Xiao Ling and his group fixed their gazes on the place where demonic energy was surging.

The blurry figure gradually solidified its outline in the black mist, and finally stepped out of the swirling demonic fog.

His face was pale but he was extremely handsome, with a strange and eerie look between his brows. His low, cold laughter echoed throughout the ruins.

"Heh, is this what it feels like to be free again?"

The Ninth Prince looked down at Xiao Ling with disdain, his tone arrogant and condescending.
"Human, considering that you unintentionally helped me break the seal, I will give you a chance to voluntarily submit to my alien demon race and serve under my command."

Xiao Ling scoffed at this, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes, his tone indifferent yet tinged with coldness:

"Heh, who gave you the audacity? Since you're so arrogant, I'll give you a chance. Kill yourself on the spot, and you'll at least retain some dignity; if you force me to take action, I won't give you such a quick and easy opportunity."

Xiao Ling pondered to himself, a sense of bewilderment rising within him. These alien demons were always so arrogant, ignorant, and utterly oblivious to their current predicament.

Although Xiao Ling did use some unusual and special methods to subdue and devour the Ancestral Symbol, under normal circumstances, anyone who wants to subdue the Ancestral Symbol must go through many difficult tests set by the Ancestral Symbol.

Therefore, every holder of the Ancestral Symbol cares deeply about the people of the Tianxuan Continent and is an irreconcilable mortal enemy of the Otherworldly Demon Race.

However, the Nine Kings Palace just couldn't see this principle, and dared to speak so recklessly and arrogantly, saying such absurd things. They were really out of touch with reality and extremely stupid.

The Ninth Prince's expression suddenly darkened. He was filled with anger at Xiao Ling's sarcastic remarks.

He glanced sideways at the illusory remnant soul of the Black Village beside him, a hint of undisguised contempt flashing in his eyes. Then, he locked his cold gaze back onto Xiao Ling, his fierce aura suddenly surging, and the sense of danger growing stronger.

At first, he couldn't see through Xiao Ling's true cultivation level, so he restrained himself and didn't act rashly. But now it seems there's no need to continue hiding and testing him.

"Heh, truly arrogant to the extreme!" Ninth Prince shouted coldly, his malevolent aura surging.

"The previous wielder of the Devouring Ancestral Symbol perished at the hands of this hall! Today, you, the new wielder of the Ancestral Symbol, will also be unable to escape your fate and will perish here as well!"

Having said that, the Ninth Prince's lips curled into a sinister smile, and his palm suddenly clenched in the air.

In an instant, the void beneath him churned violently, and countless fragments of demonic corpses burst forth from the cracks in the ground, flying and swirling in the sky. Under the entanglement and fusion of the rolling demonic energy, they merged and merged into one, instantly forming a giant bone sword that was entirely black and terrifying.

The sword's blade was covered in intricate and mottled bone patterns, exuding a chilling aura. Dense and violent evil demonic energy surged continuously from the sword, enveloping the surrounding area and making the air cold and biting.

Nine Kings Palace gripped the black bone sword tightly with his five fingers, and a sudden gust of demonic wind swept around him. His figure transformed into a ghostly black shadow that was unpredictable and elusive. Carrying a monstrous and ferocious sword aura and boundless demonic energy, he charged straight towards Xiao Ling with terrifying force.

Facing the pitch-black bone sword that crashed down with world-destroying ferocity, the violent demonic energy tore through the sky, even crushing fine spatial cracks in the surrounding void, its power terrifying to the extreme.

Xiao Ling remained standing with his hands behind his back, his expression indifferent and calm, his eyes showing no ripples, as if what was coming towards him was not a fatal blow capable of crushing mountains and rivers, but merely an insignificant breeze.

He didn't even move an inch, but slowly raised his right hand, casually extending one index finger and holding it lightly in front of him.

The next second, the devastating sword energy of the demonic sword crashed into the fingertip, the deafening sound of the energy collision resounding through the heavens and earth, and the violent energy ripples swept wildly in all directions, with shattered rocks and chaotic demonic energy flying everywhere.

That powerful strike, enough to instantly kill a peak expert of the first level of the Reincarnation Tribulation, was firmly pinned in mid-air by Xiao Ling's nonchalant finger. The sword energy surged wildly and the demonic power raged, but it could not advance even a fraction further and was completely frozen in place.

The arrogant grin on Jiu Wangdian's face froze instantly, the color draining from his pale face, his pupils contracting to their maximum, his face filled with extreme shock and disbelief.

He had expected that the person before him was incredibly strong, but he never dreamed that his all-out killing blow would be caught by the other party with such a casual and nonchalant attitude, without even shaking the other party's clothes. The difference between the two was so great that it sent a chill down his spine.

