Thump!
The Great Xia Imperial Palace was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The assembled ministers, envoys from various dynasties, princes, and princesses all stared dumbfounded at Emperor Xia kneeling on the ground, along with several other imperial clansmen. Their faces were filled with utter shock.
At this moment, a golden dragon talisman lay before Emperor Xia, shimmering with a golden light yet devoid of any spiritual essence. It looked... like an ordinary object too?
"G-G-Great Lord... We are filled with trepidation." Emperor Xia held the dragon talisman with both hands, his body trembling slightly.
"Great Xia has always established its state with benevolence and expanded its borders with propriety. I never expected it to have fallen to such a state today. Jiang Yu, is it? You are quite good. I like this ring very much. I can see your sincerity. You are more sincere and attentive than many people in this hall." Ling Xiao nodded and smiled at Jiang Yu.
The ferocity on Jiang Yu's face instantly froze, replaced by a look of panic.
Ding! The Son of Fate feels gratitude towards the villain, taking the first step towards his own demise. Congratulations, Host, on plundering 300 Luck Points and 3000 Villain Points.
Ding! The Daughter of Fate has submitted completely. Congratulations, Host, on receiving an additional reward: 2% Destiny Body Forging Progress, and one Dao Principle Perfection Opportunity.
"Huh?" The expression on Ling Xiao's face froze almost instantly.
How did... a Daughter of Fate submit completely?
Did I move someone with my kindness and love?
But in this hall, aside from Jiang Yu, this piece of leek, there are no other leeks.
What's going on?
Is the system glitching, or am I hearing things?
Just as Ling Xiao was inwardly surprised, a strange fluctuation suddenly arose in his Sea of Consciousness.
Then, an unfamiliar soul thought appeared in his mind.
At the same time.
Central Saint State, atop Qing Cang Mountain.
Bai Ling's delicate body trembled as she looked at the white-haired old man before her.
The old man's face bore a strange blankness, his Divine Emperor aura quietly dissipating.
"It's actually true... it's actually true..." Bai Ling seemed somewhat disoriented, but ultimately, a cold killing intent surfaced on her small face.
Brother Ling Xiao... was right after all!!
All of this was actually a scheme laid by the Blood Soul Holy Master!
They massacred the entire Lin family just to make me hold hatred in my heart and have no attachments, so I would focus solely on the Path of Slaughter!!
What a cruel method, what a cruel... Master!
Brother Lin Xi, Father Lin Dong, rest assured, I will definitely avenge you personally.
"Huh? Ling'er... you... what did you just do?" After a long while, a glimmer of light finally returned to the white-haired old man's eyes, a deep terror flashing in their depths.
Just moments ago, this Blood Hall Holy Maiden had asked him to open his Soul Palace, saying she wanted to show him a very strange memory.
He had watched Bai Ling grow up, and she was only at the Breakthrough Realm.
Therefore, he hadn't been the slightest bit guarded.
But...
Why did he now feel a sense of powerlessness, as if he was being controlled?
"Grandpa Qi, this matter is a secret between the two of us. You mustn't tell Master." A sinister glint flashed in Bai Ling's eyes.
Qi Yi only nodded blankly, seemingly unable to refuse any of the girl's requests.
"Master, I'm afraid you won't trust me as much as Grandpa Qi does."
Bai Ling sighed inwardly. Although this kind of scheming made her feel somewhat downcast.
After all, this Blood Hall expert before her truly had no defenses against her and trusted her completely.
Yet she... had taken advantage of that.
This feeling was very unpleasant.
But no matter what, the truth behind the Lin family massacre had finally been revealed.
Brother was right.
No matter how evil a technique is, it depends on where it's used!
When dealing with a sinister person like the Blood Soul Holy Master, what is there to hesitate about?
However, given that person's cunning, he probably wouldn't be as easy to deal with as this Qi Yi.
It seems I need to find a few helpers within the Hall first.
If the plan fails, then I'll just kill him head-on!!
Back in the Great Xia Imperial Palace, the blankness on Ling Xiao's face gradually faded, replaced by a smile.
Marvelous!
