Hai Bodong looked at Xiao Yan with a hint of confusion in his eyes. According to what Nalan Yanran and Mo Li had said, Xiao Yan should have come from a clan in a remote city of the Jia Ma Empire.
However, the fact that Gu He and others had failed at his hands, and even Yun Yun had returned empty-handed, indicated that he indeed had powerful backing.
Hai Bodong had once ventured beyond the Jia Ma Empire to the Central Plains. Although his time there was brief, it had broadened his horizons. Yet, he had never heard of a faction called the Hall of Souls. He only knew of other powerful first-rate factions such as the Wind Lightning Pavilion, the Profound Sky Sect, and the Pill Tower.
It was no wonder that Hai Bodong had never heard of it. Although the Hall of Souls was spread throughout the Dou Qi Continent, their methods were insidious and treacherous, and they always operated from the shadows. Those who knew about the Hall of Souls wouldn't dare to speak of it openly.
"Hall of Souls! You're from the Hall of Souls?" The Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor's expression changed dramatically. This was the last thing it wanted to hear.
After all, the waters of the Hall of Souls ran incredibly deep. While most of its members were relatively weak Soul Envoys, if a mere Protector from the Hall of Souls appeared, they could easily turn the two of them into specimens.
Although the Hall of Souls wasn't the only organization knowledgeable about Soul Skills, as alchemists from the Pill Tower had also obtained some Soul Training Methods and Soul Skills from ancient ruins, the Pill Tower openly opposed the Hall of Souls and naturally wasn't afraid of their retaliation.
Xiao Yan had never been to the Central Plains, so he naturally didn't know t that some large sects and clans had exclusive Qi Methods and Dou Techniques that couldn't be taught to outsiders. If someone was found to have learned these techniques without permission, that person would be hunted to the ends of the earth.
That was why the woman called Lu Man was so shocked when she saw Xiao Yan use a Soul Skill.
Xiao Yan revealed a cold smile and sneered, "What, the Hall of Souls cannot have handsome- looking men?"
Lu Man and the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor exchanged a glance, as if communicating through some secret serpent technique.
In fact, they were already half convinced. The main reason was that despite Xiao Yan's mere 3-star Dou Grandmaster cultivation, he could use a Soul Skill that could momentarily shake a Dou Emperor like Lu Man.
Even if it was only a momentary disturbance, it was still a disturbance. Although Lu Man's Spiritual Strength as a magical beast was relatively weaker compared to humans, she was still a Dou Emperor.
This meant that Xiao Yan's Spiritual Strength was at least equivalent to that of a 5th-tier alchemist.
Possessing such an outrageous Spiritual Strength that spanned two major cultivation realms was something that not even the Pill Tower could necessarily cultivate. Only the Hall of Souls, which specialized in soul cultivation, could possibly achieve that.
Moreover, it made sense for the Hall of Souls to be interested in the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, as it was one of the most powerful physiques on the Dou Qi Continent.
"Qing Lin is my maid. If you want to take her away, the next visit won't just be me alone," Xiao Yan said with an indifferent demeanor.
Seeing that the timing was right, Xiao Yan once again used the trick he had used to intimidate Hai Bodong before-bluffing! He took out the Soul Command Token from his storage ring and wore it at his waist.
Hai Bodong's eyelids twitched violently. This was exactly how he had been intimidated back then.
Although Lu Man and the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor did not know what the Soul Command was, it didn't stop them from noticing the character 'Soul' engraved on it. The unique spiritual fluctuations emanating from the token made their hearts tremble with fear. However, this time things didn't go as Xiao Yan had expected.
Not only did Lu Man not release Qing Lin, but she even hid behind the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor, who stood at the forefront as if ready to make a move.
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed. His bluff didn't work this time!
"The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils are the key to inheriting the legacy of the Jade- Green Snake Demon Saint and opening the ancient Sky Serpent Tomb. We won't hand over the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils no matter what." The Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor spoke with a determined look.
Xiao Yan frowned. He could understand the meaning behind the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor's words. It was not willing to hand over Qing Lin but hinted that she would be treated well and even receive a powerful inheritance. It was clear that they didn't want to completely antagonize Xiao Yan.
The message was clear even to Hai Bodong, who was inwardly shocked. It was actually the inheritance of a Dou Saint!
Xiao Yan was silent for a moment before he said to Lu Man, "Wake up Qing Lin. I have a few words to say to her."
The Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor nodded to Lu Man, who gathered a ball of green light in her palm and placed it on Qing Lin's forehead. A cool sensation slowly roused the sleeping girl.
Qing Lin opened her eyes and looked around groggily. When she saw Xiao Yan nearby and realized that she was being held, she struggled violently and called out, "Young Master!"
Xiao Yan gestured for Qing Lin to calm down, then turned to Hai Bodong and said, "Old Hai, please wait for me here."
"Mm, be careful. Those are two Dou Emperors you're dealing with."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Xiao Yan flapped his wings, flew past the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor, and landed in front of Qing Lin. "Qing Lin, can you control these two?" he asked.
Lu Man and the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor were stunned for a moment, dumbfounded! You walked over just to ask such a question??
Lu Man explained in a somewhat irritated tone, "Although the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils can indeed forcibly establish contracts and even control snake-type magical beasts through blood, Miss Qing Lin's pupils are still in a dormant state. Controlling ancient magical beasts like me and Bai Ya is beyond her current abilities."
It made sense. If the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils could control any snake-type magical beast with just a glance, it would be too invincible.
If even an ancient beast like the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor couldn't be controlled, then controlling Queen Medusa, who had the pure bloodline of the Seven-Colored Heaven- Swallowing Python, would be even more of a pipe dream.
Qing Lin didn't believe it and tried nonetheless, but the result was indeed as expected. She couldn't control them.
"It's alright, Qing Lin. Listen to me carefully now. You'll be going with them to a place where you can learn how to use the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils and increase your strength," Xiao Yan explained patiently.
Although Qing Lin was young, she quickly understood the current situation. She sensed the strength of those around her, as well as a hint of helplessness in Xiao Yan's tone, and understood the predicament they were in.
"Mm, Qing Lin understands. Qing Lin will definitely learn well and grow stronger." She held back her tears and fear of the unknown as she nodded her head bravely.
Xiao Yan sighed softly and patted her head gently, "Before you leave, I have something for
you. If you find yourself in a situation where you can't bear it anymore, use this to contact
He took out a Rank 5 Monster Core from his storage ring that he had 'borrowed' from the treasury of the Snake-People Tribe in the Holy City.
The blood-red Ten Thousand Beast Flame spewed out from his palm with a whoosh. It immediately enveloped the Monster Core and began to refine it.
"Heavenly Flame?!!" The Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor was shocked. Xiao Yan actually possessed Heavenly Flame!
The Monster Core rapidly condensed as Xiao Yan compressed and preserved its energy. With a humming sound, he injected a wisp of his Spiritual Strength into it, then took out a piece of string and fashioned it into a pendant, which he hung around Qing Lin's neck.
"This is a Soul Jade Pendant. Crush it, and you'll be able to contact me. If anyone mistreats you, just crush it, and no matter where you are, I will come to save you."
A Soul Communication Tool. This was something Xiao Yan had thought of creating for his two older brothers after they were attacked a few days ago.
Xiao Yan could naturally create such an item with his Spiritual State at the Late Mortal State. It just required expending some Spiritual Strength.