Chapter 1059: True to One's Word
When a person is alive, it is far more difficult to forcibly extract their soul from their body. Furthermore, a living person will resist in various ways, not only increasing the time required for soul extraction but also introducing numerous variables. Only when there is a significant disparity in strength between the two parties will the stronger side choose to directly employ such a method, forcibly condensing and extracting the soul from a living person's body.
Aside from this, typically, when one wishes to extract a target's soul, they will first slay the target. This approach is not only simple and convenient but also eliminates any variables.
With Yang Haoran's strength, he could naturally have forcibly extracted Xu Jingwen's soul while he was still alive. However, in the current situation, time was of the essence. If he were to do that, it would undoubtedly cause a significant delay, giving others a chance to intervene and rescue Xu Jingwen, potentially leading to failure.
He did not want to see anyone step in to save Xu Jingwen, because Xu Jingwen had to die. Therefore, he did not choose to forcibly extract Xu Jingwen's soul while he was alive. Instead, he opted for the most reliable and straightforward method: first, swiftly slaying Xu Jingwen, and then extracting his soul.
Though it added an extra step, it did not cause any delay, as he completed everything almost instantaneously. By the time the people present recovered from their shock, Xu Jingwen was not only dead, but his soul had already been extracted.
Yang Haoran's sudden action caused the experts from the various major forces present to reveal expressions of utter disbelief. The speed and power he had just unleashed were significantly greater than anything he had previously displayed.
During his earlier battle with Xu Jingwen, the experts from the major forces had all believed that Yang Haoran had nearly exerted his full strength. While they didn't rule out that Yang Haoran still had some tricks he hadn't used, they thought his inherent power might have been almost fully expended, which was why he resorted to a rogue-like fighting style to wage a war of attrition against Xu Jingwen.
Yang Haoran's strength was one reason for their shock; another was his sheer daring.
All the experts from the major forces present recognized the three individuals who had suddenly appeared. They were the three most formidable corpse refiners of the Gu Mo City Corpse-Controlling Gate. The one leading them was the current Door Master of the Gu Mo City Corpse-Controlling Gate, and the other two were his trusted lieutenants. With these three appearing, they had initially thought Yang Haoran would probably not dare to continue attacking Xu Jingwen, and that the most likely course of action would be to resolve this feud through other means.
But they were mistaken. Not only did Yang Haoran not stop, but in front of the three, he slew Xu Jingwen and extracted his soul with lightning speed. This action showed complete disregard for the three members of the Corpse-Controlling Gate. How could they not be shocked?
Yang Haoran's strength and daring had already left the experts from the various major forces quite stunned, but what happened next made them realize they had still underestimated Yang Haoran.
At this moment, Yang Haoran tightly clutched Xu Jingwen's soul by the neck. A large amount of dense Yin Qi, like black venomous snakes, spread along his arm, engulfing Xu Jingwen's entire Spirit Body. Under the influence of this power, Xu Jingwen's soul slowly awakened.
The three members of the Corpse-Controlling Gate, having reacted, all wore angry expressions. Especially the Door Master of the Corpse-Controlling Gate, his face was grim to the extreme. Yang Haoran's actions were not just provoking him; they were completely disregarding his presence!
However, he did not immediately attack Yang Haoran. He even stopped the two beside him who wished to do so.
The two wanted to attack Yang Haoran due to their inner rage. After being stopped by the Corpse-Controlling Gate Door Master, neither of them asked their Door Master for the reason, because having regained some rationality, both understood why their Door Master would stop them.
The reason was simple: Yang Haoran was still holding Xu Jingwen's soul.
Xu Jingwen had been very strong in life, and his status within the Gu Mo City Corpse-Controlling Gate was not low, second only to the three of them. But now that Xu Jingwen was dead, all his strength naturally dissipated. Even if his soul was preserved and entered the ghost realm, he would still have to start over from scratch.
In other words, Xu Jingwen, now only a soul, was essentially no different from a cripple.
But Xu Jingwen was, after all, a member of their Corpse-Controlling Gate. Personal feelings aside, the three of them had to stand up for Xu Jingwen.
Yang Haoran killed Xu Jingwen in front of the three of them and forcibly extracted Xu Jingwen's soul. This was not just a slap in the face for the three of them, but a slap in the face for their entire Gu Mo City Corpse-Controlling Gate.
