"You!!This is simply beyond endurance! Today, even if I shatter my primordial spirit, I will definitely have vengeance for the descendants of the Si family!!"
Si Zhengnan roared in fury, spiritual light surging overwhelmingly around him.
The two Divine Marquis experts instantly positioned themselves on either side of Ling Xiao, guarding against a sudden attack from Si Zhengnan.
But in the next instant, the previously ferocious-looking Si family ancestor suddenly pulled a spirit talisman from his robes and crushed it fiercely.
"Buzz."
Space trembled. In the blink of an eye, a black rift appeared above the Si residence.
Si Zhengnan mustered all his strength and shot furiously towards the rift.
"Trying to escape?"
Ghost Shadow had remained perfectly calm from start to finish.
He glanced up at the nearly vanished figure of the Si family ancestor and suddenly clenched his fist.
Heaven and earth abruptly changed color.
Immediately after, a black sun materialized out of thin air, as if imprinting itself from the void.
Mountains and rivers shattered, the stars shifted.
The entire Hantian City inexplicably darkened.
The hatred on the old face of the Si family ancestor, who was about to escape through the spatial rift, instantly froze solid.
"An Emperor!!! You are actually an Emperor!!"
"No!!"
The great sun instantly enveloped the sky for a thousand miles. The entire space completely shattered.
Si Zhengnan's figure was annihilated by the myriad miles of black light in moments. Only after a long while did a wisp of his soul manage to escape.
"Uncle Gui, capture him!" Ling Xiao smiled faintly. Although he didn't know Ghost Shadow's true strength, his father sat firmly on the Ling Clan master's throne, keeping the nine branches in check. This Uncle Gui deserved much of the credit.
"As you command, Young Master!" Ghost Shadow's body didn't move. He merely waved his hand casually. Si Zhengnan's soul body was violently restrained by an invisible force and landed in front of Ling Xiao.
"Where is the Ancestor rushing off to in such a hurry?"
"Young Master, don't kill me, don't kill me!! I am willing to submit to you, I beg you..." Now, only fear and despair remained on Si Zhengnan's face.
"Of course I won't kill you. You are a Divine King expert, after all." Ling Xiao grinned, a flash of demonic intent seeming to pass through his eyes. He directly stored the Si family ancestor inside the Myriad Worlds Glazed Pagoda and strode towards the Ling Clan's sacred territory.
"Go search the Si family's treasure vault. Bring everything that can be moved to my Xiaoyun Peak."
Ghost Shadow's figure vanished into thin air once again. Hearing the order, the two Divine Marquis experts immediately turned and headed towards the Si family ruins.
The entire Hantian City remained deathly silent.
All the vassal forces of the Ling Clan watched the figures who had effortlessly obliterated a Divine King expert, not daring to harbor any further thoughts in their hearts.
So terrifying!
The Ling Clan's experts are really damn terrifying!
Who knows how the Si family managed to provoke this fiend Ling Xiao, to the point where even their ancestor was dug up and killed.
This time, Ling Xiao's image of cruelty and brutality was thoroughly engraved in everyone's minds.
For a long time afterward, parents in Hantian City would frighten disobedient children like this:
"Go to sleep, or Young Master Ling Xiao will come!"
Stopping children's night crying—that's probably how it's done!
Meanwhile, news of the Si family colluding with an external clan and planning to defect spread rapidly through Hantian City.
The masters of the various vassal families urgently summoned all their clan members, sternly warning them to swear loyalty to the Ling Clan unto death and never entertain disloyal thoughts, lest they end up like the Si family.
...
Meanwhile, beside a spiritual mountain within the Ling Clan's sacred territory.
Ling Tian frowned as he looked at the two Ling Clan servants not far away, a hint of hesitation deep in his eyes.
"Did you hear? Young Master Ling Xiao went and wiped out the Si family to stand up for the Second Young Master."
"Really? He usually seems so cold and arrogant. Who knew he cared so deeply about the Second Young Master in his heart?"
