Seeing the Protector Wu writhing in agony as he was engulfed by a ball of natal flame, Gu He smiled faintly and nodded.
It seemed this natal flame could indeed inflict direct damage to the soul.
While powerful energy or grudge could also harm a soul body, there was no doubt that this heavenly flame was something the soul body feared—perhaps even dreaded.
Under the relentless burning of Gu He's natal flame, the already severely injured Protector Wu suffered further damage. His soul grew increasingly transparent, as if it might dissipate into nothingness at any moment.
Seeing the Protector Wu on the verge of annihilation, Gu He waved his hand, dispersing the natal flame.
He then retrieved a jade bottle from his storage ring and, with a flick of his wrist, summoned a suction force that dragged the Protector Wu's soul into the bottle.
A wisp of invisible flame coiled around the bottle's surface before finally sealing its mouth shut.
After storing the jade bottle in his ring, Gu He exhaled in relief. Capturing this man had been his goal all along.
With the Protector Wu gone, he could act more freely within the Misty Cloud Sect.
Glancing at the ravaged, deformed mountains below, Gu He shook his head slightly before vanishing into the sky.
…
Before long, Gu He had returned to his courtyard.
Upon entering his room, he retrieved the jade bottle containing the Protector Wu's soul. His gaze swept over it, his eyes narrowing slightly as he released his soul power, firmly sealing the entire room.
The Hall of Soul's methods were notoriously unpredictable, and Gu He wasn't without caution. Even in his severely weakened state, a Dou Ancestor expert's counterattack was not something to be taken lightly.
That said, if the Protector Wu had been at full strength, Gu He could have suppressed him. Now, with only a soul body remaining, as long as he remained vigilant, there was little risk of an upset.
He rubbed the bottle's mouth with his palm, causing the fluctuations of the invisible flame to fade until they dissipated entirely.
As the flames vanished, an ethereal soul burst forth, desperately shooting toward the ceiling.
With a snap of his fingers, an invisible wall of flames materialized overhead. The soul collided with it, producing a sizzling sound, followed by a piercing shriek.
Gu He watched the frantic soul with mild amusement before flicking his wrist again. The flame wall descended, ensnaring the soul and gently lowering it.
"Heh, Protector Wu, why the hurry to flee?"
He smiled as he observed the Protector Wu cowering within the fiery enclosure, careful not to let his body touch the scorching walls.
"You… you know who I am?"
Gu He's casual mention of Protector Wu sent a jolt of terror through the man, his face twisting in disbelief.
Now that Gu He was no longer concealed by the Qingling Holy Platform, his true appearance was revealed.
"You—you're Gu He?!"
The Protector Wu's eyes widened as he stared at the familiar face, shock written plainly across his features.
As a sixth-tier alchemist, Gu He had naturally been on the Hall of Soul's radar. Even with slight alterations to his appearance, the Protector Wu recognized him instantly.
At this moment, the Protector Wu's mind was in turmoil, his worldview seemingly overturned.
'Gu He—wasn't he just a sixth-tier alchemist, barely at the Dou King realm?'
'How had he become so powerful?!'
'This… this was impossible!'
The Protector Wu glared at Gu He, unwilling to accept the reality before him.
"You've got sharp eyes. Yes, it's me." Gu He didn't bother denying it.
"Gu He… just who are you?" The Protector Wu forced himself to calm down, his mind racing with possibilities.
'Ancient clan?'
'Pill Tower?'
'Or perhaps a top-tier magical beast clan?'
As for Gu He's former status as an honorary elder of the Misty Cloud Sect—that had long been dismissed.
'A dignified Dou Ancestor expert, a high-level one at that, willingly serving as an honorary elder for a minor faction like the Misty Cloud Sect?'
'Preposterous!'
Gu He chuckled lightly. "Who am I? Haven't you known me all these years I've spent in the Misty Cloud Sect?"
Seeing that Gu He wouldn't reveal more, the Protector Wu dropped the subject, silently concluding that he must be a hidden powerhouse from some major faction.
