96: Renowned throughout the Dan Domain, a deadly threat lurks in the night.

Ten Thousand Herbs Plaza was utterly silent.

All eyes were fixed on the soul fiend barrier-breaking pill, suspended in Li Ao's palm, swirling with chaotic grey light.

The three natural patterns on the Medicinal Pill's surface seemed to contain the ultimate truths of heaven and earth, exuding an aura of dispelling illusions and suppressing evil, making all those with powerful Soul Power present feel an inexplicable comfort and peace, while some others felt a faint stinging in their Soul, extremely uncomfortable.

Refining a Peak Seventh Grade Medicinal Pill bare-handed!

Attracting Pill Lightning and devouring it with Annihilation!

The Medicinal Pill was perfectly formed, specifically countering Soul Fiends!

Each of these acts was astonishing and unprecedented! Especially the soul fiend barrier-breaking pill, its characteristics were almost as if specifically created to confirm Li Ao's shocking words about the Hall of Souls!

"The soul fiend barrier-breaking pill... it is indeed recorded in ancient texts. It was created by ancient Cultivators to deal with Heart Demons and control by evil Souls. Most of its refining method has long been lost... This child not only successfully refined it but also achieved perfect quality..." Elder Xuan Yi muttered to himself, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

As an Eighth Grade Alchemist Grandmaster, he naturally recognized its worth; the value of this Medicinal Pill far exceeded that of an ordinary Peak Seventh Grade Medicinal Pill, and for certain specific situations, it was even comparable to an Eighth Grade Pill!

The other Pill Tower Elders beside him, as well as representatives from various major forces, all had different expressions at this moment: shock, greed, apprehension, contemplation... a myriad of emotions.

Li Ao had proven with undeniable facts that he not only possessed Heaven-Defying talent but also held secrets and methods that could concern the fate of the Central Plains!

The Family representative who had previously shouted at him now had a ashen face, his hand in his sleeve trembling slightly, his gaze sinister as he swept over Li Ao, yet he dared not say anything more.

Cao Ying, Dan Chen, Tang Huo'er, and others had also successively completed their Medicinal Pills.

Cao Ying refined a Seventh Grade Advanced "Seven-Colored Glazed Pill," which, upon completion, illuminated half the sky with seven-colored auspicious light, making it extraordinarily impressive.

Dan Chen's was a Seventh Grade Intermediate "Taiyi Soul Liquid," and although it wasn't a solid Medicinal Pill, the pure Soul Power it contained made Elder Xuan Yi nod slightly.

Tang Huo'er successfully refined a Seventh Grade Intermediate "Thunder Fire Overlord Body Pill," with fierce Pill Lightning that matched her style.

The Black-Robed Youth refined an "Soul-Eating Pill" that emitted a chilling Soul fluctuation, also reaching Seventh Grade Intermediate, but its aura made people extremely uncomfortable.

Their achievements should have been dazzling, but in front of Li Ao's soul fiend barrier-breaking pill, they all paled in comparison.

The difference was immediately apparent!

Without needing further words, everyone understood that the champion of this Pill Gathering was already beyond doubt.

Elder Xuan Yi took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and after a brief exchange with the other Pill Tower Elders and force representatives, he flew to the center of the plaza, his gaze sweeping across the entire venue, finally resting on Li Ao, his voice deep and solemn:

"After our unanimous evaluation, the champion of this Pill Gathering is — Li Ao!"

His voice, amplified by Dou Qi, spread throughout the entire Soul Realm, and even through special means, reached Pill City outside.

After a brief silence, a huge uproar and clamor erupted like a tsunami! Although it was expected, when the result was actually announced, it still stirred people's hearts.

"Champion! Li Ao!"

"Well-deserved! Refining a Peak Seventh Grade Medicinal Pill bare-handed, devouring lightning to form the pill, unprecedented!"

"From today onwards, the name Li Ao will resound throughout the entire Pill Domain, and even the Central Plains!"

Cao Ying and the others looked at Li Ao, their eyes complex, with admiration, Battle Intent, and a hint of helplessness.

They were all proud individuals, but facing a monster like Li Ao, they could only concede wholeheartedly.

Elder Xuan Yi raised his hand to quiet the crowd, and once the noise subsided slightly, he continued: "According to the agreement, the champion Li Ao will receive one seven-colored soul nurturing lotus seed and one opportunity to enter the top floor of the Pill Tower's Library Pavilion!"

He flicked his sleeve, and a seven-colored stream of light shot from the distant floating lotus platform, accurately landing in his hand.

