37: News of Fallen Heartflame

Blackrock City, a critical border town of the Jia Ma Empire, was famous for its sturdy black rock walls and prosperous Alchemist industry.

However, today, this magnificent city was shrouded in an invisible tension.

Li Ao slowly moved forward with the crowd, his keen perception acting like an invisible spiderweb, capturing every subtle anomaly in the air.

The tense faces of the city guards, the ready-to-fire siege crossbows on the walls, and the lingering traces of dark Dou Qi carrying cold and decaying energy... everything pointed to an extraordinary conflict that had occurred here not long ago.

"Did you hear? Something big happened in the city last night!"

"It seems it was near the Mittel Auction House... the disturbance was huge!"

"They say two mysterious powerhouses clashed, fighting until the world went dark, and even a section of the city wall collapsed!"

"Shh! Quiet down, haven't you noticed how strict the inspection is today? They say it's related to that place..."

The fragmented discussions reached Li Ao's ears, confirming his suspicion.

The Mittel Auction House, the place where Hai Bodong was in seclusion.

Sure enough, the Hall of Souls had extended its reach here.

Was it for the incomplete map in Hai Bodong's possession? Or did they have another objective?

He remained calm as he went through the inspection with the rest of the queue.

The soldiers' gazes swept over his young face and simple attire, then glanced at the long saber at his waist, but they did not make things difficult and waved him through.

Stepping inside Blackrock City, the chaotic and tense atmosphere became even more palpable.

Pedestrians on the streets hurried along, many shops had closed early, and the air was filled with the suppression preceding a storm.

Li Ao could sense several subtle yet powerful auras, like venomous snakes in the dark, lurking in various corners of the city, clearly searching for something.

Ignoring them, he walked straight towards the Alchemist Guild in the center of the city.

Information regarding the medicinal ingredients needed to repair Medusa's Origin, as well as clues about the Heavenly Flame and the Hall of Souls, might be found there.

The Alchemist Guild was still a scene of bustling activity, with people wearing various colored Alchemist robes moving in and out, the air thick with the scent of herbs.

However, upon closer inspection, one could spot figures clad in black robes with cold auras mixed among them, looking out of place.

Li Ao entered the hall, his gaze sweeping over the massive mission board and information panel.

His appearance did not attract much attention; after all, he looked too young and ordinary.

However, just as he was about to head toward the consultation desk, the corner of his eye caught a somewhat familiar figure flashing past the side entrance of the Guild.

It was a young man dressed in black tight-fitting clothes, his face still somewhat immature, but his brow carried a resolute composure far exceeding his age.

Especially his pair of pitch-black eyes, which were so deep they seemed capable of swallowing light.

Beside him was a beautiful young girl dressed in elegant pale green robes.

Xiao Yan!

Xiao Xun Er!

Why were they here?

According to the timeline, Xiao Yan should currently be consolidating his strength in Wutan City or on his way to the Jia Nan Academy.

Li Ao narrowed his eyes, instantly thinking of a possibility

—Hai Bodong!

In the original story, it was in Blackrock City that Xiao Yan met the reclusive Hai Bodong and received his assistance.

Could the conflict at the Mittel Auction House last night also be related to Xiao Yan?

Was the target of the Hall of Souls... Yao Chen, who was on Xiao Yan?

As thoughts flashed through his mind, Li Ao silently followed them.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun Er were clearly very vigilant, moving quickly through the complex alleys, seemingly trying to evade something.

Their auras...

Xiao Yan had actually achieved a Breakthrough past Dou Master, reaching the level of a three-star Great Dou Master!

And Xiao Xun Er's aura was even more unfathomable, at least at the Great Dou Master Peak!

This rate of growth was indeed abnormal.

Li Ao trailed behind like a phantom, relying on the perfect concealment of his aura via the Black Iron Hegemon Body and the extreme speed of the Thunder Sound Steps, remaining undetected.

After passing through several alleys, a relatively secluded courtyard appeared ahead.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun Er flashed inside.

Li Ao did not rush in.

He concealed himself in the shadows of the alley corner, as if merging with the wall.

His Soul Power, like the finest tendrils, slowly probed toward the courtyard.

Inside the courtyard, besides Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun Er, there was a third aura!

That aura was extremely faint, like a candle flickering in the wind, yet it carried a profound sense of vastness, like the ocean.

Only, this "ocean" was now mostly dried up, filled with weakness and decay.

Yao Chen!

He was indeed in terrible shape!

Was it due to the clash with the Hall of Souls members last night?

"...Teacher, how are you?" Xiao Yan's voice carried unconcealed anxiety.

