Fighting: Practice makes it real, start with a poisonous body.

Gu Yuan's figure transformed into a golden streak of light, gradually fading into the darkness of the Soul Palace until it completely disappeared at the end of the passage.

"Chief, are you really going to let him leave like this?"

Hun Xuzi's voice echoed softly. He slowly walked to the foot of the crimson throne, bowed slightly, and a hint of confusion appeared on his effeminate face.

"Now that we know his entire plan, why hand over the battle power of the Pure Lotus Demon Saint, who is at the level of a half-emperor, to him?"
"With the strength of my Soul Clan, wouldn't it be far better to seize the corpse of the Pure Lotus Demon Saint, resurrect him personally, and control him, than to let Gu Yuan do all the work for us?"

In his view, the Pure Lotus Demon Saint was a half-Emperor level expert. Once resurrected and controlled, he would become a great asset to the Soul Clan in their conquest of the continent. It was such a pity that Gu Yuan had gotten this advantage for nothing.

"Don't underestimate him... and don't overestimate our clan's secret techniques."

The Soul Emperor's voice carried a hint of weariness, and as soon as he opened his mouth, he couldn't help but cough weakly, "Cough cough..."

When Gu Yuan was present, the composure he had been maintaining instantly collapsed, his pale face became even more ashen, and a trace of blood even spilled from the corner of his mouth.

"Chief, your health is indeed..."

Hun Xuzi's expression changed slightly, and he quickly stepped forward, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes.

"There's nothing we can do; the power of the Sword Emperor is simply too difficult to restore."

The Soul Emperor waved his hand, a hint of helplessness and fear flashing in his eyes. "Back then, Gu Yuan and I were both affected by the aftershocks of the Sword Emperor's sword intent."

But for some reason, my injuries were much more severe than Gu Yuan's, as if the sword intent was targeted specifically, deliberately designed to severely injure me...

In my current state, I truly do not wish to face the dying counterattack of a nine-star peak Dou Sheng.

Even though Gu Yuan's talent is far inferior to Xiao Xuan's, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse, and the foundation of a Nine-Star Dou Sheng is still there.

If we really push him too far, even if we can kill him, it will likely come at a great cost. If the Dragon-Phoenix Child seizes the opportunity to attack, our Soul Clan will be in grave danger.

"So that's what you were worried about."

The Soul Emperor nodded slightly and said, "Yes, that's not all. There's also that secret technique. I don't actually know if it can truly control the Pure Lotus Demon Saint..."

"Then you'll give this method to him? Wait... could it be that...!"

Hun Xuzi raised an eyebrow and looked directly at Hun Tiandi's face, a chill running down his spine.

“Hun Xuzi, you are indeed a rare wise man among my Soul Clan.”

The Soul Emperor's lips curled into a cold smile. "Indeed, just as you thought! I have no confidence in that secret technique at all."

"In the end, although the secret method for controlling the resurrected is a unique skill passed down from our clan, when our ancestors tested this method, the highest level they ever controlled was a resurrected person at the level of a Seven-Star Dou Sheng!"
Half-Emperor level experts are extremely rare throughout history, making it impossible to find suitable test subjects. No one knows whether this secret method will be effective against them.

Therefore, it's simply not feasible for us to seize the corpse of the Pure Lotus Demon Saint, resurrect him, and control him ourselves! This is something that Gu Yuan has to do himself!
If he succeeds by chance and manages to control the Pure Lotus Demon Saint, then he will be sent to fight against the Dragon-Phoenix Son, Xiao Jibai, and the others. But if he fails...

"Heh heh, after the Pure Lotus Demon Saint is resurrected, she'll also go and fight the Dragon-Phoenix Son to the death!"

The Soul Emperor's smile grew increasingly sinister: "No matter the outcome, my clan will reap the benefits!"

"...Your wisdom and strategy, Chieftain, are beyond my reach!"

Hun Xuzi knelt on one knee, a bead of cold sweat appearing on his forehead.

The Soul Emperor took out the fragment of the ancient Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade from his storage ring. The dark yellow fragment of jade, illuminated by the ghostly green flames, emanated a faint imperial aura.

He gently traced the patterns on the broken jade with his fingertips, a strange smile appearing in his eyes: "Gu Yuan, Gu Yuan, no matter how many schemes you have, you can't escape my grasp!"

Meanwhile, in the Dan Domain, at the Flower Sect's headquarters.

In a secluded courtyard deep within the Flower Sect, a stone table and several stone benches were set up, around which Xiao Yan, Xiao Xuan, and Xiao Xun'er sat.

Xiao Xun'er wore a light purple dress with delicate lotus patterns embroidered on the hem, which made her skin look as white as snow and her beauty unparalleled.

She lowered her head slightly, her long eyelashes fluttering gently like butterfly wings, her tone tinged with guilt: "Brother Xiao Yan, Senior Xiao Xuan, I'm so sorry, my father... he made things difficult for you again, didn't he?"

Xiao Xuan sat on the stone bench and gently comforted her, "Xun'er, don't blame yourself."

Although you are his daughter, you are ultimately different from him. Gu Yuan's actions have nothing to do with you, and we will not blame you for them.

Xiao Yan nodded, picked up the cup of tea on the table and took a sip: "Yes, we all understand your father's personality."

What I didn't expect was that the last fragment of the Pure Lotus Demon Flame map was actually in his hands.

Xiao Xun'er frowned slightly, a look of confusion on her face, and said, "I also find this matter very strange."

While I can't claim to know everything about the treasures kept by my clan, I couldn't possibly be unfamiliar with something as important as the fragmented map, which is related to the Pure Lotus Demon Flame, if it had been treasured by the clan for so long...

That last fragment of the map, I suppose, wasn't one of our clan's treasured heirlooms. I truly wonder where Father found it."

"In any case, the incomplete map ended up in his hands."

Xiao Yan stood up, his gaze fixed on the distant sky beyond the courtyard, his expression becoming extremely heavy.

He turned to look at Xiao Xuan, his tone firm, and said, "Ancestor."

Xiao Xuan also stood up, a knowing glint in his eyes, and asked, "Are you ready?"

"Ok!"

Xiao Yan nodded heavily and turned his gaze to Xiao Xun'er: "Xun'er, my ancestor and I are going to leave for a while to go to the location of the coordinates left by your father."

"Stay in Dan Domain and take good care of yourself."

Xiao Xun'er raised her head, a deep worry in her eyes. She bit her lower lip tightly and said, "Brother Xiao Yan, the journey ahead is fraught with danger. You must be careful."

"Don't worry, I will return safely." Xiao Yan said softly, gently patting Xiao Xun'er's shoulder.

Then, Xiao Yan and Xiao Xuan simultaneously activated their Dou Qi. Golden and fiery Dou Qi erupted instantly, like two dazzling pillars of light shooting into the sky.

The two figures slowly rose up and hovered in mid-air, about to fly towards the barrier of the Pill Domain.

Just then, an extremely terrifying aura suddenly rose from the center of the Pill Domain!

"Boom--!"

A deafening roar instantly reverberated throughout the entire Pill Domain. The earth trembled slightly, and the clouds in the sky were torn apart in an instant. A huge golden pillar of light shot straight into the sky from the direction of the Pill Tower!

Xiao Yan and Xiao Xuan hovered in mid-air, feeling this terrifying aura, their faces showing shock.

"This aura... it's from the Pill Tower Ancestor!"

Xiao Xuan was the first to react, his voice tinged with excitement: "Could it be that he has successfully broken through! He has advanced to the ninth-grade Golden Core realm!" (End of Chapter)