It was a round lotus seed, about the size of a pigeon's egg, emitting a soft seven-colored glow.

Inside the lotus seed, vast vital energy and Soul Origin seemed to flow; just the aura it emitted made one's Soul tremble, as if about to Ascend.

seven-colored soul nurturing lotus seed!

Li Ao looked at the lotus seed, and finally, an irrepressible excitement and fervor surged in his usually calm eyes.

After much effort and overcoming many dangers, he finally obtained it! Saving Medusa now had the greatest hope!

He solemnly accepted the lotus seed, feeling the vast yet gentle power within it, and carefully placed it into a pre-prepared cold jade box, then into his storage ring.

"Thank you, Elder Xuan Yi, thank you, Pill Tower." Li Ao cupped his hands, his tone sincere.

Elder Xuan Yi looked at him, his gaze profound: "This is what you deserve. Little friend Li Ao, after the Pill Gathering, if you have time, this Elder hopes to have a private talk with you."

Li Ao understood in his heart that the Pill Tower's higher-ups wanted to delve deeper into matters concerning the Hall of Souls and himself, which was exactly the outcome he desired, so he nodded in agreement: "This Junior is greatly honored."

The award ceremony did not last too long; Elder Xuan Yi announced the top ten rankings, with Cao Ying, Dan Chen, Tang Huo'er, and others following in order, all receiving corresponding rewards.

But everyone's attention was clearly on the champion, Li Ao.

The Pill Gathering officially concluded.

As Elder Xuan Yi announced the end, the barrier covering the plaza dissipated, and people began to leave in succession.

Many force representatives' eyes flickered, clearly contemplating how to forge connections, or... other ideas.

Li Ao did not linger; under the gaze of countless eyes, he headed directly towards the exit of the Soul Realm.

His most urgent task now was to find a safe place and use the seven-colored soul nurturing lotus seed to try and heal Medusa in the soul-warming jade.

However, he knew well that the Hall of Souls would never let him off easily.

At the Pill Gathering, he had so conspicuously exposed the Hall of Souls' conspiracy, demonstrated Medicinal Pills that countered their methods, and furthermore, carried a heavy treasure.

At this moment, he was like the brightest lighthouse in the night, attracting all hidden malice.

Night fell silently.

Li Ao did not return to the accommodation arranged by Pill City; instead, relying on his powerful Soul perception, he found an extremely secluded, naturally formed Soul Power cave at the edge of the Soul Realm.

He set up several layers of concealment and protective Formations, even using that wisp of Annihilation Rule to disrupt heavenly secrets, ensuring that no one could detect his location for a short period.

Deep inside the cave, Li Ao sat cross-legged, carefully taking out the soul-warming jade.

Within the jade, Medusa's Soul phantom still slept, her aura weak but stable.

He then took out the lotus seed emitting a seven-colored glow, and the rich vitality and Soul Power instantly filled the entire cave.

"Your Majesty, hold on, I will heal you now." Li Ao whispered, his eyes firm.

Following what Hall Master Mu (Fairy Qinghua) had subtly mentioned earlier and his own understanding of the Soul, he began to guide the lotus seed's power.

He did not directly allow Medusa's Soul to absorb the lotus seed; instead, he first used his own Half-Step Heaven Realm Soul Power as a bridge, carefully peeling off a trace of the purest lotus seed Origin, slowly transferring it into the soul-warming jade, nourishing that illusory Soul.

This process was extremely slow and mentally taxing, requiring absolute concentration and no disturbances.

Time passed minute by minute; under the Heaven-Defying nourishment of the seven-colored soul nurturing lotus seed, Medusa's originally illusory Soul became a tiny bit more solid at a visible rate.

Although still weak, the dissipating Origin seemed to have stabilized, and there was even a very subtle sign of repair!

Li Ao's heart rejoiced, and he guided the medicinal power with even greater concentration.

However, just as he was fully immersed in the healing process —

"Hiss!"

Outside the cave, the first layer of concealment Formation he had set up shattered silently like a bubble!

Immediately after, the second layer of protective Formation fluctuated violently, its light flickering erratically!

"They've come, have they...?" A cold light burst from Li Ao's eyes; he abruptly retracted his Soul Power and quickly put away the soul-warming jade and the lotus seed.

His figure flickered, and he appeared outside the cave.

Under the moonlight, three figures shrouded in dense black mist surrounded him in a triangular Formation.

