"Young Master, what are your plans next?"
Xiao Tu, Fu Yunyao, and Su Yan stood behind Ling Xiao, their faces etched with a trace of gravity.
They all knew about Nian Qingyun's death by now.
Even the Young Master's aura had grown much colder, clearly indicating the burden of pain he carried within.
The Yuan Yue Holy Land was likely in for significant trouble.
"You return to the Myriad Daos Demon Sect first. I need to go back to the Ling Clan."
Ling Xiao looked up, his tone calm as he glanced towards the Tai Xuan Dao Sovereign and Liang Yi standing in front of an ancient hall in the distance.
He was determined to secure the Western Territories, but before going, there were some debts to collect.
"Senior Brother Xiao, these are the first three forms of the Soul Sword. Study them well. Yun Yao, here are some spirit treasures and pills you can use for cultivation."
Ling Xiao took out a Qiankun Bag and handed it to Xiao Tu.
From beginning to end, Su Yan remained silent, quietly standing in place and waiting.
"Thank you, Young Master!"
Xiao Tu and Fu Yunyao bowed deeply. The latter, in particular, looked at Ling Xiao with a hint of inexplicable loss in her eyes.
Originally, she thought that with Nian Qingyun's death, the Young Master might look her way a little more.
But now, looking at Su Yan behind Ling Xiao, she understood.
Yes!
The Young Master was now the strongest among the younger generation in the Eastern Territories.
Divine Emperors bowed their heads; the proud daughters standing by his side were all top-tier in the Sacred Dynasty.
How could a mere core disciple of a supreme orthodox sect like her ever catch his eye again?
"Yun Yao, in a while, I will leave the Eastern Territories. The position of Young Master of the Myriad Daos Demon Sect will be handed over to you. I will personally send a message to the Sect Master."
Ling Xiao turned his head, offering a gentle smile to the despondent young woman.
Compared to Xiao Tu, Fu Yunyao had followed Ling Xiao longer, and her submission wasn't forced.
Such a subordinate deserved some well-earned status.
Now, the status of Young Master of the Myriad Daos Demon Sect was no longer something Ling Xiao valued.
What he wanted was no longer mere background or status, but… power firmly in his own hands.
When it came down to it, whether it was the Myriad Daos Demon Sect or anything else, they were just shelters for him during his time of weakness.
Others feared him upon hearing their names.
But once he stepped out of the Eastern Territories, that deterrence would vanish.
Moreover, this demon sect was, after all, just his master's sect. When it came to fighting, the Myriad Daos Demon Sect naturally wouldn't refuse.
But asking them to oppose the Holy Church… was somewhat unrealistic.
Supreme orthodox sects had been passed down for millennia.
Without exception, anyone who could sit in the sect master's position would not act solely on emotion.
Ling Xiao understood this principle.
But…
If Fu Yunyao were to become the sect master one day, that would be a different story.
"Young… Young Master…"
Fu Yunyao's beautiful eyes focused, her previously low spirits instantly vanishing without a trace.
So, the Young Master still cared about her.
Young Master of the Myriad Daos Demon Sect?
Such an honor was something she wouldn't have dared to dream of before!
"Go on."
Ling Xiao nodded with a smile. Even though Fu Yunyao was reluctant, she ultimately didn't say anything more and left towards the distant sky with Xiao Tu.
Only after the two had gone far away did Su Yan softly chuckle, "You seem quite concerned about this Senior Sister Fu?"
"From the time I entered the Myriad Daos Demon Sect, Senior Sister Fu gave me a lot of joy. Over the years, she has been utterly loyal."
Ling Xiao smiled indifferently, not explaining too much.
Su Yan simply nodded, feeling increasingly satisfied with Ling Xiao in her heart.
Righteous and sentimental, daring to act and take responsibility.
He was a true man!
"You must still have things to do, right? Then I'll wait for you in Enlightenment City. I'll take out the Spirit Flame and return the cauldron to Auntie along the way."
Seeing that Ling Xiao hadn't moved, with Su Yan's intelligence, how could she not know what he was thinking? She immediately stood on her toes, leaning close to Ling Xiao's face. "Kiss."
"Alright, you go to Enlightenment City first. I need to… discuss some matters with the Tai Xuan Dao Sovereign."
Ling Xiao reached out and pinched Su Yan's pretty cheek. She immediately snorted coldly, her face full of grievance as she walked down the mountain.
"Master!"
Liang Yi's figure descended from the void, bowing respectfully to Ling Xiao.
Behind him, the Tai Xuan Dao Sovereign bowed deeply, not rising for a long time.
"Rise."
Ling Xiao spoke indifferently, looking up at the sky.
With the secret realm journey over, the true chaos in the Eastern Territories was probably just beginning.
Now, almost the entire younger generation of the holy sects and ancient clans in the Eastern Territories had been wiped out.
Probably, some people were about to become restless.
"You… could see the reincarnation scenes within the Formless Jade Wall, couldn't you?"
"Huh?"
Liang Yi's eyes narrowed, and he directly fell to his knees with a thud.
"This subordinate deserves death! It's just that at the time… I wasn't sure of your identity, so I…"
"I don't blame you. I ask you, did you see Nian Qingyun's past reincarnations?"
Ling Xiao shook his head, feeling some doubt in his heart.
