 and Class 9 soul engineer, was undoubtedly too big for him to make up the difference.
2718
2719He could sense that his opponent didn’t intend to kill the three of them, he wanted to capture them alive. That was likely because of Nan Shuishui and Nan Qiuqiu, the Third Elder couldn’t bear to kill them. Could Huo Yuhao only find an opportunity to escape after being captured?
2720
2721Huo Yuhao still had a few trump cards that he hadn’t used yet. However, these trump cards seemed a little too useless against a Class 9 soul engineer. What should he do? While he was normally very adaptable, he couldn’t think of a way to free himself.
2722
2723The image that he had formed using his Imitation had disappeared, and Wu Yu was staring at him with completely red eyes. She said to the Third Elder coldly, “I want him alive. I want to make him my human puppet and whip him every day. I want to torture him until it feels worse than death, so as to avenge my elder sister.”
2724
2725Wu Yu’s voice was very sharp. Huo Yuhao could hear her words clearly, and his heart sank when he heard them.
2726
2727He wasn’t afraid of death. However, his life was going to be a living hell if he landed in the same state as Feng Ling!
2728
2729Originally, he didn’t want to take any chances, and wanted to conserve his abilities before trying to escape later on. However, he became more determined to escape after hearing Wu Yu’s words. No matter what, he couldn’t land in their hands. He would rather die than be captured.
2730
2731He turned to the northeast and looked into the sky. A trace of blue appeared in the pitch-black sky far away, and he seemed to see Wang Dong’er’s sleeping figure.
2732
2733Dong’er, I’m sorry. I might not be able to wait until you wake up.
2734
2735Do you know how much I miss you now?
2736
2737Forget it, just let me die. Even if I die, I’ll bring my yearning for you along.
2738
2739As he thought until here, Huo Yuhao’s eyes brightened. His eyes turned clearer, and a sense of yearning spread from him. His willpower soared, and golden light emanated from his body, illuminating his pitch-black surroundings.
2740
2741The Third and Fourth Elders, as well as Wu Yu, were all some of the strongest individuals around. They immediately reacted when they saw the changes Huo Yuhao was experiencing.
2742
2743The Third Elder waved his hand, “Everyone, retreat.”
2744
2745The soul engineers from the Evileye Tyrant Soul Engineer Legion weren’t up to such a high-level fight, unless they were willing to sacrifice their lives to destroy Huo Yuhao. He looks like he’s only slightly past twenty, but why is his willpower so strong? How did he manage to reach such a cultivation? Even Wu Yun died at his hands!
2746
2747Even with the Third and Fourth Elder’s cultivations, they were still very serious when they sensed the strength of Huo Yuhao’s spiritual cultivation. It wasn’t difficult for them to kill him, but it would be tedious for them to capture him alive. They were very curious about him, too. Whether it was his soul skills, like Imitation and Spiritual Interference, his cultivation, or his abnormal spiritual power, he was the kind of research subject that the Holy Ghost Church liked. If they tried to destroy him, Nan Shuishui and Nan Qiuqiu were unlikely to escape the repercussions. While the Third Elder sounded very unfeeling, he would have simply attacked them if he no longer had feelings for Nan Shuishui. Why would he have waited until now?
2748
2749At this point, another streak of golden light that resonated with Huo Yuhao’s strong willpower shone far away in the east. Furthermore, this streak of golden light seemed even brighter. It was like the sun rising in the east. There was a dominant aura about it as it rose into the sky.
2750
2751Even Huo Yuhao was stunned when he saw this. This was…
2752
2753The Holy Ghost Church didn’t know, but he was clearly aware of the fact that he had no reinforcements. They were the only remaining ones on this rescue mission. Could it be Sister Xiaotao? However, it isn’t possible for her to release a streak of golden light.
2754
2755That streak of golden light came very suddenly and forcefully, and soon filled the entire sky. Deafening dragon roars also reverberated across the sky, and the sky turned bright gold.
2756
2757“Oh?” Huo Yuhao and the other two were already under the control of the lightning net. In the Third Elder’s opinion, Huo Yuhao couldn’t possibly escape given his cultivation. That was why both him and the Fourth Elder turned their attention to the sudden change occurring far away. After all, they didn’t know how many people had come with Huo Yuhao, and how many strong individuals there were. Although Wu Yu had obtained some information from Feng Ling, Feng Ling was in an unstable mental state. It was difficult to tell how credible he was. It was just like how she didn’t know what time the Tang Sect was supposed to make their move.
2758
2759The soul engineers from the Evileye Tyrant Soul Engineer Legion were indeed well-trained. Even though their commander wasn’t around, they still came up with a targeted response immediately.
2760
2761Glaring beams of lights were fired from the area where all the soul tools were deployed, forming a blue net of death that reached towards the streak of golden light coming from afar. The hundred soul engineers in the air also adopted a new formation to target the incoming streak of golden light. Thirty of them split into groups of five, and each group was in charge of helming a huge soul tool. These soul tools seemed like pentagrams, and there were metal poles extending from its corners. Every pole was lifted on a soul engineer’s shoulder, while the center contained a ball-like entity that resembled an eye. Dark-blue light shone above this ball-like entity, and intense soul power undulations poured from it.
2762
2763The incoming streak of golden light clashed with this blue net. However, the shocking thing was that no explosion rang out. The streak of golden light was quickly dissipated by the net, and converted into spots of golden light that scattered in mid-air.
2764
2765“What?” Everyone from the Sun Moon Empire was stunned when they heard how loud the thunder was, but saw how little rain there was.
2766
2767
2768
2769
2770
2771Chapter 386.2: That Brilliant Smudge of Golden Light
2772
2773
2774At this moment, a tremendous boom sounded beneath their feet.
2775
2776A streak of golden light that looked like a moving dragon appeared within the area where all the soul tools were deployed. The streak of golden light was simply too quick. Wherever it passed, soul tools were instantly destroyed, and pathetic screams started to ring out.
2777
2778The Third Elder shouted, “What are the aerial surveillance soul tools doing!? Lock onto them!” As he spoke, he shot a look at the Fourth Elder.
2779
2780He had to hold the fort here and control Huo Yuhao and the other two. It was more suitable for the Fourth Elder to deal with that streak of golden light.
2781
2782The Fourth Elder nodded slightly. Soul rings started to rise from beneath his feet as he lifted his right hand. There were nine soul rings: two yellow, three purple and four black. They showed off his immense Titled Douluo abilities. A thick black fog was also released from his body, engulfing him completely. No part of his body could be seen.
2783
2784This black fog started to descend. As it shifted, it revealed a sharp aura, even though it looked very gentle. In a flash, it reached the ground.
2785
2786Ding!
