344: Soul Palace Cooperation

Deep within the main headquarters of the Five Poisons Sect, inside a secret chamber constructed of heavy black stone.

The air was filled with a pungent medicinal odor and a faint smell of blood, while a bizarre communication array built from stacked skulls emitted a faint green light.

The Sect Master of the Five Poisons Sect, looking nervous, carefully placed a Soul Jade Slip —engraved with the title of Venerable Donghua and information about him being a Six-Star Dou Zun —into the core of the array.

Following his obscure incantation, the green light intensified, and the Jade Slip transformed into a streak of light, vanishing into the void.

Only after completing this did the Sect Master of the Five Poisons Sect finally breathe a sigh of relief, his face uncontrollably showing excitement as he already envisioned the rewards from the Hall of Souls and his soaring status within the organization.

Several days later, a bloody-red jade talisman pierced through the void as if alive, appearing directly before the Sect Master of the Five Poisons Sect.

The voice emanating from the jade talisman was none other than the cold, authoritative voice of Blood River Heavenly Venerable.

“Five Poisons, I have received the message. Three days from now, at midnight, Vipers Mountain Range, Hidden Mist Valley.”

“I will personally meet this Venerable Donghua. You handled this matter well. If this succeeds, the primary credit will be yours.”

The Sect Master of the Five Poisons Sect was overjoyed and immediately transmitted the time and location through the faint aura imprint Jiang Donghua had left behind earlier.

Vipers Mountain Range was steep and rugged, with sparse woods and many strangely shaped, jagged boulders. The air was perpetually permeated with a faint, sweet, and pungent odor —the smell of various mixed poisons.

Deep within Hidden Mist Valley, the multicolored poisonous miasma was so dense it seemed solid. Even during the day, the light was dim, and at midnight, it was pitch black, save for the faint, strange fluorescence emitted by the miasma itself.

In a relatively flat area at the bottom of the valley, Blood River Heavenly Venerable, clad in blood-red robes, stood with his hands behind his back. His aura as a Five-Star Dou Zun was not deliberately restrained; it acted like an invisible vortex, repelling all approaching miasma, forming a vacuum zone around him.

His eyes were sharp as knives as he scanned the colorful dense fog, waiting patiently.

He chose this location partly for its secrecy, and partly because if the other party intended treachery, this natural poisonous barrier could serve as a defense.

He was not without doubts. A Six-Star Dou Zun suddenly appearing, who just happened to have a grievance with the target, Sound Valley?

How could such a coincidence exist in the world? However, the strength of a Six-Star Dou Zun was undeniable, and if he could truly be utilized, the certainty of capturing Mu Qingxian would be absolute.

Risk and opportunity coexist, and Blood River Heavenly Venerable was not one to be overly cautious.

Just then, an aura no weaker than his own —and perhaps even more refined and vast —appeared without warning on the other side of the dense fog.

The multicolored poisonous miasma seemed to have encountered its nemesis, quietly parting to both sides, yielding a pathway.

A tall and imposing figure slowly walked out. There seemed to be an invisible wall of Qi surrounding him; all the miasma automatically dissipated into nothingness three feet away from his body.

It was Jiang Donghua, who had slightly altered his appearance and demeanor, making him appear more cold and aloof.

“Is Your Excellency Venerable Donghua?”

Blood River Heavenly Venerable’s gaze was like electricity, and he spoke first, his voice hoarse with a metallic friction.

The ease with which the opponent dispersed the miasma of Hidden Mist Valley convinced him further of his cultivation level.

Jiang Donghua stopped, facing Blood River Heavenly Venerable from a hundred zhang away.

This distance was extremely close for a Dou Zun Expert.

He could clearly sense the thick scent of blood and the cold Soul fluctuations unique to the Hall of Souls emanating from the other party.

“Blood River Heavenly Venerable?”

Jiang Donghua’s tone was calm but carried the inherent prestige of a superior.

“My time is valuable; I dislike idle chatter.”

A trace of displeasure flashed in Blood River Heavenly Venerable’s eyes, but the opponent possessed formidable strength, giving him the right to be arrogant.

He suppressed his emotions and asked directly.

“I heard that Your Excellency has an old grudge with Sound Valley? What kind of enmity is it that would allow Your Excellency to condescend to cooperate with my Hall of Souls?”

It had begun —the expected probing.