What method had that Female Emperor of the Immortal Court used to deceive the heavens, cross the realms with a soul, and temper her Dao Heart?
"Master, are you referring to that Divine Maiden of the Dao Palace? I saw, but she… had no reincarnation, only one lifetime."
"What do you mean?"
"She was transformed from a wisp of soul, training in this realm. Her death in the secret realm… was… dictated by fate."
"Fate?"
Ling Xiao's eyebrows raised slightly. Shouldn't a Daughter of Fate be protected by the Heavenly Dao?
What was going on?
"With my current strength, I couldn't see clearly either, but I think the problem likely lies with her original body. Perhaps… it has something to do with her physique."
Liang Yi shook his head. In his thousand years of experience, he had only seen the Chaotic Divine Body once.
It was said that cultivating this path to its extreme could open up heaven and earth, forming one's own universe.
It seemed Nian Qingyun's origins were far from simple.
He just didn't know whether it was a person or the heavens that wanted to break her Dao.
"Oh?"
Suddenly, a smile tugged at the corner of Ling Xiao's mouth.
It smelled like… a conspiracy.
If everything was inevitable, then this chess game… was a bit too grand, wasn't it?
Interesting. This was getting more and more interesting.
A split soul with over ten thousand Luck Points; he wondered how much destiny her main body could forge for him?
From Xia Chen's memories, Ling Xiao saw that the Female Emperor was solely dedicated to pursuing the Dao, never once entangled in matters of love.
In that case…
Both her Chao and you, I want!
"This secret realm journey has caused countless casualties among the Eastern Territories' proud talents. I'm afraid some will target the Tai Xuan Dao Sect next. Be careful."
After he spoke, his figure instantly vanished from the spot.
In the Sacred Dynasty now, Liang Yi and the Dao Sovereign were undoubtedly the strongest truly under his command.
Especially the Tai Xuan Dao Sovereign, a ninth-grade Divine Emperor, could be considered his biggest trump card.
Such a trump card, of course, couldn't be revealed easily. It should be used at a critical moment to turn the tide of battle!
"We send off… our Master!"
Liang Yi and the Tai Xuan Dao Sovereign bowed simultaneously. When they looked up again, the young figure was gone.
"Dragon General, this Master…"
The Tai Xuan Dao Sovereign hesitated, but Liang Yi's expression was inexplicably grave.
"I sensed a strange fluctuation of soul power within the Master's Demon Pupils. I couldn't see through his reincarnation. It must be a method laid down by the Master himself to prevent those with ulterior motives from detecting his return. It shouldn't be wrong. If it weren't the Master, even if he fused with the Heavenly Demon Pupils, he wouldn't be able to open the Dark Forbidden Domain, just like that person before…"
Liang Yi smiled faintly, a strange golden light flashing in his dim eyes.
"Those youths I had you find earlier can be sent into the secret realm now. The Master has instructed us to train a group of followers. Order the remaining experts of the Punishment Clan and the Fire Clan to hunt them. Those who survive after one month can join my Heavenly Demon Hall, the Evil Dragon Guard!"
"Yes!"
The Tai Xuan Dao Sovereign bowed and instantly disappeared.
"Master… you must… grow up quickly. Our people are still waiting for the day you ascend to the Nine Heavens once more."
…
At the foot of Enlightenment Mountain.
Ling Xiao stood in an ancient forest, calmly looking at Ye Lang, Wu Nie, and Mi Yong before him. With a wave of his hand, a radiant celestial glow filled the sky.
Within it seemed to be a suit of armor, a staff, and a circlet.
Seeing the circlet, Ye Lang's face stiffened, and he nearly fell to his knees, shouting 'Daddy'.
"I have several places I need you to explore and bring back the treasures within."
A brilliant soul light flashed in Ling Xiao's eyes as three streams of information instantly appeared in the trio's sea of consciousness.
They marked various deep mountains and rivers across the Eastern Territories.
These were also the memories Ling Xiao had extracted from the Spirit Venerable's sea of consciousness.
Some ancient ruins were hidden within, clearly originally intended as opportunities for the Son of Fate, Lin Xi.
He wasn't in the mood to explore them himself now. After all, he wasn't lacking in spirit treasures or opportunities, but he couldn't let others have them either.
Moreover, any opportunity remembered by the Spirit Venerable was likely no ordinary item.
"Here is a Divine Grade Aura-Concealing Talisman. It can conceal the demonic aura on the three of you. Go now. Find the opportunities and come see me again. For this trip, Wu Nie will lead. If you encounter demons willing to submit, you can also take them as followers."
Ling Xiao waved his hand, bestowing the three Supreme Grade Divine Artifacts upon them.
A staff for Wu Nie, armor for Mi Yong, and a circlet for Ye Lang.
The three bowed to Ling Xiao upon hearing his words, then turned and vanished into the darkness.
The reason Ling Xiao didn't send Die Ying along this time was naturally because… the Dao Principle of Illusions was truly a marvelous tool for manipulating others.
The Western Territories were a land of constant conquest.
Ling Xiao needed someone skilled in disguise by his side for unforeseen circumstances.
And these three demons…
Even if their whereabouts were exposed, it would merely be a diversion, ensuring no one would truly pay attention to him, the true devil.
This was what was called killing two birds with one stone!
But just as the auras of the three vanished, a graceful figure appeared outside the ancient forest, her enchanting face carrying a trace of resentment.