131: Breakout from the desperate situation, Star Tower aid

Above the Ghost Crying Ravine, spatial turbulence was like boiling raging waves, with countless dense spatial cracks appearing and disappearing, emitting destructive fluctuations. An ordinary Dou Zong expert here would instantly be torn to shreds. Yet, Xiao Chen was like a nimble swift, darting through the tempestuous waves. He maximized his Two-star Dou Zun's control over space, combined with his Heavenly Realm Soul's precise prediction of energy trajectories, his figure shifting and moving within millimeters, narrowly avoiding one fatal crack after another.

With the Star Immortal Body activated, a faint golden Power of Starlight membrane covered his entire body, enduring the tearing sensation brought by the spatial turbulence. Even so, his clothes were ripped in several places, leaving fine bloody marks on his skin. But his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, fixed on the relatively stable void ahead—that was the only way to pass through the turbulent zone!

"You little bastard, where do you think you're going!"

Below, the Netherworld Erosion Heaven Array's light surged, and three terrifying auras soared into the sky, like three black meteors, tearing through space and chasing after him! They were none other than the Soul Hall's Two Netherworld Elders (two Five-Star Dou Zun early stage experts) and Soul Destruction Heaven, the Peak Five-Star Dou Zun Deputy Hall Master!

The three did not directly enter the spatial turbulence zone. Instead, they positioned themselves on three sides, their immense death qi like three towering pillars, violently crashing into the edge of the turbulence zone, attempting to trigger a larger-scale spatial collapse to completely engulf Xiao Chen!

"Netherworld Erosion Heaven, Space Annihilation!"

Soul Destruction Heaven sneered, forming hand seals, and a thick beam of Netherworld death light blasted into the center of the turbulence! Instantly, as if a powder keg had been ignited, the entire spatial turbulence zone erupted violently! More spatial cracks crazily proliferated, spread, collided, and exploded! A destructive energy storm instantly swallowed Xiao Chen!

"Pfft!"

Xiao Chen felt a heavy blow, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood. His protective Power of Starlight membrane flickered violently, almost shattering! He felt as if countless steel knives were carving his soul and flesh, the pain piercing his heart!

"Can't stop! To stop is to die!" A look of madness flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes, and the star origin imprint on his brow suddenly lit up! A pure and vast Power of Starlight surged out, forcibly stabilizing the space around him, while simultaneously boosting his speed to the limit, transforming into a burning meteor, rushing forward recklessly!

"Burning his origin? A deathbed struggle!" One of the Two Netherworld Elders snorted coldly, his withered hand grasping through space, and five condensed Nether Ghost Claws pierced through space, grabbing at Xiao Chen's back! The other opened his mouth and spewed out a soul-corroding poisonous mist. The mist ignored spatial distance, instantly enveloping the area where Xiao Chen was, frantically eroding his soul defense!

With a spatial storm ahead and a Five-Star Dou Zun's killing move behind! Xiao Chen was in an unprecedented predicament!

"I'll risk it all!" Xiao Chen roared, his Heavenly Realm Soul Power fully erupting. The Indestructible Soul Armor shone brightly with golden light, directly resisting the soul-corroding poisonous mist! At the same time, he unleashed a Star Immortal Fist, infused with Power of Starlight, towards the five ghost claws!

"Boom—!"

Fist and claws met, erupting in an earth-shattering roar! Spatial fragments splattered everywhere! Xiao Chen's fist light, imbued with the will of Star Immortality, actually shattered the five ghost claws! But he himself was sent flying forward like a broken kite by the recoil, spitting blood again, just managing to rush out of the most violent central area of the turbulence!

"Oh? He actually blocked five-tenths of my attack?" The attacking Netherworld Elder let out a soft "oh," his killing intent growing stronger. "This child must not be allowed to live! Second Brother, let's unleash the 'Netherworld Soul Locking Chain' together!"

"Alright!"

The Two Netherworld Elders simultaneously formed hand seals, and two chains, as black as ink and covered with eerie runes, shot out like venomous dragons. Wherever the chains passed, space itself was frozen, heading straight for Xiao Chen's soul origin! This was a forbidden technique of the Soul Hall specifically targeting the soul, and its power was immense!

Xiao Chen had just rushed out of the storm, his old strength exhausted and new strength not yet generated. He was about to be entangled by the soul-locking chains! Once locked, with his soul controlled, he would surely die!

It was at this critical moment!

"Buzz—!"

From the direction of the distant Pill Tower Holy Domain, at the top of the star tower, a highly condensed beam of Power of Starlight, as if transcending space, suddenly lit up, tearing through the sky and descending above the Ghost Crying Ravine with incredible speed! Within the light beam, there was a vast, majestic, and supreme will, as if it could stabilize the starry sky!