"What do you want? Every Hall of Protector bears a soul imprint. If you kill me, the Hall of soul will know. Once they do, the Hall of Soul's enforcers will hunt you down without mercy!"
Gu He remained unfazed.
"Spare me the threats."
His voice was indifferent. "Even if your soul imprint remains, how would the Hall of Soul trace your death back to me?"
"Relax. I only have a few questions. Answer truthfully, and I may spare your life."
The Protector Wu's eyes flickered with suspicion. "What do you want to know?"
"Tell me everything you know about the Hall of Soul."
Gu He took a seat, his tone calm.
"The Hall of Soul?!"
The Protector Wu was stunned. Most people avoided the Hall of Soul at all costs—yet this man was actively seeking information?
"You've got guts, I'll give you that. But don't think a bit of strength makes you invincible. To the Hall of Soul, you're nothing. If you're smart, you'll release me now. Otherwise—AHH!"
Before he could finish, the flame wall abruptly constricted, pressing against his soul. The searing heat made his body sizzle, eliciting another agonized scream.
After half a minute of torment, the flames receded, leaving behind a weakened, flickering soul.
Gu He regarded him coldly.
"That wasn't the answer I wanted. Don't assume I won't kill you. And before you die, I'll ensure you suffer."
The Protector Wu glared with hatred, but fear flickered in his eyes as he glanced at the surrounding flames. Finally, he gritted out, "What… do you want to know?"
"How strong is the Hall of Soul?"
A mocking glint flashed in the Protector Wu's eyes.
"You really want to know? Fine. The Hall of Soul's hierarchy is strict. Protector Wus alone are divided into three tiers—Heaven, Earth, and Human."
"I'm merely an Earth-tier Protector. Above us are the high-ranking elders, whose strength is unmatched across the Dou Qi Continent. You may be a Dou Ancestor, but to the Hall of Soul, a single branch could erase you without effort."
Even with prior knowledge from the BTTH, Gu He couldn't help but tense at the Protector Wu's words.
'The Hall of Soul's power was truly terrifying.'
A Dou Ancestor expert was only a low-tier Protector?
It seemed he still needed to bide his time.
If his identity were exposed prematurely, disaster would follow.
"How many of your people are active in the Northwest Region?"
He tapped the desk lightly.
The Hall of Soul's movements were shrouded in secrecy. If he could uncover their whereabouts, he could deal with them one by one.
"I don't know. The Hall of Soul operates in the shadows. Here in the Northwest, aside from an Iron Protector I've dealt with a few times, I have no information on others."
"Iron Protector?" Gu He's eyes gleamed with interest.
"From the Jia Ma Empire?"
"You've met him?!"
The Protector Wu's heart skipped a beat, shock flashing across his face.
How did Gu He know of the Iron Protector's identity?
If not for the stark difference in their methods, the Protector Wu might have wondered if Gu He himself was from the Hall of Soul.
"Answer the questions. No more unnecessary words."
Seeing the Protector Wu's hesitation, Gu He frowned. The flames inched closer.
Panicked, the Protector Wu blurted, "Wait! I'll talk! The Iron Protector is the same rank as me—but he's only a Human-tier Protector, while I'm Earth-tier."
"No communication between you?"
Gu He pressed further. "I recall Hall of Soul members have soul-hunting quotas. Where do you report your completed tasks?"
"We're assigned quotas each mission. Only after fulfilling them within the allotted time can we return to submit. But the Hall of Soul has branch halls across the continent—that's where we deliver the souls."
"Do you know where these branch halls are located?"
"Two. Human-tier Protectors only know one. Earth-tier know two. Heaven-tier know three."
The Protector Wu glanced warily at the flames, his soul trembling.
"As an Earth-tier Protector, you must know two. Where are they?"
The Protector Wu clenched his teeth. "That's a Hall of Soul secret. Revealing it would mean a fate worse than death!"
A cold glint flashed in Gu He's eyes.
He clenched his fist—the flame wall instantly contracted, searing the Protector Wu's soul. A scream tore through the room.