"Blood is thicker than water. Young Master Ling Xiao must have his reasons, taking pains." The two servants walked away into the distance, leaving Ling Tian alone at the foot of the mountain, lost in thought.
Blood is thicker than water?
Ridiculous!
Ling Xiao, what are you trying to do?
Hmph, no matter what you're planning, I have now comprehended the Sword Principle at the foot of this Green Luan Peak. Tomorrow will be the time for my sword to reign supreme!
...
Once the two servants were out of Ling Tian's sight, an old man's figure materialized before them.
"Well done. This is the Young Master's reward for you." Elder Yin casually tossed a few spirit pills to them. The two servants bowed gratefully and retreated.
Naturally, all of this was arranged by Ling Xiao.
In fact, these two had been loitering near the hall for a full two hours, waiting for Ling Tian to appear.
Of course, Ling Xiao's goal wasn't to move Ling Tian.
The hatred of having his Dan Hai dug out, seven years of endurance—if Ling Tian could let that go so easily, he would be an idiot.
But even if Ling Tian didn't believe it, a thorn would be planted in his heart.
At a critical moment, this thorn could cause heartache, wavering, even utter ruin!
...
On a high mountain near the central dragon vein of the Ling Clan's sacred territory.
Ethereal mist rose, spiritual herbs grew wild, and a waterfall hung like a silver river. It was a scene straight out of a paradise.
Ling Xiao sat cross-legged in the hall on the mountainside, looking at two bottles of pills in his hand.
This was his cultivation place, usually completely undisturbed.
There were no servants guarding the courtyard; instead, an ancient formation isolated it from outside observation.
This formation was laid by Ling Tianlin himself, even more profound and mysterious than the Si family's.
Of course, Ling Tianlin did this to conceal the secret of Ling Xiao's Heavenly Demon True Body.
It prevented any accidental exposure during cultivation that might arouse suspicion.
"These pills sent by Mother... it seems Jiu You will soon be able to reforge her physical body." Ling Xiao smiled faintly. A soul light flickered on the ancient ring in his hand.
Jiu You's figure instantly appeared before him, her peerlessly beautiful face wearing a shy smile.
"Greetings, Young Master."
Completely different from when she was with Chu Yang, the former aloofness was nowhere to be seen.
She was purely a young maiden now.
Recently, she had been nourishing her soul within the Soul-Nurturing Jade.
It was clear that her soul power was no longer as illusory, faint as before.
If one didn't look carefully, it was impossible to tell she was merely a soul body.
"How do you feel?" Ling Xiao smiled warmly.
He kept Jiu You by his side not only because they shared a common enemy.
The most important point was that this prodigy of the Nether Phoenix Clan hadn't yet developed deep feelings for Chu Yang.
Otherwise, no matter how much Ling Xiao... appreciated her talents, he wouldn't dare keep her close.
"Much better, thank you, Young Master." Jiu You bowed slightly, a complex emotion in her eyes when she looked at Ling Xiao.
Ever since Ling Xiao gave her the name 'Jiu You' that day, she always felt the name held special significance.
"This bottle of pills was personally refined by my mother. It should help you reforge your physical body." Ling Xiao handed the pill bottle to Jiu You.
Upon hearing this, her delicate body trembled, and her beautiful eyes immediately shone with a strange light.
"Young... Young Master..." Jiu You never dreamed that in just a few days, the Young Master had found a way to help her regain a physical body.
If she had stayed with Chu Yang, she'd probably still be cleaning up his messes.
Indeed, no matter how high a woman's talent or how great her beauty, it ultimately depends on the man she follows.
"Don't get too excited. Have you recovered the memories you lost?" Ling Xiao asked calmly. He was also very curious about how strong Jiu You was at her peak.
"Not yet. But... Young Master, I have a vague feeling that those memories are related to the Holy Church's biggest secret." Jiu You's expression turned serious, her voice cold.
"The Holy Church's biggest secret? No rush. Think slowly. Once you've regained your body, we should start preparing some methods to deal with the Holy Church in the future..."