2787
2788A crisp sound of striking metal echoed out, and the Fourth Elder’s black fog stopped moving, along with that streak of golden light.
2789
2790The figure that was flashing within the golden light materialized and appeared in front of everyone.
2791
2792When she appeared, she immediately caught everyone’s attention. Even the evil soul masters were drawn to her, because she was simply too beautiful.
2793
2794Her powdery-blue wavy hair flowed behind her head, and there was a layer of frost covering her ravishing face. An illusory golden dragon subtly appeared around her body. She was also holding a long spear with two pointed sides, pointed diagonally towards the sky. Even though she was standing in place, she seemed like the greatest creation ever. At this moment, she was looking at Huo Yuhao trapped within the Third Elder’s lightning net with her big, powdery-blue eyes.
2795
2796Huo Yuhao appeared to be in a daze. Following this, this dazed look turned into a touched and guilty look.
2797
2798Yes, this person with such ravishing looks, wavy hair, and beautiful eyes was the Golden Dragon Girl, Wang Qiu’er!
2799
2800Huo Yuhao didn’t understand why Wang Qiu’er was here at such a time. However, he had mixed feelings right now. Qiu’er, you were really silly! It’s not worth it for me.
2801
2802Huo Yuhao slowly shut his eyes as he took in a deep breath and gradually retracted his Domain of Perpetual Ice. However, the layer of golden light on his body became stronger. His Eye of Destiny was completely open at this point, and there seemed to be countless streaks of golden light shining in this vertical eye. It appeared to be boundless.
2803
2804At the same time, a thin golden line also appeared on Wang Qiu’er’s forehead. In the next instant, it split open, revealing another golden vertical eye. It was also shining with countless streaks of golden light, and it seemed identical to Huo Yuhao’s Eye of Destiny.
2805
2806Everything around them seemed to solidify when these two Eyes of Destiny opened. Time and space were completely locked at this instant. Even the Third and Fourth Elders were drawn to the golden lights from their eyes.
2807
2808In the next moment, Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu’er lifted their heads together and faced their Eyes of Destiny towards the sky. Two beams of golden lights shot into the sky at the same time.
2809
2810These two beams of golden light illuminated everything, and the sky turned bright gold at this final moment before dawn arrived.
2811
2812These two beams of lights intersected and instantly burst to a higher position. The pre-dawn darkness was torn apart, and a huge golden vertical eye appeared in the air.
2813
2814Streaks of golden lights scattered everywhere and engulfed everyone.
2815
2816Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu’er were the first two to be affected by these streaks of golden light. An illusory projection of a golden vertical eye appeared behind their backs, turning them slightly illusory. As for the rest, including Nan Shuishui and Nan Qiuqiu, they felt that there was something in their bodies controlling them as these streaks of golden light engulfed their bodies. An indescribable sense of crisis and suppression quickly spread in their hearts.
2817
2818Destiny Gaze!
2819
2820This was the true, complete version of Destiny Gaze.
2821
2822Apart from Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu’er, a small vertical eye also appeared above everyone’s heads. However, the vertical eyes above Nan Shuishui and Nan Qiuqiu were a dim gold. The vertical eyes above the rest were icy-white.
2823
2824“Take action! Quick, kill them!” a sharp scream sounded out. The first to react weren’t the two Titled Douluo, but the eight-ringed Soul Douluo, Wu Yu.
2825
2826She had a spiritual-type martial soul, and so she was the least astonished by everything that was happening. However, she was also the most sensitive to danger. The feeling of having her destiny controlled by someone else filled her Spirit of Vengeance with fear. Along with the deep impression that the scene in Huo Yuhao’s Imitation had given her, she only had one thought in her mind right now – escape! The only way for her to escape was to kill Huo Yuhao, Wang Qiu’er, and the rest! After she killed them, everything would return to normal.
2827
2828Her screams was filled with spiritual undulations. The soul engineers who were in a daze were immediately jolted awake.
2829
2830Suddenly, countless streaks of blue light wove in the air and started to reach towards Huo Yuhao and the rest. Most of the firepower was targeted towards Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu’er.
2831
2832However, something strange happened at this moment. These soul rays and cannon shells that shot towards the four of them struck nothing.
2833
2834It seemed as if they had covered every angle, and that Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu’er couldn’t possibly escape, but nothing they fired hit them. The soul rays and cannon shells simply brushed past their bodies.
2835
2836It was as if some mysterious, special force was protecting them from harm. Even Nan Shuishui and Nan Qiuqiu were spared from harm, as many soul rays simply brushed past their bodies.
2837
2838“Idiot, who told you to attack? Seal our surroundings and don’t let them escape!” The Third Elder shouted furiously and tightened his lightning net, which helped to block off the attacks coming from the Evileye Tyrant Soul Engineer Legion for Huo Yuhao and the rest. While Huo Yuhao was just a good research subject, he couldn’t let Nan Shuishui and Nan Qiuqiu come to harm!
2839
2840Just as he shouted, Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu’er moved at the same time, as though they were telepathically linked.
2841
2842Huo Yuhao sank down, and it seemed as if he was trying to collide against the lightning net below him. Wang Qiu’er twisted and charged upward towards Huo Yuhao.
2843
2844The Fourth Elder naturally wouldn’t let her go to Huo Yuhao’s aid. He snorted, and black fog spread from his body. A sinister beam of cold light instantly surfaced, and slashed towards Wang Qiu’er’s head.
2845
2846The Fourth Elder’s martial soul was a Netherworld Sword. His Netherworld Sword was extremely special. It could create another alternate plane of space that was illusory, mysterious and unpredictable when it was used. Every time this alternate plane of space was created, he needed to ignite someone’s spirit as the price. As his cultivation increased and he became a Titled Douluo, he could only seal the souls of nine dead people. After using them, he had to replace them. Even with all this, he was still considered one of the evil soul masters that had committed the fewest sins.
2847
2848This attack of his was called Netherworld Slash, the Fourth Elder’s first soul skill. It was sharp and quick. With the abilities of a Titled Douluo, even a small hill could be slashed in half with this soul skill.
2849
2850The Third Elder revealed a disdainful look on his face when he saw how Huo Yuhao charged downward. He mimicked a clenching action, and his lightning net shrank once again.
2851
2852He was confident in his soul tool. No protective barrier was effective against his lightning net. An Invincible Barrier could only protect one’s body, but it couldn’t help one breach his lightning net.
2853
2854Huo Yuhao had unleashed an Invincible Barrier earlier. After some time, it had slowly faded away. Right now, the Third Elder thought he was courting death by clashing directly with his lightning net. His lightning net was called Lightning God’s Binding, a Class 8 soul tool. Although it was mainly control-type, it was still classified as a Class 8 soul tool in terms of its strength.
