Chapter 558: The Turbulence and Exploration of the Spirit World

After the battle with the Shadow Cult, although the Cangyun Sect retained the power of the "Soul Source Heart", Chu Tian and others knew that this incident was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples in the martial arts world. The tranquility of the martial arts world was broken, and various forces were ready to move, full of curiosity and covetousness for this mysterious and powerful power.

During their time in the Cang Yun Sect, Chu Tian and his companions continued to practice and consolidate their control over the power of the "Soul Source Heart", while discussing countermeasures with Elder Xuan Feng.

"We can't just sit there and wait for death. We have to take the initiative and understand the movements of other forces." Qin Feng said seriously. He sat in the meeting room of the Cang Yun Sect, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.

Zhang Meng scratched his head: "But this martial spirit world is so big, where do we start investigating? We can't just run from place to place, right?"

Elder Xuanfeng pondered for a moment and said, "I think we can start from some well-informed places, such as those large soul master trading markets or ancient intelligence families. They often have a lot of unknown information."

Ye Li's eyes lit up: "I heard that there is a very large soul master trading market in Soul Mist City, where soul masters and merchants from all over the world gather. Maybe I can get some useful information."

Chu Tian jumped up from his seat excitedly: "Then what are we waiting for? Let's set off for Soul Mist City!"

Xiaohua hugged Xiaobai and said eagerly: "I want to go too. Maybe we can find new clues there."

So, Chu Tian and others bid farewell to the Cangyun Sect and embarked on the journey to Hunwu City.

Soul Mist City was a long way from Cangyun Sect, and they had to pass through dense forests and steep mountains along the way. They moved forward, admiring the beauty of the martial soul world while being alert to possible dangers.

When they were crossing a forest, they met a group of naughty tree spirits. These tree spirits looked like little tree men, jumping around in the woods and teasing passers-by with branches from time to time.

"Haha, these little guys are quite interesting." Chu Tian said with a smile as he nimbly dodged the branches thrown by the tree spirit beast in the air.

Zhang Meng didn't have that much patience. He asked the giant rock bear to wave its paws at the tree spirit beasts and shouted, "You little troublemakers, stop making trouble. We still have important things to do!"

The tree spirit beasts seemed to be frightened by the giant rock bear. They stopped teasing and looked at Chu Tian and others curiously. One of the tree spirit beasts, who looked like the leader, jumped to the front and said in a childish voice: "Who are you? Where are you going?"

Ye Li smiled and replied, "We are friends of the Cangyun Sect and we are going to Soul Mist City."

The leader of the tree spirit beasts scratched his tree trunk head and said, "Soul Mist City? It's very dangerous there. There are many bad soul masters doing bad things there."

Qin Feng walked forward, squatted down and asked: "Can you tell us something about Soul Mist City? For example, are there any special places or dangerous people?"

The Tree Spirit Soul Beast leader thought for a moment and said, "I heard that there is a dark soul power trading place underground in Soul Mist City, where some illegal soul beasts and soul tools are often bought and sold. In addition, there is an organization called the Black Soul Gang in the city. They control many places in Soul Mist City and specialize in bullying weak soul masters."

"Thank you, little guy." Chu Tian said gratefully.

After bidding farewell to the tree spirits and soul beasts, they continued on their way towards Soul Mist City.

Finally, they arrived at Soul Mist City. Soul Mist City was shrouded in a layer of light mist, and the city gate was bustling with people coming and going. However, Chu Tian and others could feel that the city was hiding a complex and dangerous atmosphere.

They walked into the city and found that the streets were lined with all kinds of stalls, some selling soul beast eggs, some selling soul weapons, and some selling various soul power cultivation secrets. Soul masters were bargaining in front of the stalls, and the scene was very lively.

"Let's walk around first and see if we can find some clues." Qin Feng said.

They walked around the market for a while and found that the things here were a mixed bag. Many of the so-called soul beast eggs and soul tools were fake, used by some unscrupulous businessmen to deceive novice soul masters.

"These people are so bad, how could they lie to others?" Xiaohua said angrily.

Just then, they heard a commotion coming from the front. It turned out that a young soul master found out that he had bought a fake Horcrux and was arguing with the merchant.

"You liar, you said this was a soul weapon that could triple your soul power, but it had no effect at all when I bought it!" the young soul master shouted angrily.

The businessman argued: "It's because you don't know how to use it, you can't blame me."

Chu Tian couldn't stand it any longer. He flew to the merchant and said seriously, "It's wrong for you to cheat the soul master like this. Return the money to him immediately."

Seeing that Chu Tian and others were not easy to deal with, the businessman had to reluctantly return the money to the young soul master.

