Soul Emperor Awakening

The frantic barrage of attacks was a pre-arranged strategy. A coordinated assault was their only option in this situation. Lin Xuan had the lowest Cultivation and was the slowest of them all, but by leveraging the Phoenix’s speed, he could execute the swiftest possible sneak attack.

And it proved to be a success—they had managed to land one clean hit. However, despite being sent flying by Lin Xuan’s vicious strike, Xu Qianlong stabilized himself in mid-air. Crimson Elemental Power flared from his back, allowing him to hover and completely negate the force of the blow.

"Your coordination is quite impressive," Xu Qianlong said, his eyes glowing red. But beyond the sanguine light, they burned with fury. "But as I’ve told you, in this place, I am the absolute Sovereign!"

He hadn’t expected to be put in such a sorry state. He had managed to endure the attack, but without the Blood Demon Array, he would have been severely injured. In truth, he had already suffered significant damage, but a ceaseless stream of blood began flowing into him, healing his wounds. The injuries on his body were visibly mending at a speed discernible to the naked eye.

His Recovery Power was terrifying, yet it made perfect sense. Given the sheer amount of Essence Blood within the Blood Pool, his Demon Technique allowed for rapid healing. He would be vulnerable only if there wasn’t a single drop of blood left, but the problem was that this place was now overflowing with it.

And no one but Xu Qianlong could absorb it. This was the most fearsome aspect of his Ultimate Skill.

Everyone’s expression soured when they saw Xu Qianlong was largely unharmed. Lin Xuan’s strongest attack, the Soul-Devouring Break, had barely affected him. ’This is truly unexpected,’ he thought, shocked.

"Lin Xuan, your Soul Attack is quite potent. It’s just a shame that it’s still a bit too weak. It’s only mildly effective against me... which only makes me want you more. Your Bloodline Power is what I truly desire!" With a flick of the Blood Wings on his back, Xu Qianlong instantly appeared before Lin Xuan, reaching out a blood-soaked hand to grab him.

The approaching hand carried with it the Power of Blood from the surroundings, which rapidly closed in on Lin Xuan. The terrifying pressure immediately filled Lin Xuan with a sense of helplessness. He felt as if there was nowhere to run—or rather, that escape was simply impossible. The Phoenix beneath him was frozen, unable to unleash its previously incredible speed.

He could feel the Elemental Power being rapidly drained from the Phoenix’s body. It was completely suppressed. The might of the Blood Demon Array was just that terrifying!

"Don’t even think about it!" Tuo Shengfeng roared. He swung his Yanyue Saber in a wide arc, and with a thunderous BOOM, sent Xu Qianlong flying backward.

Only then did Lin Xuan feel the force imprisoning him vanish. A wave of relief, the feeling of having narrowly escaped death, washed over him, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. ’So this is the power of a true expert.’ It had rendered him completely unable to struggle or resist!

Immediately, the others dove back into the fray. Four or five Core Formation Stage experts swarmed Xu Qianlong, yet he fended them off with ease. Incredibly, the barrage of attacks didn’t seem to affect him much. In fact, his power was gradually increasing.

The reason was simple: the Essence Blood of those with relatively low Cultivation had begun to seep out of their bodies, merging with the blood in the area and reinforcing his strength!

Ultimately, the longer this dragged on, the greater Xu Qianlong’s advantage became. Cultivators as powerful as Tuo Shengfeng could mostly prevent their Essence Blood from being drawn out; at worst, their Cultivation would be somewhat suppressed. But it was a different story for those at the Spirit Pill Stage. They found it incredibly difficult to control their Essence Blood.

They could hold it back at first, but as time wore on, it became impossible. Their Essence Blood was being siphoned away, and they were powerless to stop it. This was the disparity in Cultivation. The Blood Demon Array was a Grand Array capable of suppressing even Core Formation Stage experts; otherwise, Xu Qianlong would never have been so arrogant.

Lin Xuan was the sole exception. The Grand Array had no effect on him. After he activated the Soul Pearl, the array’s power became completely useless against him. But even though he was unaffected, he couldn’t contribute to the fight. He could only watch helplessly as the battle raged on, unable to do a thing.

"Burn my Essence Blood!"

Tuo Shengfeng roared, igniting the Essence Blood within him. His Cultivation instantly skyrocketed, and Tuo Zhanhong and the others followed suit, their power surging wildly. Burning one’s Essence Blood was incredibly damaging, but if they didn’t, they would all die here!

As all the Core Formation Stage experts ignited their Essence Blood, the very air began to vibrate violently, and a terrifying pressure swelled throughout the space. They were pushed to their absolute limit!

Xu Qianlong’s expression grew solemn, but his words remained defiant. "Fine! In that case, I’ll finish all of you at once!" Unwilling to be outdone, he rapidly drew upon the blood in the Blood Pool. It surged across the ground and into his body, swelling his meridians—and his entire body—to several times their normal size!

His strength increased at an incredible rate as he forcibly enhanced it with the power of the Blood Pool. The price for such a boost was unknown, but any technique that grants power so unnaturally comes at a heavy cost.

"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"

A terrifying series of explosions erupted. Yet the chamber, which should have collapsed from the force, remained completely unshaken. When the blasts subsided, everyone had been sent flying. They slammed into the walls and collapsed to the ground, grievously wounded and vomiting blood. They managed to struggle back to their feet, but all had sustained heavy injuries, and their combat strength was drastically diminished.

Xu Qianlong was in no better shape. There wasn’t an unblemished patch of flesh left on his body. Yet, fueled by the power of the Blood Pool, he forced himself to stand. He looked at them and laughed maniacally. "I told you! In here, I am the Sovereign!" His body swayed unsteadily; his injuries were clearly severe.

The crucial difference was that he was constantly recovering. He was, for all intents and purposes, immortal!

Inside the Blood Demon Array, everyone was in a wretched state. The Spirit Pill Stage experts were deathly pale. They hadn’t even been in the main fight, yet they were more exhausted than anyone. Their Essence Blood was draining away without end, making combat impossible. If they couldn’t get out soon, they would be reduced to dried-up husks.

By the same token, if Tuo Shengfeng and his group continued to fight, they would be the likely losers.

’What should I do?’ Lin Xuan wanted desperately to help, but he was powerless. Even with Xu Qianlong severely wounded, he was still no match for him in a direct fight.

Then, his gaze fell upon the Blood Pool, and a sudden thought struck him. ’The switch for the gate... it must be in the Blood Pool!’

’The gate sealing this place has to be controlled by a switch. The proof is that Xu Qianlong activated it from the Blood Pool right after we entered. If I jump in, I should be able to hit that switch and let everyone escape!’

Without a moment’s hesitation, he leaped into the Blood Pool. With a loud SPLASH, he sank beneath its surface.

Xu Qianlong was stunned for a moment by this, but then he burst into laughter. "Idiot! There is a switch in the Blood Pool, but now that you’re in, don’t even dream of getting out! Did you really think you could just waltz in there? You’ve saved me the trouble! Hahaha!"

The color drained from the faces of Tuo Shengfeng and the others. ’Is it really over?’