Chapter 400: Baiyun Mountain Range
'Baiyun Mountain Range?' When they heard the name, everyone paused for a moment before showing a look of understanding.
The Baiyun Mountain Range was considered a famous location in the Central Plains. It had numerous tall mountains, and for some reason, the mist there was extremely dense, obscuring the sky.
If one were to recklessly wander around, they would easily get lost within it. Moreover, the mountain range was home to many powerful magical beasts, making it quite troublesome to deal with. The fact that the Hall of Souls chose to establish a branch there was likely due to its hidden nature.
"How many strong individuals are there in that branch hall? How many Dou Venerates?" Venerable Fu Hai, an old man, asked the most important question that concerned everyone.
Hearing Venerable Fu Hai's question, the expressions of the others turned solemn. This was indeed the most crucial piece of information. If they couldn't even determine the defensive strength of the enemy, rushing in blindly would be walking into a trap.
"According to the information from our Pill Tower, there should be five Honorable Elders," Elder Shangguan, who was standing nearby, answered.
"Five?" Everyone looked at each other. Wasn't that the same number as their side?
The scale of the Hall of Souls' operation was quite large. They dispatched five Dou Venerates just to guard a single branch hall. This lineup was even enough to annihilate a top-tier faction.
Nevertheless, no one wanted to withdraw.
After all, even though their group's leader, Xiao Ming, hadn't stated his exact strength, his aura alone indicated that he was a powerhouse above the six-star stage.
Such strength could be called Tianzun in the Hall of Souls, requiring several lower-level Dou Venerates to contend with. Their average strength was also at the three-star Venerate stage, giving them a significant advantage.
However, they couldn't help but feel amazed at Xiao Ming's extraordinary talent and high level of cultivation at such a young age. Looking at his face, which bore a faint smile and an air of a grandmaster, it was easy to overlook his age. After all, he was only twenty years old.
"According to the intelligence, apart from these five Dou Venerates, the branch hall also has some Hall of Souls' Protectors. Their combined strength is not weak..." Elder Shangguan continued to explain.
"These Protectors shouldn't pose much of a problem. I will take care of them. As for rescuing the souls of our Pill Tower alchemists, I'll leave that task to you, Elders," Xiao Ming lightly chuckled and addressed the nine-star Dou Ancestor Elders. According to his knowledge, these Elders also possessed a cooperative formation.
The Elders nodded one after another. This was indeed their assigned task.
In this way, the plan to attack the Hall of Souls was quickly settled.
...
"We've arrived at the Baiyun Mountain Range. Elder Shangguan, please find a local magical beast and bring it back. The rest of you, adjust your state..." Upon landing on the mountaintop, Xiao Ming instructed the others.
The people present were well-known experts from Central Plains, each with extensive experience. They understood what Xiao Ming had in mind and nodded, finding their own places to adjust their conditions.
Shangguan Cuo moved swiftly, gliding down from the mountaintop like a giant roc, before diving into the vast forest enveloped in the fog.
After a while, Shangguan Cuo returned, dragging a white goose in his hand.
"Hmm, it's actually a seventh-rank Cloud Goose that hasn't transformed yet. That's quite rare," the group gathered around, marveling in awe. Typically, when magical beasts reached the stage where they could undergo a transformation, they chose to do so.
"The Cloud Goose can hide its form within the clouds and mist. I happened to come across this one; otherwise, it would have been difficult to spot," Shangguan Cuo explained to the others.
"Please spare me, noble sirs! I'm willing to offer everything I own..." The encircled Cloud Goose trembled in fear, feeling extremely unlucky. It had never expected that as soon as it ventured out, it would be captured by terrifying human powerhouses.
There was no way out because everyone here had a stronger aura than itself!
Oh no!
Relying on its ability to hide within the Baiyun Mountain Range, it had never been in such a dire situation before!
"Do you know the location of the Hall of Souls' branch hall here?" Xiao Ming went straight to the point, standing before the Cloud Goose.
"Yes, yes! Sit on my back, and I'll take you there!" The Cloud Goose nodded repeatedly, fearing that Xiao Ming would think it was useless. It didn't want to be slapped to death. Besides, it indeed knew the location of that place. It had relied on its ability to hide within the clouds and mist and had glimpsed it from afar.
"Alright, once you take us there, you'll be free," Xiao Ming smiled and then let the others climb onto the back of the Cloud Goose.
True to its words, after about a dozen minutes, Xiao Ming and the others saw the location of the Hall of Souls' branch hall.
It was a massive peak with a concave section at its base where a massive black palace hundreds of meters long was perfectly embedded. The atmosphere was filled with a chilling and terrifying vibe.
'So... this is the Disha Hall...' Xiao Ming narrowed his eyes as he examined the structure within the mountain. Suspended in mid-air, he waved his hand, signaling the Cloud Goose to leave.
Fearful of being silenced, the Cloud Goose vanished in the blink of an eye upon seeing Xiao Ming's gesture. The others paid no attention, as their encounter was merely by chance.