"Xuan Kongzi! How dare you interfere?!" Soul Destruction Heaven's face changed drastically, and he roared furiously!

The Power of Starlight beam did not attack anyone, but instead shone precisely on Xiao Chen! As the light beam enveloped him, Xiao Chen felt a pure, gentle, yet immensely vast Power of Starlight surge into his body, instantly repairing his injuries and replenishing his depleted Dou Qi and soul power! Furthermore, a powerful Power of Space enveloped him, about to forcibly teleport him away!

"It's Master's Star Reception!" Xiao Chen was overjoyed!

"Trying to leave? Not so easy! Netherworld Erosion Heaven Array, Seal the Heavens and Lock the Earth!" Soul Destruction Heaven roared in fury, fully activating the Great Array! The entire space of the Ghost Crying Ravine instantly solidified, becoming like a solid iron plate, attempting to block the teleportation power of the Power of Starlight beam!

"Old man Xuan Kong, acting from such a distance, how much power can you exert? Leave him to this Hall!" The Two Netherworld Elders also exerted their power simultaneously, and the two soul-locking chains increased their speed again, about to reach Xiao Chen!

"Hmph! Soul Destruction Heaven, do you really think my Pill Tower has no one?" Xuan Kongzi's cold snort came from within the Power of Starlight beam. The light beam trembled slightly, splitting into three small Power of Starlight sword qi, which, quick as lightning, slashed towards the two soul-locking chains and the core node of the Netherworld Erosion Heaven Array!

"Chirp! Chirp! Crack!"

The Power of Starlight sword qi was incomparably sharp, imbued with Xuan Kongzi's Great Perfection of the Heaven Realm soul will, actually severing the two soul-locking chains! At the same time, the core of the Great Array was impacted, its light curtain violently fluctuating, and a tiny crack appeared in the seal!

It was this tiny crack! The Power of Starlight beam seized the opportunity, enveloped Xiao Chen, flashed violently, and instantly disappeared from its original spot!

"Damn it!" Soul Destruction Heaven watched Xiao Chen disappear, enraged to the point of stomping his feet, slamming a mountain below into dust with a single palm! "Xuan Kongzi! This Hall and your Pill Tower are irreconcilable!"

The Two Netherworld Elders also looked very grim: "Deputy Hall Master, that boy was taken away by Xuan Kongzi, he has probably returned to the Pill Tower Holy Domain. What now..."

Soul Destruction Heaven forcibly suppressed his anger, his eyes sinister: "The Pill Tower Holy Domain is protected by the Heavenly Stellar Array; a direct assault would incur too great a loss. However, he can run, but his temple can't! Issue the order to activate the third phase of the 'Emperor Hunting Plan'—a complete economic blockade and assassination! I want the Pill Tower and its allies to be unable to move an inch in the Central Region! At the same time, thoroughly spread the news that Xiao Chen possesses the core inheritance of the Xiao Clan Ancestral Land and carries great treasures! I want him to become the target of all, an enemy of the world!"

"Yes!"

...Pill Tower Holy Domain, inside the star tower.

Space rippled slightly, and Xiao Chen's figure appeared, staggering. His face was pale, and his aura was weak, but his eyes were still bright. That life-and-death escape had consumed a tremendous amount of energy; had it not been for Xuan Kongzi's timely reception, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

"Chen'er, are you alright?" Xuan Kongzi's projection quickly condensed, asking with concern. Heavenly Thunder Master and Mysterious Robe's projections also appeared shortly after.

"Thank you, Master, for saving me! This disciple is fine." Xiao Chen bowed, his heart filled with gratitude.

"It's good you're back." Xuan Kongzi sighed in relief, his expression grave. "The Soul Hall mobilized three Five-Star Dou Zun and the Netherworld Erosion Heaven Array this time, determined to kill you. Your killing of five Heavenly Venerates completely enraged them."

"This disciple understands." Xiao Chen nodded, briefly explaining his experiences in the Yun Shen Mountain Range, especially the more detailed intelligence regarding the Soul Hall's "Emperor Hunting Plan."

"Source of the False Emperor... Hun Tiandi..." A cold light flashed in Xuan Kongzi's eyes. "It's them, indeed! The ancient traitors, their wicked hearts refuse to die!"

"Master, what is the current situation?" Xiao Chen asked.

"Very bad." Heavenly Thunder Master said in a deep voice. "The Soul Hall, in alliance with the Heavenly Nether Sect and Ice River Valley, has launched a full-scale suppression against my Pill Tower and its affiliated forces. Many industries in the Northern Region have been destroyed, and border conflicts in the Central Region are constant. What's more troublesome is that they are using the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's intelligence network to spread rumors, slandering you as a demonic evil, causing many neutral forces to waver."

