Chapter 344: Chapter 344: Life-and-Death Soul Talisman

One of the Clan Leaders looked up at Ye Xuan and Jin Lin. "I must ask, which power do you two experts belong to? It was our mistake to offend you today, and we are willing to accept the consequences. However, according to the rules established by the major powers of the Dream Realm Plain long ago, Wukong Ridge is strictly off-limits to control by outside forces. Do you dare to violate the rules set by those powers?"

"That’s right. Our three great families offended you today, and we deserved this disaster. But by subjugating the Mo family, you seem to have violated the rules established by the major powers, have you not?"

Knowing that their opponent had a Martial King in their midst, the three Clan Leaders were already terrified and filled with despair. But they knew they absolutely could not show any weakness at a time like this.

Their opponent was clearly from a major power and, according to the rules, was forbidden from participating in the power struggles of Wukong Ridge. By controlling the Mo family, he had violated those rules.

Their only hope of survival was to press this point, to make their opponent hesitate.

Wukong Ridge might be lawless and chaotic, but within the Dream Realm Plain, it was considered a special, untouchable place.

Years ago, a major power from the Dream Realm Plain had tried to take control of Wukong Ridge, only to be met with fierce resistance from the local forces. The conflict resulted in rivers of blood.

The incident had enormous repercussions, nearly plunging the entire Dream Realm Plain into war.

In the end, not only did that major power fail to take control of Wukong Ridge, but they also stirred up a hornet’s nest. They ended up being condemned by the other major powers, a classic case of shooting oneself in the foot.

Ultimately, the major powers of the Dream Realm Plain reached a consensus: they would all be forbidden from interfering in Wukong Ridge. All matters there were to be resolved by its own native forces.

Though the Clan Leaders of the three great families spoke with stern conviction, their hearts pounded with apprehension as they watched Ye Xuan and Jin Lin.

Patriarch Mo Chengtian, standing to the side, couldn’t help but sneer. "And what makes you think His Highness is from one of the major powers of our Dream Realm Plain?"

The Patriarch of the Wei family said coldly, "The senior at your side possesses Martial King Level strength. If he isn’t from one of the major powers, then where else?"

"What are the major powers worth? Before His Highness, they could be turned to dust with a flick of his finger," Mo Chengtian said arrogantly.

The hearts of the three Clan Leaders jolted. ’What does Mo Chengtian mean by that? Could it be these two aren’t from the Dream Realm Plain, but from some even greater, higher power?’

’Thinking about it, it’s not impossible.’ After Ye Xuan had purchased the Seven-Colored Chaos Soil, the three great families had conducted a thorough investigation into his and Jin Lin’s identities but had come up with nothing.

’If they weren’t from the Dream Realm Plain, then everything would make sense.’

"You have two choices. One, submit to me and help the Mo family take control of Black Stone City. Two, die. Make your choice."

Ye Xuan, who had been silent until now, finally looked at the three men and spoke calmly.

Receiving the Mo family’s allegiance had stirred something in Ye Xuan.

In his past life, his power had been immense and his name renowned throughout the Profound Domain. But he had been an orphan, his parents long dead, so he’d had no desire to build a force of his own. Instead, he had spent his days wandering the continent.

But in this life, he had a father and a family. That sense of belonging made him want to protect it all.

After reviewing the information the Mo family provided, Ye Xuan quickly understood that it was impossible for them to protect the Thirteen Nations Alliance alone. They had to unite with other powers.

’The other three great families of Black Stone City are a decent option.’

When Mo Chengtian first heard Ye Xuan intended to subjugate the three great families, his heart sank. But upon hearing Ye Xuan add that they would be assisting the Mo family, he was instantly thrilled.

"In your dreams! Sir, I don’t care what power you’re from or what background you have, I advise you to let us go! If the major powers of our Dream Realm Plain find out about this, they won’t let you off lightly!" the Patriarch of the Wei family immediately refused, his expression enraged.

"We three families were the ones who offended you this time. I am willing to consider any compensation you demand. But for me to submit? You must be dreaming! I, Wei Wei, will never be another man’s dog!"

Wei Wei’s voice was filled with anger, his expression resolute.

Ye Xuan smiled faintly. "You have backbone. I appreciate people with backbone. Since that’s your choice, I’ll let you die with that backbone, with dignity."

"Jin Lin," Ye Xuan said, glancing at him.

"Yes, Your Highness." Jin Lin let out a sinister chuckle and slammed his palm down on the Wei Patriarch’s head.

"You..." Wei Wei’s eyes flew wide with terror. Before he could say another word, all life drained from his body, and the light in his eyes slowly faded.

The remaining Patriarchs of the Li and Xu families watched in utter horror.

’So ruthless!’ He killed just as he said he would, without a shred of hesitation, as if snuffing out the life of a mere chicken.

Ye Xuan smiled faintly at the two men, his expression warm and pleasant. "Gentlemen, I’m a reasonable person. I gave you a choice, and I don’t go back on my word. The Patriarch of the Wei family was a man of such integrity, so I simply granted his wish. I wonder, what will the two of you choose?"