"You have two choices. Die now, burned to nothing—or pray the Hall of Soul never learns of your betrayal."
His voice was icy as he watched the Protector Wu's soul smolder.
"You bastard—AHH! Fine! I'll talk! Let me go!"
As the flames intensified, the Protector Wu's resolve crumbled.
The flames eased, revealing his flickering, weakened form.
"I know of two branch halls. One is in near the border between the Central Plains and the Northwest—a place called Burial Sky Mountain Range. The other… is in the Black-Corner Region."
"Burial Sky Mountain Range… Black-Corner Region?"
Gu He murmured, surprise flickering in his eyes.
He hadn't expected a Hall of Soul branch to be hidden in the Black-Corner Region.
Seeing his reaction, the Protector Wu sneered.
"Gu He, don't think a bit of strength makes you a match for the Hall of Soul."
"Do you even know who our Master is? The depths of his power?"
Gu He's gaze sharpened.
"Have you met the Hall of Soul's Master?"
The Protector Wu's expression turned strange.
"Master is beyond elusive. Even Heaven-tier Protectors rarely glimpse him. In the entire Hall of Soul, only a select few elders know his true strength."
He smirked.
"But for him to command an organization like the Hall of Soul? You can imagine how terrifying he is. Frankly, you're not even qualified to stand before him."
Gu He's eyes chilled.
"If you don't want more suffering, stick to answering. Keep the rest to yourself."
He continued coldly, "Now—tell me about your dealings with Yun Shan."
"Yun Shan?"
The Protector Wu sighed inwardly. It seemed Gu He knew everything.
Reluctantly, he muttered, "Yun Shan took a Blood Soul Pill. Once he breaks through to Dou Ancestor, he'll owe me three favors. If he fails… I'll claim his soul."
Gu He's voice was calm. "What is the Blood Soul Pill?"
...
Gu He asked lightly, "What is the Blood Soul Pill?"
Protector Wu fell silent for a moment before replying, "The Blood Soul Pill is a type of magical pill developed by our Hall of Soul. It can forcibly enhance the strength of those below the Dou Ancestor realm."
"Of course, even above the Dou Ancestor realm, the Blood Soul Pill still has cultivation-boosting effects."
As he spoke, Protector Wu glanced at Gu He, a hint of flattery in his tone. "Gu He, I still have two Blood Soul Pills with me. If you're interested, I'll give them both to you."
Hearing this, Gu He's gaze turned scrutinizing as he studied Protector Wu.
After a long pause, just as Protector Wu was beginning to feel uneasy, Gu He finally spoke slowly, "Let me see."
Protector Wu was momentarily stunned, then a flash of delight crossed his heart. He nodded eagerly. "Of course, I'll hand them over to you."
Seeing Protector Wu's impatience, a cold glint flickered in Gu He's eyes.
Without hesitation, Protector Wu formed a seal with his hands, and a jade bottle materialized in his palm.
"Gu He, this contains the Blood Soul Pill."
He extended the pill toward Gu He, but the latter's attention was fixed on the method of retrieval. A strange look crossed Gu He's face.
'No wonder I didn't see a storage ring on him—this guy is quite cunning.'
Without a word, Gu He reached out and took the jade bottle.
"Boom!"
He uncorked it instantly, and a surge of potent dou qi wafted out. Gu He inhaled deeply, but his brows furrowed involuntarily.
The Blood Soul Pill carried a thick, metallic scent of blood.
Recalling the Hall of Soul's notorious methods, Gu He shook his head. 'The refinement process for this pill must be incredibly sinister.'
Protector Wu watched Gu He's expression carefully. "Gu He, what do you think of the Blood Soul Pill?"
"As an Earth-level protector, I receive two Blood Soul Pills annually. If you desire them, all of my future allocations will be yours." He made this promise, hoping Gu He would spare him for the sake of the pills.
However, what he didn't expect was that the Blood Soul Pill meant little to Gu He.
A faint smile played on Gu He's lips as he regarded Protector Wu skeptically. "Protector Wu, don't forget—I am still an alchemist."