Just as the Ninth Prince was shaken to his core, his body stiffened, and even his breath stopped, Xiao Ling raised his eyes. His deep, cold gaze met the Ninth Prince's horrified eyes directly. A faint, mocking smile slowly curved his lips, and his tone was calm yet carried an undeniable pressure.

"With such meager skills, you dare to be presumptuous in front of me? You are truly weak and pathetic."

"You have squandered the opportunity I gave you earlier. Now it is my turn to make my move."

Before he finished speaking, Xiao Ling pressed his fingertips, which were resting on the sword energy, down slightly.

In an instant, a seven-colored flame that pierced the heavens and earth erupted from his fingertips. The dazzling flames, carrying the supreme power to incinerate all demons, spread wildly upwards along with the raging, surging black demonic energy.

Wherever the strange fire passed, the evil and violent demonic energy melted, burned, and devoured away at a visible speed, like snow meeting the scorching sun, leaving not even a trace of evil aura behind.

In the blink of an eye, the surging black demonic mist was completely swept away by the dazzling strange fire, and the originally dark and oppressive world was instantly illuminated by the seven-colored divine light.

Immediately afterwards, the earth-shattering flames continued their relentless advance, transforming into a raging torrent of flames that swept across the sky. With an unparalleled pressure that locked onto the soul, it hurtled straight toward the pale-faced Ninth King's Palace at an extreme speed that was impossible to dodge.

The torrent of seven-colored flames that swept across the sky arrived in an instant, giving the Nine Kings Palace no chance to dodge or block. The dazzling flames spread out and instantly enveloped and tightly bound his entire figure.

The endless, frenzied invasion invaded his body and soul. Jiu Wangdian felt his bones and the very essence of his soul being burned and torn apart by the extreme heat in an instant. The excruciating pain swept over his entire body, causing him to convulse violently. He could only subconsciously tilt his head back and let out a shrill, miserable, and desperate roar.

But the scream had barely escaped its throat when it was instantly swallowed and annihilated by the raging seven-colored flames, leaving not a trace in the world.

In the blink of an eye, under the power of the strange fire, which was enough to incinerate the heavens and earth, the demonic body and soul of the Nine Kings Palace were completely incinerated and dissolved, leaving not even a trace of bone, blood, or demonic energy. It was completely transformed into a wisp of nothingness and vanished without a trace. Then, with a casual gesture from Xiao Ling's palm, the seven-colored imperial flame that had just burned away the evil spirits and traversed the heavens and earth, like a docile bird returning to its nest, followed his will and suddenly changed direction, obediently flying back to him at high speed.

The dazzling imperial flames slowly swirled and circled around Xiao Ling, shimmering with light. The flames gently brushed against his clothes, completely devoid of the ferocious and earth-shattering power they had displayed earlier, instead exuding an air of complete intimacy and gentleness.

The flame trembled gently, and snuggled affectionately against him in an extremely human-like manner, like a child clinging to its parent, obedient beyond belief.

A gentle, calm smile appeared on Xiao Ling's lips. He didn't say anything, simply letting the strange fire that had accompanied him for many years get close.

The next moment, the Seven-Colored Emperor Flame, guided by his aura, transformed into a thin stream of light and obediently re-entered his body, returning to complete stillness.

Between heaven and earth, only the vast void below, which had just been torn apart by the raging imperial flames, remained, still cracked with deep, dark fissures, and spatial turbulence slowly surged, not yet repaired and healed on its own under the rules of heaven and earth.

Immediately, Xiao Ling smoothed out the remaining energy ripples around him, then looked up and gazed in the direction where Ying Huanhuan, Ling Qingzhu, and Lin Qingtan were.

The three women were still gazing at the site of the battle, their eyes filled with lingering shock and amazement. Looking at the figure standing in the void with extraordinary bearing, their eyes were filled with undisguised admiration.

Under the gaze of three shocked eyes, Xiao Ling moved slightly, his clothes fluttering, and without the slightest breeze, he floated down from mid-air.

After landing, Xiao Ling nodded calmly to the three women, then turned to look at the still-standing illusory figure of the old man from the black-clad village beside him, and spoke slowly and calmly.
"Alright, the Nine Kings Palace has been completely burned to the ground by me. Its soul and spirit have been destroyed and there is no possibility of resurrection. This can be considered as settling your long-standing affliction and comforting the thousands of heroic spirits of your Great Wilderness Sect."

Upon hearing this, the old man in the dark village felt a surge of emotion in his pupil-less black eyes, filled with genuine gratitude and respect.