The young soul master said to Chu Tian and others gratefully: "Thank you, you are good people. My name is Lin Yu. I just became a soul master not long ago. I don't know much about the situation here."

Chu Tian smiled and said, "It's okay. Be careful when you buy things next time. By the way, have you heard about the 'Soul Source Heart' or other forces having ideas about this power?"

Lin Yu thought for a moment and said, "I heard that in the underground dark trading place of Soul Mist City, someone is asking about the 'Soul Source Heart'. It seems that they want to find someone who possesses this power, and then..."

Zhang Meng asked anxiously: "What happens next?"

Lin Yu lowered his voice and said: "Then take this power for yourself. Moreover, I heard that the Black Soul Gang is also involved in this matter, and they are looking for your traces everywhere."

Ye Li frowned: "It seems we have to be careful. Can you tell us where this underground dark trading place is?"

Lin Yu pointed to a remote alley and said, "Go into that alley and there is an entrance to the basement, but there are many guards there and it is difficult to get in."

"Thank you, Lin Yu. We will be careful." Qin Feng said.

Chu Tian and others walked towards the alley that Lin Yu pointed to. The alley was dark and damp, and filled with a pungent smell. When they reached the end, they saw the entrance to a basement, and there were several ferocious guards standing at the entrance.

"Who are you? This is not the place for you." A guard shouted loudly.

Chu Tian smiled and said: "We are here to do business. I heard there are many good things here."

The guard sneered: "You can't just enter here casually. No one can enter without an invitation."

Zhang Meng said impatiently: "What invitation? We don't have one, but we have to go in today."

As he said this, he tried to force his way in. Seeing this, the guards drew their weapons and rushed towards Zhang Meng.

Zhang Meng ordered the Giant Rock Bear to go forward. With a wave of its huge paw, the Giant Rock Bear knocked several guards to the ground.

Chu Tian and others took the opportunity to rush into the basement. The basement was dimly lit and filled with a strong dark soul energy. It was filled with various cages, which contained some illegally captured soul beasts.

"These people are so cruel. How can they treat soul beasts like this?" Ye Li said distressedly.

At this moment, a voice came from the darkness: "Who are you? How dare you break in here!"

A man wearing a black robe and with a scar on his face walked out. Behind him followed a group of men, all of whom were emitting dark soul fluctuations.

"We are here to stop you from doing evil." Qin Feng said coldly, holding the Dragon Shadow Sword.

The scarred man laughed. “Just you? Do you know who I am? I’m the second in command of the Black Soul Gang. If you break in here today, don’t even think about getting out alive.”

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and his men rushed towards Chu Tian and others.

Chu Tian immediately flew into the air and fired his soul blade at the enemy. His soul blade flickered in the darkness and hit several enemies accurately.

Zhang Meng and Giant Rock Bear continued to charge in the front. Giant Rock Bear's strength was fully utilized in this small basement. Every attack could make the enemy fall to the ground.

Ye Li let the frost fox release cold air, which spread rapidly and froze some enemies. She controlled the ice spikes and shot them at the enemies who were still moving.

Xiaohua and Xiaobai looked for opportunities on the side. Xiaobai used his speed advantage to shuttle between enemies and disrupt their attacks, while Xiaohua used his soul power to provide support for his partners.

Qin Feng started a one-on-one battle with the second in command of the Black Soul Gang. The second in command held a black scimitar, which was flashing with dark soul power, and every time he swung it, he could release a black soul blade.

Qin Feng nimbly dodged the second in command's attacks while looking for his flaws. He found that after launching a powerful attack, the second in command would pause for a short time.

Just as the second in command launched another powerful attack, Qin Feng seized the opportunity, rushed forward, and stabbed the second in command's chest with a sword. The second in command was unable to dodge and was stabbed by the sword. He widened his eyes, unable to believe that he would be defeated.

When his men saw that the second in command was defeated, they lost their fighting spirit and began to flee in all directions.

Chu Tian and others did not let them go. They subdued all the members of the Black Soul Gang and then released the soul beasts in the cages.

"These soul beasts are finally free." Xiaohua said happily.

Just as they were about to leave the basement, Chu Tian discovered a strange map on the wall. There were some locations marked on the map, and one of them was specially marked.

"This place looks suspicious, maybe it has something to do with the 'Soul Origin Heart'." Chu Tian said.

Qin Feng came over and looked at the map carefully: "No matter what, let's go to this place first."

So, they followed the markings on the map, left Soul Mist City, and headed towards that mysterious place.

They walked along a rugged path for a long time and finally came to an abandoned castle. The castle looked gloomy and terrifying, and there was a breath of death around it.

"This castle looks very evil, everyone please be careful." Ye Li warned.

