"Young... Young Master, are you serious?" The Qin Clan Old Ancestor trembled all over, his aged face full of excitement.
Wouldn't it be good to live?
Besides, Ling Xiao's birth mother was the Master of the Dan Yuan Holy Land, the number one alchemist in the Eastern Territories, one of the few Divine Emperor alchemists in the Sacred Dynasty.
Just these titles alone were enough to inspire some anticipation.
Perhaps this young man truly has a method to restore my soul?
"Ah, Old Ancestor, we can certainly try. But whether it will succeed... Ah." Ling Xiao hesitated, his words carrying a very clear implication.
I have a way to help heal your injuries, but if the treatment fails, you might die on the spot.
"Young Master, I am willing to try!!" What reservations did the Qin Clan Old Ancestor have left?
His time was short; he would likely turn to ashes in just a few days.
Dying now or dying in a couple of days didn't make much difference.
If there was even a sliver of hope, he was willing to try.
"This... Ah, Old Ancestor, I shouldn't have said anything. Otherwise, if it fails, the Qin Clan members... Ah..." Ling Xiao's face showed some difficulty, even a hint of regret.
"Young Master, you are most righteous!! How could we be so ungrateful!!" Qin Leng was momentarily stunned, then immediately exclaimed.
"Yes, Young Master!! If not for you today, our Qin Clan would have been wiped out. How could we possibly blame you..."
"That's right, Young Master!! We are not like those Cloud Millet beasts, full of talk of benevolence and morality but sinister and vicious behind the scenes, even attempting to replace the Sacred Church!"
"Enough!" The Qin Clan Old Ancestor sighed softly and waved his hand to signal everyone to be quiet. "Young Master, my life is nearing its end. What is there to complain about? Even if I die by your hand today, it is the will of Heaven. I, Qin, would only feel gratitude, not a trace of resentment. And all of you... if I do not survive this tribulation today, you must live cautiously in the future, always... respect Young Master Ling Xiao, and hold a heart of gratitude forever. Otherwise... you are unworthy of being Qin Clan members."
"Old Ancestor, you... Ah... Hearing you say that, if I, Ling Xiao, refuse again, it would truly seem ungrateful." Ling Xiao smiled wryly and looked up at the sky.
There, the clouds were shattered, stars seemed inverted, and terrifying spiritual light blotted out the sky.
But... both the Cloud Millet Sect Master and Feng Baiyang were showing signs of defeat.
I'm afraid it wouldn't be long before these two were completely defeated.
As for whether they could escape...
Heh. There are six Divine Emperor experts here alone. If they can't hammer two Divine Emperors to death under these circumstances, one can only say... the author is messing with us.
Ling Xiao believed in Emperor Ling's methods. He always had a vague feeling that his father was truly unfathomable.
Moreover, if he remembered correctly, he seemed to... have a missing grandfather.
But regarding this, Emperor Ling never mentioned a word. Even within the clan, they all thought the old master had long since passed away.
But when Ling Xiao was young, he often saw Ling Tianlin standing alone on a mountain peak, gazing at the sky, his eyes full of longing.
As for whether that old man had ascended to heaven or just... gone to heaven, Ling Xiao wasn't clear.
But he guessed it probably wasn't as simple as being dead.
"Young Master!! Come on! I am willing to try!" The Qin Clan Old Ancestor took a deep breath, his face wearing the expression of one prepared to die.
"Alright. Since the Old Ancestor has made up his mind, I, Ling Xiao, will do my best to try. However, there are too many eyes here; it might be inconvenient..." Ling Xiao frowned, and the Qin clansmen immediately cleared a path. "Young Master, please use our Qin Clan's sacred hall."
"We are willing to guard it with our lives for the Young Master."
"Very well. Old Ancestor, please!" Ling Xiao extended his hand in a gesture of courtesy. The Qin Clan Old Ancestor no longer hesitated and hobbled towards the sacred hall.
Huh?
What's going on?
My injury is to my soul, so why are my legs feeling uncomfortable now?