Ye Xuan’s voice was soft and his smile was gentle, but to the Patriarchs of the Li and Xu families, he was as terrifying as a demon.

The two men exchanged a look, then gritted their teeth. "We... we are willing to submit to you."

’We’ll say this for now,’ they fumed internally, ’but we’re just playing along. The moment we get a chance, we’ll report this to the major powers. They’ll tear this brat to shreds and give us back our freedom!’

"Excellent."

Ye Xuan smiled faintly. "In that case, look at me."

The two men couldn’t help but look at Ye Xuan.

BUZZ!

A hazy aura of Soul Power suddenly emanated from Ye Xuan’s eyes. Cyan light swirled in his pupils as a complex, bizarre Soul Power rune materialized in the air. It transformed into a seal and shot into the foreheads of the two men in an instant.

"What did you...?" The two Clan Leaders were startled. Before they could even react, they felt as if something had taken root inside their minds. A feeling of being completely controlled, of their very lives no longer being their own, washed over them.

"I’ve planted a Soul Seal in each of your minds. I’m sure you can feel it. With a single thought, I can make those seals detonate your minds. I imagine you’re well aware of the consequences. So, if you’re thinking of betraying me, you’d better think twice."

How could Ye Xuan not know what the two Patriarchs were thinking? Now that his Soul Power had reached the Fifth Grade, he could already perform some of the Secret Techniques from the Formless Soul Skill and the Star Derivation Divine Skill. Controlling a person’s life and death with a Soul Seal was child’s play.

Feeling the Soul Seal in their minds, the faces of the two Patriarchs turned ashen.

The aura of the Soul Seal was terrifying, and it was planted so deeply in their minds that it felt utterly impossible to remove.

’What a powerful Soul Seal!’ they thought, secretly shocked. As Clan Leaders of two great families, they knew a fair bit about powerful Soul Refiners and had even fought some before.

But compared to the Soul Refiners they had fought in the past, Ye Xuan was overwhelmingly stronger, both in the intensity of his Soul Power and the feel of its aura.

Furthermore, in all their experience, they had never even heard of a Soul Seal capable of controlling another’s life and death, yet Ye Xuan had deployed one with ease.

What shocked them even more was that after Ye Xuan placed the Soul Seal on them, they could clearly feel their perception of their surroundings sharpen, and the speed at which they absorbed the ambient Heaven and Earth Profound Qi had increased significantly.

"I imagine you’ve also felt it. The name of this Soul Seal is the Life-and-Death Soul Talisman. While it controls your life and death, it also greatly enhances your perceptive abilities and your capacity to absorb Heaven and Earth Profound Qi."

"And don’t even think about having another Soul Refiner remove it. My Life-and-Death Soul Talisman was forged with a special technique. Unless you can find an Eighth Grade, Emperor Level Soul Refiner, not even a Seventh Grade, Lord Level Soul Refiner could hope to break it."

"In fact, removing my Life-and-Death Soul Talisman is quite simple. If you can reach the level of a Tier Eight Martial Emperor, you should be able to use the True Essence of the Martial Dao, condensed at that cultivation level, to erase the seal I’ve planted."

"So, if you want to escape my control, just cultivate diligently. If you manage to break through to the Tier Eight Martial Emperor realm, I wouldn’t mind giving you back your freedom."

Ye Xuan chuckled faintly.

The two Patriarchs exchanged a look, their hearts filled with a bitter taste.

’An Eighth Grade, Emperor Level Soul Refiner? Cultivate to the level of a Tier Eight Martial Emperor?’

’Either of the conditions Ye Xuan mentioned was an impossible goal for them.’

In the entire Dream Realm Plain, a Sixth Grade, Venerable-level Soul Refiner was already considered a heaven-defying existence. They had never even heard of a Tier Seven, King Grade Soul Refiner.

’As for an Eighth Grade, Emperor Level Soul Refiner... such beings probably only exist in the most supreme regions of the continent, like the Profound Domain.’

’And cultivating to become a Tier Eight Martial Emperor was an equally impossible goal for them.’

"We would not dare. Having submitted to Your Highness, we pledge our loyalty to you and you alone," the two said bitterly, their heads bowed. They had submitted to Ye Xuan from the depths of their hearts and no longer dared to harbor any thought of rebellion.

After saying this, a great weight seemed to lift from their shoulders, as if they had just made a monumental life decision.

They had a faint feeling that, because of this day, their lives were about to change completely.

’A boy so young, yet capable of casting such a terrifying Soul Seal.’

’A boy, barely a teenager, with a Tier Seven Martial King as his escort.’

’His background, his talent... both were surely second to none on the entire continent.’

’By following such a master, perhaps their lives were about to step onto a whole new stage.’

To their surprise, a sliver of anticipation began to sprout in their hearts.

Watching from the side, Mo Chengtian couldn’t help but feel a pang of intense jealousy.

’He was the first one to pledge allegiance to His Highness, yet he hadn’t been worthy of a Life-and-Death Soul Talisman. To think that the Patriarchs of the Xu and Li families had come from behind and surpassed him!’