Chapter 85: Protector of the Hall of Souls! Elder of the Ancient Clan!

"Jie jie jie... The Jia Ma Empire is truly full of hidden dragons. A few days ago, a Dou Zun appeared in Rock Desert City, and now a Dou Zong shows up at Zhen Gui Pass."

"Such vigorous blood essence and a flourishing soul. If I capture you and bring you back, the Hall Master will be overjoyed."

A flood of black mist surged and condensed into a figure wrapped in shadow. Crimson eyes gleamed within, and with a metallic clatter, a pitch-black chain shot out like a venomous serpent toward Lin Ran!

"Capture me?"

Lin Ran smiled faintly, and a cyan flame rose in his palm.

In the next instant, he turned into a fire rocket and shot forward, colliding violently with the black chain.

Ssss!

The incoming black chain hissed as it touched the green flame, and within a few breaths, it was burned and destroyed.

"Heavenly Flame?!"

The chain retracted and coiled around the Hall of Souls expert. His crimson eyes locked onto the green flame in Lin Ran's hand, surprise flashing in them.

Members of the Hall of Souls practiced cold, yin-type Dou Techniques that were highly effective against soul bodies. But against a blazing and overbearing Heavenly Flame, their advantage was suppressed and even countered.

'Not only is this brat's physical strength and soul power astonishing, but he even possesses a Heavenly Flame?'

"Seems I've hit the jackpot today!"

The Protector sneered, shaking his arm. Three black shadows shot out from his back and circled above his head like venomous serpents.

"Triple Soul Chains!"

With a shift of his hand seal, the three black chains shot out, intersecting in the air and sealing off all of Lin Ran's escape routes. Clearly, this Protector had mastered his strange weapon to a terrifying degree.

Lin Ran waved his sleeve, summoning three serpentine streams of green flame to encircle him. They collided head-on with the chains.

Clang! Clang!

Metallic screeches rang out as the chains and flames collided, sparks flying. No matter how unpredictable the chain attacks were, Lin Ran's flame defense held firm. Countless fortress guards stared in stunned silence.

"You Hall of Souls Protectors are truly something—see someone and immediately try to capture them. Among your Human, Earth, and Heaven ranks, which are you?"

"Didn't expect you to know so much about the Hall of Souls," the Protector said with a hint of surprise.

Lin Ran toyed with the flame in his palm. "Over the years, I've killed at least seven or eight Protectors. How could I not be familiar?"

"Your souls are stronger than your peers. Not quite comparable to alchemists, but with refinement, they're quite useful."

His calm words made the Protector's expression darken.

"Jie jie jie... I am Han Shuo, a Heaven-rank Protector of the Hall of Souls. You dare stand against us? I'll burn your soul day and night with soul fire until you beg for death!"

Lin Ran narrowed his eyes and smiled faintly.

"A Heaven-rank Protector? No wonder you dared to show yourself after sensing my presence."

Protectors of the Hall of Souls were all Dou Zong, ranked Human, Earth, and Heaven. Heaven Protectors were typically at the seven-star Dou Zong level or above.

Judging by his aura, Han Shuo's strength was on par with Lin Ran's.

"Your strength is impressive, and even I might not take you down quickly. But don't forget where we are."

Han Shuo sneered as his chains shot out with blinding speed.

Pfft! Pfft!

They pierced through the chests of nearby guards. Souls were ripped from their bodies and devoured by the chains, while the corpses dropped like discarded dolls.

"You bastard! What are you doing?!"

Mu Tie shouted furiously, only to have a chain pierce through his chest and extract his soul as well.

Panic spread. Chains whipped through the sky, reaping souls like death's scythe.

"Condense!"

Countless souls were dragged into Han Shuo's body. His black mist swelled and his aura became more terrifying.

Though most of the guards were low-ranked, the sheer number made a difference. In moments, Han Shuo absorbed over a hundred souls and his strength surged.

'This guy's no ordinary flunky.'

Most Hall of Souls members Lin Ran encountered were arrogant and easy to deal with. But this one activated his trump card from the start.

'A smart villain can't be left alive.'

