Soul Emperor Awakening

After the dust settled, Lin Xuan, holding the White Pupil Rod, slowly walked toward the collapsed house. He had only taken a few steps when, with a CRASH, someone burst out from within.

Just as he was about to swing his rod, he heard a low, pained moan. When he got a clear look, he saw Mo Qiang walking out, holding a woman. His hand was clamped tightly around the woman’s neck as he sneered, "Go ahead, make a move. If you don’t mind me killing her, that is!"

Mo Qiang was covered in blood. He had only been caught in the blast, so his injuries weren’t too severe, but they weren’t light either. As for Mo Wei, he wasn’t so lucky. His entire body was caved in, his bones likely shattered completely. He was on the verge of death, clearly not going to make it.

Lin Xuan’s attack had landed perfectly. ’If Mo Wei is still fine after that, I might as well give up.’

Mo Qiang showed a surprising bit of loyalty, hoisting Mo Wei onto his shoulder as he prepared to escape with his hostage.

Lin Xuan’s gaze turned cold. He lowered the White Pupil Rod he had just raised. ’What a despicable move. So they were inside the house. That explains why there’s a woman here. And there are probably more inside, just too scared to come out.’

"Hmph, scared to make a move now, are you? Go on, I dare you! See if I don’t crush her throat!" Mo Qiang’s face was twisted in a savage grin. His eyes, filled with greed, fixed on the Weapon in Lin Xuan’s hand. "Toss that Weapon over here. That must be a Spiritual Artifact. I can’t believe you have a Spiritual Artifact! I’ve really hit the jackpot this time."

He guessed it was a Spiritual Artifact because of the immense power it displayed. Most people never even get to see a Spiritual Artifact. This was Mo Qiang’s first time seeing one, but his judgment was flawed. A Spiritual Artifact was indeed powerful, but that power depended on who was wielding it.

"No, don’t give it to him! Benefactor, please, just kill him! Don’t worry about me..." the hostage cried, tears streaming down her face. Her skin was covered in red welts, clear signs of abuse.

She had suffered countless humiliations over the past days, but she and the others had endured it for the sake of their families. Now that someone had finally come to save them, what more could she ask for, as long as Mo Qiang and his men were killed?

"Shut up!" Mo Qiang viciously clamped a hand over the woman’s mouth and glared at Lin Xuan. "Toss the Weapon over now, or I’ll kill her!"

The surrounding villagers were filled with rage, wishing they could kill Mo Qiang themselves, but they could only watch helplessly, unable to act.

The villagers weren’t the only ones filled with rage; Lin Xuan’s eyes burned with it, too. He hated himself for not arriving sooner. ’I never expected to find such cruel tyrants here.’

"The Weapon? You can have it." Lin Xuan tossed the Weapon forward. It rolled across the ground and came to a stop by Mo Qiang’s feet.

The others closed their eyes in anguish. They couldn’t believe Mo Qiang had succeeded in the end. Anyone could tell that the Weapon was priceless, but saving a life left no other choice.

Just as Mo Qiang was about to pick it up, the woman in his grasp began to struggle wildly. She bit down hard on his hand, and the pain made him release his grip on her mouth. Seizing the opportunity, she kicked the Weapon back toward Lin Xuan, crying out, "Benefactor, kill them! Don’t worry about me! I’m not worth saving anymore..."

"You bitch! I’ll kill you!" Mo Qiang raised his hand to strike her down.

The woman looked at Lin Xuan, her eyes shimmering with tears. She smiled, and her smile was so beautiful, so lovely, like a blooming begonia. But more than anything, it was a smile of release.

’Perhaps she felt her defiled body was no longer worth living for.’

Suddenly, a figure appeared behind Mo Qiang and firmly grabbed the hand he was about to bring down, stopping him dead in his tracks.

The sudden turn of events happened so fast Mo Qiang couldn’t even react. He was slammed viciously to the ground. At the same time, a palm struck his Dantian. With a muffled THUD, Mo Qiang’s Dantian was destroyed. The figure then proceeded to break his arms and legs!

A bloodcurdling scream echoed as everyone stood there, stunned. ’There’s another person?!’

"I promised Village Chief Liu I would bring everyone back safely, without leaving a single person behind!" Lin Xuan said coldly. "No one is unworthy of being saved. The only question is whether they are willing to live on!"

He had long since instructed Qing Liuyun to hide stealthily nearby and seize Mo Qiang at the right moment. Who would have thought that heart-wrenching scene would unfold first?

"AH! How is there someone else?! He had a helper..." Mo Qiang shrieked. The agony of his broken limbs was unbearable, and he screamed wildly.

"I’ll leave these two to you. Call me when you’re done," Lin Xuan said, then turned and left with Liu Yue’Er. He was leaving the rest to them. Whatever rage they needed to vent, now was their chance.

This was why he had left them barely alive. It wasn’t that he was cruel; it was that he had to be.

"You... what do you think you’re doing?!" Mo Qiang’s face grew even paler as he saw the enraged villagers surround him.

After Lin Xuan left, screams echoed from inside. He had gone outside not only to let them handle things, but also to prevent Liu Yue’Er from seeing it.

"Daddy, you’re so amazing! You saved all the big sisters!" Liu Yue’Er threw her arms around his neck, acting incredibly affectionate.

She still didn’t show the slightest bit of fear, remaining excited the whole time. With the blood of the Dragon Race flowing through her veins, she possessed a natural talent for battle. Of course she wouldn’t find it terrifying.

"Is that so? I think so too." He reached out and gently pinched Liu Yue’Er’s little nose. ’Being her dad is actually pretty nice.’

"Yue’Er wants to get strong too! Then I can protect the big sisters and Daddy in the future!" Liu Yue’Er said, waving her little fists. She seemed to recall the memory of being captured and unable to break free.

Lin Xuan was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing. ’This daughter of mine really is something. It’s just a shame the Golden Dragon King will never get to see this...’

A few moments later, Liu Xin ran out from inside. With tears glistening on her face, she said respectfully, "Benefactor, we’re done."

"What are your plans for the future?" Lin Xuan asked casually.

"To follow you, Benefactor, and serve you for the rest of my life!"

The way she looked at Lin Xuan was completely different now, filled with respect and adoration. If Lin Xuan gave the word, she would do anything—even die for him on the spot. After all, she had promised before that if he saved them, she would serve him for life.

Lin Xuan was taken aback, then shook his head with a wry smile. ’If Lin Xue saw this, she’d probably tear me in two.’

"I don’t need you to serve me, and you don’t owe me anything. You helped me by taking care of Yue’Er, so we’re more than even." Lin Xuan looked at her and said, "Do you have a goal of your own?"

Staring into Lin Xuan’s eyes, which were like stars, she almost lost herself. She paused for a moment, then said in a resolute tone, "Benefactor, I want to practice Cultivation! I want to become strong!"

Lin Xuan glanced at her, smiled, and walked past her toward the building, leaving a stunned Liu Xin behind. Disappointment washed over her face. ’He must think I don’t have the aptitude.’

"Go back and get ready. I’ll take you somewhere," Lin Xuan said without turning back.

Liu Xin froze, and when she came to her senses, she exclaimed excitedly, "Th-thank you, Benefactor!" She was so happy she almost burst into tears. Perhaps this was the most wonderful moment of her entire life.