Once the two entered the hall, Qin Clan experts immediately closed the doors and stood guard vigilantly.
"Young Master! Come on!" The Qin Clan Old Ancestor closed his eyes and spread his arms. But Ling Xiao shook his head with a smile. "Old Ancestor, that significant treasure of mine is within my Sea of Consciousness. Please, enter my Sea of Consciousness."
"Sea of Consciousness? It seems it's a supreme treasure for nurturing soul power! Indeed, only such a heavy treasure could heal the injuries to my soul now!" The Qin Clan Old Ancestor nodded with a grave expression. Without the slightest suspicion, he allowed himself to be drawn into Ling Xiao's Sea of Consciousness.
Buzz!
An eerie soul wind quietly spread.
The Qin Clan Old Ancestor was momentarily stunned, especially when he saw the towering thousand-foot black palace before him. His eyes held a thick surprise.
"This is... what is this?"
"Oh, Old Ancestor, this is my Ling Clan's ultimate treasure, the Moon Palace, a peerless spiritual object for nurturing the soul. Come, I will personally escort you into the palace. It might be a bit painful at first, but it will only last a moment. Soon, you will transcend." Ling Xiao smiled warmly, reaching out to support the Qin Clan Old Ancestor's arm, guiding him towards the Soul Palace.
No matter how severely injured this Qin Clan Old Ancestor is, he is still a Divine Emperor expert. I cannot afford to be the slightest bit careless.
"Oh, alright." Although the Qin Clan Old Ancestor felt something was slightly off about Ling Xiao's words, he still allowed himself to be supported towards the black palace.
Given Ling Xiao's realm, even if he has cultivated a Soul Palace, it shouldn't be this terrifying.
So...
Hmm, this really must be a supreme soul treasure!
Buzz.
The soul wind by his ears grew more biting, carrying a faint, devouring coldness.
Even with the Qin Clan Old Ancestor's temperament, he inexplicably felt a sense of fear.
"Old Ancestor, don't be nervous. The first time is always a bit scary. In a little while, just a little while, it will be better. You will experience... boundless..." Ling Xiao stood before the Soul Palace, gently pushing the Qin Clan Old Ancestor inside, a smile suddenly curling on his lips. "...joy."
"Huh?" The Qin Clan Old Ancestor's soul body trembled. He felt his feet slip, and his entire being was pulled into the black palace by a strange, immense force.
BOOM!
A heart-palpitating tearing force instantly assailed him. A trace of doubt suddenly surged in the Qin Clan Old Ancestor's eyes.
Hiss... why does this feel a bit wrong?
My soul power seems to be... being devoured by this palace?
Impossible. The Young Master said it would be painful at first. I must endure a little longer.
The Qin Clan Old Ancestor sat down cross-legged on the spot. Until... half of his body vanished into nothingness, he finally looked up in terror.
Above, at the top of the palace, a handsome, peerless face looked down. The indifference in its eyes was like a deity overlooking all living beings.
"Lin... Ling Xiao, what is going on??!"
"Old Ancestor, it seems my ultimate treasure doesn't quite like you. I'm afraid you will die here today." Ling Xiao smiled faintly. Not a trace of the earlier righteousness and warmth remained on his face.
"You... you... Could it be... Ling Xiao!! Such an unorthodox and evil technique, you..."
"Old Ancestor, what is unorthodox and evil? In this world, people have good and evil, but power does not. The moment your Qin Clan tried to win over the Si Family, you should have anticipated this outcome." Ling Xiao grinned, his entire figure suddenly descending from above.
But gradually, his figure began to blur, expand, and finally transformed into a strange demonic shadow that completely enveloped the Qin Clan Old Ancestor's soul body.
"So it was... it was you all along! Ling Xiao!! Ah!!"
The scream was abruptly cut short. The originally thousand-foot-tall Soul Palace instantly grew several dozen feet taller. Soul light shimmered brilliantly upon it, demonic intent churned, presenting a scene of endless shock.