Mysterious Robe added: "Moreover, the Soul Hall's bounty is astonishing. Now, countless desperate individuals in the Central Region are searching for your whereabouts. Once you leave the Holy Domain, you will face endless pursuit."

Xiao Chen was silent for a moment, then looked up and said: "Master, Elders, this matter started because of me; I must not implicate the Pill Tower. I am willing to leave the Holy Domain and divert the Soul Hall's attention."

"Nonsense!" Xuan Kongzi rebuked. "If you go out now, you're just seeking death! The Soul Hall has laid a net, just waiting for you to walk into it! The Pill Tower is not afraid of the Soul Hall! You cultivate in peace within the Holy Domain; with the Heavenly Stellar Array in place, the Soul Hall will not dare to invade easily."

"But..." Xiao Chen still wanted to say something.

"No 'buts'." Xuan Kongzi interrupted him, his tone brooking no argument. "Your most important task now is to raise your strength! Only with enough power can you face all crises! The star tower is beneficial for your cultivation, so you should go into seclusion here and strive to break through to Three-Star Dou Zun as soon as possible! As for the external turmoil, we will handle it!"

Xiao Chen looked at his Master's firm gaze, a warm current flowing through his heart. He knew it was useless to argue further and nodded heavily: "This disciple obeys!"

He knew that his Master was right. Without strength, everything was empty talk. The Soul Hall's conspiracy, the ancient blood feud, all required powerful strength to crush!

"Take this 'Star Core Gathering Pill'; it has miraculous effects on stabilizing your realm and breaking through bottlenecks." Xuan Kongzi took out a dragon-eye-sized pill, emitting a rich Power of Starlight, and handed it to Xiao Chen. "Additionally, regarding your Xiao Clan Ancestral Land inheritance and the Star Immortal Body, if you have any questions, you can always ask me."

"Thank you, Master!" Xiao Chen took the pill, feeling the immense energy within it, his heart filled with gratitude.

In the following days, Xiao Chen remained in seclusion on the top floor of the star tower. Outside, winds and clouds gathered, and the overt and covert struggles between the Pill Tower and the Soul Hall Alliance intensified, but he remained focused, fully digesting the insights gained from his recent life-and-death battle, consolidating his Two-star Dou Zun realm, and attempting to break through to Three-star.

With the abundant Power of Starlight of the star tower and Xuan Kongzi's guidance, his progress was rapid. Especially his understanding of the integration of the "Star Immortal Body" and the "Heaven Opening Axe Intent" deepened, and his self-created "Star Immortal Fist" also became increasingly refined.

However, the peaceful cultivation time did not last long. One day, Xuan Kongzi, with a grave expression, came outside his seclusion chamber.

"Chen'er, come out. There's an urgent situation."

Xiao Chen opened his eyes and stepped out of the secret chamber: "Master, what is it?"

Xuan Kongzi said in a deep voice: "I just received an urgent message from Venerable Feng of Starfall Pavilion... Something happened on Ancient Dragon Island!"

"Ancient Dragon Island?" Xiao Chen's heart tightened. Ancient Dragon Island was the territory of the Ancient Void Dragon clan, powerful and transcendent in status, having no previous entanglements with other forces. Why would something suddenly happen? And what was its connection to Starfall Pavilion?

Xuan Kongzi continued: "It is said that traces of the dragon phoenix origin fruit have appeared on Ancient Dragon Island, attracting the covetous eyes of various forces. But what's more troublesome is that the Soul Hall also seems to be involved, their intentions unclear. Venerable Feng speculates that this matter might be related to your Xiao Clan, or even... to that 'Emperor Hunting Plan'!"

"dragon phoenix origin fruit? Soul Hall?" A sharp glint flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes. Ancient Void Dragon, ancient Xiao Clan, Soul Hall's Emperor Hunting Plan... these clues seemed to be subtly connected. He felt that a larger net was slowly unfolding.

"Venerable Feng hopes you can secretly go to Ancient Dragon Island, investigate the truth, and if necessary... seek the help of the Ancient Void Dragon." Xuan Kongzi looked at Xiao Chen. "This matter is of great importance and extremely dangerous. Whether to go or not, you must decide for yourself."

Xiao Chen barely hesitated, his gaze firm: "This disciple is willing to go!"

Ancient Dragon Island, dragon phoenix origin fruit, the Soul Hall's conspiracy... all of this might be the key to uncovering the ancient secrets of the Xiao Clan and resisting the Soul Hall! He could not back down!

A new journey was before him! And this time, he would directly confront one of the continent's top forces—the Ancient Void Dragon!