Back inside the ancient hall, Ling Xiao's figure reappeared.
This trip to the ruins had been immensely rewarding.
Not only had he obtained a peerless vicious weapon that accompanied the Primordial Heavenly Demon, fused with a Lightning Dao Principle, and eliminated a Chosen One, but he had also gained the Nine-Layered Dantian Sea.
Any one of these opportunities would be considered heaven-defying in the Holy State.
Yet now, he possessed them all.
Just think—how many geniuses in the entire Holy State actually possessed a Dao Principle?
Otherwise, why would Bai Zhixi, who had just emerged, immediately attract the attention of the Blood Soul Temple?
The title of the Nine-Tailed Clan's strongest talent in a millennium wasn't for nothing.
"System!"
"Host: Ling Xiao."
"Identity: Young Master of the Ten Thousand Dao Demon Sect."
"Divine Body: Heavenly Demon True Body, Second Transformation (Forbidden Physique)."
"Cultivation: Mid-Xuanqing Realm."
"Treasures: Primordial Demon Blade (Grade Unknown), Eight Desolations Glazed Demon-Suppressing Pagoda (Heaven-Defying Treasure)."
"Techniques: Ten Thousand Dao Demon Scripture, Heavenly Demon Scripture, Heavenly Demon True Body (Innate), Purgatory Eyes (Innate), Ancient Soul-Snatching Art (Forbidden Technique)."
"Destiny Value: 1400."
"Villain Value: 9000."
Ling Xiao looked at the new "Treasures" section on the system interface, a smile curling his lips.
"Grade unknown. The more mysterious something is, the more powerful it tends to be."
If he hadn't been a transmigrator, he would likely have been killed as a stepping stone the moment he encountered Chu Yang.
Although his experiences in the Northern Wasteland these past few days had been twisted and seemingly perilous, they were still within his control.
After all, compared to the Holy State, the Four Wastelands were like a lower realm, with the strongest experts only at the Xuanqing level.
But once he returned to the Holy State, things wouldn't be so simple.
As everyone knew, the Holy State was filled with numerous great sects and ancient clans, with intricate and complex power structures.
Even if each faction produced just one genius, there would probably be tens of thousands of them.
Moreover, the geniuses of the Holy State far surpassed those of the Four Wastelands in terms of strength, methods, vision, and experience.
If Ling Xiao wanted to continue secretly cultivating his Forbidden Physique, he needed to be even more careful and cautious.
Furthermore, the Holy State had countless geniuses and even more top experts.
Every sect, doctrine, ancient clan, and major family had old monsters overseeing things.
Although these old things generally wouldn't dare target him...
Once Ling Xiao displayed overly outrageous talent or treasures, he would inevitably attract unwanted attention.
The world of cultivation was that cruel.
Everyone competed for opportunities and destiny; sometimes, even blood ties and familial affections were disregarded, let alone status and face.
"System, add points to the Ten Thousand Dao Demon Scripture!!"
This time, Ling Xiao prudently chose to improve his surface realm.
After all, advancing his Heavenly Demon True Body to the third transformation required fusing seven more Dao Principles.
If his base realm was too low, he might encounter awkward situations like before.
Hum!
Nine thousand Villain Points were instantly spent. Ling Xiao's realm steadily advanced to the Peak Xuanqing Realm, just one step away from the Illusion-Breaking Realm.
"By my reckoning, it's about time to return."
If Ling Xiao remembered correctly, his engagement ceremony was in just a few days.
Although, in his opinion, this engagement probably wouldn't go smoothly.
After all, his role here was that of a villainous stepping stone.
Moreover, the woman he was about to engage to was the renowned Heavenly Maiden of the Holy State.
A woman like that undoubtedly had countless suitors; chances were, a Chosen One was among them, waiting to humiliate him.
But before that, Ling Xiao needed to return to his sect first.
He recalled a core disciple from the Ten Thousand Dao Demon Sect who had foolishly challenged him to a fight.
"Time to go back."
Ling Xiao stretched his limbs, feeling the terrifying power surging through his body. A mocking glint flashed in his eyes.
All you Chosen Ones, better wash your necks clean and wait for me to come harvest you.
At the ruins' entrance, Ling Xiao's figure suddenly shot through the air.
Elder Yin shuddered, quickly bowing in respect.
"Young Master..."
This old servant of the Ling family could clearly sense the change in Ling Xiao's aura; his aged eyes were filled with awe.
The Young Master was incredible!
In just a few days, he was about to reach the Illusion-Breaking Realm.
Even in the entire Holy State, the Young Master's talent was absolutely top-tier.
"First, back to Qingfeng City to pick up Qingchan. Then we depart for the Holy State."
Ling Xiao spoke indifferently, his figure shooting toward Qingfeng City.
Meanwhile, in the Ye family hall.
Ye Liufeng and others stood below, looking nervously at Ye Qingchan seated above.
"Qingchan, it's been three days. Still no news from the Young Master?"
Ye Liufeng's heart was bitter.
If Ling Xiao had returned directly to the Holy State, wouldn't all their previous efforts to please him be in vain!
Or if something had happened to him while with the Ye family, those mighty experts from the Ling family would surely not let them off.
"None."
Ye Qingchan shook her head, her pretty face also showing signs of weariness.
That day, Ling Xiao had left in a hurry; it certainly seemed like he had encountered major trouble.
Two days had passed, and the Young Master still hadn't appeared. Could he... really be in trouble?
Or had he abandoned her?
Remembering the ashamed expression on the Xuanqing female demon's face, Ye Qingchan felt deeply unsettled.
"What should we do?"
Ye Liufeng slumped into a wooden chair. Behind him, all the Ye family members wore uneasy expressions.
"Family Head Ye, what's wrong? You look so worried."
Just then, a familiar, mocking voice came from the space above the hall.
Ye Qingchan was stunned. Looking up, she saw Ling Xiao's figure had already appeared before her.
"Young Master!!"
Ye Qingchan's eyes instantly reddened.
These past two days, she had barely slept, constantly hoping for Ling Xiao's return.
Seeing the faint dark circles under her eyes and the tears glistening within them, Ling Xiao felt genuinely moved.
"What's wrong? Did you miss me?"
"Young Master, where did you go? Why were you gone for so long?"
Ye Qingchan instinctively threw herself into Ling Xiao's embrace, her voice tinged with grievance.
Feeling the beauty trembling in his arms, a smile spread across Ling Xiao's face.
Would there be any obstacles left to conquering Ye Qingchan now?
"I had some matters to handle. Qingchan, pack your things. We return to the Holy State today."
Ling Xiao didn't see Feng Jiao'er in the Ye family hall, a faint cold glint in his eyes.
"Where is Feng Jiao'er?"
"She said she had urgent business and had to return to her sect. Young Master, are we really going to the Holy State?"
Ye Qingchan seemed excited.
After all, that was a place only Illusion-Breaking Realm experts could set foot in.
As a mere Soul-Awakening cultivator, would she embarrass the Young Master there?
"Of course. Family Head Ye, here are some pills. They should help you reach the Xuanqing Realm. Thank you for your hospitality these past few days."
Ling Xiao casually tossed a jade vial to Ye Liufeng, then walked out with his arm around Ye Qingchan's shoulder.
The beauty and the opportunities were both his.
This trip was truly rewarding!