C44 Boom!

"Join us," Zhuang Xing said, casting a glance at Bao Houdi. Bao Houdi immediately raised his hand, unleashing a devastating palm force that erupted like a volcano, sending the two men into a panic as they scrambled to evade.

Their strength was no match for Bao Houdi's; they were significantly inferior. They weren't even in the same league, making escape an impossibility. Bao Houdi's palm strike landed, eliciting a scream of agony from the two men as they were obliterated.

"The Soul Imprint Needle's effect is quite impressive," Zhuang Xing observed with a nod. It was a clever strategy to use the Soul Imprint Needle against cultivators, often yielding unexpected results.

However, the Soul Imprint Needle had its drawbacks. It had to be injected directly into the target's consciousness to be effective; anywhere else, and it would be quickly neutralized by the body's innate strength. Moreover, it was incredibly draining on Soul Power, causing significant damage. Given Zhuang Xing's current Soul Power Strength, he could only afford to use it once. A second attempt would severely damage his Soul Power.

Soul Power is the essence of one's spirit, an essential element for everyone. Healing it is a formidable challenge, far more so than restoring Spiritual Force—requiring special elixirs a hundredfold more potent.

With the three adversaries vanquished, Bao Houdi's residual power was depleted, and he collapsed. The Soul Imprint Needle's victims were doomed without fail.

Relieved at Bao Houdi's fall, Zhuang Xing exhaled deeply. The arduous conflict was over, and the significant menace had been neutralized.

Suddenly, a sharp pain struck Zhuang Xing's chest, his body feeling as if it were tearing apart. "So painful," he gasped. In casting the Soul Imprint Needle, he had endured the full force of Bao Houdi's attack. The blow was tyrannical, and had Zhuang Xing not advanced his Imperishable Golden Body Spell to Level One, he might very well have been facing his end in the depths of hell.

After coughing up several mouthfuls of blood, Zhuang Xing struggled to sit up from the ground. He retrieved a Top Grade Pill from his Storage Ring and swallowed it. The pill dissolved instantly upon entering his mouth, its potent medicinal power coursing through his bloodstream and spreading throughout his body, alleviating the pain that wracked him.

Having taken the pill, Zhuang Xing then applied Golden Sore Medicine to his wounds. His injuries were severe this time; Bao Houdi's strike had been ferocious, breaking his sternum and nearly pulverizing his internal organs.

"I need to avoid this in the future," he mused.

Once the medicine was in place, Zhuang Xing focused on regulating his breath. After some time, he felt significantly better and decided to leave the area. Naturally, he made sure to collect some spoils of war before departing.

About an hour later, a passerby stumbled upon the scene and was startled to find Bao Houdi's body. Bao Houdi, a Spirit Sea Stage Expert and one of the four Tyrants of Azure Sun City, was an unbeatable force within the city. His death in such a place was inconceivable. The impact this news would have on Azure Sun City could only be imagined; it was bound to cause a massive uproar.

Bao Houdi's death spread rapidly, even more quickly and widely than the news of Bao Guangsha's demise, sending shockwaves through the community.

Suddenly, Azure Sun City was abuzz with conversation, the atmosphere electric with the news as if an earthquake had struck.

"Have you heard about the major incident in the Celestial Eagle Gang? The Sect Master has been murdered."

"Yes, the whole of Azure Sun City is alive with the news. It's so widespread that even toddlers are talking about it."

"The murder of the Celestial Eagle Gang's Young Lord Bao Guangsha was shocking enough, but now the Sect Master too? It's like an earthquake has hit us."

"Bao Houdi's body has already been returned to the Celestial Eagle Gang, and they're investigating the exact cause of his death."

"An investigation? What's the story there?"

"Bao Houdi's death is shrouded in mystery. His body bore no signs of injury, making his demise all the more perplexing."

"There are no wounds on his body? How strange."

"Indeed, such an unusual method of murder is absolutely unheard of."

Zhuang Xing would certainly scoff at such a statement. The Soul Imprint Needle targets the sea of consciousness, the soul itself. It would naturally leave no physical wounds.

"Have you determined who the killer is?"

"We still have no idea. Without knowing the exact cause of death, how can we pinpoint the murderer?"

"Could it be that person?"

"Which person?"

"The one who killed Bao Guangsha, the one Bao Houdi is hunting down."

"Are you referring to Zhuang Xing?"

Someone interjected, "How can you be sure it's Zhuang Xing? We haven't identified the killer yet."

"We've concluded our investigation. The Yao family has discovered that Zhuang Xing is both the killer of Bao Guangsha and the man being pursued by Bao Houdi."

"Zhuang Xing, that name sounds familiar. I'm sure I've heard it somewhere before."

"You're right. Zhuang Xing recently gained notoriety at the Cloud Moon Tower. Rumor has it he hails from Cloud Peak City."

"Since when did Cloud Peak City produce such an impressive figure?"

"I have no idea. I had never heard of him before, yet he's suddenly become quite prominent."

"So, you're suggesting Bao Houdi was also killed by him?"

"Do you believe that?"

"I don't."

"Neither do I."

"The investigation is ongoing, and I'm confident the truth will soon come to light."

In the Yao family's grand hall, Yao Tianbian sat with an expression of delighted surprise.

"Bao Houdi, we've been rivals our whole lives without a clear victor. I never imagined you'd meet your end so abruptly."

The others shared his excitement. Bao Houdi was the leader of the Celestial Eagle Gang, the backbone of their strength. With his demise, the gang's power has been significantly diminished. They no longer pose a threat to the Yao family.

Just then, an elderly man with graying hair approached. He wore the garb of an alchemist, adorned with two radiant golden patterns on his chest, signifying his status as a Rank Two Pill Refining Master.

"Elder Mong, what's the status?"

Upon seeing the elder approach, Yao Tianbian immediately rose from his seat and strode forward to greet him.

Mong Kun reported, "Master Yao, we've determined the cause of Bao Houdi's death. His demise was due to a shattered consciousness and a wounded soul."

"His consciousness shattered and his soul wounded?" Yao Tianbian was incredulous. After all, ordinary people simply do not target the consciousness or soul, let alone know how to attack them.

"Master Yao, the culprit is adept at soul-based attacks. I've consulted ancient texts in search of unique soul attack techniques. I suspect that the method employed by the killer is very likely the legendary Soul Imprint Needle," Mong Kun mused thoughtfully.

"Soul Imprint Needle?"