At these words, Protector Wu's heart skipped a beat, his face paling slightly. He had momentarily forgotten that the man before him was a sixth-grade alchemist.
A bad premonition crept into his mind.
"It's true that the Blood Soul Pill can enhance cultivation, but it seems Protector Wu forgot to mention its drawbacks." Gu He held the jade bottle, his gaze icy.
"I... I don't understand what you mean. The Blood Soul Pill is a treasure of the Hall of Soul—how could it have any drawbacks?"
Though his eyes wavered, Protector Wu stubbornly insisted.
Seeing his defiance, Gu He didn't argue further. Instead, he clenched his right hand, and a surge of terrifying flames engulfed Protector Wu.
"Wait! I'll tell you!"
The flames halted abruptly at Protector Wu's desperate plea.
Gasping from the searing heat, he blurted out, "After taking the Blood Soul Pill to break through, a blood curse is left in the soul, allowing control over life and death at any moment!"
"If the breakthrough fails, the user will explode and die, their essence absorbed by the blood curse to form a new Blood Soul Pill!"
Under Gu He's threat, Protector Wu spilled everything to save his own life.
"Please..." He looked at Gu He pleadingly.
With a thought, Gu He dispersed the flames.
"Blood Soul Pill... Blood Curse... To think the Hall of Soul could create something so vile."
After a moment of contemplation, Gu He asked coldly, "Do you know the refinement method for the Blood Soul Pill?"
Protector Wu forced a bitter smile. "The Blood Soul Pill is highly classified. I'm just a lowly Earth-level protector—how would I know its refinement process?"
Seeing Gu He's displeasure, he hastily added, "But... His Excellency would know."
"His Excellency?"
Gu He's frown deepened. A Hall of Soul Venerable would at least be at the Dou Venerable realm—far beyond his current capabilities.
Then, he thought of Yun Shan, who had already consumed the Blood Soul Pill.
"If the blood curse isn't activated, are there other side effects?" Gu He pressed.
This time, Protector Wu answered without hesitation. "After taking the Blood Soul Pill, further breakthroughs become impossible—unless the blood curse is purged from the soul."
"No possibility of breakthrough..." Gu He's expression darkened.
This meant that even if Yun Shan reached the Dou Ancestor realm, his cultivation would stagnate forever.
"Purging the blood curse... Would my heavenly flame work?"
"If possible, I should help him."
Memories surfaced—Yun Shan had personally recruited him after he won the Alchemist Grand Meeting, offering unparalleled resources.
It was thanks to Yun Shan's support that Gu He had advanced to a sixth-grade alchemist so swiftly.
In Gu He's eyes, Yun Shan had shown him kindness.
Moreover, considering Yun Yun's relationship with Yun Shan, Gu He couldn't stand by. If she knew he had done nothing, she would surely resent him.
"Very well. I'll find a chance to meet the old sect master."
With that decision made, he stored the Blood Soul Pill in his ring for further study.
Then, his lips curled into a cold smirk as he turned to Protector Wu.
"Protector Wu, as a prisoner, you should know better than to hide treasures from me."
Protector Wu paled. "W-What do you mean?"
Gu He's voice was icy. "It seems you're still clinging to hope."
He had noticed earlier—this man was hiding far more than he let on.
...
As soon as Gu He's words fell, he repeated his old trick—the scorching flame barrier surged once more toward the Protector Wu. Sensing th
As soon as Gu He's words fell, he repeated his old trick—the scorching flame barrier surged once more toward the Protector Wu.
Sensing the impending danger, the Protector Wu's expression twisted in horror, yet he still insisted through gritted teeth, "Gu He, I truly don't have any treasures on me..."
Gu He's face remained impassive. "Since you refuse to speak, then you'll never get the chance again."
The flames inched closer, tightening around the Protector Wu. Desperation seeped into his voice as he pleaded, "Please, Gu He, spare my life!"
But Gu He was unmoved. Seeing the Protector Wu's stubbornness, a flash of killing intent flickered in his eyes.
