Chapter 14369 The Empire Cannot Do Without You

"Over the years, I have experienced countless life-or-death situations and have my own experience in perceiving and dealing with danger."

"As for the ability to save my life and escape, I am quite confident."

"If I want to leave, unless someone of the Heavenly Abyss Saint Lord's level personally intervenes to stop me, that kind of being is like a god, possessing the power to destroy the world."

"Otherwise, you won't be able to keep me here."

This was not blind arrogance on his part. He possessed the mysterious and powerful Five Dragons Technique. Once the Five Dragons Technique was activated, it was as if five giant dragons were protecting him, allowing him to move freely in danger. There was also the Sacred Rune Array, a formation containing the mysteries of heaven and earth, which could be used for both offense and defense, and could open up a path to survival for him in critical moments.

These two skills allowed him to escape easily, giving him ample confidence.

Seeing that Ling Xiao's mind was made up, the abbot of Xuantian Temple frowned even more deeply, his face filled with anxiety and worry, and he wanted to say a few more words of persuasion:

"Emperor Batian, the dangers of Puppet City far exceed our imagination. If you go there, what if..."

Before he could finish speaking, Ling Xiao decisively waved his hand. The movement was swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation, and his tone was unquestionable, like a thunderclap in the cold night, resounding with conviction:
"No need to say more, I have made up my mind."

“Ling Bi is currently missing and her fate is unknown. She is my closest relative, and I must find out the truth.”

"Even if there are mountains of knives and seas of fire ahead, I will never back down."

Having said that, he turned to look at Ji Mingkong, his eyes filled with trust and entrustment, and solemnly said:
"Mingkong, during my absence, you will be in full charge of all affairs of the Batian Empire."

"You are meticulous and decisive. With you around, I feel at ease."

Ji Mingkong knew that once Ling Xiao made a decision, it was as unchangeable as a rock. She lowered her head slightly, her eyes filled with worry, and her anxiety surged like a tide in her heart.

She raised her head, her gaze fixed on Ling Xiao, and instructed him:

"be careful!"

"Remember, focus on reconnaissance and never take unnecessary risks!"

"If something happens to you, the Overlord Empire will lose its backbone."

Seeing Ji Mingkong's worried expression, Ling Xiao's lips curled into a slight, seemingly relaxed smile as he said:
"Don't worry, I value my life more than anyone else."

"If I can win, I'll fight; if I can't, I'll run faster than anyone else!"

"I'm not the kind of person who would throw my life away for nothing."

Ji Mingkong: "..."

Looking at Ling Xiao's seemingly relaxed smile, she felt as if a huge boulder was pressing down on her heart, and her worries did not lessen in the slightest.

She knew that Ling Xiao would face many dangers on his journey, and that behind that relaxed smile might lie endless determination and courage.

Ling Xiao then turned to look at the Abbot of Xuantian Temple, his gaze firm and sharp, like two swords:

"Give me the exact location of Puppet City and the known route map."

"With these, I can avoid some detours and find Ling Bi faster."

When the abbot of Xuantian Temple saw that his persuasion was ineffective, he sighed helplessly, a sigh that seemed to contain endless worry and helplessness.

After a moment of silence, he slowly flicked his finger, and a scroll containing a complex map flew towards Lingxiao like a shooting star.

The scroll traced a graceful arc in the air, carrying the Xuan Tian Temple Master's worries and blessings for Ling Xiao.

He said in a low voice:

"Emperor Batian, everything... should be done with utmost care!"

"The Overlord Empire cannot do without you!"

“You are the hope of the Overlord Empire. If something happens to you, the empire will likely fall into chaos.”

Ling Xiao steadily took the scroll, gently unfolded it with both hands, and scanned the scroll with his eyes, as if trying to engrave every detail of the map into his mind.

He nodded solemnly, a nod filled with firmness and determination:
"The Overlord Empire is now in your hands."

"If any enemies from the Realm of Nirvana attack, notify me immediately, understand?"

"I will return as soon as possible to protect this Overlord Empire."

Upon hearing Ling Xiao's instructions, Ji Mingkong's expression hardened, and he nodded heavily, the movement crisp and forceful, as if making a firm promise to Ling Xiao:
"understand!"

Although her voice was not loud, it was full of determination, as if she would do her best to protect the Batian Empire if Ling Xiao needed her.

Ling Xiao said no more. A resolute look flashed in his eyes. His body trembled violently, like a black whirlwind, and he instantly turned into a black mist that shot into the sky.

The black mist, like a giant black dragon, pierced the sky with incredible speed, disappearing into the horizon in the blink of an eye, leaving only a faint black shadow as proof of its existence.

Ji Mingkong gazed in the direction where Ling Xiao had disappeared, remaining silent for a long time.

Her eyes held both worry for Ling Xiao and concern for Ling Bi's safety.

That sky seemed to hold all her worries and hopes.

Finally, she sighed softly, her voice tinged with a hint of regret and helplessness:

"Although Ling Bi and His Majesty are not blood-related siblings, their affection is deep and surpasses that of blood-related siblings."

"They grew up together and went through countless ups and downs together. Their bond has long transcended the boundaries of blood ties."

The abbot of Xuantian Temple also stood aside and echoed with emotion:

"Yes, Your Majesty and Ling Bi are willing to give everything for each other. Such a relationship is truly enviable."

"In this world full of power struggles and interests, it is so rare to have such a pure and profound affection."

"I hope his trip goes smoothly and that he returns safely."

Ji Mingkong could only pray silently in her heart, her hands clasped tightly together, as if this could transfer a bit of strength to Ling Xiao.

She knew that Ling Xiao would face many unknown dangers on his journey to Puppet City, but she believed that he would be able to turn the danger into safety and bring Ling Bi back safely.

In the vast void, Ling Xiao pushed his movement technique to its limit, flying amidst the black mist.

His figure appeared and disappeared in the black mist, like a mysterious ghost.

This time, he did not ride the conspicuous three-headed azure dragon, after all, this trip was a covert reconnaissance, and keeping a low profile was the best course of action.

He knew that there must be countless dangers and spies lurking in the Puppet City, and if his whereabouts were exposed from the beginning, he would probably be in a very passive situation.

It was unclear how much time had passed; it felt like centuries had gone by, yet it also seemed like only a blink of an eye. Following the map on the scroll, Ling Xiao finally arrived at his destination.

Puppet City is situated on a desolate island, an island so vast it resembles a giant star embedded in a boundless lake.

Its area is even ten times larger than the entire Batian Empire. From a distance, it looks like a huge castle floating on a lake.

If it weren't for the fact that it is surrounded by an endless lake, isolating it from the outside world, it would be impossible to call it an island; perhaps calling it a "giant on land" wouldn't be an exaggeration.