2855
2856Huo Yuhao dove downward while Wang Qiu’er charged upwards, and they were both facing the interception of a Titled Douluo. However, they weren’t looking at their opponents at this moment. Rather, they were looking at each other.
2857
2858Wang Qiu’er saw an apologetic and doubtful look in Huo Yuhao’s eyes, but Huo Yuhao could only see Wang Qiu’er’s determination.
2859
2860The two of them were getting closer and closer, but the two Titled Douluo also intercepted them at this moment.
2861
2862They were less than fifty meters from each other, but these fifty meters were like a huge divide that was separating them right now.
2863
2864They didn’t have any verbal interaction, and Huo Yuhao didn’t even unleash his Spiritual Detection. However, another change occurred at this moment!
2865
2866Their left legs shone at the same time. A strange yet blurry light flashed.
2867
2868In the next instant, the Third Elder’s retracted lightning net swept through nothing but air, and the Fourth Elder’s Netherworld Slash hit nothing. Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu’er had both disappeared at this instant.
2869
2870Even though they disappeared for only an instant, they managed to avoid the interception of these two Titled Douluo. When they appeared again, they were already next to each other.
2871
2872Six eyes were looking at each other. Apart from the normal two pairs of eyes, there was also the pair of Eyes of Destiny.
2873
2874“Why do you have to do this?” Huo Yuhao asked gently.
2875
2876Wang Qiu’er looked at him coldly, and something flashed across her eyes. “Because I’m willing to.”
2877
2878
2879
2880
2881
2882Chapter 386.3: That Brilliant Smudge of Golden Light
2883
2884
2885Huo Yuhao sensed how warm Wang Qiu’er’s palm was when he held her hand. Their soul powers were instantly, completely connected.
2886
2887Their Eyes of Destiny shone brightly on their foreheads, and they also released golden lights from their bodies at the same time.
2888
2889Their auras experienced transformations at this moment. The golden dragon that initially revolved around Wang Qiu’er now suddenly revolved around both of them. The azure lights that came from Huo Yuhao’s body were also released with their bodies as the center.
2890
2891Yes, it was a martial soul fusion. When they held hands, they completed their martial fusion.
2892
2893Huo Yuhao had never thought of giving the fusion between him and Wang Qiu’er a name. However, he was willing to call it the Haoqiu Power now.
2894
2895He didn’t know why Wang Qiu’er had appeared at this moment. However, Wang Qiu’er’s arrival gave him hope in this life-and-death moment. After months of closed-door cultivation, he also became clearer over many things. The debt he owed Wang Qiu’er became much deeper right now. He had only once ever asked himself whether Wang Qiu’er really didn’t belong in his heart. The answer was negative.
2896
2897When he learned that Wang Qiu’er plucked another vine of Yearning Heartbroken Grass to save him at the Icefire Yin-Yang Well, a slit opened in his heart for her.
2898
2899When that golden dragon rose into the sky, its roars reverberated, and Wang Qiu’er’s powdery-blue wavy hair appeared in front of him. Apart from feeling guilty, he was also excited. The fighting intent in his heart was instantly ignited and started to burn unprecedentedly strongly.
2900
2901No matter what, he had to charge out. It was for himself, for Wang Dong’er and for Wang Qiu’er.
2902
2903While Huo Yuhao was burning with passion and feelings, Wang Qiu’er felt very cool. There was a cool aura coming from Huo Yuhao’s palm. This cool was extremely comfortable, especially when her hand was being held by his strong yet stable hand. She only felt that her heart had collided with something. The resilience that she had mustered up before coming seemed to be crushed once again.
2904
2905Nemesis! He’s my nemesis!
2906
2907Wang Qiu’er pursed her lips tightly. However, she also blushed slightly, which made her look even more captivating. If she was with him, so what if she was against thousands of enemies?
2908
2909Only the two of them knew their own psychological changes. Even though they hadn’t faced many enemies together in the past, they seemed to already have great telepathy with each other, and it wasn’t inferior to that between Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong’er.
2910
2911Their Instant Teleportation Left Leg Bones brought them close to each other. When their martial souls fused, they both surpassed their original cultivations and reached another realm.
2912
2913At this point, Huo Yuhao was holding onto Wang Qiu’er with his right hand. His left hand was empty. When he pulled Wang Qiu’er, he lifted his left hand, and the little Snow Lady silently separated from his back. A white glow started to ripple behind Huo Yuhao’s back, too.
2914
2915Another miraculous scene was also playing out behind Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu’er. After they unleashed their Destiny Gaze earlier, a projection of a vertical eye had appeared behind each of their backs. These vertical eyes now also turned orange-gold.
2916
2917The Third Elder’s Thunder God’s Binding lost its effect in the sky, and he had no choice but to stop, as he was shocked. Nan Shuishui and Nan Qiuqiu were still stuck within his binding, and he had to deal with them first. He lifted his right hand and pulled them to his side.
2918
2919However, Wu Yu was impatient, and she unleashed her pitch-black Spirit of Vengeance immediately. She screamed and charged towards Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu’er in fear.
2920
2921A streak of deep blue light swept past the sky, carrying a sinister chill and the Snow Empress’ pride. It didn’t even bother with the Fourth Elder’s Netherworld Sword and went directly for his head.
2922
2923His Netherworld Sword only swept past Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu’er. They didn’t even intend to dodge this attack. Did the Fourth Elder make a mistake?
2924
2925However, Huo Yuhao’s Empresses’ Sword, the Snowless Glacier, landed directly on the black fog.
2926
2927The black fog where the Fourth Elder was, instantly took form and converted into the sword tip of his Netherworld Sword before it shot upward, blocking Huo Yuhao’s Snowless Glacier.
2928
2929However, something weird occurred. As the two swords were about to clash, Huo Yuhao’s Empress’ Sword seemed to be guided by an unknown force. Even the Fourth Elder’s lock-on abilities lost their effect at this moment, and Huo Yuhao’s Empress’ Sword brushed past his Netherworld Sword before slashing at his black fog.
2930
2931“What?” The Fourth Elder groaned. As he retracted his black fog, he re-appeared in mid-air and turned into an ice sculpture.
2932
2933Even though this ice encasement was crushed in the next moment, the Fourth Elder was still struck by Huo Yuhao’s Empress’ Sword, and he staggered back.
2934
2935The entire process happened very quickly, but it was still unbelievable. How was the Fourth Elder so easily hit in this direct clash against his opponent, even though he was a Titled Douluo? In addition, Huo Yuhao’s abilities were miles below him!
2936
2937Huo Yuhao revealed a slight smile on his face. He turned and lifted his head. His Eye of Destiny was flashing purplish-gold right now. It was his Spiritual Shock!