"It's nothing... I won't die yet..." An old and weak voice sounded, carrying a hint of a smile, yet unable to hide its exhaustion.

"I didn't expect... those Hall of Souls scoundrels... to have such keen noses... Fortunately... that old ice fellow... was decent enough..."

The fragmented words confirmed Li Ao's conjecture.

Last night, members of the Hall of Souls attacked Hai Bodong and Yao Chen!

Hai Bodong was likely in dire straits, and Yao Chen had suffered a massive depletion of his Soul Power to protect Xiao Yan.

"We must leave Blackrock City immediately!" Xiao Xun Er's voice was clear and decisive.

"The Hall of Souls members are still searching; this place is not safe to stay."

"But Teacher's injuries..." Xiao Yan's tone was heavy.

"Go to the Jia Nan Academy..." Yao Chen's voice grew weaker.

"The Fallen Heart Flame is there... it might... stabilize my Soul... and... it's safe..."

Jia Nan Academy?

Fallen Heart Flame?

Li Ao's heart stirred.

This was indeed important information.

The Fallen Heart Flame did have a nourishing effect on Soul bodies, and the Jia Nan Academy possessed profound heritage, making it an excellent place to hide from the Hall of Souls.

Just then!

Li Ao suddenly looked up, staring toward the end of the street!

A terrifying aura

—cold, tyrannical, and filled with the desire to devour

—suddenly descended like a dark cloud pressing down!

The locked-on target was precisely this courtyard!

"Found you... Heh heh..."

A strange, raspy laugh, like sandpaper rubbing, echoed in the alley.

A figure shrouded in a wide black robe with a blurred face appeared out of thin air at the courtyard entrance like a ghost!

Sticky black mist coiled around him; everywhere he passed, even the light seemed to be swallowed, and the air emitted sizzling corrosive sounds!

A powerful pressure was released without reservation, clearly reaching the Dou Huang level!

Although he was only a newly ascended Dou Huang, the sense of oppression originating from the Soul level made even Li Ao, hidden in the shadows, feel a wave of apprehension!

Hall of Souls Protector!

Protector Wu?!

How did he arrive so quickly?!

And directly lock onto this location?!

Inside the courtyard, Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun Er's expressions instantly became extremely grim.

Yao Chen's aura also suddenly tensed up.

"Take Teacher... and go!" Xiao Yan abruptly shoved an ancient ring into Xiao Xun Er's hand, a look of resolve flashing in his eyes, as azure flames suddenly surged around him!

He was actually preparing to fight desperately!

"Yan'er! Don't!" Yao Chen's weak cry of prohibition came through.

"Go? Heh heh... In front of this Protector, none of you can leave!" Protector Wu laughed strangely, extending two hands, dry like ghostly claws, from beneath his black robe.

Thick black chains shot out like vipers, aiming directly for Xiao Yan and the ring!

Just as the black chains were about to strike—

"Buzz!"

An invisible barrier, carrying the Concept of icy suppression, abruptly appeared at the courtyard entrance, blocking all the black chains!

Silver-gray and dark iron-colored light flowed across the barrier, emitting a low hum.

Protector Wu's charging figure suddenly froze.

The "gaze" beneath his black robe swept around in shock and uncertainty: "Who?! Who dares obstruct the Hall of Souls' business?!"

From the shadows, Li Ao slowly walked out.

His expression was calm, and his dark iron-colored pupils coldly watched Protector Wu.

"Your voice is too loud."

The plain words carried a chill more biting than the winter wind.

Protector Wu stared intently at Li Ao, sensing the restrained aura on him that nevertheless made his Soul sting, especially the rule-like power flowing on the barrier, which set off loud alarms in his heart!

"Who are you?!" His voice was hoarse, carrying a trace of apprehension.

Li Ao did not reply.

He merely slowly raised his right hand and gripped the hilt of the saber at his waist.

The fine steel saber did not leave its sheath, but a terrifying "momentum" capable of annihilating all things and breaking through everything burst forth centered on him, becoming almost tangible!

The air in the alley instantly solidified, and the temperature plummeted!

The pervasive black mist violently churned and retreated under the pressure of this "momentum," as if encountering its nemesis!

Protector Wu's pupils contracted sharply.

He felt an unprecedented threat from this young swordsman!

This threat did not stem from the absolute strength of his energy, but from a sense of... crushing superiority originating from the fundamental essence of his life and power!

"Playing tricks! Die for this Protector!" He let out a sharp howl, no longer hesitating.

