Chapter 14253 Survivors

Even though Ling Xiao was mentally prepared and knew that the Holy Temple Army, as an elite force, must have a lot of good stuff, he still couldn't help but gasp when he actually saw the valuables in the storage ring. His mouth stretched almost to his ears, and his eyes gleamed with excitement.

Spirit crystals piled up like mountains before my eyes, their dazzling light almost blinding me.

Ling Xiao suppressed his shock and carefully counted the items. The total amounted to more than 400 million mid-grade spirit crystals!
This is no small amount. Even in some large cultivation sects, four hundred million mid-grade spirit crystals would be enough to support the sect's operation and expenses for a period of time.

In addition to spirit crystals, there are thirty-two treasures at the Great Sun Realm level.

Each of these treasures exudes a powerful aura; some of the swords have a mysterious light flowing across their blades, as if they contain endless sword intent.
Some armor plates are covered with strange runes, making it clear at a glance that they have amazing defensive capabilities;
Some magical artifacts emit multicolored light, making their uses unfathomable.

There were countless pills, spiritual materials, and cultivation manuals on jade slips. The pills emitted a rich medicinal fragrance, the spiritual materials shimmered with a lively luster, and the cultivation manuals on jade slips contained the wisdom and hard work of the predecessors.

This doesn't even include the innate five elements source that he recently devoured within his Five Elements Dragon Soul.

That innate five elements origin is an extremely rare treasure in the world, containing the most fundamental power of the five elements. Once fully refined, it will have an immeasurable effect on improving Ling Xiao's strength.

Nearly four hundred million mid-grade spirit crystals!
Ling Xiao was momentarily dazed, as if he were in a dream.

He has risked his life countless times, fought countless battles, and ventured through countless dangerous and mysterious places, but he has never seen such a huge amount of wealth.

And these were merely spoils from killing a team of less than a hundred men.

He couldn't help but imagine just how terrifying the wealth the Holy Temple had accumulated, as a massive force that plundered freely throughout the universe. It was probably beyond the imagination of ordinary people!
“Brother, you need far more resources for your cultivation, so you should take the lion’s share!” Ling Bi looked at the mountain of treasures in front of her without the slightest greed. Instead, she unhesitatingly returned a large portion of what she had received to Ling Xiao.

She knew in her heart that Ling Xiao had been working tirelessly to improve his strength and protect them. The challenges and dangers he faced were much greater than hers, so he naturally needed more resources to support him.

“Yes, I think so too. That’s fair. Besides, Brother Ling, you did the most!” Xiao Lianzhu said with a smile, her eyes filled with trust and reliance on Ling Xiao.

In this battle, Ling Xiao single-handedly turned the tide, killing many members of the Holy Temple army. His efforts and contributions are evident to all.

"Alright, I won't stand on ceremony with you." Ling Xiao wasn't one to be sentimental, especially not with Ling Bi and Xiao Lianzhu.

Ling Bi is his younger sister; they grew up together and have a deep bond.

Xiao Lianzhu is his fiancée, and the two have long been engaged.

Being polite in front of them would only make them seem distant.

He knew in his heart that only by becoming stronger could he better protect Ling Bi and Xiao Lianzhu, help them become stronger, and gain a foothold in this cruel world of cultivation.

Just then, the woman in black who had left returned.

Her figure appeared silently before Ling Xiao and the other two, like a ghost.

Surprisingly, she was accompanied by a little girl who looked to be about eleven or twelve years old.

The little girl was pale, clearly having endured much hardship. Her clothes were tattered and torn, making it seem as if a gust of wind could blow her over.

But her eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, like twinkling stars in the night sky. She looked at Ling Xiao and the other two without fear, her gaze revealing a kind of tenacity and stubbornness that made people feel sorry for her.

The woman in black rushed back to this devastated land and saw the corpses of the Holy Templars lying scattered all over the ground. Blood pooled in the scorched earth, forming dark red streams that emitted a nauseating stench.

Her body trembled slightly, her eyes filled with relief at surviving the ordeal and gratitude towards Ling Xiao and the other two.

She quickly straightened her slightly disheveled clothes, then bowed deeply, her voice trembling slightly yet utterly sincere: "Thank you, my three benefactors!"

"If it weren't for your timely assistance, this place would likely be a river of blood today, and we survivors would not have escaped death either."

Ling Xiao's gaze slowly swept over the desolate city before him. The once bustling streets were now ruins, houses collapsed, and thick smoke had not yet completely dissipated, with the air filled with the smell of burning.

His brow furrowed slightly, a wave of sorrow washing over him. He turned to the woman in black and asked in a low voice, "How many survivors are left here?"

The woman in black's expression darkened, a hint of pain and helplessness flashing in her eyes. She sighed softly and said, "When the Holy Army invaded, the people from the various sects and families scattered and went into hiding."

Some hid in deep mountains and forests, while others took refuge in abandoned caves.

The exact number is unknown, but there should still be tens of thousands of people.

But now they lack food and clothing, and are constantly worried that the Holy Trinity will come again; their lives are extremely difficult.

As Ling Xiao listened to the woman in black's description, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

He knew all too well how difficult it was for ordinary people and weak cultivators to survive in this chaotic world.

He sighed softly, his gaze resolute, and said, "Take them to the Great Town Dynasty, which is now called the Overlord Empire."

Someone will take care of you.

Once you get there, you will no longer have to live in fear and will be able to live a peaceful life.

"The Great Town Dynasty? The Overlord Empire?" The woman in black was taken aback, her eyes filled with doubt. She suddenly looked up, her gaze fixed on Ling Xiao, her voice tinged with urgency and curiosity, "Are you two from the Overlord Empire?"

That place where the legendary 'treasure' was said to have appeared?

Recently, news about the existence of a supreme treasure in the Overlord Empire has been widely circulated among various forces. It is said that the treasure possesses mysterious and powerful abilities, making it coveted by countless forces. The Holy Temple has even dispatched a large number of people to search for it everywhere.

Ling Xiao's lips twitched almost imperceptibly, and he smiled bitterly to himself.

The news of this treasure has spread from who-knows-where and is now causing quite a stir, bringing a lot of trouble to himself and the Overlord Empire.

But he showed no sign of anything amiss on his face, his expression remaining calm and composed.

Looking at Ling Xiao's expression, the woman in black became even more worried. She frowned and said with concern, "The Holy Temple is determined to obtain that treasure. They are powerful and ruthless, and will stop at nothing to achieve their goals."

They will never let the Overlord Empire go. Once they find the Overlord Empire's location, they will surely come out in full force, and then..."