"You've forgotten?"
Ling Xiao grinned wickedly, then pointed between his legs. "Just now, you saw how... substantial I am and said you liked me. If I hadn't resisted with all my might, I'm afraid today you would have forcibly... ahem... me."
"What? Bullshit! How could I possibly like you? I—" Bai Zhixi's words trailed off as her eyes suddenly widened.
Right now, it seemed she could see Ling Xiao... glowing.
It was a golden radiance, dazzling like the sun, utterly captivating.
Paired with Ling Xiao's peerlessly handsome face, it was... simply mesmerizing?
"How could this be? How could I have fallen for him? This is impossible!"
Bai Zhixi stared blankly at Ling Xiao, seemingly struggling to recall what had just happened.
She only remembered leading the great demons from Monster God Mountain to Qingfeng City, being publicly humiliated by this Ling Xiao, and then... everything after that was a blur.
"Did he place a Soul Imprint on me?"
The more Bai Zhixi thought about it, the more absurd it felt. Finally, under Ling Xiao's mocking gaze, she tore through the void and fled.
But why...
In that moment before leaving, did she feel a pang of reluctance?
Ling Xiao watched the sky, a smirk growing on his lips as he saw the little girl glance back at him with a complex expression.
This Soul Imprinting was truly miraculous.
It probably wouldn't be long before this little girl came to understand, ahead of schedule, what it meant to be lovesick.
Ding! Congratulations, Host, for severing the Chosen One's romantic connection. Gained 200 Destiny Value, 2000 Villain Value.
The Chosen One's romantic connection?
So it was another cliché emotional plot.
If Ling Xiao hadn't intervened, Bai Zhixi's trip to the lower realm would undoubtedly have led her to Ye Fan. The two would likely have been chased by the Blood Temple expert, experienced life-and-death trials together, developed mutual affection.
Eventually, Bai Zhixi would be forced to return to the Holy State, and Ye Fan would vow to find her, setting the stage for his future journey to the Holy State.
Ling Xiao could even guess the subsequent plot.
Ye Fan, newly arrived in the Holy State, would have no connections, facing disdain everywhere.
He'd eventually offend some major power, landing himself in a hopeless situation.
At that critical moment, Bai Zhixi, hearing the news, would arrive leading demon experts, slay Ye Fan's enemies, creating a dramatic story climax.
That was the cliche.
A pity.
With Ye Fan encountering him, he probably wouldn't even make it to the Holy State.
Hum.
Just as Ling Xiao was inwardly gloating, Elder Yin's voice suddenly echoed in his sea of consciousness.
"Young Master... you, just now..."
"Ah, encountered a minor hiccup. Elder Yin, how is things on your end?"
Earlier, when the demonic intent within Ling Xiao surged, he had proactively severed the connection with Elder Yin.
After all, he was just a servant. Knowing too much wasn't good.
A villain, of course, couldn't trust anyone. Everyone was expendable.
"Young Master, Ye Fan has found an ancient site. He seems to have triggered some restrictions, causing the ancient site to manifest."
Elder Yin's voice sounded urgent. Ye Fan had already been inside for a full day. If the Young Master didn't hurry, he might not even get the leftovers.
"Oh? That fast? As expected of a Chosen One."
Ling Xiao smiled. So what if he went in? He was just clearing the obstacles for him in advance.
"I see. Wait for me at the entrance. I'll be there shortly."
With high Destiny Value, things really went smoothly.
...
Northern Wasteland Border.
This area was crisscrossed with mountain ranges, ancient trees towering into the sky—it looked like a prime spot for ancient secret realms to appear.
Usually, such remote mountains and great abysses were rarely tread by humans.
'Great abysses inevitably harbor great demons was a common understanding among humans.
Who would willingly come here to become food for demons?
But now, countless streaks of light flashed across the mountain skies, various powerful auras arriving one after another, creating a bustling scene.
At the end of the mountain range, a beam of golden light shot into the heavens, the faint sound of Great Dao hymns resonating—this was naturally the source attracting the crowd.
"To think such a secret realm would appear in our Northern Wasteland!"
"Indeed! It's been ages since we've seen such terrifying divine light!"
"Heaven blesses our Northern Wasteland!"
Groups of cultivators gathered under the golden light, their eyes burning with intense greed.
A divine spectacle like this must contain heavy treasures inside. Whoever obtained them would have a heaven-ascending opportunity.
But just as everyone was rolling up their sleeves, ready to make their move, a lazy voice suddenly came from the ancient forest in the distance.
"This secret realm seems to hold great danger. Most of you will probably die if you go in. You might as well return from whence you came."
"Huh? What kind of charlatan is that?"
"Who dares spout such nonsense?!"
All the cultivators were stunned, their auras flaring as they turned towards the source of the voice.
They saw a figure in black robes standing with hands behind his back on an ancient tree within the forest. He looked languid yet transcendently handsome—it was none other than Ling Xiao.
"Kid, was that you talking crap?"
From the crowd, a rough-looking, nine-foot-tall man with a long beard laughed coldly. The aura of the Soul Sea Realm instantly surged around him.
"I'll give you three breaths. Leave, or stay here forever."
Ling Xiao leaped down from the ancient tree branch and walked step by step towards the group of Northern Wasteland experts.
"Heh, such an arrogant kid. I, Niu Bi, never kill nameless nobodies. Kid, who's your master? State your name!"
The burly man laughed in anger, his figure flashing to the front of the crowd.
Intent on showing off, spiritual light erupted magnificently around him, genuinely somewhat intimidating.
"So it's the Great Scoundrel of the Northern Wasteland, Niu Bi!"
"I've heard this man is ruthless and cruel, his hands soaked in blood. He often slaughters entire families."
"That kid is in trouble."
"Serves him right! Who told him to be so arrogant and overestimate himself?"
The crowd immediately grew restless, looking at Ling Xiao with pity.
"Ling Xiao."
Ling Xiao gave the brawny man a meaningful look, then suddenly folded back two of the three fingers he had extended.
Whoosh!
To everyone's astonishment, the previously arrogant and wild Niu Bi, upon hearing the youth's name, instantly transformed into a streak of light, madly fleeing into the distance.
In his haste, he even left one shoe behind.
"Niu Bi... ran away?"
Everyone looked at each other, faces filled with confusion and shock.
"What did that youth say his name was?"
"Sounded like... Ling Xiao!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The sound of breaking wind (air) was incessant. In the span of a single breath, the once bustling ancient forest was left with only Ling Xiao.
The terror of the Young Master's name was indeed like this.
Ling Xiao smiled faintly, raising his head to look towards the secret realm entrance deep within the ancient forest. Profound joy flickered in the depths of his eyes.
"Demon's Descent..."
An ancient, vicissitudinous voice echoed again in his sea of consciousness.
The space beside Ling Xiao trembled slightly, and Elder Yin's figure instantly materialized.
"Young Master, Ye Fan has been inside for a full day already."
"No matter. It doesn't matter how long he's been in. It's fine as long as he hasn't come out yet."
Ling Xiao grinned, immediately striding towards the secret realm entrance without further hesitation.
He had a premonition; the things within this secret realm were undoubtedly closely related to his demonic body.