C13 Soul Devouring and Soul Seizing

Beneath the imperial city, in the outer district, a squad of sixteen or seventeen members sliced through obstacles with ease, supported by a wealth of intelligence. The restrictive formations they encountered were practically inconsequential.

Their leader was none other than the Third Elder of the Heye Sect, a master of the Sword Dao and an expert in formations. Moreover, he was a Super Strong Fourth Grade Great Saint. The Heye Sect had entrusted him with an incredibly detailed map of the underground city. With this map, the team breezed through over half of the outer city in just about ten minutes—a feat that took Old Zhang's team an entire day.

Basking in the admiring glances from his followers, the Third Elder was in his element. With the map in hand, they deciphered the formations with increasing speed. However, the moment the Third Elder made contact with the inner city's barrier, the perilous formation before them inexplicably shut down.

The Heye Sect disciples mistook this for the Third Elder's doing, their eyes wide with amazement. "My goodness! Is the Third Elder's mastery over formations so profound that he can navigate Shen's Tomb with such ease?" one exclaimed. "I'm utterly convinced now," another declared. "With the Third Elder at the helm, we're sure to seize that ultimate treasure! And once we return to the sect, we'll no doubt reap our share of the rewards, hahaha!" "All thanks to the Third Elder," they agreed, excitement buzzing in the air.

Yet, amidst the excitement, the Third Elder stood dumbfounded. He hadn't done a thing. How had the formation deactivated on its own?

"Vermin, do you have any idea where you are?" a voice, detached to the extreme, echoed from the inner city. Then, to the astonishment of the crowd, two enigmatic young men emerged from ahead.

Though taken aback, the Third Elder quickly regained his composure and signaled to his team. They caught on at once, spreading out to encircle the newcomers.

"Mice? We're all here in search of treasure. Why put on airs?" the Third Elder retorted with a cold laugh. "Hand over whatever treasures you've found, and perhaps I'll let you live."

Despite his tough talk, the Third Elder harbored deep uncertainty within himself. He was utterly unable to gauge the cultivation levels of the two young men before him, which was unsettling, considering he himself was a formidable practitioner at the Great Sage Stage. Could it be possible that he had stumbled upon two individuals at the God Stage? The thought seemed ludicrous. God Stage experts weren't as common as cabbages that one might simply stumble upon two at the same time. No, these two must be using some sort of technique to conceal their true power, putting on an act to mystify and deceive.

"Senior brother, shall we leave one alive to interrogate?" Lee Hongyu asked, rubbing his hands together with eager anticipation.

"Let's spare the one who talks the most," Wang Jingyu replied with a sinister smile, making no effort to conceal his murderous intent.

A flicker of concern crossed the Third Elder's face. He could tell that these two young men exuded genuine confidence—the kind that suggested they didn't even consider his group a threat.

"Attack!" the Third Elder commanded, deciding to take the initiative. At his signal, over a dozen Heye Sect disciples charged forward. Yet, the two young men remained nonchalant, not even bothering to lift a finger.

"Form the array," Lee Hongyu stated calmly, uttering just two words.

A sense of dread swiftly overcame everyone as they found themselves immobilized. Blue, luminescent patterns of a spirit array had mysteriously appeared beneath their feet without notice. Before they could even process what was happening, Lee Hongyu uttered another command.

"Devour Souls."

In an instant, all but the three elders leading the group collapsed lifelessly to the ground, their vitality extinguished.

"Soul Devouring, Soul Seizing... This is the Soul Devouring Array!" one of the elders nearly shrieked, recognizing the name of the dreadful formation.

"What is your connection to that monster of the Soul Devouring Array? How do you know the Soul Devouring Formation!?" he demanded.

To some, the creator of this formation was a deity among array masters, a figure of utmost respect and power. To others, he was a heartless demon, a murderous fiend who should be hunted down and eliminated. Rumor had it that for his own selfish desires, he had once trapped an entire sect within the malicious confines of the Soul Devouring Array. As the array activated and the souls were consumed, not a single soul from that sect remained alive.

The mountain gate remained as haunting as a ghost town to this day.

By now, the moniker "Soul Devouring Devil" had been firmly affixed to that individual by the world at large.

Realizing he had hit a dead end, the Third Elder summoned all his Spiritual Force as if it cost him nothing, even readying himself for mutual destruction.

However, he quickly abandoned this impractical delusion.

Somehow, the blue spirit patterns had crept to the soles of his feet.

In that moment, he was no different from those deceased disciples.

He was immobilized, unable to move his body or summon his Spiritual Force.

Despair filled the Third Elder's eyes as they widened in horror.

Only then did he come to a stark realization.

These two young men were at the very least warriors of the Great Sage Stage.

Neither was inferior to him in strength!

"Hongyu, your name is even more unsightly than our senior brother's, hahaha!" Wang Jingyu burst into laughter. "Soul Devouring Devil, tsk tsk, just hearing it is revolting."

Lee Hongyu gave his irredeemably cheeky senior brother an eye roll before turning his attention to the Third Elder.

With just a thought, the blue formation blazed with light.

"Stop! I am the Third Elder of the Heye Sect, sent here on the Sect Master's orders. If you kill me, the Sect Master will surely seek vengeance!" The Third Elder, terrified and pale, invoked the Heye Sect as his lifeline.

But Lee Hongyu was unmoved.

To dare invade his master's tomb was provocation enough; the Heye Sect should consider itself lucky he hadn't sought them out for retribution.

"Soulsearch!"

Lee Hongyu placed his hand atop the Third Elder's head.

Instantly, the Third Elder's eyes rolled back, his body convulsing.

A torrent of Spiritual Force invaded the Third Elder's consciousness, extracting a wealth of memories and information.

"Hongyu, your soul-searching skills haven't seen much progress over the years. Our Master was far more adept than you," Wang Jingyu quipped from the sidelines.

"I'll never reach Master's level of skill in my lifetime," Lee Hongyu lamented, filled with a deep sense of respect.

Even now, he could only aspire to his Master's mastery of formations.

Despite being only at the Vajra Stage, he managed to create an array of incredibly sophisticated and superior formations. Even now, I could only approximate the process, crudely imitating the cat and tiger.

Consider the soul-searching technique; if my Master were to perform it, he could likely extract every detail from the subject without their awareness.

It took Lee Hongyu a full quarter of an hour to fully process the information gleaned from the soul search.

"Senior brother, Yunlan City, Heye Sect."

"Let's go!"

In an instant, the two assassins vanished, reappearing aboard the massive flying vessel. ...

Meanwhile, atop the Godly Hoo Beef Building in Yunlan City, Shen Jun slowly released a murky breath, signaling the end of his meditation.

His eyes sparkled with thrill and anticipation. He had been practicing for less than half a day, yet he had already advanced to the second level of the Supernatural Power Stage!

To ascend a minor realm in just half a day was nothing short of exhilarating. Such a rate of cultivation was truly remarkable, befitting the perfect talent one possesses after defying destiny.

"At this rate, I'll reach the Heavenly Profound Stage within a month," Shen Jun mused, a wide smile spreading across his face as he prepared for another session of cultivation.

But suddenly, a wave of astonished shouts erupted from the streets below.