Realizing Gu He's resolve, the Protector Wu finally cracked. "Fine! I'll talk! I'll give it to you!"
The moment the words left his lips, the Protector Wu's aura dimmed, as if drained of vitality.
Satisfied, Gu He dispersed the flames.
Trembling, the Protector Wu formed a series of hand seals, his face contorting in agony as if enduring unbearable torment. Moments later, a wisp of gray mist seeped from his body.
The Protector Wu's eyes filled with anguish as he stared at the mist. With a reluctant thought, it drifted toward Gu He.
Gu He extended his soul power, carefully examining the gray mist. Soon, his expression shifted from suspicion to astonishment.
"This is…"
"A high-grade Na Ling?"
Disbelief gave way to exhilaration. He never expected such a treasure from this mere earth protector.
Na Ling is a rare artifact capable of creating an internal spatial void.
In essence, it was related to Na Rings, but while rings were crafted from ordinary Na Stones, a Na Ling could only form at the core of the highest-grade Na Stone.
High-grade Na Stones were already precious, essential for crafting top-tier storage artifacts. Yet the chance of a Na Ling forming within one was vanishingly small.
Moreover, Na Lings were categorized into three tiers: low, middle, and high. The gray mist before him was unmistakably a high-grade Na Ling—a treasure beyond measure.
Gu He glanced at the Protector Wu in amazement. "I never took you for a man of such fortune."
The Protector Wu's face darkened. 'Fortune? Not when I am being ripped in your grasp.'
The thought of losing his high-grade Na Ling—and all the treasures stored within—filled him with despair.
"Gu He, I've told you everything and even surrendered my Na Ling. Will you let me go now?"
"No rush," Gu He deflected, his consciousness already sinking into the Na Ling's spatial void.
The space within a Na Ling far surpassed that of a Na Ring. And a high-grade Na Ling's interior was at least ten times larger than even a high-grade Na Ring's.
Since the Protector Wu had severed his connection to the Na Ling, Gu He entered effortlessly.
As his consciousness expanded, an immense void unfolded before him—vast enough to hold ten stadiums.
"Incredible!"
"Truly worthy of a high-grade Na Ling!"
His gaze soon landed on a corner piled with the Protector Wu's lifelong accumulations.
"Tsk, tsk… Quite the collection."
Gu He's eyes gleamed coldly. 'This man must have plundered endlessly to hoard so much.'
But now, it all belonged to him.
A triumphant smirk curled his lips as he scanned the trove. Then, his attention snagged on two black scrolls.
With a thought, they appeared in his hands.
The Protector Wu had been watching closely, hoping for a chance to escape. But Gu He, ever cautious, had reinforced the flame barriers before delving into the Na Ling.
Now, seeing the scrolls in Gu He's grasp, the Protector Wu's face paled, his lips trembling.
Those scrolls contained secret arts he had exchanged for years of service to the Hall of Soul.
And now, they would benefit his enemy.
Bitter resentment churned within him, but in his current state—a fish on the chopping block—survival was all that mattered.
Gu He glanced at the Protector Wu's stifled fury and smirked, unfurling the first scroll.
A pulse of soul energy shot forth, flooding his mind.
Instinctively, Gu He wrapped it in his own soul power, confirming it was harmless before absorbing the information.
Moments later, his eyes snapped open, alight with surprise.
"A soul secret art!"
Of course—this was the Hall of Soul's specialty. The scroll detailed the Soul Retrieval Dou Technique, the very chain art the Protector Wu had used earlier. Most Hall of Soul protectors trained in it.
Eagerly, he unsealed the second scroll.
Another surge of soul energy—another secret art!
"Soul Devouring Technique!"
By consuming soul bodies, the user could temporarily amplify their strength.
Gu He recalled how the Protector Wu had grown stronger after devouring souls. 'So this was his trump card.'
Though the technique was brutal, in life-or-death moments, morality was a luxury.
Pleased, he stored both scrolls in his system space.
This hunt had yielded far greater rewards than expected.
With a final glance at the defeated Protector Wu, Gu He recalled the flames.
…
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