2938
2939Wu Yu suddenly stopped in mid-air. Following this, she screamed pathetically and was even flung backward.
2940
2941While she was supposed to have great immunity against Huo Yuhao’s abilities given that she was also a spiritual-type soul master, she was completely suppressed, as her spiritual cultivation was inferior to Huo Yuhao’s spiritual cultivation.
2942
2943Huo Yuhao’s pure spiritual cultivation was already superior to hers. In addition, his soul power had fused with Wang Qiu’er’s soul power, and thus his overall soul power had increased. In terms of cultivation, this combination of Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu’er wasn’t any weaker than Wu Yu.
2944
2945While Huo Yuhao attacked, Wang Qiu’er didn’t stay idle. When Huo Yuhao unleashed his Empress’ Palm, she was clearly aware of what he was trying to do. She raised her Golden Dragon Spear, and golden light emanated from her body. These golden lights, which seemed to shine in thick layers, instantly gathered toward her right hand.
2946
2947Huo Yuhao’s Empress’ Palm slashed the ice sculpture. In the next instant, Wang Qiu’er’s spear turned into a streak of golden light that shot straight towards the Fourth Elder’s chest.
2948
2949Wang Qiu’er was extremely adept in direct confrontations. Her terrifying strength made her publicly recognized as the top dragon warrior in the Continental Elite Youth Soul Master Tournament.
2950
2951Right now, she wasn’t just unleashing her own strength. She also had Huo Yuhao’s soul power to supplement her. Considering that their soul powers were completely compatible, the fusion of their soul powers didn’t just spark a linear increase.
2952
2953That streak of golden light carried both Wang Qiu’er’s strength and Huo Yuhao’s spiritual intent, and it reached the Fourth Elder instantly.
2954
2955The Fourth Elder groaned, and a dark-green light shone from his Netherworld Sword. A tragic scream sounded, and a human-shaped figure could dimly be seen getting crushed. The light that came from the Fourth Elder’s Netherworld Sword turned weird.
2956
2957The dark-green sword light was refracted and caused everything to look as if it came from two different worlds. Another purplish Netherworld Sword silently appeared and maintained a parallel position to the dark-green Netherworld Sword.
2958
2959Wang Qiu’er’s Golden Dragon Spear rapidly shot forward and stabbed just in between the Fourth Elder’s two Netherworld Swords. However, they combined together at this moment, and a strong layer of silver light was released from between these two swords.
2960
2961There was a clang of metal, and Wang Qiu’er’s spear shook tremendously. It had already stabbed halfway between the two swords, but it didn’t manage to stab completely past them. It thus failed to reach the Fourth Elder’s chest.
2962
2963Wang Qiu’er’s expression changed slightly. In the next instant, her spear had already turned into a streak of flowing light and sprang into the air.
2964
2965The Fourth Elder’s nine soul rings started to flash once each, but in a random order.
2966
2967Yes, this was his Netherworld Sword’s ability to utilize the power of space.
2968
2969The Fourth Elder coldly stared at them, “You wasted a netherworld soul of mine. In that case, I’ll use your souls to replace it!” His dark-green Netherworld Sword shot forward, while his purplish sword disappeared. However, his second and third soul rings lit up at the same time.
2970
2971He was about to unleash his Netherworld Force and Myriad Netherworld Blades.
2972
2973Green lights shone extremely brightly, and the Fourth Elder’s Netherworld Sword instantly grew larger. It changed into countless sharp swords that shot towards Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu’er. Suddenly, the entire sky turned green, and space itself seemed as if it were about to be destroyed.
2974
2975This was what a Titled Douluo was capable of. Even though the Fourth Elder’s cultivation couldn’t compare to Elder Xuan, he was still a Titled Douluo, and his fighting strength was still extremely terrifying.
2976
2977Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu’er turned extremely serious. However, they had no intention of backing down.
2978
2979The two of them stared at each other. Wang Qiu’er quickly moved in front of Huo Yuhao, and he let go of her hand. Instead, he tightened his hands around the sides of her waist.
2980
2981Wang Qiu’er’s waist was very slender. Huo Yuhao’s hands covered two-thirds the circumference of her waist just like that. However, her slender waist was filled with explosive strength.
2982
2983“Chi!” Wang Qiu’er shouted, and seven soul rings rose from beneath her feet.
2984
2985Yes, seven soul rings. Wang Qiu’er had managed to advance from six rings to seven rings in just a few months. Apart from the soul power increase she got from the Yin-Yang Love Querying Valley, her own cultivation had also improved significantly through the tournament earlier.
2986
2987She was now a Soul Sage, and had improved significantly from before!
2988
2989A gigantic golden dragon head silently appeared in front of her body. She faced her palms together before wrapping them against each other. At this moment, her first, second and third soul rings lit up.
2990
2991Her first, second and third soul skills – Golden Dragon Body, Dragon’s Strength, and Golden Dragon’s Fist respectively – were unleashed at this moment.
2992
2993Netherworld Swords kept on flashing past in the air, but they struck at nothing instead of Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu’er because of the power of destiny.
2994
2995
2996
2997
2998
2999Chapter 387.1: Ignite! Spiritual Sea!
3000
3001
3002However, the Fourth Elder was using a domain attack! After sensing that it wasn’t having any effect, he quickly made adjustments. A few Netherworld Swords still came towards the two of them.
3003
3004Wang Qiu’er suddenly pushed the palms that were facing each other out.
3005
3006A sonorous dragon roar reverberated out, and a ball of golden light blew apart within the patch of green lights. A wild and immense strength was unleashed among the green lights, as if it were an explosive bomb that had just gone off.
3007
3008Boom, boom, boom!… A tremendous explosion tore through the air, and streaks of sword light were deflected away and crushed. Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu’er’s aura didn’t seem to be weaker than the Titled Douluo opposite them, even though they were staggering backward.
3009
3010Inside the lightning net, Nan Shuishui and Nan Qiuqiu had already been pulled to the Third Elder’s side. He used two chains to trap them, soul tools that could restrain soul power. Those who were Soul Emperors and below couldn’t possibly use their abilities under the restraint of such soul tools. To the Third Elder, Nan Shuishui was under the influence of the Soul Eradicating Powder, while Nan Qiuqiu was only a Soul King. He just needed these two soul tools to restrain them.
3011
3012Nan Shuishui didn’t resist. She was very focused on the fight that was going on, in awe.
3013
3014The Third and Fourth Elders might not know who Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu’er were. However, how could Nan Shuishui not know who the two of them were?
3015
3016One of them was the team leader of Shrek, while the other was the linchpin of the Tang Sect. Since they could compete in the Continental Youth Soul Master Tournament, that meant that they weren’t twenty years old yet. They were around the same age as her daughter, but they had already demonstrated how brilliant they were.
