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**
Amid the chaos.
Facing Qiu Ling's attack, Old Mu Gu's figure flickered, appearing more than ten zhang away. His hand clenched, and a brilliant silver jade token suddenly appeared between his fingers, which he then crushed with force.
As the jade token shattered, a surge of exceptionally powerful spatial energy erupted. Immediately, the space beside Old Mu Gu twisted and tore open, forming a crack. And just as the rift took shape, three figures shrouded entirely in black robes slowly stepped out from within it.
With the emergence of these three figures, three vast auras swept across the void like a raging storm. Under this overwhelming pressure, even Xian'er's delicate face showed a trace of solemnity.
Three Dou Zun!
"Hall of Souls Elders."
Xiao Yan's expression also changed; he hadn't expected Old Mu Gu to have such a card up his sleeve.
These three arriving Hall of Souls Elders, judging by their strength, were not weaker than Old Mu Gu himself. By estimation, each was around the Four- to Five-Star level.
"Spatial jade slip… four Dou Zun, plus those two alchemists who infiltrated the top ten of the Pill Gathering—your Hall of Souls really prepared thoroughly for the Three Thousand Burning Flame!" Qiu Ling's eyes darkened as he stared at the three black shadows stepping from the rift, his teeth clenched.
Such a lineup was enough to sweep aside most forces in the Central Plains. Even when facing the unsealed Three Thousand Burning Flame, they could contend with it directly.
Though the Three Thousand Burning Flame had opposed the Pill Tower for so many years, that didn't mean it truly possessed the strength to fight the Pill Tower head-on.
After all, the Three Great Leaders only ever intended to seal it, and sealing was different from killing. No matter how strong the Three Thousand Burning Flame was, it was roughly at the high-level Dou Zun, with perhaps a larger form and more energy reserves.
And though it was famed as the Undying Flame, if the Three Great Leaders truly wished to eliminate it, they were not without methods.
They simply never intended to take that step. Every Heavenly Flame was an extremely rare treasure to an alchemist. Moreover, such flames formed only after thousands or tens of thousands of years and countless coincidences. To destroy one casually would be a reckless waste.
Thus the three Pill Tower leaders preferred to spend great effort to construct the Star Region and seal the Three Thousand Burning Flame, rather than destroy it.
Of course, destroying and defeating were one matter. Whether it could be devoured and refined was another. At the very least, the Three Great Leaders dared not take that risk.
Besides, the Three Thousand Burning Flame, known as the Undying Flame, was not so easily annihilated.
"Mu Gu, your efficiency this time is truly lacking. Even now, you haven't helped the Three Thousand Burning Flame break free."
Of the three black figures stepping from the spatial rift, one spoke in a hoarse voice.
"There were some accidents."
Old Mu Gu shot a hateful glance toward Wei Yang in the distance and said coldly, "Enough nonsense, we don't have much time. Quickly help the Three Thousand Burning Flame break the seal. If the turmoil outside is calmed and the Three Great Leaders arrive, we'll have no chance."
"Very well, let's hurry. The Hall Master places great importance on this plan. If anything goes wrong, none of you will escape punishment," another black-robed figure said flatly.
At the mention of the Hall Master, the others fell silent. Old Mu Gu's face twitched, and a trace of fear flickered in his eyes.
"Move according to the plan. Once we obtain the core flame of the Three Thousand Burning Flame, our mission will be complete."
Old Mu Gu took a deep breath, his gaze sinister as he glanced at Wei Yang in the distance, forcefully suppressing the killing intent in his heart. Now was not the time for revenge; the urgency of the moment compelled him to restrain himself.
"You three block them. I will help the Three Thousand Burning Flame break the seal."
With a cold shout, Old Mu Gu's figure darted forward, charging toward the Three Thousand Burning Flame. Immediately, the other three spread out, each confronting Xiao Yan, Qiu Ling, and Xian'er.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The void instantly boiled. Billowing, chilling black mist spread outward, driving away the scorching heat.
Wow~
A series of black iron chains as thick as an arm lashed and whirled through the air.
As the great battle erupted.
This stretch of void trembled violently. Wave after wave of vast, mighty force surged out from the nothingness, converging upon the enormous body of the Three Thousand Burning Flame.
With those torrents of power pouring in, the black rune markings once again blazed with light. Clearly, the Three Great Leaders outside had made their move.
Roar~
Facing the seal that grew heavier once more, a faint crimson surfaced in the dragon eyes of the Three Thousand Burning Flame. Today was the perfect chance to break free. If it missed this moment, who knew how long it would have to wait for another?
Although it could do nothing to the Pill Tower's Three Great Leaders, the same was true in reverse—they could not truly kill it either.
If it failed to escape now, the next opportunity like this might not come for a very long time. The seal of the Three Great Leaders had caused it plenty of suffering over the years.
As crimson flared in the dragon eyes of the Three Thousand Burning Flame, a destructive aura suddenly erupted from its massive body.
Sensing that annihilating breath, Wei Yang, standing not far away, and the approaching Old Mu Gu both twitched at the corners of their eyes. It seemed this Three Thousand Burning Flame was truly ready to fight to the death.
"Wei Yang, think carefully. Do you really intend to stand in the way of our Hall of Souls?"
Old Mu Gu halted, his voice deep. "Step aside now and we'll take the Three Thousand Burning Flame and leave. As long as you don't obstruct us today, our Hall of Souls will never target you again.
You are not the same as Xiao Yan, so there's no need for things between you and our Hall of Souls to end in mutual destruction, is there? Who knows, we might even have the chance to cooperate in the future."
"Are you joking with me?" Wei Yang said evenly.
"I have no time for jokes."
Old Mu Gu frowned, then eased his tone. "Wei Yang, I know the only reason you oppose our Hall of Souls is because of Yao Chen."
"How about this: as long as you don't block me today, when I return I'll report everything to the Hall Master. I can even look after Yao Chen, make sure he suffers less, maybe even arrange a more comfortable confinement. That isn't impossible."
"You're only his student, not his direct heir. Why insist on going against our Hall of Souls for Yao Chen? You've already done enough to honor him, haven't you?"
As he spoke, Mu Gu's gaze flicked toward the battlefield behind, where Xiao Yan, together with the golden puppet, was fighting a Hall of Souls Elder. Then he sneered. "Honestly, I almost feel sorry for you."
"Oh?" Wei Yang raised an eyebrow.
"Am I wrong?" Mu Gu looked at Wei Yang and chuckled. "I know Yao Chen better than you do. After all these years, his judgment is still as poor as ever."
"Han Feng back then was like that, and now Xiao Yan is the same."
Mu Gu sneered, "I've looked into it. You must have known that old Yao Chen back in Wu Tan City, right?"
"At that time it was you and Xiao Yan, yet Yao Chen chose Xiao Yan and not you."
"Haha, it's laughable."
"Sometimes I really can't figure out what goes through that old man's head. He ignored someone like you and chose Xiao Yan instead."
"He passed down all his legacy, even the Flame Mantra, entirely to Xiao Yan, while to someone as outstanding as you, he turned a blind eye."
"And you, still eager to call yourself his student. I can't help but feel it's not worth it for you."
Mu Gu shook his head and sighed. "Yao Chen may have given you a few pointers at best. You've already repaid that debt many times over, but Yao Chen—he isn't worth this devotion of yours."
"Why not join our Hall of Souls instead?"
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