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3RD POV

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Xian looked back at the black translucent barrier that was now three-quarters full and rising bit by bit and then in the sky at the approaching swarm of cultivators and shook its head. Thousands of years in the cave and this was what it got after proper enlightenment? Such a shame.

But at least someone had managed to subdue and take it out of the cave to experience some mortal things like warm water and food even though it didn't need them.

It vanished and appeared floating in the air between the barrier and the invaders greedy for the sweet breath of a fresh core about to be formed.

Clay wasn't just any beast. His azure bloodline was divine and couldn't naturally be found in the fourth star. This was why he could easily attract the Nine Divine Lightning tribulation and why his core had roused beasts and men alike.

Raising the black-red token in its hand, it ordered, "Go back. You have no business here!"

The first group halted, some on their swords and others just using their qi to stay in the air.

"Who are you? Move out of the way!" one yelled. His cultivation level was only two thousand yet he felt like he could burn the whole world with his anger.

Xuan snubbed him and crossed its hands on its now manly chest, remaining solid while levitating.

One disobeyed and rushed forward, aiming for the incomplete barrier. "How foolish." Xian's eyes flashed yellow, attacking the female cultivator with his soul ability, weakening hers instead of just ripping it out.

"Aaaaaah!" she cried out receiving the attack before falling from her sword like a rock dropping through the air.

"Junior sister!" another disciple of the same sect as she rushed to catch her body. For if she hit the ground, her skull would burst open.

"Why won't you listen?" Xian teased with a mischievous grin. It wanted them to fully disobey and even dare to kill it. Because then, it'd have an excuse to steal their souls and aid it in cultivating its own soul as it had done over the hundreds of years. Since it transformed, it had absorbed over a thousand souls but still hadn't managed to create even half a piece of its own.

"How dare you hurt-"

Xian gazed in his direction and used the same attack, knocking him off his sword.

When it became clear that Xian was a threat, their master stepped forward, a sword in his right hand. "Who are you? Are you a disciple here? Why do you stop us from going in?"

Xian disappeared again, appearing in front of the master. "Who are 'you'? Were you invited here by the sect leader?"

"I don't need an invitation to come to a small unknown sect that has long collapsed wi-"

Xian shoved his palm straight at his chest, shattering the last-minute barrier the master had tried to put up to defend himself.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Doubling over, he coughed, spitting out some blood as well while the liquid pain washed through his organs and into his soul.

"Take your little dogs with you or I will-" its 'kind' warning was disrupted when the master jumped backward, swaying his sword in an attempt to slash Xian. But it dodged the attack by disappearing.

But now, more disciples and masters from other sects, both big and small, had gathered in front of the barrier, waiting for the fight between the two to end before they could swarm in.

Xian, who now materialized in a higher spot than before, grinned devilishly as it raked its eyes over the possibly hundreds of cultivators who had willingly brought their souls to it.

"You have been given one last chance. Leave, or perish!"

Mumbling of insults rose. Some mocked him while others sought support so they could attack the being, trying to stop them from invading the 'powerless' sect.

The tribulation far behind Xian was still roaring and thundering as if reciprocating Clay's roars.

When the cultivators heard this, their curiosity deepened and they united to stomp over Xian, belittling it.

But that was their greatest mistake, for it intended to get rid of these 'flies' and real the benefits. Looking at the situation in a new light, one could say that Ren had given it a chance to feast without any consequences.

It spread out its arms and two spinning yellow circles appeared above everyone present.

Seeing this, Elder Jun, who had come to inspect what was happening after their sect leader alerted him, signaled to the inner disciples he had brought along to step back. He could bet his life that if anyone or anything had a close relationship with Ren, then they weren't to be messed with regardless of their strength. Whatever the outcome, Ren would still come after those who had hurt those around him.

"Who is that?" one of his disciples asked genuinely. "Judging from his color, he seems to be from the Sunfire tribes in Shiling nation. What is he doing here?"

"Hush!" Elder Jun shushed him. "What do you know about the world? Sunfire tribes can leave their nation if they find a better oath outside. And don't you ask such a silly question in front of any disciple from Dragon Sword Sect."

He immediately saluted apologizing, "Pardon me, Master. I have made a mis-"

"That's it. But remember to come for your-"

A weird chill came out of nowhere, crawling all over Elder Jun's skin and trying to penetrate his flesh and bones.

His head whipped in the direction the cold was strongest, and he was stunned to see the hundreds of cultivators who had been cocky a minute ago now immobilized while still in the air.

The circles above them were a gateway to the falling snowflakes that, when coming in contact with a living soul, diffused in their bodies, instantly freezing them from the inside out.

He gasped, moving backward, pushing his disciples away from the still-falling snowflakes.

This kind of soul attack was only possible if the person carrying it out had no soul according to the tales that had originated from the forbidden cold area in the abandoned mountain. And without a soul, the person couldn't be considered neither human nor spirit.

He was left wondering how Ren had managed to bring back this entity that could even take down a half-immortal.

In a single blink, Xian appeared in front of them, his brow lifted. "Why aren't you attacking? Go on, use your-"

"I'm an acquaintance of-"

Thunder cracked, vibrating through the atmosphere and sending out a powerful wave of energy that would have blown them all away had Ren's large barrier not been in place. It was followed up by Clay's agitated roar just before the first lightning strike came.

Both Xian and Elder Jun put aside their conversation and stared, amazed, as the first strike descended from the heavens with a ferocious intensity as if it desired to eliminate whoever was about to transcend to the next stage.

Xian felt something within it as it took in the beautiful sight. This was a step it would never experience, not without a soul. One needed a soul that could be shattered by the tribulations to trigger one. And without passing the tribulation, it would never ascend to the higher realms.

"Beautiful!" Ender Jun marveled along with his disciples. But the peace didn't last long as they'd have wished it to.

Another group of invaders showed up, led by a powerful master who was above the ten thousand level. She moved through the air with grace, her robes dancing to the wind just like her long black hair.

In her hand was a blue fan that matched her clothes while her disciple's uniform was a dull shade of blue that was equally calming.

She stopped midair upon seeing the frozen bodies whose souls felt odd and then glanced over at Xian and Elder Jun.

"Which evil being has done this to our fellow brothers and sisters?" she demanded as her once composed face turned into a serious frown.

Her disciples spread out in a formation, ready to attack if she said the word.

As Xian was about to confront her, elder Jun made his move first and flew closer to her.

Without saluting, he answered, "They broke the rules of Dragon Sword Sect and were punished by the sect. Do you have any objections to it?"

Her eyes hardened in a fierce glare that left her with an ugly veil compared to the elegant demeanor she possessed not too long ago. "The breath of demonic power from them suggests that this is not the work of a righteous sect. Has Dragon Sword Sect fallen to use such despicable means?"

"What they do is not up to you to judge. Please take your people and leave."

"I'm a respected elder!" she hissed releasing her breath to intimidate elder Jun. But he, in turn, released his, and a motionless battle ensued between their auras, sending out waves of energy and wind that slapped those around them.