Since the day the old medicine master was captured, this was the first time Xiao Yan had personally witnessed him again. The once-lively, composed demeanor of the elder had now faded entirely, replaced by a frail, elderly appearance—so much like that of a man in his twilight years—that deeply moved Xiao Yan. Over the years, though the old master had been held captive by the Soul Palace, though his life had not been endangered, he had clearly endured significant hardship. As Xiao Yan knelt on both knees before him, the old master within the light sphere's glow gently trembled, then slowly opened his eyes, gazing steadily at the young man and at the flushed eyes of the latter. After a moment of stillness, a faint, weary smile spread across his face. His voice, thin and strained, said, "Little one... you've truly grown up." Back then, when they last parted, Xiao Yan had still been a vibrant, ambitious youth. Yet in just a few short years, that young man had matured into such a strong and composed figure. A simple sentence, yet it stirred an overwhelming sense of sorrow in Xiao Yan's heart. He wiped his eyes and quickly steadied his composure. Now deep within the lion's den, there wasn't much time for reminiscing. Everything would wait until they successfully departed the Wanhun Mountain Range. Gently standing up, Xiao Yan scanned the area around the glow. He extended his palm, pressing it against the light. Instantly, the vast soul energy at the center of his brow surged forth like a tidal wave, and immediately, a series of invisible ripples spread across the light, radiating outward from the point of contact on his palm, eventually reaching the entire glow. "This soul energy... carries a hint of the spiritual realm." "Though currently extremely frail, the Elder's experience remains sharp. As Xiao Yan activated his spiritual power, he sensed a familiar aroma within. A look of surprise flashed across his eyes, quickly giving way to growing satisfaction. Xiao Yan's accomplishments now far exceed his expectations. When he was first captured, his only concern had been that Xiao Yan would lack guidance, leading to stagnation in his cultivation. Now, he realizes he greatly underestimated Xiao Yan's potential. "Break it!" Gazing at the increasingly dense invisible ripples on the light sphere, Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with cold determination, and he spoke firmly. "Boom!" As the words settled, the sphere trembled and then, with a subtle sound, burst open in a sudden, resonant explosion. "Master, are you all right?" "With the light sphere shattered, Xiao Yan quickly helped the Yeold up from the ground. Then, his eyes fixed on the four massive black chains resembling great serpents, his fists tightening automatically. How could these insignificant members of the Soul Palace be so ungrateful... 'These are Soul-Sealing Chains, specifically designed to restrain souls. They are incredibly sturdy—destroying them is no easy task.' Seeing the chains wrapped around the Yeold's limbs, he chuckled wistfully. 'Indeed, these fellows have treated me well—having brought such a substantial effort.' Xiao Yan frowned, touching the iron chains. A cold, eerie sensation immediately surged from his palms, only to be swiftly melted and dissipated by the three-thousand-lotus-heart fire within him. 'Ssssh!' As he grasped a section of the chain, deep purple-brown flames erupted from his palms, instantly turning the dark iron chains into wisps of white smoke. “This…?” gazing at the purple-brown flame in Xiao Yan's palm, Yao Lao was momentarily stunned, then suddenly seemed to grasp something profound, his eyes brightening with surprise. "Another one absorbed—another heterofire?" "Indeed, the Three Thousand Yan Flame," Xiao Yan replied with a smile. "Your fortune over the years must have been truly remarkable," Yao Lao murmured, impressed. Heterofire was something most alchemists encountered only once in a lifetime—yet Xiao Yan had managed to locate it on several occasions. Xiao Yan smiled, then suddenly intensified the purple-brown flame in his palm. The intense heat was so powerful that it even dissolved the blackened iron chains, scattering the strange symbols etched upon them. "Crack!" As the symbols faded, Xiao Yan firmly squeezed his palm, and the iron chain snapped with a crisp sound. Seeing how effective the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame was, Xiao Yan felt a subtle sense of satisfaction and immediately replicated the technique, successfully severing the other three massive chain-like restraints. Removed the缠绕 chains from the medicine elder's body, and with these strange objects now gone, the faint weakness in his expression subtly lessened. Though his body remained ethereal, it had clearly improved compared to before. Gently moving his wrist, the medicine elder gazed at the strange chains that had finally detached from his form, and was momentarily moved—never expecting that he, Ye Dong, would truly achieve liberation from his entrapment. "Let's go. The Hall of Souls is so unpredictable. We should leave at once." He glanced around, noting that the Hall still exuded a dense, oppressive atmosphere of cold阴 qi, heavy with the scent of death. Xiao Yan nodded slightly, but his eyes suddenly caught the clusters of glowing orbs scattered throughout the hall, and a glint of frostiness flashed in his gaze. "Since we've