3017
3018Nan Shuishui had always thought that her daughter was already very outstanding. However, Nan Qiuqiu was simply too inferior to Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu’er.
3019
3020The two of them were actually able to survive several confrontations against a Titled Douluo, and they didn’t seem to be on the back foot either. If word of this spread, how proud would they feel?
3021
3022Of course, the two of them wouldn’t become too excited because of this. The Fourth Elder was simply putting too much pressure on them.
3023
3024He was a nine-ringed Titled Douluo!
3025
3026Huo Yuhao had always known that Titled Douluo were extremely strong. In Shrek Academy, he knew many Titled Douluo and Transcendent Douluo.
3027
3028However, it was two different things to know a Titled Douluo and to fight a Titled Douluo!
3029
3030He felt like the Fourth Elder’s Netherworld Sword could tear them apart at anytime.
3031
3032Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu’er’s fused soul power was quickly declining after they blocked this blow of his. If this continued, they wouldn’t be able to resist his attacks for long.
3033
3034“Qiu’er!” Huo Yuhao called to Wang Qiu’er through his spiritual power.
3035
3036“What?” Wang Qiu’er seemed to reply him less coldly.
3037
3038“I have an idea to get their attention. When I draw their attention later, leave. It’s impossible to charge out from here, given our abilities. We only have one opportunity, and I’ll help you create it. At most, they’ll capture me. When you return to the Academy, just think of a way to rescue me.”
3039
3040Huo Yuhao’s voice was very calm, andwas filled with confidence.
3041
3042Wang Qiu’er was silent, and didn’t utter a sound.
3043
3044“Qiu’er, did you hear me?” Huo Yuhao quickly probed. There wasn’t much time left.
3045
3046Wang Qiu’er sighed before she replied, “Alright!”
3047
3048They were already suffering against one Titled Douluo, and there was still another one for them to face.
3049
3050Huo Yuhao took in a deep breath, then dragged Wang Qiu’er with both his hands to his side. She spun around, and they changed positions. She was now behind Huo Yuhao.
3051
3052However, she didn’t just place her hands around his waist like he did to her earlier. When she came behind him, she wrapped her arms around his waist. She stuck close to his body and hugged him without any gaps.
3053
3054Wang Qiu’er’s body was warm and cushiony. She wrapped her arms around his waist strongly, but didn’t make him feel restrained. He felt indescribably relieved. Wang Qiu’er’s surging soul power poured into his body, while she seemed to forget that she was on a battlefield right now. She twisted her head to one side and gently rested it on the back of Huo Yuhao’s shoulder, staying close to him.
3055
3056A delicate fragrance spread, and Huo Yuhao was still distracted by Wang Qiu’er, even though he was fighting a life-and-death battle.
3057
3058Qiu’er…
3059
3060Huo Yuhao silently called in his heart. I’m sorry. If I didn’t meet Dong’er, perhaps…
3061
3062However, I’ve given my life to Dong’er. Just let me use this last moment to completely sever this yearning in your heart. You must live well in the future, and find someone who dotes on and loves you. Forget me.
3063
3064An unequivocal look flashed across Huo Yuhao’s eyes. At this moment, his arms drooped beside his body, and his hair didn’t move. His eyes started to fill with silver light, and a look of remembrance slowly spread across them.
3065
3066Dong’er…
3067
3068Huo Yuhao smiled, and his spiritual intent seemed to rise to another level. Waves started to rage in his spiritual sea.
3069
3070Teacher Electrolux, I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. I can’t pass down your legacy anymore.
3071
3072Ice Empress, Brother Skydream, Snow Lady, I’m sorry. I can’t continue to charge towards the path of Gods with all of you in the future. When I leave, I’ll pass all of you to Qiu’er. Qiu’er isn’t less gifted than me. She has the same power of destiny in her body, and she even has the pure bloodline of a Dragon God. In the future, it’ll be easier for her to reach the level of a God. I’ll pass your strengths to her at the last moment. Follow her, and continue to charge towards it.
3073
3074Thank you for all these years. It’s because of all of you that I was able to turn from an ordinary boy into what I am today.
3075
3076Huo Yuhao’s eyes were filled with guilt. However, he was extremely determined.
3077
3078The Ice Empress turned frantic in his spiritual sea. She tried to muster her origin power to stop him.
3079
3080The Skydream Iceworm was also frantic, and he furiously shouted, “Stupid!” His golden tears also flowed.
3081
3082The little Snow Lady, who was originally on Huo Yuhao’s back, was forced back into Huo Yuhao’s body with a strong power and entered his spiritual sea too. The Snow Empress, who looked like a teenager right now, looked slightly sorrowful, and now seemed to be a little more quick-witted too.
3083
3084However, they couldn’t do anything right now. Huo Yuhao dominated his own spiritual sea. The Skydream Iceworm was even the one who had personally conferred this authority onto him. Right now, that became their biggest restriction.
3085
3086At this moment, they realized what Huo Yuhao was trying to do. However, they couldn’t do anything to stop him.
3087
3088Huo Yuhao’s three eyes were extremely bright. Far into the east, the sky gradually turned marble-white. However, it couldn’t compare to the bright light that shone from his eyes.
3089
3090Streaks of sword lights slashed towards Huo Yuhao. However, they were only able to brush past his body, no matter how strong and concentrated they were. There seemed to be an unprecedentedly strong force on his body that was protecting him and preventing any interruption.
3091
3092A dim projection appeared behind Huo Yuhao before it turned illusory. This projection was himself.
3093
3094It was a dim golden projection of Huo Yuhao. Right now, he seemed very peaceful and quiet. He shut his eyes and sat cross-legged. As he stretched his hands in front of him, his index fingers and thumbs formed a heart shape.
3095
3096A strange golden fog started to rise from this projection. No, it wasn’t a fog. It was a flame instead. It was a flame that was burning!
3097
3098Everything around him turned bright, as if dawn had arrived in advance. Every soul engineer from the Evileye Tyrant Soul Engineer Legion was moved without any reason. They were even unable to hold their soul tools anymore, and lowered them. They were all in a daze as they looked at the projection of the burning man.
3099
3100Huo Yuhao seemed very huge and tall right now. There was a proud look in his eyes, as if he were watching all life. His smile was very gentle, but it also seemed to be a scornful smile, directed at his enemies.
3101
3102He was burning. He had ignited his spiritual sea. Was he crazy? Could he actually do something like this?
3103
3104Whether it was the Third Elder, the Fourth Elder or Wu Yu, who had just recovered from the blow she had sustained from Huo Yuhao’s Spiritual Shock, they were all astonished as they looked at Huo Yuhao.