He immediately bowed deeply to Xiao Ling, clasping his hands in a fist salute. His aged and weathered voice, filled with utmost respect, echoed through the void.
"Thank you for your help, senior, in eliminating this scourge for the people. Your righteous heart and protection of all living beings are truly a blessing to the people of the Tianxuan Continent!"

With his insight and experience, he had already roughly discerned Xiao Ling's cultivation level from that brief exchange.

This person's strength is already at an early stage, and he has probably already transcended the shackles of the Reincarnation Realm, stepping into an unparalleled realm that no one in all ages can reach. His cultivation and power are already comparable to the Talisman Ancestor who guarded the world back then.

Xiao Ling waved his hand, interrupting Hei Tuan's polite praise. His expression was indifferent; he didn't want to hear any more flattery. He then spoke calmly with a smile:
"Alright, let's skip the formalities. Considering your immense contributions to the Tianxuan Continent in ancient times, including your selfless battles and desperate sealing of the alien demons, I'll offer you a suggestion."

His gaze calmly fell upon the dark, illusory figure, and he said unhurriedly, "I have the ability to help you reshape your physical body and escape the fate of your remnant soul dissipating. But the prerequisite is that from now on, you must sincerely obey me and be at my command. I wonder... are you willing?"

Upon hearing this, Hei Tuan's body trembled slightly, his expression suddenly froze, and he stood there stunned.

A moment later, an overwhelming surge of joy welled up inside him, and an unbelievable light shone in his aged eyes.

A peerless expert like Xiao Ling would never stoop to deceiving me with empty words; these words must be taken literally and are by no means a joke.

He quickly composed himself, bowed deeply to Xiao Ling, and spoke with utmost respect and earnestness:
"I am willing! If I can be saved by you, senior, and given a new life, I will be eternally grateful!"

Hei Tuan paused briefly, then his expression turned serious again, and he continued, his tone firm and sincere.

"I have only one wish, and I hope you will grant it. In this life, I will always uphold my principles, stand on the side of Tianxuan Continent, and fight to the death to resist the invasion of the alien demons and protect the peace of all living beings."

"Apart from this bottom line, as long as it does not endanger the Tianxuan Continent or harm innocent lives, I, Hei Tuan, will obey any orders or commands you give me in the future, and I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Xiao Ling waved his hand, his expression calm and composed, and slowly said:

"You can rest assured, I have my own principles and bottom line in my actions. As for guarding the world and resisting the alien demons, you can do as you please. Besides, I have a lot of grudges and conflicts with the alien demons. Sooner or later, I will completely annihilate the alien demons on the Tianxuan Continent."

Having said that, he smiled faintly, his tone becoming somewhat casual.
"Also, from now on, you don't need to address me so formally as 'senior.' Just call me Mr. Xiao Ling. Being addressed so respectfully by you all the time makes me feel old."

After giving several instructions and reminders, Xiao Ling slightly flipped his palm, and an ancient jade bottle with a smooth surface and restrained spiritual light appeared out of thin air.

This bottle was personally crafted by Xiao Ling. It is the most suitable treasure for residing in and nourishing a remnant soul. It can perfectly protect the wisp of remnant soul of Hei Tuan, which is about to dissipate, and help it survive for a long time.

Xiao Ling casually handed the jade bottle to him and said in a calm tone, "Your remnant soul is gradually weakening and it is difficult to maintain your illusory form for long. So, first, enter this jade bottle to rest and recuperate, and stabilize your soul. When I have some free time, I will take the time to reshape your physical body and resurrect you against the heavens."

Upon hearing this, Hei Tuan felt grateful and at ease, and had no doubts or resistance towards Xiao Ling. He immediately nodded respectfully in agreement.

The next moment, his dark, remnant soul trembled slightly, transforming into a wisp of warm, dark spiritual light that obediently drifted into the jade bottle.

With a flick of his finger, Xiao Ling caused the mouth of the jade bottle to glow with spiritual light, instantly closing and sealing itself. He then casually put the jade bottle away and stored it in his storage space.

With everything temporarily settled, Xiao Ling had no intention of lingering there any longer. He activated the power of space and, with the three women beside him, left this ancient stele space, which had been ravaged by the great battle and was now in ruins.

Above the vast and desolate ancient plains, a faint spatial ripple suddenly appeared in the void, gently undulating like water. The next moment, the figures of Xiao Ling and his group of four appeared out of thin air, standing quietly on the clouds.

"Xiao Ling, where should we go next? All matters concerning the Great Yan Dynasty should be settled by now, right?"

Ying Huanhuan looked around at the vast, desolate landscape, seeing not a soul in sight. She then turned to Xiao Ling and asked curiously.
"Don't rush, next I'm going to take you to meet your senior sister."

Xiao Ling smiled calmly and gently patted Ying Huanhuan's head. (End of Chapter)

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