He truly hadn't expected that girl Bai Ling to so smoothly plant a Soul Imprint on that Elder Qi responsible for distributing Blood Hall missions.
In that case, didn't he now know all the hidden agents the Blood Hall had deployed throughout the Saint State?
My good little sister, you have not disappointed your brother after all.
Keep it up!
On the day you deal with the Blood Soul Holy Master, I will definitely ascend Qing Cang Mountain to congratulate you on becoming the new master of the Blood Hall!
However...
Before that, your brother cannot be easily exposed. After all, that Blood Hall Holy Master is far too sinister and terrifying.
It's not that I'm afraid of death; I just want to be your final backup!
"G-Great Lord..." Emperor Xia didn't even dare to raise his head, remaining kneeling on the ground.
This scene left everyone in the hall utterly bewildered.
Vaguely, they seemed to have stumbled upon an extremely terrifying secret.
But they couldn't quite articulate what it was.
"Rise. When it comes to congratulatory gifts, the sentiment is the most important. I advise you all to reflect on your actions." Ling Xiao waved his hand.
Only then did Emperor Xia bow and return the dragon talisman to Ling Xiao. He then turned to look at Jiang Yu. "Hurry... hurry up and prepare a seat for the Royal Son-in-Law!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty... Thank you... Young Master!" Jiang Yu looked up at Ling Xiao, his eyes filled with genuine gratitude.
Although he didn't know who this young man was, if not for him today, he would likely have lost both his life and his wife.
Even if!!
Emperor Xia would regret it one day, judging by Qi Deqiang's demeanor, he would probably... have his way with Yanran tonight.
If that happened, all his efforts over the past three years would be in vain.
And Yanran would be completely ruined!
In truth, the medicinal baths he prepared for Xia Yanran every night not only enhanced her spiritual power but also addressed the issues caused by her Primal Origin Spirit Body.
Ling Xiao's kindness, to Jiang Yu, was like a rebirth!
Ding! The Son of Fate feels gratitude again. Congratulations, Host, on plundering 300 Luck Points and 3000 Villain Points.
"Young Master? You, his..." Emperor Xia's eyes darkened.
This is my ancestor, and you call him Young Master?
Should I call you Second Ancestor then?
Dammit!
But... the ancestor clearly found Jiang Yu's sincerity touching. Making things difficult for him now would probably displease the ancestor?
However... the alliance with Great Qi must not be missed.
If Jiang Yu voluntarily leaves Yanran, leaves Great Xia...
Hehe, then the ancestor won't blame me, right?
"Humph, Jiang Yu, I'll let you be proud for a little while longer..."
The birthday banquet felt somewhat stifled due to the various interruptions.
It wasn't until dusk that the visiting envoys gradually departed.
Before leaving, Qi Deqiang shot a deep, meaningful glance at Emperor Xia, his intention clear.
No matter who Ling Xiao was, or why Emperor Xia was so obsequious to him, that was Great Xia's business. What did it have to do with him?
As long as he didn't get Xia Yanran, Great Xia would lose the alliance with Great Qi. Emperor Xia would surely weigh the pros and cons.
"Jiang Yu... you should go back first." Xia Yanran, Jiang Yu staying here might give her father more ideas, quickly signaled him with her eyes.
Jiang Yu bowed and retreated with the crowd.
But Xia Yanran's gaze unintentionally drifted towards Ling Xiao, a complex, indescribable emotion hidden deep in her eyes.
Originally, in her heart, her eldest imperial brother was the model of celestial bearing.
But today she realized she was wrong.
This one... is the brilliant sun all talented women yearn for!
Dazzling, eye-catching, making one... feel ashamed of their own inadequacy.
From beginning to end, Emperor Xia did not speak.
Or rather, before he understood the ancestor's attitude towards Jiang Yu, he didn't dare to draw any conclusions.
"Now that there are no outsiders... I shall introduce everyone to... this is..." Seeing that only the Great Xia imperial clan members remained in the hall, a grave expression suddenly surfaced on Emperor Xia's face. He stood up and bowed deeply towards Ling Xiao.
"The Ancestor of our Great Xia!!"