Chapter 4945: Soul Shadow Old Predecessor Yu was now gripped by both shock and dread. He hadn’t expected these men to return after leaving, nor that they would resort to poisoning and ambush. What on earth had he obtained from Old Predecessor Zeng? That it had drawn such relentless pursuers? “Gah!” Unable to dodge in time, his shoulder was slashed. Blood seeped out instantly as he stumbled backward. Thud! A fierce palm strike sent Old Predecessor Guo flying into the stone wall. He rolled to the ground, coughing up blood as his vital energy weakened noticeably. “Cough cough!” As Old Predecessor Guo braced against the wall to rise, the two attackers closed in. With no escape, he braced for the inevitable strike—only to hear a furious roar. A blur of movement swept past, snatching him away to safety. “Sacred Beast?” The three attackers narrowed their eyes, staring in surprise at the lion that had suddenly darted out. Seeing the lion had saved him, Old Predecessor Guo froze, then his eyes filled with urgency: “Why are you here? Quickly, take your master away from here!” The lion glanced at him and said, “My master told me to save you.” Old Predecessor Guo’s mouth opened and closed, utterly speechless. That evening, upon learning Yun Qi had gone out to the night market, he had instructed the gatekeeper to keep someone waiting for her. When trouble erupted later that night, he had been relieved she was out at the night market and hadn’t gotten involved. Yet now, she had returned at this very moment, and sent this Sacred Beast to save him. “Where is she? Has she entered the manor?” Old Predecessor Guo asked urgently. “In the front courtyard,” the lion replied. Hearing this, Old Predecessor Guo’s expression darkened. “I don’t need your protection here! Go protect her! She’s no match for these people! Get her out of here now!” Even if she was the Azure Emperor’s disciple, these men had set up barriers and formations clearly intended to wipe out everyone here. How could they possibly let a child like her leave alive? Immediately, Old Predecessor Guo barked at the others, “We have no grudge against you! Wiping out an entire family is far too ruthless!” “Hmph! Protecting those you shouldn’t, taking what you shouldn’t—what’s wrong with killing you?” The elder among the three snorted coldly, clearly holding neither the Sacred Beast nor the two before him in any regard. “I’ll have Old Zeng hand over the item to you. Will you stop here?” The Yu family Old Predecessor, wounded and gasping for breath, asked with a grim face. He understood that continuing the fight would likely see the two of them defeated. If they handed over the item and the attackers agreed to withdraw, at least they could survive tonight’s massacre. “Killing you first, then taking it later is just as good,” the elder retorted, launching an attack toward Old Predecessor Yu. At that very moment, a shadowy black soul form drifted out from one of the figures. Hovering mid-air, it coldly observed the battle, its sinister voice tinged with displeasure: “It’s taken you this long just to retrieve an item? Useless!” A thunderous rebuke erupted, unleashing an invisible wave of pressure that slammed down, targeting Old Predecessor Guo and Old Predecessor Yu . The force of the assault sent both men reeling backward, blood spilling from their mouths. Staring in horror at the soul shadow in midair, they saw it drifting toward a guest room within the courtyard. Before long, a piercing scream echoed from within, followed by an eerie, soundless silence. Hearing that sound, Old Predecessor Yu and Old Predecessor Guo felt their hearts sink to their feet. They knew… Old Zeng was likely…