Chapter 1220: Listen to Me

"Master... is truly fierce!"

The Golden Source Cauldron, stuck in the ground, struggled to stand up. Seeing the situation above, its lid cracked open like a grinning mouth.

Having merged with the Golden Crystal Mystic Stone and endured three thunder tribulations, reaching the late Nascent Soul stage, he thought himself a top-tier expert. He never imagined his master was even more ruthless.

The Green Field Emperor, with so many tricks and such strong life-saving measures, had been reduced to this state. Just thinking about it was pitiful.

It seemed that going against the master in any way was wrong... that was true.

Otherwise, you'd be sold and still counting the money.

"Alright!"

After another round of beating, Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

His clone looked disgruntled, still eager for more.

Locked in the storage ring all day, he had been looking forward to the chance to beat someone up.

By now, the Green Field Emperor's primordial spirit was so weak it could barely hold together, seeming ready to dissipate at any moment.

Having undergone the splitting secret technique and been tormented by the two Zhang Xuans, not only was his primordial spirit weak, but his mind was also on the verge of collapse.

"I will... kill you..."

Weak and exhausted, the Green Field Emperor's eyes were full of hatred.

"I know, don't be nervous. I'll perform a soul search. Bear with it, bear with it, it'll be over soon!"

With a word of comfort, Zhang Xuan pointed his finger, and a thread of thought shot straight toward the Green Field Emperor's brow.

"No..."

Seeing him use this secret technique, the Green Field Emperor's eyes filled with terror. He tried to flee, but the altar's suction was too strong; he crawled on it but couldn't escape.

"Clone, come hold him down. Let's finish the soul search first, then we'll know what we need to know..."

Seeing him thrashing about, preventing the thought thread from entering, Zhang Xuan instructed.

"Got it!"

Excited, the clone hurried over and kicked the Green Field Emperor in the head.

Smack!

The alien race emperor lay sprawled on the altar in a "大" shape, full of humiliation, writhing but unable to break free.

"Still not listening?"

Shaking his head, the clone turned and said, "Sword, come!"

Whoosh!

The Ice Rain Sword flew into his palm: "Move again, and I'll shove this sword down your throat, believe me?"

The Green Field Emperor froze instantly, not daring to move, as obedient as a puppet.

"That's more like it!"

Satisfied, the clone looked at Zhang Xuan: "Alright, he's not moving. Start the soul search!"

"Mm."

The thread from Zhang Xuan's fingertip immediately drilled into the other's brow.

Just as he was about to observe carefully and find out where the Cruel One was, the entire underground palace shook, and a sinister voice rang out.

"A Heaven-acknowledged master teacher, yet you practice soul witchcraft... If I leaked this news, how many would want to study you? Kill you?"

The voice carried a sneer, sounding as if it were right in the ear, making it impossible to locate.

"You've finally shown yourself..."

Stopping the soul search, Zhang Xuan flipped his wrist, stowing the altar and the Green Field Emperor into his storage ring, and straightened up.

He knew the Cruel One was nearby; the so-called soul search was just a ploy to lure him out.

"To be able to utterly slay the Green Field Emperor at the late Nascent Soul stage while only at the peak of Saint Realm Triple... worthy of a Heaven-acknowledged master teacher. Like Confucius back then, you have a special insight into cultivation and combat, far surpassing other geniuses!"

The Cruel One sighed. "But... you're still too young. Killing you would be a piece of cake!"

As he spoke, Zhang Xuan felt a violent tremor, his head spinning, and his soul seemed to be torn, about to leave his body.

"Hm?"

His expression darkened.

This feeling was the same as in Chen Zhe's backyard—his soul uncontrollable, about to be devoured by the other.

Channeling Heavenly Dao true energy, Zhang Xuan resisted the immense suction, but the force was too strong. In an instant, a pitch-black hole appeared before him, ready to swallow him.

Whoosh!

His soul was pulled from his body and brought before the altar.

"This... what a massive soul!"

The Cruel One was startled, seemingly taken aback.

He was proficient in soul witchcraft and had a strong soul himself, but he never dreamed that this one was even larger, beyond comprehension.

"You should know I have the power to kill you easily, right?"

The shock lasted only a moment before he recovered. The Cruel One's eyes slowly emerged from the black hole, calmly watching.

"Indeed, you have the ability to kill me..."

Zhang Xuan nodded.

"Good that you know!" The Cruel One smiled. "I could kill you but haven't. You should understand... you're still useful to me!"

"You want me to let you out?"

Zhang Xuan looked at him.

"Talking to a smart person is simple... If you help me escape, I won't kill you," the Cruel One said.