3105
3106Soul masters might choose to ignite their own soul power in the face of a crisis to generate extremely strong offensive strength. However, it was very difficult to stop such an ignition after it had started.
3107
3108Even if it was stopped, the soul master’s cultivation would still be greatly affected, and he might sustain a permanent injury. If it couldn’t be stopped, his soul power would burn until there was nothing left, and he would die.
3109
3110As a result, soul masters rarely chose to ignite their soul power, even in the face of a crisis.
3111
3112As for igniting one’s spiritual power and spiritual sea, however, it was something that was unknown and unheard-of.
3113
3114Spiritual power and spirits were magical existences no matter whether it was in the world of soul masters or soul engineers. No one could clearly explain what they were. Even for a spiritual-type soul master, his understanding of spiritual power was very limited if his cultivation wasn’t high enough.
3115
3116
3117
3118
3119
3120Chapter 387.2: Ignite! Spiritual Sea!
3121
3122
3123While the ignition of one’s soul power couldn’t usually be controlled, a person’s spirit would still remain even if he was dead. However, igniting one’s spiritual power was definitely uncontrollable, and both the body and spirit of a person would be completely destroyed.
3124
3125Is this guy crazy? Did we even say we were going to kill him?
3126
3127Wu Yu didn’t know that Huo Yuhao had made such an unhesitant and determined decision mainly for two reasons. First, he felt that he owed Wang Qiu’er too much. She was here to rescue him in this time of crisis, and he felt that he was obligated to ensure that she was safe. In order to send Wang Qiu’er away safely, he needed sufficient strength. Secondly, he felt that Wu Yu was too threatening. Huo Yuhao was reminded of how Feng Ling was turned into a madam, and he was afraid to end up like him. He would rather his body and spirit be destroyed than to become a second Feng Ling. That was also the more important reason why he was willing to die.
3128
3129He stepped out with his left leg, and his bright eyes turned gentler. A golden projection silently appeared behind him. Compared to Wang Qiu’er, this projection seemed a little more slender, and had straight hair. Wasn’t this Wang Dong’er? She quietly flew forward and adopted a hugging posture before she stuck close and fused with Huo Yuhao’s body.
3130
3131During this process, she also flew past Wang Qiu’er’s body. Wang Qiu’er shuddered, and a look of sadness flashed across her beautiful eyes. Even at this life-and-death moment, he still only has her in his heart!
3132
3133This projection of Wang Dong’er fused with Huo Yuhao, and his gaze turned even gentler. At this moment, to him, his enemies didn’t seem to exist anymore. There was only a look of remembrance in his eyes.
3134
3135Remembrance was a magical thing. Huo Yuhao unleashed his Fist of Remembrance, which contained a surging feeling of remembrance!
3136
3137A fist with an indescribable color, but which yet seemed to shine with a special glow, was formed. Huo Yuhao didn’t seem to have a target, and he just unleashed his fist into the air.
3138
3139However, all three of the evil soul masters, which comprised two Titled Douluo and one Soul Douluo, felt as if Huo Yuhao’s fist was unleashed towards them. An indescribable emotion instantly spread in their hearts.
3140
3141The Fourth Elder was the first to bear the brunt of Huo Yuhao’s attack, as he was standing directly opposite Huo Yuhao.
3142
3143He straightened his Netherworld Sword, and his seventh soul ring shone. His body instantly turned into a streak of black light, and he fused with his sword. Following this, another tragic scream sounded. Among the nine netherworld souls in the Fourth Elder’s Netherworld Sword, the second soul was crushed, and the earlier purplish sword projection surfaced again.
3144
3145Space shook like the strings of a violin, and the Fourth Elder’s Martial Soul True Body, which was this purplish Netherworld Sword, surged up. However, it was forced back into the original form of the Fourth Elder’s sword and disappeared. In addition, the soul engineers from the Evileye Tyrant Soul Engineer Legion in the air who had already retreated quite some distance also seemed to be infected by something. They started to tear up, and they couldn’t control their emotions. They even couldn’t control themselves in the air, and their soul tools started to fall from their hands. At this point, metal was raining down inside the city.
3146
3147At this moment, all of these soul engineers were all remembering their loved ones, and they lost their fighting spirit.
3148
3149This was the highest level of profundity of the Fist of Remembrance. There wasn’t any outright force, but it influenced, controlled and even destroyed one’s emotions!
3150
3151The stronger one’s spiritual power was, the greater the influence on their emotions. This was especially applicable for those who shared a similar type of remembrance with Huo Yuhao.
3152
3153The Third Elder had already raised his right arm, and was prepared to use a strong soul tool to destroy Huo Yuhao. However, it stopped in the air. He turned his gaze towards Nan Shuishui, who was right beside him. Remembrance was a magical thing. Right now, the person he yearned for the most was beside him. A blissful smile unwittingly appeared on his face. At this moment, he had already completely forgotten what he was doing here, and that he was supposed to attack Huo Yuhao.
3154
3155Wu Yu was dealt a larger blow than the Third Elder. She and Wu Yun were twin sisters, and they suffered from similar circumstances. When Wu Yun’s emotions changed, she would experience similar emotional changes, too. After she saw what Huo Yuhao presented to her through his Imitation, her emotions were fluctuating even worse than her elder sister. Right now, all types of complex emotions erupted in her head.
3156
3157Wu Yun had been able to instinctively counter-attack and defend herself. However, Wu Yu was completely motionless in the air, and in a daze as she stared at Huo Yuhao. All sorts of emotions were surging and changing continuously in her eyes.
3158
3159Compared to her, the Fourth Elder was under less influence. However, he was directly in front of Huo Yuhao’s Fist of Remembrance.
3160
3161This fist was a perfect combination of spiritual and soul power, and it was infused with the feeling of remembrance. When it was unleashed, it was completely imprinted onto the Fourth Elder’s Martial Soul True Body.
3162
3163The sword intent of his purple sword was suppressed, and his sword was flung back amidst a piercing buzzing sound. He flew back several hundred meters before he managed to stabilize himself.
3164
3165Huo Yuhao didn’t stop. When he unleashed his Fist of Remembrance, he had already forgotten everything about the outside world.
3166
3167The identical projection above him started to burn more brightly. It was the origin power in his spiritual sea that was burning! Otherwise, how could he possibly unleash such strong emotions and infect the two Titled Douluo until they weren’t able to hold their ground anymore?
3168
3169Huo Yuhao exerted force with his left foot and he was lifted higher again. He lifted his right hand and pointed his index and middle fingers upward. A lustrous, bright glow instantly shot into the sky. A huge beam of sword light around a hundred meters long and several dozen meters wide shot into the sky.
3170
3171This bright sword light seemed to pierce the sky. Wherever it passed, space distorted and would gently shake.