come, let's destroy this place as well. We'll send these souls out and create some disruption for the Hall of Souls." "With that, Xiao Yan clenched his palm, and the purple-brown flame extended out, forming a whip. As he shook the whip, it arced through the air and struck the black chains suspended in the hall. However, just as the whip was about to make contact with the chains, the space suddenly solidified—like the whip had struck a wall of space—and emitted a crisp crack before being forcefully rebounded. "There are still soul hall masters here—get out quickly!" Seeing this, Yao Lao's face tightened, and he spoke firmly. At the very moment the invisible spatial barrier appeared, Xiao Yan instantly regained his composure, without needing Yao Lao's reminder, and caught him firmly, his body transforming into a streak of lightning, rushing toward the outer edge of the hall. "Hehe, Drugen, you've indeed found a worthy disciple. To come here and actually challenge us for a disciple—such boldness! Even I, with all my years, must admit it's truly admirable." Xiao Yan stepped back, his laughter echoing throughout the hall. Suddenly, the space behind him began to warp, solidifying into an invisible barrier. "Crack!" Feeling the barrier forming behind him, Xiao Yan's expression tightened. He planted his feet firmly on the ground, steadying himself, then swiftly looked up. There, suspended in the air, encircled by black chains, stood an elderly man in gray-white robes, his feet resting on one chain, smiling calmly at them. "He's also a Senior Rank Elder?" Xiao Yan's heart sank immediately. His greatest concern had been confirmed—the powerful elders guarding the Hall were not merely the five mentioned in the reports. "Old Star-Seeker? You're also here?" The medicine elder gazed at the elder, his expression also growing serious, and spoke in a low tone. "He has placed great trust in you, so he sent me over—though you haven't noticed yet." The elder, known as the Star-Plucking Old Ghost, smiled slightly and turned to Xiao Yan, saying, "And, in fact, I've still got some big fish in mind..." "Did you know I was coming?" Xiao Yan scoffed. "It was only a matter of time..." The Star-Plucking Old Ghost chuckled. "You're the real big fish. The Hall Master's interest in you surpasses even his regard for Yao Chen. Of course, I'm referring to the 'key' from the Xiao family—the very thing should be with you. Though your father has been stubbornly refusing to part with it, the most promising member of the current Xiao family is undoubtedly you. Having the key in your hands makes it the safest." "My father?" Xiao Yan's heart stirred slightly, yet a cold, murderous intent surged in his eyes—those dogs from the Soul Hall had nearly eliminated every member of his family! "Don't fight him yet—just retreat. You're not his match." Seeing Xiao Yan's stern expression, Yao Lao whispered. Xiao Yan nodded, gritting his teeth. Though this old man always maintained a cheerful demeanor, Xiao Yan had sensed that he was actually more formidable than Mu Gu Elder. Today, he truly found himself in peril. If he didn't give his all, not only would he be unable to carry Yao Lao away, but even himself would likely fall here. "Since I've made my appearance, how can I let you leave unharmed?" The Star-Catching Old Man smiled, extending his pale hand from his sleeve. Vast black mist surged and coalesced instantly into a massive black palm seal, ten zhang in width, which he then slammed directly at Xiao Yan. "Wheee—!" Hearing the terrifying rush of wind as the palm approached, Xiao Yan's face tightened, and he quickly adjusted his hand seal. "Heavenly Fire Triple Transformation—First Transformation! Second Transformation! Third Transformation!" A sharp, urgent sound rang in Xiao Yan’s heart, and at that moment, his aura surged dramatically. A deep purple-brown flame erupted from his palm, coiling into a dragon that roared and fiercely collided with the palm seal. "Boom!" A thunderous explosion echoed throughout the hall. The powerful wave of air shattered several nearby black chains and sent floating orbs flying. As the orbs burst, the faces of the soul bodies within revealed lingering pain and bewilderment. The wave spread outward, and Xiao Yan took several steady steps backward, his internal energy surging and his eyes growing serious. This old man’s strength was truly formidable—Xiao Yan estimated he had reached at least the peak of Five-Star Status. That would mean this old man was precisely the so-called Heavenly Sovereign of the Soul Palace. "This old man is at the peak of Five-Star Battle Sovereign status. Don’t engage him directly!" said Yao Chen promptly, upon seeing Xiao Yan pushed back. "Master, I'll take care of the ring—everything else I'll handle!" Xiao Yan said firmly. Upon hearing this, Yao Chen was momentarily stunned, then nodded. With a swift motion, he transformed into a beam of light and slipped into the dark ring on Xiao Yan's finger. While in his prime, Yao Chen could easily have defeated the old star-harvester, but now, due to his extremely frail condition, he could hardly assist Xiao Yan at all—instead, he would only become a burden. As Yao Chen entered the ring, fierce determination flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. Today, no matter who stood in his way, he would carry Yao Chen out of this place! Whoever stood in his way—would be eliminated!