Jiang Donghua’s lips curved into a cold arc, and his eyes appropriately revealed bone-deep hatred.

“That old dog, Huan Hai, killed my beloved. This enmity is irreconcilable! As for the details...”

His gaze suddenly sharpened, piercing toward Blood River Heavenly Venerable like a material sword edge.

“Are you interrogating me?”

Boom!

A majestic aura far surpassing that of a Five-Star Dou Zun suddenly erupted from Jiang Donghua. Although he was not using his full strength, the Six-Star level Soul pressure swept toward Blood River Heavenly Venerable like a raging tide!

Even the surrounding space hummed under the pressure, and the multicolored poisonous miasma was forced to violently churn and retreat in all directions.

Blood River Heavenly Venerable’s expression shifted slightly. Blood light surged around him, barely managing to resist the pressure, but the ground beneath his feet quietly cracked into several fissures.

He felt a chill in his heart: this truly was a genuine Six-Star Dou Zun, and his Soul Power was extremely formidable!

The environment of Hidden Mist Valley seemed to have no effect on him whatsoever.

This display, on the contrary, dispelled most of Blood River Heavenly Venerable’s doubts.

It was perfectly normal for an expert to have his own dignity and secrets, and to be unwilling to dwell on painful past events.

The more assertive the other party was, the more it indicated his confidence and lack of pretense.

“Your Excellency, please calm your anger. I misspoke.”

Blood River Heavenly Venerable voluntarily took half a step back, his tone becoming milder.

“It’s just that this matter is of great importance, and I must be cautious. Please do not take offense, Your Excellency.”

Jiang Donghua let out a cold snort and slowly retracted his aura, but his eyes remained icy.

“Why should I explain my actions to you? If we cooperate, show sincerity. If not, I will go find Mu Qingxian myself right now; it will just take a little more effort.”

Having said this, he made a move to leave.

“Your Excellency, wait!”

Blood River Heavenly Venerable quickly called out.

If he truly allowed this expert to kill Mu Qingxian alone, the Hall of Souls’ plan would fail, and the value of the Heavenly Sound Spirit Body would be greatly diminished.

“Cooperation is certainly necessary.”

Blood River Heavenly Venerable forced out an awkward smile.

“With Your Excellency joining us, capturing Mu Qingxian will be as easy as reaching into a pocket to retrieve something. I just wonder, what do you desire? Mu Qingxian’s life, or something else?”

“I only want Mu Qingxian’s life, to end it with my own hands.”

Jiang Donghua stated firmly.

“As for her Heavenly Sound Spirit Body, whatever use the Hall of Souls has for it, I am not interested.”

With this answer, the last trace of doubt in Blood River Heavenly Venerable’s heart virtually vanished.

As long as the Heavenly Sound Spirit Body was secured, what did it matter if he took Mu Qingxian’s life?

“Good! It’s settled!”

Blood River Heavenly Venerable nodded.

“The plan remains the same. In a few months, at the Illusion Sound Platform. The Five Poisons Sect will first use the Soul-Corroding Miasma to weaken her strength, and then you and I will strike together to ensure absolute success.”

“Agreed.”

Jiang Donghua was concise.

“I will appear when the time comes. If there is nothing further, I shall take my leave.”

“Please do as you wish, Your Excellency. We shall meet again then.”

Jiang Donghua said no more. His figure flickered, and he merged into the multicolored poisonous miasma, his aura completely disappearing.

Blood River Heavenly Venerable stood in place, his eyes flickering, and after pondering for a moment, he muttered to himself.

“A Six-Star Dou Zun, Donghua. When did such a figure emerge in the Central Region?”

“He treats even the miasma of this Hidden Mist Valley as nothing. Forget it. As long as the plan succeeds, his background doesn't matter. But if he dares to play tricks!”

A flash of blood-red killing intent crossed his eyes.

“My Hall of Souls is not to be trifled with!”

The first step —infiltrating the enemy —was successful.

Although Blood River Heavenly Venerable was still wary, he fundamentally believed his identity and motives.

Next, all that remained was waiting.

Waiting for the scheduled meeting at the Illusion Sound Platform.

During this time, he was not idle.

Besides refining pills, all he had left was idling.

In less than half a month, he was already a Seven-Star Dou Zun. Time was still passing, and his cultivation was still increasing.