101: The temple summons the young master of the Soul Palace

That strange thought, coming from the temple, rippled through Xiao Chen's heart like a stone thrown into a lake. Temptation and danger intertwined, forcing him to be even more vigilant. However, the opportunities that might exist in the temple, especially the clues that might be related to the Xiao Clan ancestors, held an irresistible attraction for him.

After a night of rest, the Pill Tower team, led by Xiao Chen, cautiously advanced towards the towering pillar of light in the distance. Along the way, they encountered more powerful Underworld Beast (Nether Beasts) and lingering restrictions, but under Xiao Chen's precise command and the collective efforts of everyone, they all passed through with little danger and collected dozens of saint spirit marks of varying quality. Everyone's strength steadily improved in battle, and their coordination became more tacit.

A few days later, as everyone climbed over a mountain range piled up with gigantic bones, the scene before them made everyone gasp.

Ahead was an endless black desert. In the center of the desert stood a dilapidated temple, unimaginably majestic. The temple was built entirely of dark golden boulders, and although most of it had collapsed, with broken walls and ruins everywhere, it still exuded a powerful aura that seemed to suppress all ages. The milky-white pillar of light, connecting heaven and earth, shot up from a relatively intact altar in the deepest part of the temple. Within the pillar of light, vague figures could be seen sitting cross-legged, exuding a heart-palpitating pressure, as if the heroic spirits of ancient powerhouses were immortal.

What was even more alarming was that the desert was already packed with people! The Soul Hall, Heavenly Nether Sect, Ice River Valley, Flower Sect, Starfall Pavilion, Sound Valley... almost all the top forces participating in the grand event had arrived, each occupying a section, confronting each other, the atmosphere tense to the extreme. The air was filled with a strong smell of blood and lingering Dou Qi (Fighting Energy) fluctuations, indicating that a fierce conflict had already broken out before this.

The arrival of Xiao Chen and the others immediately attracted the attention of all forces. Countless gazes were cast over, some curious, some scrutinizing, and even undisguised killing intent.

"The Pill Tower people are here!"

"Is that Xiao Chen? A Seven-Star Dou Zong? His aura is quite steady."

"Hmph, a Seven-Star Dou Zong dares to wade into this muddy water? He's looking for death!"

In the Soul Hall camp, a chilling gaze instantly locked onto Xiao Chen. It was a young man dressed in a luxurious black robe, with a handsome but sinisterly pale face. He stood with his hands behind his back, his aura restrained, yet he was like a black hole, devouring the surrounding light, giving people a terrifying sense of unfathomable depth. His cultivation had astonishingly reached the Peak Nine-Star Dou Zong! He was only one step away from the Dou Zun (Fighting Venerate) rank! Behind him stood several powerful Soul Hall Elders, all deferring to him.

"Young Hall Master of the Soul Hall, Soul Annihilation Life!" Han Yue's voice was solemn, with a hint of apprehension. This person was recognized as the number one among the younger generation of the Soul Hall, and his strength was said to be such that he had once fought against a newly advanced Dou Zun (Fighting Venerate) expert and remained undefeated!

Soul Annihilation Life's gaze swept over Xiao Chen, and a cold arc appeared at the corner of his mouth. He didn't speak, but the indifference and killing intent in his eyes were more oppressive than any words.

Xiao Chen's expression was calm as he met Soul Annihilation Life's gaze, but a warning bell rang loudly in the depths of his soul. The sense of threat this person gave him far surpassed that of the previous soul hall heavenly venerate projection! He secretly circulated his Dou Qi (Fighting Energy), raising his state to its peak.

Aside from the Soul Hall, at the front of the Heavenly Nether Sect camp, a young man with a sinister aura and black flames entanglement (entwined) around him (Heavenly Nether Sect Saint Son, Heavenly Nether Sect Saint Son, Peak Eight-star Dou Zong) also cast a provocative gaze. Ice Talisman of the Ice River Valley, the fairy of the Flower Sect, and others observed with various expressions, secretly sizing things up.

The Pill Tower group found a relatively open sand dune to land, and converged with several friendly forces (Starfall Pavilion, Sound Valley), forming an alliance front, subtly creating a standoff with hostile forces such as the Soul Hall and Heavenly Nether Sect.

"Junior Brother Xiao, the situation is not good," Qiu Ji whispered. "The temple is enveloped by a powerful barrier. Only by possessing a sufficient number and quality of saint spirit marks can the barrier passage be opened. Currently, the barrier has not been fully opened, and all parties are waiting for the opportune moment. But the moment the barrier opens, it will likely be the time when a chaotic battle erupts!"

Xiao Chen looked up at the faint golden barrier covering the temple, his soul perception quietly extending. Ancient runes flowed across the barrier, exuding an indestructible aura. Its strength was probably so great that even Dou Zun (Fighting Venerate) experts would find it difficult to break through by force. On the surface of the barrier, there were dozens of nodes twinkling with faint light, which seemed to require the energy of saint spirit marks to activate.

"It seems that only a few people will ultimately be able to enter the temple," Xiao Chen understood in his heart. This would undoubtedly intensify the brutality of the competition.