The aura of these three was far more powerful than the two he had encountered earlier in the Soul Realm!

The leader, a tall figure whose face, covered in eerie runes, was vaguely visible amidst the swirling black mist, had an aura that had actually reached the Peak Three-Star Dou Zong!

The other two were also at the Peak One-Star Dou Zong!

Moreover, the aura of ghostly stillness they exuded was pure and terrifying, far beyond the likes of Iron Protector!

They were clearly elite Protectors of the Hall of Souls, or perhaps even... directly subordinate to Elder Zun!

"Hehehe... Kid, your perception is quite sharp." The leading rune-faced Protector let out a harsh laugh, his grey eyes locking onto Li Ao like a venomous snake, "Hand over the seven-colored soul nurturing lotus seed, that soul fiend barrier-breaking pill, your strange fire, and your Soul, and return to the Hall of Souls with this Protector; perhaps you can suffer less Soul Refining pain."

Li Ao's gaze coldly swept over the three, his Soul Power subtly spreading, wary of a possible fourth person.

He coldly said, "Just you three small fry?"

"Arrogant!" The Protector on the left roared, his figure disappearing like a ghost; the next instant, he appeared behind Li Ao, a withered ghostly claw, accompanied by a Soul-tearing shriek, grabbing straight for Li Ao's back!

"Seeking death!"

Li Ao didn't even turn his head, striking out with a backhand punch!

Dark golden Qi and blood erupted, Overlord Punch — Suppressing Mountains!

"Boom!"

Fist and claw met, and Qi waves surged!

The Peak One-Star Dou Zong Protector screamed; his entire arm, along with half his shoulder, was shattered into a bloody mist by that incredibly brutal force, his body flying backward like a broken sack, his aura instantly wilting!

"What?!" The rune-faced Protector and the other Protector's expressions changed drastically; they hadn't expected Li Ao's Physical Body strength to be so terrifying!

"Go together, take him down!" The rune-faced Protector no longer underestimated him, roaring as he formed hand seals.

The dense black mist transformed into countless twisted Soul chains, coiling around Li Ao like venomous snakes.

The other Protector opened his mouth and spewed a grey-black ghostly breath; wherever it passed, even space seemed to be corroded.

Facing the combined attack of two Advanced Dou Zong Protectors, Li Ao's eyes narrowed, and he finally unleashed his true power.

He pointed his fingers like a blade, a wisp of extremely restrained Return to Stillness Qi swirling at his fingertips.

"Annihilation, Slash!"

A faint silver-grey thread silently sliced across the night sky.

There was no earth-shattering explosion; the countless Soul chains and ghostly breath, upon contact with the silver-grey thread, instantly disintegrated and annihilated as if cast into ultimate nothingness!

The thread continued its momentum, sweeping past the Protector who had spewed the ghostly breath.

That Protector's body stiffened, the light in his eyes receding like a tide, and his body, like weathered rock, silently turned to dust and dissipated into the night wind.

Instant kill!

The rune-faced Protector's Soul almost flew away from his body; he finally realized that this young man's strength far exceeded their estimations!

The Law power he wielded was even the bane of the Hall of Souls' netherworld power!

"Escape!" Without hesitation, he crushed a pitch-black jade talisman, his figure transforming into a wisp of black smoke, about to flee into the Void Realm.

"I said, since you've come, all of you stay." Li Ao's cold voice was like the whisper of the grim reaper.

He stepped on Thunder Sound Steps, his figure like lightning, instantly catching up to the black smoke.

His fist, covered in dark golden Qi and blood and Annihilation Rule, slammed down like a meteor!

"No!! The Hall of Souls won't let you go!! Heavenly Venerate will avenge us—!" The rune-faced Protector let out a desperate roar.

"Boom—!"

The punch force erupted, and the dark golden and grey-black intertwined light swallowed everything.

When the light dissipated, only a huge deep pit remained, along with a few wisps of ghostly Qi that had not completely dispersed.

The Peak Three-Star Dou Zong rune-faced Protector was utterly annihilated, his Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering!

Li Ao stood alone at the edge of the deep pit, his green robes fluttering in the night wind, his eyes as cold as ten thousand years of ice.

He waved his hand to erase the traces of the battle, his gaze looking towards the Pill Tower, and then seemingly piercing through the Void Realm, seeing the massive organization hidden beneath the shadows of the Central Plains.

"Hall of Souls... this is just the beginning.

Your blood debt, I will personally collect, every single one, with interest!"

The night deepened, and the killing intent grew even stronger.