3172
3173Huo Yuhao’s expression also started to change. The gentle look in his eyes turned into pain, and he pursed his lips tightly. His eyes had already turned wet, and his emotions seemed to completely enter another world.
3174
3175Remembrance…it started from thinking before it escalated to missing. Wang Dong’er’s face flashed in Huo Yuhao’s eyes. He suddenly felt that he was very blissful. Even if he had to die, he was able to die during his remembrance of Wang Dong’er. He was satisfied. This was probably the best result, considering the situation he was in.
3176
3177The majestic sword light descended from the sky. One’s swordplay could only reach the peak if he handled his relationships well. This was Huo Yuhao’s Sword of Longing, a sword which would never be forgotten!
3178
3179There was a target for this sword… Wu Yu.
3180
3181If not for the fact that Wu Yu had controlled Feng Ling, Huo Yuhao’s almost perfect plan wouldn’t have experienced such a huge problem. More importantly, Wu Yu’s emotions were completely controlled by his Fist of Remembrance right now. This was his best breakthrough point.
3182
3183She was affected worse than the rest because she was a spiritual-type soul master. Her Spirit of Vengeance relied on boundless hatred. However, she was forced to experience the feeling of remembrance by Huo Yuhao at this moment.
3184
3185How could she avoid his Sword of Longing now, after being affected by his Fist of Remembrance earlier?
3186
3187Her Spirit of Vengeance sensed a huge crisis, and unleashed itself from her body to protect her. Wu Yu seemed to be getting a slow grip on her emotions, but it was all too late.
3188
3189Huo Yuhao’s fusion with Wang Qiu’er and his ignition of his spiritual sea had raised his strength to a standard above Wu Yu. The Three Ultimate Haodong Skills had finally revealed the terrifying strength that they were meant to possess.
3190
3191Why didn’t Huo Yuhao use the abilities that the Snow Empress, the Ice Empress and the Skydream Iceworm had conferred on him? It was because he had to continue to be connected to them if he used their abilities. If that happened, they wouldn’t be able to separate from him after his death and fuse with Wang Qiu’er.
3192
3193This was why Huo Yuhao could only use the three skills that he had invented, the Three Ultimate Haodong Skills!
3194
3195Huo Yuhao’s Sword of Longing immediately tore her avenging spirit to pieces. Wherever this sword light passed, spots of bright light were left behind in the air. It was as if tears of remembrance had been scattered in the air.
3196
3197This shiny sword light flashed past Wu Yu’s body before disappearing, and her body stiffened in the air. She drifted several meters back before stopping. The bloodshot look in her eyes faded away, and her gaze started to become similar to Huo Yuhao’s.
3198
3199She was ultimately not as strong as her sister. Against Huo Yuhao’s complete version of the Three Ultimate Haodong Skills, she didn’t manage to survive until his last skill. She was already sucked into the whirlpool of remembrance by the Sword of Longing.
3200
3201In the next instant, her body disintegrated, and was crushed before she turned into a pile of dust. She was reunited with her elder sister in another world.
3202
3203That majestic sword seemed to have slashed the sky apart. At this instant, Ma Xiaotao looked at the sky in the direction of Sunrise City, as if she had a premonition.
3204
3205“That’s not good. There’s a fight in Sunrise City. It could be a fight involving Titled Douluo, considering how strong the spiritual undulations are. Quick, let’s return!” Ma Xiaotao was frantic. After giving out her order, she immediately leapt up, and her wings fluttered forcefully as she quickly proceeded back toward Sunrise City.
3206
3207Earlier, she kept on having bouts of uneasiness, as if she felt that something was going to happen. However, she kept on telling herself that it was probably because Huo Yuhao was about to be caught. She had also been thinking of a plan of action if Huo Yuhao was caught. Without the Third and Fourth Elders, it was possible for Huo Yuhao and the others to kill the Zhong brothers if they coordinated well. It was just that the Evileye Tyrant Soul Engineer Legion was nearby, and their leader, who was a Class 9 soul engineer, was very difficult to deal with.
3208
3209However, Ma Xiaotao suddenly felt that something wasn’t right when the Sword of Longing swept across the sky. The reason why she was feeling uneasy wasn’t because it originated from a distance, but because it came from behind her! Don’t tell me that little brother didn’t leave Sunrise City, and he’s still inside?
3210
3211
3212
3213
3214
3215Chapter 387.3: Ignite! Spiritual Sea!
3216
3217
3218How could Ma Xiaotao control her emotions with this thought lingering in her head? She quickly rushed away back to Sunrise City.
3219
3220Wu Yu was dead. She died just like that. She died without unleashing any of the fighting strength that she should possess.
3221
3222However, her death also jolted the Third Elder awake. The Fourth Elder was also flying back from afar. His eighth and ninth soul rings could be seen flashing.
3223
3224Huo Yuhao had gone into closed-door cultivation for several months, and fused all of his abilities. He had perfectly combined his spiritual and soul power through the connection of his emotions to form his three great skills, which were the strongest expression of his emotions. No matter how strong his opponents were, they would be infected by him if they weren’t able to resist the invasion of his spiritual power.
3225
3226These three great skills were mainly supported by Huo Yuhao’s spiritual power because his spiritual cultivation had surpassed the rank of his soul power. When he completed his soul power fusion with Wang Qiu’er and unleashed his three great skills, he had already established himself in the league of the strongest individuals in this world.
3227
3228After unleashing his sword, Huo Yuhao was already crying. He retracted his palm to his waist before flipping it over. He formed the shape of a heart in the air, and all the lights were retracted at this instant. There was an additional heart at the center of his palm. It was a golden heart. Even the most dazzling gem in this world couldn’t compare to the glow from this golden heart.
3229
3230This golden heart represented a sincere heart. It was filled with eternal love and remembrance.
3231
3232Huo Yuhao shut his eyes. At this moment, there was only one figure in his mind. There weren’t any other people or things that could affect his state of mind. He was already deeply immersed in his thoughts of Wang Dong’er.
3233
3234Dong’er, Dong’er, Dong’er!
3235
3236He was gently calling in his heart. He seemed to see Wang Dong’er and how she had sacrificed her life for him without any hesitation. Dong’er, Dong’er…
3237
3238As he called, that shining, golden heart slowly moved forward as he pushed his palm forward.
3239
3240In the sky, the clouds experienced changes, and thunder rumbled. After pitch-darkness filled the sky, it suddenly lit up. The lights came from an unknown origin, but they formed a heart shape.
3241
3242The signals from all the aerial surveillance soul tools that the Evileye Tyrant Soul Engineer Legion had released again were all jumbled up. In the next moment, their internal formation arrays blew apart, and they were all destroyed.