"Won't kill me? Once you're free, won't you still refine me into a golden man or a puppet?" Zhang Xuan chuckled lightly.

"Only puppets or golden men don't talk too much."

He didn't deny it, speaking flatly.

"Since that's the case, death is death either way. Why should I let you out?" Zhang Xuan shook his head.

Since he wanted to kill him anyway, why bother to rescue him?

"That's not up to you. If you want to see all the master teachers who came with you die here... you can refuse."

The Cruel One snorted, and the black hole shifted, revealing an image.

It was Hall Master Xing and the others.

They were still trapped by countless soulless golden men. Hall Master Wei and Hall Master Liao, guarding outside, were already injured and exhausted.

Though they were not weak, they couldn't hold out against so many soulless golden men that felt no pain or fatigue.

Whoosh!

As they were about to give in, some mechanism in the room opened, and another figure slowly walked out.

Another soulless golden man, but far more powerful than the others, already at the mid Nascent Soul stage, with true energy shooting from his acupoints, carrying intense killing intent.

"These golden men can't hold out much longer. If I make a move, how many of these people do you think will survive?"

Seeing this figure appear, the Cruel One glanced at Zhang Xuan and sneered.

Then, the soulless golden man in the image flashed and charged into the crowd.

"Everyone, defend!"

Hall Master Wei's face changed, and he shouted, but before he finished, the golden man was upon him, his palm descending toward his chest.

Bang!

His face pale, Hall Master Wei flew backward, slammed heavily into the wall, and coughed up blood.

His position left a gap, creating a flaw in the formation. Before the others could adjust, the golden man dove into the crowd and struck at Hall Master Liao, the second strongest.

Crack!

Normally, Hall Master Liao could have held off a few moves at full strength, but after fighting so long, his true energy and stamina were nearly depleted. He couldn't react in time, was hit, and fell to the ground, face pale.

In the blink of an eye, two of those who came with Zhang Xuan were injured.

"Damn you! I'll kill you!"

Seeing two companions seriously injured, Zhang Jiuxiao roared. The mid-grade saint artifact appeared in his palm, and he slashed at the golden man before him.

As if prepared, the golden man pointed a finger.

"Buzz!" The long sword stopped in midair.

Face reddening, Zhang Jiuxiao strained with all his might but couldn't move, as if glued in place.

He was only at the early Spirit Severing stage; even with his formidable combat power, he was far outmatched by a mid Nascent Soul cultivator.

Freezing him, the soulless golden man sneered, approached, and pressed lightly.

Slap!

Zhang Jiuxiao was sent flying, but midair, a light flashed from his chest—some protective talisman activated—and he stopped.

As a member of a great clan, he had some life-saving treasures.

"Interesting... but this thing can't stop me, no way!"

Seeing this, the Cruel One sneered.

Under his control, the soulless golden man bent his knees, stomped, and charged again, his fingers like playing a lute, raining down attacks.

Buzz buzz buzz buzz!

The protective talisman shielded Zhang Jiuxiao from harm, but as attacks mounted, the protective light grew weaker.

No matter how powerful a talisman, it had energy limits. It could block one or two attacks, but repeated strikes would overwhelm it.

Bang!

The light vanished, and Zhang Jiuxiao, like the others, was knocked back, severely injured, lying nearby.

With these three defeated, the rest were easy. Soon, the three elders brought by Teacher Wu were also injured. Apart from the already severely injured Teacher Wu and Hall Master Xing, the group was completely wiped out.

The soulless golden man grinned, approached Hall Master Xing and the others, raised his palm, ready to strike.

"So? Listen to me, and I'll spare them. As a Heaven-acknowledged master teacher, you can't just watch your friends die before your eyes, can you?"

Seeing that these two were already severely injured and couldn't resist, the Cruel One stared at Zhang Xuan, taunting him.

Master teachers valued rules and righteousness. If he watched his friends die before him when he had the means to help but refused, his heart would surely collapse. Even if he survived, he would be heartbroken and never progress.

"Die before my eyes?"

Ignoring his attitude, Zhang Xuan shook his head. "I don't think so."

"Hm?"

Just as he was about to speak, the scene in the image suddenly shifted. Teacher Wu and Hall Master Xing, who had been severely injured, suddenly burst into action, striking simultaneously. In an instant, two fierce forces hit the golden man.

Bang!

Not expecting such a powerful attack from the injured, the soulless golden man had a large hole blown through his chest before he could react, all ribs broken.

Full of shock, not knowing what was happening, the Cruel One heard Zhang Xuan's calm voice.

"So? Listen to me, and I'll spare this golden man. As the one who trapped Confucius, you can't just watch your subordinate die before your eyes, can you?"

"..." The Cruel One.