The black mist around him surged, transforming into a massive ghostly claw, carrying wretched Soul wails as it clawed down upon Li Ao's head!

He intended to tear this variable, along with his targets inside, to shreds!

Facing this terrifying strike, which was enough to tear apart a low-level Dou Huang, Li Ao's eyes remained calm.

He moved.

He did not draw his saber.

He merely held the hilt, saber and sheath together, and gently thrust it forward.

The movement seemed slow, yet it was as if it broke through the constraints of space, arriving first despite moving later, tapping the center of the massive ghostly claw.

"Pfft—!"

Like a red-hot branding iron being plunged into snow.

The ghostly claw, condensed from pure Soul Power and dark Dou Qi, instantly let out a mournful sound of annihilation the moment it touched the sheath, collapsing and dissipating rapidly from the point of contact, as if it had met its natural enemy!

Protector Wu suffered a heavy blow, grunting and stumbling back several steps.

The face beneath his black robe was filled with horror and disbelief!

"Rules... You've touched upon the rules?! Impossible!!"

Li Ao retracted the sheath and looked at him indifferently: "Scram.

Or die."

Protector Wu stared fixedly at Li Ao, his expression shifting.

He couldn't grasp the true depth of this mysterious swordsman, and the rule-infused power the opponent wielded made him extremely wary.

More importantly, his main goal for this trip was Yao Chen's Soul and the Xiao Family brat; there was no need to fight to the death with an unfathomable rule comprehending expert.

"Hmph! Brat, I'll remember you!

The Hall of Souls' possessions aren't so easy to take!

We will meet again!" Protector Wu left a harsh threat, his figure transforming into a mass of black mist, disappearing strangely at the end of the alley just as he had arrived.

The powerful enemy retreated, and silence returned to the alley.

Li Ao turned and looked into the courtyard.

Xiao Yan was supporting the faintly breathing Yao Chen (in ring form), and Xiao Xun Er was guarding him.

All three looked at Li Ao with complex expressions: shock, gratitude, and deep confusion.

"Thank you, Your Excellency, for lending a hand!" Xiao Yan cupped his fists, his tone solemn.

Although he didn't know Li Ao, the other party driving back the Hall of Souls Protector had undoubtedly saved them.

Li Ao's gaze lingered on Xiao Yan for a moment, especially scanning the ancient ring on his finger, before settling on Xiao Xun Er.

The hidden power within this Young Miss of the Ancient Clan made even him feel a trace of apprehension.

"It was nothing." Li Ao's tone was flat and emotionless.

"You had best leave immediately."

Xiao Yan nodded.

"We are preparing to head to the Jia Nan Academy."

He hesitated before asking, "May I ask Your Excellency's name?

Xiao Yan will certainly repay today's kindness in the future."

"Li Ao." He stated his name, his gaze returning to the ring, seeming to pierce through it to see the weak Soul body inside.

"Protect him well.

His life is still useful for now."

Having spoken, he did not linger.

He turned, and his figure flashed several times before disappearing at the end of the alley, as if he had never appeared.

In the courtyard, Xiao Yan held the ring, watching the direction Li Ao disappeared, his brow tightly furrowed.

"Li Ao... Who exactly is he?

Why did he help us?

And... he seems to know Teacher?"

Inside the ring, Yao Chen's weak voice carried an unprecedented solemnity: "This young man... is unfathomable...

The power on him... is very strange...

It seems... he has touched upon some kind of Origin rule...

Yan'er, whether this person is friend or foe is still unknown... Be careful in everything..."

Xiao Xun Er's beautiful eyes also shone with unusual brilliance.

She softly said, "Brother Xiao Yan, let's leave here first."

Xiao Yan nodded heavily, suppressing the doubt and turmoil in his heart, and quickly disappeared with Xiao Xun Er on the other side of the courtyard.

Meanwhile, Li Ao, already far from that area, stood on the rooftop of a tall building in Blackrock City, looking down at the city below that was gradually returning to order, cold light flickering in his dark iron-colored pupils.

The Hall of Souls... had indeed begun its move.

And their target pointed directly at Yao Chen and Xiao Yan.

Protector Wu was only the beginning; there must be stronger existences behind him.

His appearance seemed to make the undercurrents of this continent surge even more violently.

But, that's what makes it interesting, isn't it?

A cold arc curved up at Li Ao's lips.

The prey has entered the arena, and the hunter should now bare his fangs.

His gaze turned toward the direction of the Jia Ma Empire's Imperial Capital.

The next target should be there.

Nalan Yanran, Yun Yun... and the Heavenly Flame clue hidden deep within the palace.

His saber yearned for blood.