3243
3244That huge and seemingly boundless heart resonated with the golden heart on Huo Yuhao’s palm.
3245
3246Behind the heart in the sky, there seemed to be a beautiful face watching everything that was happening on the ground with a gentle gaze.
3247
3248“Dong’er, I’ll forever miss and bless you. Even if I go to another world, as long as there’s still a trace of my spirit left, I’ll always love you, Dong’er!”
3249
3250As Huo Yuhao pushed his palm out, and the two hearts resonated with each other, it seemed as if countless flowing lights shone behind Huo Yuhao’s back. There were only memories of him and Wang Dong’er within those flowing lights.
3251
3252Huo Yuhao’s Haodong Palm, a palm which would last eternally!
3253
3254This was the last strike of Huo Yuhao’s three great skills. The qi of heaven and earth was overwhelming, and the feeling of remembrance was pure.
3255
3256The heart on Huo Yuhao’s palm enlarged severalfold, and completely engulfed him and Wang Qiu’er.
3257
3258The two hearts between heaven and earth got closer and closer, and then merged together. At this moment, the Third and Fourth Elders had to retreat rapidly, even with their cultivations. They could clearly sense that they would be critically hurt if they were touched by this heart-shaped light.
3259
3260The hearts combined in the sky, and formed a heart shape that was even brighter than the sun. It was perfectly flawless.
3261
3262The heart-shaped light suddenly retracted, and the huge heart that was originally a few hundred meters in diameter suddenly shrank to a diameter of only around fifty meters. In the next instant, this huge heart suddenly raised up a dazzling plume that shot into the distance.
3263
3264In the blink of an eye, both Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu’er vanished without a trace.
3265
3266They weren’t the only ones who disappeared. Nan Shuishui and Nan Qiuqiu, who were both restrained by the Third Elder’s Lightning God’s Binding earlier, had also disappeared. It was like the Third Elder’s Lightning God’s Binding was a joke in front of the Haodong Palm.
3267
3268The Third and Fourth Elders were both in a daze.
3269
3270Everything that had happened earlier was like a dream to them.
3271
3272It just wasn’t believable anymore.
3273
3274Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu’er were a Soul King and Soul Sage. Among ordinary people, and even soul masters, they possessed rather extraordinary fighting strength.
3275
3276However, how many opponents did the two of them face? They had fought more than a hundred elite soul engineers, a Class 9 soul engineer, a Titled Douluo, and a Soul Douluo who was a strong, spiritual-type evil soul master.
3277
3278What was the eventual result? The Soul Douluo was killed, the elite soul engineers fell from the sky, and were in critical condition, and the two Titled Douluo could only watch helplessly as they escaped. They couldn’t even stop them.
3279
3280No one would believe this. All of this was too weird and shocking.
3281
3282The Fourth Elder flew over in front of the Third Elder and said with lingering fear, “What ability did he just reveal? It was frightening. I have a feeling that I would’ve been killed if he used all three moves on me earlier.”
3283
3284The Third Elder patted the Fourth Elder’s shoulder and said, “Forget it, he’s doomed no matter what abilities he has since he’s ignited his spiritual sea. Let’s go, too. We don’t know how the Holy Lady and the others are.”
3285
3286Yes, Huo Yuhao was doomed!
3287
3288Huo Yuhao’s gaze was filled with gentleness. Nan Qiuqiu, Nan Shuishui and Wang Qiu’er could clearly see Huo Yuhao’s face as they were protected by the heart-shaped light, but they couldn’t sense any resistance from the outside world.
3289
3290Above Huo Yuhao, that identical figure was still burning. However, it looked a little illusory now compared to before.
3291
3292The three ladies knew that Huo Yuhao would be completely destroyed if it finished burning.
3293
3294“Are you doing this just to tell me that only she exists in your heart?” Wang Qiu’er was still resting on Huo Yuhao’s back and hugging him tightly. For some reason, she had become extremely fragile now. She was like a glass vase that could be smashed into pieces any time. She no longer seemed strong, or possessed any fighting spirit.
3295
3296Huo Yuhao shook his head gently and said, “No, Qiu’er. It’s not only her in my heart. You also exist in my heart. It’s just that I didn’t dare to admit it.”
3297
3298Wang Qiu’er’s body shook tremendously, and she suddenly lifted her head from Huo Yuhao’s back. She had always been a resilient person, but her voice was trembling now. “I… exist in your heart?”
3299
3300Huo Yuhao nodded gently and pulled Wang Qiu’er in front of him. He gently embraced her and let her lean on his body.
3301
3302“Yes, I have both you and Dong’er in my heart. I just didn’t dare to admit it all this while. Perhaps I’m the reason why Dong’er is asleep, and why you are in such pain. If I had faced myself earlier, things might have been different. Humans are emotional creatures. I could tell that you were fond of me. When I found out that you plucked another Yearning Heartbroken Grass for me, my heart eventually still opened up for you. I tried to hide it and not face it, and keep all my love for Dong’er. However, I can’t deny its existence.
3303
3304“I’m sorry, Qiu’er. I’m a bad person. I’ve hurt both you and Dong’er. If heaven gives me one more chance, I’ll only have two choices. Either I’ll choose to forsake the both of you, or I’ll think of a way to keep both of you by my side. I won’t let any of you go.”
3305
3306“Qiu’er, do you know? I’m actually very happy now. I really miss Dong’er. I really wish to return to see her. I’ve already planned everything out. After this mission is over, I’ll return to the Clear Sky Sect to see her. However, I’m afraid that I can’t go now. If you have the time, visit her on my behalf. If she wakes up, tell her that you are her elder sister, and that everything that happened was just a dream. Help her to forget me.”
3307
3308“Yuhao…” Wang Qiu’er cried. This was the first time Huo Yuhao had seen her so helpless after all this time that he had known her. However, there was a sense of bliss in her tears.
3309
3310Huo Yuhao hugged her tighter and muttered, “For some reason, I feel that both you and Dong’er are the same person at times. However, you showed up at different periods of my life. It would have been better if only you or Dong’er existed! Qiu’er, I’m sorry…”
3311
3312Wang Qiu’er gently shook her head. “Don’t say sorry. I should be the one to apologize. I was the one who forced myself into your life. Without me, all of this might not have happened. In fact, I already knew what you thought earlier. I knew that you wanted to sacrifice yourself to save me. However, I still hated you and your heartlessness, until you told me that you have me in your heart. I can feel your sincerity. My love for you has finally been repaid.”
3313
3314
3315
3316
3317
3318Credits
3319
3320
3321
3322
3323
3324Translator: Wuxiaworld
3325
3326
3327
3328
3329
3330Epub: Estevam / dotNOVEL