"Too many? Young Master... what... what is too many?" Qin Wei looked bewildered. Especially when he saw the indifference in Ling Xiao's eyes, a trace of unease suddenly gripped his heart.
"Heh, Young Master Ling Xiao, thanks to your righteous intervention today, otherwise the younger generation of my Qin Clan would have truly been completely wiped out here."
"Yes, Young Master's righteousness is immense! If you ever have any needs in the future, just give the word!"
"We cannot repay the life-saving grace. Young Master, please accept our bow!"
Having witnessed Ling Xiao's heaven-defying methods, these Qin Clan disciples now genuinely felt reverence from the bottom of their hearts.
"Young Master Ling Xiao, you see... since Jin Yang is dead, shouldn't... we leave now?" Qin Wei looked up at the ancient cauldron emitting a dark glow in the sky, a flicker of wariness in his eyes. With Ling Xiao's strength, killing him would be a matter of a single sword strike. Moreover, Ling Xiao's appearance today felt far too coincidental. During the battle earlier, he hadn't had time to think much. But now, calming down, it seemed things felt... somewhat off.
"You're celebrating too early." Ling Xiao smiled gently, looking down at the dozen or so surviving Qin Clan disciples. These individuals were all Qin Clan prodigies, holding esteemed status. In other words, each one of them had the potential to compete with Qin Leng for the heir position. Now that the 'Cold Young Master' had sincerely submitted—although the nature of his submission seemed a bit unusual—he could be used with confidence regardless. After all, the system's judgment wouldn't be wrong. As for Qin Wei... Heh. This war between supreme orthodox sects ultimately needed someone to bear the blame. Otherwise, if it attracted the attention of the Sacred Church, unforeseen complications were inevitable.
"Celebrating? Too early?" Qin Wei's eyes narrowed sharply, looking at Ling Xiao with horror. "What does the Young Master mean by that?"
"I give you two paths. Either die, or let me plant a Soul Imprint and become my slave." Ling Xiao's expression was indifferent, his white robes spotless, like an immortal descended. But the words he spoke sent a bone-chilling cold through Qin Wei.
"So... this is your true scheme? First destroy Cloud Millet, then annihilate the Qin Clan?" Qin Wei lowered his head with a light laugh, his face full of dejection. He should have realized earlier that the Ling Clan heir's sudden appearance couldn't possibly harbor good intentions. Yet, every step he took was so reasonable, leaving no room for fault.
"If I kill you, I still have a way to make you my slave. It's just a bit more troublesome, don't you think?" Ling Xiao smiled faintly. The thunder light around him suddenly surged violently. An irresistible pressure pressed down for miles, like an ancient God of Thunder.
"I am willing to be the Young Master's slave!!" "I am willing!!" The Qin Clan disciples were immediately pressed to the ground, crying out hoarsely. By now, they had long lost any ambition to contend with Ling Xiao. Or rather, their Dao Hearts had completely shattered along with Jin Yang's fall. On the path of immortality, a shattered Dao Heart was no different from death. All they sought now was mere survival.
"You... are not worthy of being my slaves." Ling Xiao shook his head, his gaze fixed on Qin Wei the entire time.
"I!!! AM WILLING!!" Only after a long moment, as the surging thunder intent grew increasingly fierce, did Qin Wei finally grit his teeth and kneel before Ling Xiao. "However... I hope you can spare them a way out."
"Open your mind." Brilliant soul light blazed in Ling Xiao's eyes. An ancient soul imprint instantly condensed and shot towards Qin Wei's sea of consciousness. The latter took a deep breath, a trace of unwillingness and resentment flashing in his eyes, but ultimately did not resist, allowing the imprint to dissipate within.
Buzz. A strange connection instantly arose in his heart. At this moment, Qin Wei understood he was no longer himself, but merely a puppet of Ling Xiao, a soul slave. Even his actions were completely controlled by Ling Xiao, who could end his life and destroy his Dao with a single thought.
"Go, kill them." Ling Xiao glanced down at the wailing Qin Clan disciples on the ground and suddenly spoke.
"You!!" Qin Wei's expression stiffened, his eyes wide with rage and grief as he stared at the youth above.
"Hmm?" With just a single thought from Ling Xiao, Qin Wei felt an irresistible force take control of his body, walking him towards the group of Qin Clan disciples.
"No... No... Young Master, please don't!"
"No!!Save us!!"
Within the ancient cauldron's space, miserable screams were unceasing. Ling Xiao merely watched the countless corpses on the ground with calm eyes. Finally, with a thought, he exchanged for a talisman from the system.
"I killed them because they saw my secret. Rest assured, as long as you obey obediently, I guarantee the Qin Clan will not be destroyed." Ling Xiao casually handed the talisman in his hand to Qin Wei. "The power contained in this talisman can slay a Divine Marquis. Keep it for self-protection."
Having spoken, Ling Xiao waved his hand. The Green Demon Ancient Cauldron immediately buzzed and vanished. The world returned to clarity, but the faint, lingering bloody haze in the air seemed to constantly remind people of the astonishing... massacre that had occurred here.
Qin Leng was still staring infatuatedly at the sky. There, Qin Wei had already killed all the Cloud Millet disciples, and Ling Xiao had finally ceased his offensive. The Cloud Millet Holy Son coldly watched the dozen or so Qin Clan prodigies around him, spiritual light flickering over his body, his Dao Principle power burning, as if he had fallen into madness.
Blood rain fell from the sky; this battle could be called extremely tragic. Several times, Qin Leng wanted to throw himself into the fray. Unfortunately, his own injuries were severe enough that he ultimately had to give up. When the last Qin Clan disciple fell, the Cloud Millet Holy Son suddenly laughed maniacally to the heavens, detonating his soul and physical body as he charged towards Ling Xiao and Qin Wei.
BOOM!
Heaven and earth darkened for a moment.When Qin Leng looked up, the Cloud Millet Holy Son had vanished, and Qin Wei was also covered in blood, his aura withered. The life-and-death struggle between the prodigies of the two sects had finally come to a complete end.
Qin Wei's figure walked over and lightly patted Qin Leng's shoulder, a seemingly meaningful look in his eyes.
"Let's go."
"Ling...Young Master Ling Xiao, where is he?" Qin Leng shuddered, especially seeing the bloodstains on Qin Wei, filling him with deep-seated admiration. Truly worthy of being the heir of my Qin Clan. This battle will surely make his name renowned throughout the Eastern Territories.
"The Young Master... has left." Qin Wei sighed, turned to look at the mountain of corpses, and finally gritted his teeth fiercely, slamming a palm down from the sky.
BOOM!
Dust filled the air.Countless bones, along with the dead city, were completely reduced to dust.
"Big Brother...you..."
"This place...is their best final resting place."
Meanwhile.
At the Cloud Millet Immortal Sect.
The Cloud Millet Sect Master coldly watched the departing figures of Ling Tianlin and the others, a cold, thoughtful light in his eyes. Just now, the Ling Clan had expressed their intention to join forces with Cloud Millet to destroy the Qin Clan, but he had flatly refused. Although the Cloud Millet Sect Master didn't know how sincere the Ling Clan's offer was, the tragedy of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, had never ceased throughout the ages. This muddy water was truly getting murkier.
"Sect Master!!" At that moment, a grief-stricken cry came from outside the great hall. Even with the Cloud Millet Sect Master's temperament, his Emperor body couldn't help but tremble slightly.
"Sect Master!! The life tablets of the Third Elder and the Holy Son... have both shattered!!"