Time slowly passed in the oppressive standoff. The atmosphere in the desert grew increasingly tense, as if a single spark could ignite the entire scene.

Suddenly, the pillar of light on the temple's altar fluctuated violently, and the nodes on the barrier shone brightly!

"The barrier is about to open!" someone exclaimed!

In an instant, all forces moved!

"Grab it!"

Soul Annihilation Life snorted coldly, his figure transforming into a black streak, and he was the first to rush towards the largest barrier node. With a flick of his sleeve, dozens of high-quality saint spirit marks shot out and merged into the node! The node instantly glowed with dazzling light, and a passage, wide enough for only one person, slowly formed!

Heavenly Nether Sect Saint Son, the Heavenly Nether Sect Saint Son, Ice Talisman, and others also used their respective methods to snatch other nodes!

"Move!" Xiao Chen roared, and the Pill Tower alliance unleashed their power simultaneously! Xiao Chen's soul power was fully unleashed, precisely controlling more than a dozen saint spirit marks, sending them towards a relatively secluded but energetically stable node! Han Yue, Qiu Ji, and others also assisted from the side!

"Stop them!" The people from the Soul Hall and Heavenly Nether Sect naturally wouldn't stand by. Various sinister Dou Techniques (Fighting Skills) rained down!

A chaotic battle erupted instantly! Above the desert, the roar of colliding energy, shouts of killing, and screams merged into a single cacophony! People were constantly being severely injured, eliminated, and even killed!

Xiao Chen faced the greatest pressure! Although Soul Annihilation Life was the first to rush towards the passage, one of his Eight-star Dou Zong (A cultivation level) Venerable Elders led several masters to specifically besiege Xiao Chen, clearly intending to eliminate him outside the barrier!

"Netherworld Soul Lock Array!" The Soul Hall Elder sneered, forming a strange array with three other Soul Emissaries. Four black soul-locking chains, like venomous dragons emerging from their lairs, coiled around Xiao Chen from four directions, sealing off all his retreat paths!

"Junior Brother Xiao, be careful!" Han Yue exclaimed, wanting to rescue him but was entangled by other enemies.

Facing a desperate situation, Xiao Chen's eyes erupted with brilliant light! Instead of retreating, he actively charged towards the four soul-locking chains! His Spirit Realm Soul power and Seven-Star Dou Zong Dou Qi (Fighting Energy) burst forth, merging with his newly comprehended "Heaven Opening Axe Intent"!

"Heaven and earth open, creation returns to one! Axe Intent... Reaching the Divine!"

He clasped his hands together, and a phantom of a Heaven Opening Battle Axe, solidified as if real, with a faint golden life force flowing along its blade, suddenly appeared! Ancient patterns were clearly visible on the battle axe, exuding a supreme will to sever karma and open new heavens!

"Slash!"

Xiao Chen swung his arms, and the Heaven Opening Battle Axe swept out horizontally! There was no grand display of power, only a faint golden axe-gang that tore through space!

"Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!"

The four soul-locking chains, capable of trapping and killing an Eight-star Dou Zong (A cultivation level), snapped like fragile spider silk the moment they came into contact with the axe-gang! The axe-gang's momentum did not diminish, and it fiercely struck the core of the array formed by the four Soul Hall experts!

"Pfft!"

The array instantly collapsed! The four Soul Hall experts were severely struck, spitting out blood, flying backward, their auras instantly weakened!

One strike! Breaking the array and injuring the enemy!

The entire scene instantly fell silent! Everyone was shocked by this earth-shattering axe strike!

"The Intent Realm! And a very profound one!" The Flower Sect fairy's beautiful eyes sparkled with admiration.

"This child... must not be allowed to live!" The Heavenly Nether Sect Saint Son, Heavenly Nether Sect Saint Son's, killing intent surged.

Even Soul Annihilation Life, who was about to step into the passage, looked back, and for the first time, a ripple appeared in his cold eyes.

Xiao Chen, having succeeded with one strike, did not hesitate. His figure was like lightning, and taking advantage of everyone's shock, he struck the last few saint spirit marks into the node!

"Buzz!"

The passage was completely formed!

"Enter!" Xiao Chen roared, and he, along with Han Yue, Qiu Ji, and a few other core disciples, instantly rushed into the passage! People from other forces also seized the opportunity, pouring into their respective opened passages.

With a blur before their eyes, everyone found themselves inside the temple. A desolate, ancient, and vast pressure washed over them, making their souls tremble. The internal space of the temple was enormous, with collapsed pillars and debris everywhere, but one could still discern its former glory. The air was filled with extremely pure energy, a hundred times denser than the outside world!

However, before everyone could carefully investigate, that strange thought echoed in Xiao Chen's mind again, clearer and more enticing:

"Come... come to the altar... descendant of the Xiao Clan... your ancestor... is waiting for you..."

Xiao Chen's gaze sharply turned towards the altar, which glowed brightest in the depths of the temple. He knew that the ultimate test and opportunity lay there. And Soul Annihilation Life's cold gaze, along with others, also locked onto that direction.

The struggle for the temple's core was about to begin! And whether that mysterious summons was a blessing or a curse, remained unknown!