Chapter 110: The Astonishing Appearance of a Soul Hall Member (Tenth Update—Please Subscribe)

The sudden arrival of a group of charming, talented students from Canaan Academy instantly enlivened the atmosphere within the clan. Many of the young clan members gathered around, their eyes darting over the beautiful girls, casting envious and jealous glances at Xiao Xie, who sat surrounded at the center, being peppered with endless questions.

As night gradually settled in, the Xiao family, as hosts, naturally offered the highest level of hospitality. After dinner, seeing that the conversation between both parties was still amiable, Xiao Xie found an excuse to slip away, finally escaping the enthusiastic encirclement of the girls.

“Wan… wan…”

“What is it with all the ‘wan’s?” Xiao Xie listened attentively to the faint voice coming from his Asauchi, but could only make out that single syllable. The latter part was inaudible, leaving him helplessly shaking his head. Still, he continued to infuse his inner strength into the Asauchi, knowing that once he could discern the words, he would be able to call out his Zanpakuto’s name—and then the Asauchi would truly become his own exclusive Zanpakuto.

Seven days passed in the blink of an eye. At dawn, Ruolin led the Canaan Academy group and the newly recruited students to a spacious square in the heart of Wutan City.

On the vast square, more than a dozen large flying avian beasts stood waiting. These were Greatwing Birds, classified as second-tier flying magical beasts and serving as the academy’s flying convoy. This time, Xiao Xie and his group would be traveling to Canaan Academy aboard these Greatwing Birds.

Several lightweight wooden cabins had been constructed on the backs of the birds—inside, there were tables, chairs, and even beds in some of the cabins.

“Wow!” Some of the new students, seeing flying magical beasts for the first time, could not help but exclaim in awe.

Xiao Yan, too, looked amazed. At this point, he was just a talented young man, and the fact that he didn’t cry out in surprise upon seeing the magical creatures was already commendable.

“Young Master, there are even wooden cabins on their backs!” Qinglin peered curiously at the little houses on the Greatwing Bird’s back. Though the Amethyst Winged Lion King was a sixth-tier magical beast, it was only seven or eight meters long—much smaller than these enormous birds, which spanned dozens of meters and could easily accommodate small cabins.

Ruolin smiled, called everyone together, and led them aboard the flying beasts.

Xiao Xie, the Little Doctor Immortal, and their companions chose a beast equipped with beds. These cabins were typically reserved for the academy’s instructors, but given the talent of Xiao Xie’s group, no one objected to them enjoying this special treatment.

Once inside, Qinglin busied herself making up Xiao Xie’s bed, pulling out blankets from her spatial ring and spreading them neatly atop the wooden frame. After preparing Xiao Xie’s bed, she set about making her own.

The Little Doctor Immortal watched Qinglin bustling about and smiled, picking a bed for herself and sitting down.

Each cabin contained four beds, a table, and four chairs. With only three of them sharing a cabin, the accommodations were quite good. In contrast, the standard cabins held a dozen chairs each, and the students would be sitting on them for the entire journey to Canaan Academy.

After everyone had boarded, Xiao Xie and the others finally felt the Greatwing Birds’ massive wings begin to beat slowly. Streams of wind energy swirled beneath their bodies, lifting the huge creatures into the sky.

With a shrill cry, the flying beasts, under their tamers’ direction, soared into the air and sped toward Canaan Academy.

“Xian’er, come look! It’s beautiful!” Qinglin leaned excitedly on the windowsill, gazing at the drifting clouds outside. Although the Amethyst Winged Lion King was swift, it could not compare to the comfort of these specially bred flying beasts.

(Amethyst Winged Lion King: sobbing, “I’m a Douhuang-level battle beast, yet you use me as a mount. Is that my fault?”)