As Han Shuo's aura continued to rise, Lin Ran formed a seal. The Green Lotus Core Flame twisted and formed a radiant green-gold longsword.

"Green Lotus Sword Radiance!"

With a slash, the sword energy tore toward Han Shuo. Han Shuo countered with:

"Mist Soul Palm!"

Their energies clashed and dissolved into nothingness.

"Mist Soul Nether!"

An overwhelming suction force descended, paralyzing the guards. Their bodies ruptured and their souls were torn out, feeding the black mist.

Han Shuo's aura surged to peak nine-star Dou Zong and still climbed.

He appeared behind Lin Ran, chains stabbing forward. Lin Ran blocked with his sword, but a punch from the black mist followed.

Boom!

A black mist serpent formed from the punch and swept across the air, smashing the city walls. Lin Ran countered with countless sword strikes, but Han Shuo's mist corroded them all.

"Not bad."

With a flash, Lin Ran vanished and reappeared before Han Shuo.

Startled, Han Shuo lashed out with a chain, but Lin Ran let the Green Lotus Core Flame cover him and took the hit directly.

The flame burned the chain to nothing.

"Tenfold Green Lotus Palm!"

His flaming palm slammed into Han Shuo's chest. The Protector vomited blood and flew back a hundred meters.

The black mist around him thinned, and his aura plummeted. Lin Ran's move had caused serious damage.

"Damn it! That Dou Skill must be top-tier Earth-rank! This brat's foundation is terrifying."

But Han Shuo wasn't finished.

He summoned a soul pouch and began devouring more spirits.

One after another, he consumed them all. The black mist raged.

Moments later, Han Shuo stepped out, clad in black armor engraved with twisted, grimacing faces.

His aura now reached the peak of Dou Zong—half-step Dou Zun.

"Say your last words, brat. Jie jie jie..."

"Nether Soul Forest Chain!"

The chain ripped through the air, shattering space as it came.

"Come on!"

Lin Ran raised his flaming golden palm.

"Great Sun—!"

"Condense!"

Suddenly, an ancient voice echoed.

Time froze.

A terrifying space force twisted the air, tearing open a rift. Three black-robed elders stepped out.

A Dou Zun's pressure swept across Zhen Gui Pass, extinguishing all other energies.

"Dou Zun experts?!"

Both Lin Ran and Han Shuo were stunned.

"You've got Dou Zun backers?!"

Han Shuo panicked. He had reached peak Dou Zong, but the auras of these three were utterly beyond him.

'These aren't ordinary Hall of Souls members... they're from the Ancient Clan!'

"Devoured souls to force a breakthrough. Typical of rats like you," one elder said coldly.

"Who are you?! If you know the Hall of Souls, stay out of this!"

The three chuckled.

"Let the Hall Master speak next time. You're just a little Protector."

Suddenly, space collapsed around Han Shuo, crushing his body into pulp.

His soul tried to flee but was forcibly pulled out and obliterated.

Silence fell.

The elders turned to Lin Ran.

"A true Pure Yang Physique. What a waste, letting the Scorpion Demon Three get their hands on it."

Lin Ran remained silent but alert.

"You know who we are. By our rules, we should destroy your body and imprison your soul. But I admire talent. Come with us to the Ancient Clan, and I'll spare your life."

Lin Ran sneered.

"You think you can decide my fate with three words? Dream on."

Faced with the crushing pressure, he activated his secret technique.

"Saint Origin Blood Ignition!"

His aura exploded. Golden light flashed as he fled.

But one elder appeared instantly in front of him.

"You can't comprehend a Dou Zun's power."

The elder's palm struck lightly. Lin Ran was sent flying into a wall, coughing blood.

"Pfft!"

He wiped his mouth, glaring at the elder. Compared to the previous Dou Zun, this one was stronger—and the leader stronger still.

"Stop struggling. Come with us."

The elder reached for him. Lin Ran dodged with blinding speed.

"You may have high-level Dou Techniques, but I won't let you use them."

"Seems you've done your homework," Lin Ran said, pulling out a jade slip.

"Did that old bastard tell you how he lost his hand?"

He crushed it.

A suffocating aura burst out from his palm!

(End of Chapter)