Chapter 187: The Soul Clan Attacks (Please Subscribe and Add to Favorites)

"That's right! My father is Fan Lao, the master of the Blood Sect," Fan Ling declared proudly, believing Hu Jia and Xun'er were awed by his background.

"Alright, we've heard enough. Move aside now," Hu Jia said, pushing Fan Ling away as she led Xun'er out.

"Wait, I'm Fan Ling, the Young Master of the Blood Sect! You're just going to leave like this?" Stunned by Hu Jia's push, Fan Ling rushed in front of them, blocking their path. He was nearly losing his mind—he had revealed his lineage, yet was still ignored!

"And do you know who we are?" Hu Jia, growing impatient with Fan Ling's persistence, would have dealt with him directly if not for the two inscrutable old men standing behind him.

Fan Ling paused, then smiled, "Oh? I'd like to hear what kind of background you have."

"Listen carefully. My name is Hu Jia, and my grandfather is Hu Qian, Vice Dean of Canaan Academy," Hu Jia announced.

Though Fan Ling was a bit surprised, he wasn't particularly impressed.

Seeing his dismissive attitude, Hu Jia continued, "As for this beauty beside me, her name is Xiao Xun'er. She also has a cousin, Xiao Xie."

"Xiao Xie?! The Sect Master!" Fan Ling's legs went weak. Still, surrounded by spectators, he forced himself to say, "So you claim she's the Sect Master's cousin—do you have any proof?"

"If you don't believe it, you're welcome to try. If Xiao Xie finds out about this, even your father won't be able to save you," Hu Jia replied disdainfully, seeing right through Fan Ling's bravado.

"I… I… Fine, let's see who's afraid of whom!" Fan Ling, feeling increasingly uneasy, saw Hu Jia's contemptuous gaze and the eyes of the crowd. To back down now would be too humiliating, so he steeled himself.

As Fan Ling drew closer, a golden flame flickered in Xun'er's eyes. Growing impatient with his clueless persistence, she showed signs of annoyance.

"Young master, you mustn't!" One of the two old men following Fan Ling stopped him. They had been sent by Fan Lao not only to protect Fan Ling but also to restrain him at critical moments, ensuring he didn't offend anyone he shouldn't. These two young women—one the granddaughter of Hu Qian, the other the cousin of Xiao Xie—could not be offended under any circumstances if their claims were even remotely true.

Stopped by the elder, Fan Ling snapped back to his senses. Though he was a second-generation scion and often acted arrogantly, he wasn't foolish. If Xun'er really was Xiao Xie's cousin and he offended her, his father would likely settle matters personally and beg Xiao Xie for forgiveness. Fan Ling understood Fan Lao's character well: though he was Fan Lao's son, if anything threatened Fan Lao himself, the man would not hesitate to sacrifice him for self-preservation.

Regaining his composure, Fan Ling ignored the stares of those around him and turned to leave without another word.

"Xiao Xie's reputation really does work wonders," Hu Jia said to Xun'er with a smile, watching Fan Ling walk away without a backward glance.

Xun'er shook her head, smiling at Hu Jia's triumphant expression.

On the second floor of a tavern by the roadside, a figure cloaked entirely in black robes watched Xun'er in the street below, letting out a sinister chuckle. "Heh heh heh… Who would have thought I'd stumble upon such a great secret."

This black-robed man was a Dou Zun from the Soul Clan. He had come here because of Xiao Xie—previously, the Soul Clan sent two Dou Zong to monitor the Xiao family in the Jia Ma Empire, but both were slain by Xiao Xie. Those Dou Zong were under this man's command, and he was now investigating the matter. After all, when a Soul Clan Dou Zong dies, their soul returns to the Soul Hall unless eradicated completely by someone above Dou Zun.

Originally, the black-robed man planned to head straight to the Jia Ma Empire, but news reached him that several younger members of the Xiao Clan were studying at Canaan Academy. If they remained in the Jia Ma Empire, he would have to be wary of the ancient clans lurking in the shadows. Now that they'd left the Xiao family, he could act with impunity.

Among these youths was the clan leader's son. He intended to capture Xiao Yan and the others first, hoping to learn about the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jade. If he could obtain it from them, there would be no need to venture to the Jia Ma Empire.

Upon arriving in the Black-Corner Region, he heard startling news: the Dragon Gate's master, Xiao Xie, was also of the Xiao Clan. At just seventeen, he was already a Dou Zong, and a seventh-grade alchemist to boot. If allowed to grow, he would pose a serious threat to the Soul Clan.

It was fortunate, he thought, that he had discovered this genius in advance—the prodigy was destined for an early grave.

What pleased the black-robed man even more was that, as he finished his meal and prepared to deal with Xiao Xie and the Xiao Clan youths, he stumbled upon an even greater secret. He had only intended to watch the drama unfold as he ate, but unexpectedly discovered that a girl possessed the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame—an inherited flame of the ancient clan, which only a perfect-blooded ancient emperor heir could inherit.

"Heh heh heh… A young inheritor of the ancient emperor's bloodline, bearing the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, guarded only by a mere Dou Huang—today must be my lucky day," the black-robed man sneered. The Ancient Clan and Soul Clan were mortal enemies; if he could kill the perfect-blooded heir and seize the flame, it would be a greater achievement than acquiring the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jade, which required collecting all eight pieces.

"Xun'er, after that little scene, I've lost my mood. Let's call it a day," Hu Jia suggested.

"Alright," Xun'er replied softly.

Suddenly, a terrifying aura erupted nearby. A gigantic black claw, formed of mist and ten meters wide, swept forth with irresistible force, shattering everything in its path and lunging at Xun'er and her companions. Hu Jia stared in horror.

"Boom!" Just as disaster was about to strike, a golden shield enveloped Xun'er, Hu Jia, and Ling Ying, who was following Xun'er. The shield held firm against the massive black claw, and their collision unleashed a violent explosion that leveled the bustling street for a thousand meters around.

"Miss, are you alright?" Ling Ying asked anxiously. The attack had been so sudden, he hadn't reacted in time. If not for the protective treasure given to Xun'er by the clan leader, which shielded its master automatically, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

"I'm fine. The protective jade my father gave me can withstand even a Dou Sheng's assault for a minute. I've already sent a distress signal to the clan—the elders will arrive soon," Xun'er replied calmly. Though the attack nearly killed her, she was clearly unshaken.

Hu Jia was still a bit dazed, but seeing Xun'er's composure helped her calm down. "Xun'er, do you know who attacked us?"

"I'm sorry, Sister Jia—I'm afraid I've dragged you into this," Xun'er said, her brows knitted, gazing toward the distant black-robed figure in the sky.

"Miss, it's someone from the Soul Clan—a Dou Zun," Ling Ying said gravely, eyes fixed on the black-robed figure above. The worst-case scenario had occurred: Xun'er's identity was now known to the Soul Clan.

The black-robed man looked at the shield protecting Xun'er and the others below and sighed. "I should have expected this! How could the inheritor of the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame be guarded by only a Dou Huang? They've prepared well—a shield like this won't be broken anytime soon. That little one must have already sent for help. I had hoped to claim this achievement solo, but now I can only report back."

He took out a black jade tablet and sent word of the situation back to his clan. Now, it was a matter of which side's experts arrived first—if the Soul Clan came, Xun'er and her companions would perish; if the Ancient Clan arrived first, they would survive.