“You little rascal,” said the Little Doctor Immortal with a gentle laugh, watching Qinglin’s delighted face. She too moved over to the window to enjoy the scenery. The Greatwing Birds were slower than the Lion King, but this made it easier to savor the view, unlike the Lion King, whose speed made sightseeing impossible.

(Sobbing… The Amethyst Winged Lion King has fainted in the restroom from grief. You’re all bullying me…)

Xiao Xie took out a jade flute, raised it to his lips, and began to play. The melodious and enchanting notes, wrapped in Dou Qi, echoed across the sky. Unlike the murderous tune he had played before, this music was gentle, moving, and penetrating.

Those on the other flying beasts felt as if the world had melted away, leaving only the beautiful music. Soon, everyone’s mood grew calm and peaceful; they leaned on their windows, listening to the flute and admiring the scenery, finally beginning to enjoy the journey.

“Hm?” As the flying convoy reached the border of the Jia Ma Empire, Xiao Xie’s flute faltered, his gaze sharpening as he flashed out of the cabin and hovered mid-air. He shouted, “Who’s there? Stop skulking and show yourself!”

“Oh? You noticed me?” From a previously empty patch of sky, a mass of black mist appeared, enveloping a figure cloaked entirely in black.

At the sudden appearance of the cloaked man, the entire convoy came to a halt, everyone entering high alert.

“Miss, be careful. He’s from the Soul Hall.” Ling Ying, who had been concealing himself, no longer cared for stealth and shielded Xiao Xun’er. If the Soul Hall had discovered her secret, they would stop at nothing to kill her.

Back then, the ancient clan sent Xiao Xun’er to the Xiao family not just to monitor them but to protect her, ensuring the Soul Clan would not notice her presence. Now, with a Soul Hall member appearing out of nowhere, Ling Ying dared not be careless.

“So, you are the Soul Hall’s spy in the Jia Ma Empire, keeping watch on the Xiao family?” Xiao Xie asked coldly.

“Oh? You know of the Soul Hall! I’ve always wondered why such a genius would appear in the Xiao family. Now I see, the one behind you must be no ordinary expert—perhaps someone from one of the other great clans!” the black-robed figure sneered. “But it matters little. Your talent is too dangerous. To prevent any mishaps, you must die today!”

As his words fell, a terrifying aura pressed down on the entire convoy, turning everyone’s expression grim. The power exuded by the black-robed man was undoubtedly that of a Dou Zong-level expert. Under this pressure, the Greatwing Birds trembled, flying unsteadily, and the tamers hurriedly guided them toward the ground.

“Boy from the Xiao family, aren’t you going to run?” The black-robed man barely glanced at the convoy, not considering it worthy of attention. He was far more interested in Xiao Xie; the convoy’s speed was nothing to him—he could catch up at any time.

“If you were a Dou Sheng of the Soul Hall, I’d run without a second thought. But you? You’re not worth it,” Xiao Xie replied with disdain.

“Hahaha… How interesting,” the black-robed man laughed. “I know you forced Queen Medusa’s retreat at the Cloud Mist Sect, but she was only a newly advanced one-star Dou Zong. Don’t underestimate the Dou Zong.”

He could sense that Xiao Xie’s cultivation was at Dou Huang level, so he was not surprised that Xiao Xie could challenge a one-star Dou Zong. Some geniuses could fight above their level; it was not unheard of. More importantly, he himself was a seven-star Dou Zong—a one-star Dou Zong was no match at all. What intrigued him more was that Xiao Xie, not yet at Dou Zong, could fly unaided.

“Is that so?” Xiao Xie replied with a sneer. Back at the Cloud Mist Sect, even though the battle with Queen Medusa was staged, he truly had the strength to face a Dou Zong. Otherwise, Yun Shan would never have treated him as an equal. At that time, Xiao Xie was only a Dou Ling, with just Amaterasu and Green Lotus Core Flame as his Heavenly Flames. Now, he had reached the rank of one-star Dou Huang, and had added the Hellfire to his arsenal.