Once this matter spread, their Corpse-Controlling Gate would certainly become a laughingstock in the eyes of other forces in Gu Mo City, bringing extremely negative consequences for their Corpse-Controlling Gate.
If they could snatch Xu Jingwen's soul back from Yang Haoran's hands and kill Yang Haoran, then they could still salvage a good deal of face.
Conversely, if they couldn't snatch Xu Jingwen's soul back and couldn't kill Yang Haoran, then their Gu Mo City Corpse-Controlling Gate would lose all face this time.
When Yang Haoran launched his killing blow on Xu Jingwen, they failed to stop him. If they couldn't even protect Xu Jingwen's soul now, that would truly be an extraordinary humiliation.
Precisely because the two understood this principle, after the Corpse-Controlling Gate Door Master stopped them from acting, they did not question their Door Master for the reason. Instead, they watched Yang Haoran with wary eyes and secretly mobilized the power within their bodies, so that they could act immediately if anything went wrong.
After Xu Jingwen awoke, he found that he no longer had a physical body, and his Spirit Body was being choked by Yang Haoran. His face immediately showed panic.
He struggled fiercely, wanting to break free from Yang Haoran's control, but Yang Haoran's palm was like an iron clamp, gripping him firmly. No matter how he struggled, it was useless; he simply could not break free from Yang Haoran's Yin Qi-shrouded hand.
Let alone breaking free from Yang Haoran's grip, at this moment, he couldn't even manage the simple act of dispersing his Spirit Body.
"Do you know why I'm choking you? Heh heh, because this way I can see your rich expressions more clearly."
Yang Haoran sneered. His words caused Xu Jingwen's Spirit Body to tremble involuntarily.
Xu Jingwen no longer had a physical body, so choking his neck wouldn't make him suffocate to death. However, Yang Haoran's palm constantly emitted strong Yin Qi, and this Yin Qi was transformed from Spirit Power. It would cause considerable damage to his Spirit Body, so he wasn't feeling well at the moment.
The damage suffered by his Spirit Body was far less intense than the torment inflicted upon his mind. Now that he no longer had a physical body, if even his soul were dispersed, then there would be no Xu Jingwen left in this world. In such a desperate situation, how could he not panic, how could he not be terrified?
"Yang Haoran, release Xu Jingwen. We can still discuss this matter."
The Corpse-Controlling Gate Door Master took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his inner rage and intense killing intent. He spoke to Yang Haoran in a deep voice.
Hearing this, Yang Haoran looked towards the Corpse-Controlling Gate Door Master.
And Xu Jingwen, upon hearing the Corpse-Controlling Gate Door Master's voice, only then remembered his presence. He was like a drowning man clutching at a lifeline, shouting for help towards the Corpse-Controlling Gate Door Master's location.
"Door Master, save me! I don't want to be annihilated! Please save me! ! !"
Xu Jingwen struggled violently, not giving up, while continuously shouting for help towards the Corpse-Controlling Gate Door Master. He didn't dare to stop, because he was afraid that if he stopped, the Door Master wouldn't hear his cries for help.
At this moment, Xu Jingwen had only one thought in his mind: that he must preserve his soul no matter what. As for what 'face' was, he had long forgotten it completely. Even though he was usually vain and extremely concerned about his face, at this moment, he still threw that concern to the winds.
Xu Jingwen's reaction made the three Corpse-Controlling Gate Door Masters feel ashamed, but now was not the time to dwell on such matters. None of them paid any attention to the constantly pleading Xu Jingwen; instead, their gazes remained fixed on Yang Haoran.
Yang Haoran likewise ignored Xu Jingwen, who was struggling in his hand. He looked at the Corpse-Controlling Gate Door Master, whose face was extremely grim, and the coldness on his own face vanished, replaced by his usual gentle smile. He said with a faint chuckle,
"Heh heh, I'm truly sorry. I said before that even the King of Heaven couldn't save him today, and you, of course, are no exception."
As these words fell, Yang Haoran's hand, gripping Xu Jingwen's neck, squeezed forcefully. Dense Yin Qi coiled around Xu Jingwen's Spirit Body. Then, amidst Xu Jingwen's terrified screams, it was torn into fragments!
Comments