Peerless Dragon Sovereign-Chapter 614: Return to the Desolate Ancient Holy Hall

Having enslaved the Fourth Temple Master, Chu Nan's initial goal was accomplished.

He sent Lan Zhanhan and the Fourth Temple Master back to Desolate Ancient City, while he returned to the Desolate Ancient Holy Hall the following morning.

Perhaps because someone had been watching his movements for some time, as soon as he and Zhuge Yun set foot in the Desolate Ancient Holy Hall, Elder Soul came out to meet them.

"Brother Zhao Shibang, I've heard about your affairs after many days," he said.

"That Sixth Slaying Emperor overestimated himself, he even dared to try and blood-sacrifice the cities of our Desolate Ancient Holy Hall, it was only right that you killed him!"

Elder Soul boasted to Chu Nan, clearly aware of the situation for some time.

Under Chu Nan's deliberate instruction, Zhuge Yun secretly contacted Elder Soul, informing him of the orchestrated situation.

Of course, he concealed information about the True Martial Holy Hall and the enslavement of Lan Zhanhan and the Fourth Temple Master.

He merely mentioned that Zhao Shibang seemed to hold a legacy from the time before the domains were divided, which is why he could defeat the peak of the seventh level heaven cultivator, Feng Xueyang.

"But it was mere good fortune; Elder Fifth also helped me a lot, which I must thank Elder Soul Hall Master for," Chu Nan outwardly appeared to have established a cooperative relationship with Elder Soul, seeming harmoniously.

However, Chu Nan was always wary of the other party, Elder Soul, although his cultivation level was only at the seventh level heaven, was first in Soul Dao, and his spiritual sense was exceptionally acute, with claims of expertise in crafting clones and soul transference.

Chu Nan had witnessed the soul transference skill in the ninth level of the Zhi Family Secret Realm; had it not been for the madness-induced awareness in the bloodline of the Zhi Family experts, Elder Soul would have succeeded quietly.

The threat level of Elder Soul was second only to the First Temple Master of the ninth level heaven; in a certain sense, the unpredictable means of Elder Soul were even more formidable than the First Temple Master.

However, things were entirely different now; Chu Nan's Sea of Consciousness had transformed, possessing strong Yin power.

Even though his soul quality was still of extraordinary grade, the protection of Yin power gave Chu Nan enough confidence to deal with Elder Soul's Soul Dao techniques.

Even if he were no match, he could self-destruct without any concern.

Chu Nan even entertained the idea of devouring Elder Soul's power to help elevate his own soul into sainthood.

But it was just a thought; Chu Nan knew that with his current ability, ensuring he did not become Elder Soul's puppet was considered impressive enough.

"Brother Zhao Shibang, you're too polite," Elder Soul graciously extended an invitation, "Come, come, I've prepared a banquet at my lodge to welcome you, just the right timing to discuss our plan."

Chu Nan's expression changed as the Desolate Ancient Holy Hall had nine Temple Masters, appearing as an organization, yet each harbored their own thoughts.

For example, Lan Zhanhan and the Fourth Temple Master previously harbored ambitions to replace the First Temple Master.

And Elder Soul didn't seem simple either; hence, Chu Nan replied, "I must graciously accept your offer."

Under Elder Soul's lead, Chu Nan came to the Eighth Branch Hall.

Unlike the Ninth Branch Hall, the Eighth Branch Hall seemed extremely eerie and terrifying, surrounded by Yin Souls, even its puppets were extraordinarily animated, as if they were filled with souls.

Martial artists cultivating the Soul Dao typically had sinister personalities, as was evidently true of Elder Soul as well.

The welcoming banquet was soon prepared; Elder Soul waved his hand, saying, "Brother Zhao Shibang, do taste these dishes, they possess effects of stabilizing the soul and enhancing the Sea of Consciousness, I usually wouldn't bring them out easily."

Chu Nan glanced, but did not pick up his chopsticks; the items Elder Soul provided were not something he dared to try lightly.

Thus, Chu Nan said, "Elder Soul Hall Master, the main hall of the Desolate Ancient Holy Hall is about to open, what thoughts do you have?"

"You are already esteemed as the Eighth Temple Master, furthermore you are the first in Soul Dao in the Celestial Crossing Realm; even a ninth level heaven martial artist must give you respect, I'm truly uncertain what goals you have yet to achieve."

Undoubtedly, Elder Soul had plans; Chu Nan intended to understand them in advance to make preparations.

Elder Soul wasn't annoyed with Chu Nan's straightforwardness, saying, "Brother Zhao Shibang, do you know how long the First Temple Master has sat in his position?"

Elder Soul's words made Chu Nan hesitate slightly, then he replied, "I don't know."

The First Temple Master was a ninth level heaven martial artist; living two or three thousand years shouldn't be an issue, their position surely had been held for at least a thousand years by now, right?

To Chu Nan's surprise, Elder Soul suddenly raised five fingers, staring at Chu Nan.

Chu Nan's eyes widened, somewhat incredulously said, "Could it be, five thousand years? That would almost be compared to the time of the domain division!"

The domain division was less than ten thousand years ago, the First Temple Master having held the Desolate Ancient Holy Hall position for five thousand years already.

What's most crucial, a Cloud Sea Realm martial artist, no matter how powerful, can't live for five thousand years, right?

Elder Soul nodded and said, "From what I know, the First Temple Master is currently the oldest martial artist in the Celestial Crossing Realm, possibly the only one living from the time before the domain division." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Furthermore, he has another identity, do you know what it is?"

Chu Nan shook his head, expressing his lack of knowledge.

In order for Chu Nan to cooperate, Elder Soul opened up, saying, "Desolate Ancient Holy Hall originally split from the Ancestor Sect, and the one who orchestrated all of this was the First Temple Master."

"So, in a way, the First Temple Master is also an ancestor or elder of the Ancestor Sect's supreme leader!"

Chu Nan was shocked internally, he had known from Lu Daochang's mouth that the Desolate Ancient Holy Hall had split away from the Ancestor Sect, but never expected it was done by the current First Temple Master.

But that was several thousand years ago; how could the First Temple Master have lived for so long?

It turns out that the so-called oldest power of the Celestial Crossing Realm in the Desolate Ancient Holy Hall was not about the hall itself, but was the First Temple Master!

"Elder Soul, are you pulling my leg?"

"Even a ninth level heaven martial artist would find living beyond three thousand years to be the limit, how could the First Temple Master, so powerful within the Cloud Sea Realm, live till now?" Chu Nan promptly expressed skepticism, while also aiming to acquire more information.

Elder Soul wasn't surprised by this, because this was exactly the information he wanted to share with Chu Nan: "Under normal circumstances, the First Temple Master should have long died, but he possesses a wonderful technique allowing life extension."

"Though I claim to be first in Soul Dao, the First Temple Master's Soul Dao is equally formidable, his method of soul transference surpasses mine."

Elder Soul showed a furious expression, "Since taking control of the Desolate Ancient Holy Hall, the Second and Ninth Temple Masters have been constantly replaced, only he remains unwavering, establishing absolute authority."

"We Temple Masters appear dazzling to outsiders, yet only I know, we're merely materials prepared by the First Temple Master for soul transference."

"Straightforwardly, the entire Desolate Ancient Holy Hall is a nursery for the First Temple Master's soul transference materials."

"Whenever his lifespan nears its end, the First Temple Master selects suitable targets for soul transference, thus continuing his existence."

Chu Nan was astounded at heart, unprepared for such a secret within the Desolate Ancient Holy Hall, yet logically this should be top-secret, it's unlikely the Ninth Temple Master would allow knowledge of this, so how did Elder Soul find out?