BTTH: Master of Hall of Souls

A single sound rang out as Han Feng's head burst apart under the force of a single gold coin. The momentary silence that followed was quickly shattered as the auction hall descended into utter chaos. Screams erupted on all sides as panic surged through the crowd like a wave crashing upon the shore.

At the very center of the auction house a dark rift twisted into being and from within the spiraling space a black robed figure calmly stepped forth. It was Soul Destruction.

He ignored the horrified expressions and terrified shouts of those around him. With a single wave of his hand a bluish ghostly flame slowly floated toward his palm and settled quietly within his grip. This was the Sea Heart Flame its blue surface constantly rippling as if mimicking the movement of water on a tranquil sea yet beneath that beauty pulsed an ominous strength.

Who dares disturb the auction a voice shouted from the darkness and figures dressed in the robes of the Six Doors organization emerged from the shadows their auras pressing toward the intruder. Soul Destruction gave no reply only a calm smile as he stepped forward his figure instantly vanishing from sight.

At the moment his form disappeared a wisp of black flame gently descended and with it came destruction. In a blink the auction house erupted into a raging inferno. The black flames devoured everything they touched and spread without resistance throughout the venue. Explosions echoed as screams turned into nothing more than smoke trailing into the sky.

Outside in the air above Black Seal City Soul Destruction appeared again high above the ground. Below the remnants of the auction building had already collapsed into ashes. His eyes overlooked the chaos with indifference. He had accomplished his purpose here. There was no reason to linger. In an instant he vanished again leaving behind only smoke and fire and death.

His next stop was the heart of the Jia Nan Academy. Standing high above the thousand meter tall clouds that floated over the academy his eyes swept across the land with playfulness. A place like this was a fine location to erect a sub-hall for the Soul Palace he murmured with a trace of amusement. Just then a voice rang out from behind him pleasant and clear. Senior may I help you. Are you looking for the Skyburning Qi Refining Tower.

Turning around Soul Destruction found himself face to face with a young woman clad in the inner court uniform. Her face was fair and her eyes were bright filled with innocence and curiosity. Seeing the stranger she tilted her head slightly and added with a shy smile You must be a new student right. The Qi Refining Tower is straight ahead past the combat field and the living quarters. It is the large black tower. I can take you there if you like.

Soul Destruction shook his head gently and replied softly There is no need thank you. The young woman appeared slightly disappointed but nodded politely and continued on her way.

In the center of Jia Nan Academy the Skyburning Qi Refining Tower stood tall like an ancient sentinel its black body absorbing the light around it. Soul Destruction approached it step by step drawing no attention from the stream of inner court students entering and leaving the tower. The moment he stepped into the tower an invisible flame burst into existence within his soul. The fire bore no color no shape and yet its presence was unmistakable as if it sought to reduce his essence to cinders from within. He narrowed his eyes and muttered This is the power of an invisible flame one that reveals itself through the heart.

With a hum he activated the Chaotic Heaven Devouring Art and strands of purple mist swept through his body. The invisible flame was swiftly drawn out and devoured. With no hesitation Soul Destruction tore open the spatial array sealing the tower and stepped through the rift descending into the tower's forbidden zone the deepest floor sealed to all others.

As soon as he arrived an angry voice rang out. Who are you. A middle aged elder garbed in the robe of a tower guardian glared at him with shock and anger. Soul Destruction responded only with a wave of his palm and the elder collapsed without a sound his life extinguished before he could resist. The sound of a low growl echoed from within the depths of the underground world. From the pitch black abyss two burning red eyes stared at him with fury. A roar shook the air the walls trembling as the ground beneath their feet vibrated. It was the Fallen Heart Flame the legendary fire said to dwell beneath the tower.

Soul Destruction grinned slightly and leapt past the broken seal into the lava realm below. The heat was overwhelming yet to him it was merely warmth. A massive flame shaped like a serpent hundreds of meters long coiled within the magma its invisible body radiating an ancient strength. Its crimson pupils locked onto Soul Destruction filled with hunger. It could sense that the man before it bore something that it yearned for.

Raising his hand Soul Destruction's fingers curled slightly. The space surrounding him trembled violently and began to fold inward layer after layer until a separate isolated realm had been formed. The giant serpent howled. Though invisible to the naked eye its furious movements were clear. With a violent hiss the fire serpent lunged. Lava erupted and the entire underground world quaked under the assault.

Yet Soul Destruction was unperturbed. Clenching his fist a surge of battle energy burst forth. With a thunderous force he struck the beast head on. The impact scattered the fire serpent into countless points of flame which flickered in the air before gathering once again into the shape of the original flame beast. It no longer attacked. Instead it hovered in place its eyes wary.

This place is suitable Soul Destruction murmured stretching his arms. Then this shall be where I break through. Come forth. His voice echoed as five distinct colors of flame erupted from his body. The Bone Spirit Cold Flame the Void Devouring Flame the Green Lotus Core Flame the Sea Heart Flame and now the Fallen Heart Flame all surged into existence. The five flames hovered around him their auras colliding. Each flame released its own terrifying pressure as if ancient rivals had reunited once again in enmity.

The five fires each occupied a position in space their power forming waves of searing force that swept across the magma sea. Even without intent these firestorms were strong enough to incinerate any Dou King into nothingness in moments. In the center of the storm Soul Destruction stood unmoving. His cultivation technique circulated as strands of chaotic purple qi emerged and expanded outward. The purple qi wove into a massive net that wrapped around the entire isolated space.

The raging fire elements around him were quickly drawn into the net and funneled into his body. His muscles bones meridians and blood underwent transformation his cells shedding their former limitations. As the flames consumed the tower's heat the entire Qi Refining Tower began to react. The inner court students who had been cultivating within suddenly discovered that the flame within their hearts had vanished. The tower's supporting energy had been stripped away. Even worse they felt as if their own dou qi was being drained without consent.

Chaos erupted within the tower. Outside the building the elders of the academy had already taken notice. The First Elder of the inner court Su Qian and Vice Dean Hu Qian stood grim faced as they examined the tower. The patrol elder is missing Su Qian murmured. Do you think the Fallen Heart Flame did this.

The vice dean frowned. That should not be possible. The seal is intact. The flame should still be sealed. But then how do you explain the fire aura leaking out. Could someone have entered the seal. The idea struck them both at once and before they could act the ground beneath their feet trembled.

The tower began to shake violently cracks forming along its outer surface. The elders shouted for retreat but it was too late. The tower erupted into a shower of debris black stone and molten rock falling like rain. From the center of the explosion a black robed figure rose into the sky.

Soul Destruction now hovered calmly in the air five colored flames circling him like loyal guardians. His aura soared as the heavens and earth themselves responded to his breakthrough. The atmosphere trembled as his cultivation surged to the level of a Six Star Dou Saint. All below him were forced to their knees their souls crushed by the overwhelming might of the man above.

The heavens had shifted and with it a new power had risen.

(End of Chapter)