They walked into the castle, which was full of cobwebs and dust. In the castle's hall, they found some strange experimental equipment and some manuscripts on soul power research.

"These manuscripts look very old, and the content seems to be about a forbidden method of soul power fusion." Qin Feng picked up a manuscript and read it carefully.

Suddenly, a sinister laugh sounded in the castle: "You are finally here. I have been waiting for you for a long time."

A man covered in a black cloak walked out from the corner, emitting a powerful and evil soul power fluctuation.

"Who are you? Why are you waiting for us?" Chu Tian asked.

The black-robed man said slowly, "I am a researcher of dark soul power. I have been looking for the power of the 'Soul Source Heart' and want to use it to complete my great experiment. You are the owners of this power, so I have been waiting for you."

Zhang Meng clenched his fists: "Your experiment is definitely not a good thing. We will not let you succeed."

The black-robed man sneered, "Just you? You have no idea of ​​the greatness of my experiment. Once it succeeds, I will become the master of the martial arts world."

As he spoke, the man in black robe began to release dark soul power, and the air around him became cold and oppressive.

Chu Tian and others immediately entered combat mode. They gathered the power of the "Soul Source Heart" together and prepared for this battle.

The dark soul power of the black-robed man formed various terrifying shapes, including huge black claws and demons with bloody mouths. These dark soul powers pounced towards Chu Tian and others.

Chu Tian dodged the attack of the dark claws in the air, and at the same time he fired his soul blade at the black-robed man. However, the black-robed man's dark soul power seemed to be able to devour his soul blade, making his attack ineffective.

Ye Li let the frost fox release cold air, trying to freeze the dark soul power of the black-robed man. However, as soon as the cold air came into contact with the dark soul power, it was absorbed by the dark soul power.

Zhang Meng ordered the giant rock bear to rush towards the man in black robe, but the man in black robe just waved his arm lightly and repelled the giant rock bear.

Qin Feng held the Dragon Shadow Sword and calmly observed the black-robed man's attack method. He found that although the black-robed man's dark soul power was strong, his attacks had certain rules.

"Everyone, pay attention to his attack pattern. His dark soul power will have a short pause after each attack. We can take this opportunity to counterattack." Qin Feng shouted loudly.

Following Qin Feng's instructions, everyone began to strategically attack the black-robed man. Xiaohua also asked Xiaobai to look for opportunities to use light to interfere with the black-robed man.

After a fierce battle, the black-robed man's dark soul power began to be exhausted. He didn't expect Chu Tian and others to be so tenacious that they could find his attack pattern and fight back.

"Do you think you can defeat me like this? You are too naive." The man in black robe said angrily.

He suddenly took out a black crystal ball from his arms, and a strange light flashed in the crystal ball.

"This is the dark crystal that I have been researching for many years. Today I will let you witness its power." After the man in black robe said this, he threw the dark crystal to the ground.

After the dark crystal landed, it released a powerful dark shock wave. This shock wave swept towards Chu Tian and others, destroying everything wherever it went.

Chu Tian and others hurriedly dodged, but the shock wave was too powerful and they were still shaken to the ground.

"We can't let him continue to use this dark crystal." Chu Tian shouted.

He thought of a way. He flew into the air, concentrated all the power of the "Soul Source Heart", and then fired a huge beam of soul power towards the dark crystal.

This beam of soul power met the dark shock wave released by the dark crystal in mid-air, causing a violent explosion.

After the explosion, a crack appeared on the dark crystal. The man in black robe felt distressed when he saw the damage to the dark crystal.

"How dare you destroy my dark crystal!" The man in black rushed towards Chu Tian angrily.

Qin Feng saw the opportunity coming, he rushed towards the black-robed man with the Dragon Shadow Sword in hand. When the black-robed man approached Chu Tian, ​​he stabbed the black-robed man in the back with a sword.

The man in black robe was stabbed by the sword. He let out a scream and fell to the ground.

As the black-robed man fell, the dark soul power he released disappeared without a trace.

"Phew, that was close." Zhang Meng wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Chu Tian and others continued to search in the castle, and they found some information about the black-robed man's experiment. These materials showed that the black-robed man wanted to use the power of the "Soul Source Heart" to open a passage to the dark world, and then introduce the power of the dark world into the martial soul world, so as to rule the entire martial soul world.

"This plan is too crazy." Ye Li shook her head and said.

"However, we have also obtained some useful information now." Qin Feng said, "We know that there are still many people who are eyeing the 'Soul Origin Heart'. We have to be more careful."

With these gains, Chu Tian and others left the abandoned castle. They knew that their journey of exploration was far from over, and the turmoil in the martial arts world was still continuing. They would continue to move forward, guarding the power of the "Soul Source Heart" and guarding the peace of the martial arts world.