Chapter 775 Take action

The pale silver spatial power surged and swirled in Xiao Ling's palm. Every slight movement of his fingertips caused fine ripples to spread in the surrounding void. The invisible spatial fluctuations seemed violent, but under his absolute control of his mental power, they were as docile as a gentle stream.

In the blink of an eye, a pale silver spatial passage, about ten feet wide, suddenly formed beside him! The inner walls of the passage flowed with a glass-like luster, and a rich spatial power permeated the air, yet there was no sign of it leaking out. Even if someone with low cultivation level stepped in, they would not be harmed by the spatial turbulence.

Xiao Ling withdrew his hand, which had been gathering spatial power, and then turned his gaze to Venerable Tianhuo beside him.

At this moment, after taking the high-quality recovery pills that Xiao Ling had previously given him, the effects of the medicine had fully taken hold. The surging medicinal power flowed through his meridians throughout his body, not only completely clearing away the remaining Soul Palace power in his body, but also repairing his damaged meridians and blood.

His previously disheveled white hair at his temples had been neatly combed, and the dried blood at the corner of his mouth had been wiped clean. Although his tattered robes had not been changed, they could not conceal the powerful aura that had risen around him again. His complexion was rosy, and his eyes were clear. He had recovered to seven or eight tenths of his peak condition and was no longer in his previous disheveled state.

Seeing this, Xiao Ling nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes, then said in a deep voice to Venerable Heavenly Fire,

"Senior Tianhuo, the effects of the elixir are already showing, and you are recovering very quickly. Next, you will lead the team through this spatial passage to leave first, and then take the elders and fellow disciples back to Xingyun Pavilion as soon as possible. Please be careful on the way."

Upon hearing this, Venerable Tianhuo immediately nodded emphatically, his voice loud and resolute, "I understand. After we leave Fallen Soul Cliff through this spatial passage, I will activate the power of space to protect all of you and return to Starfall Pavilion at full speed!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his gaze suddenly shifted to Xiao Ling, the worry between his brows deepening, and he couldn't help but press for an answer.
"But Xiao Ling, judging from your words, do you perhaps intend to stay in this Earthly Fiend Palace?"

He paused, recalling the secret he had gleaned from Blood River Celestial Venerable, and his tone grew increasingly urgent.

“I vaguely heard that Blood River Old Ghost mention that the Soul Palace specially dispatched a high-level half-saint to oversee the capture of you! The strength of that being is several times more terrifying than Blood River Old Ghost. He can shatter mountains with a mere gesture. Do you really think you can handle him alone?”

Upon hearing this, everyone from the Starfall Pavilion around felt a pang of anxiety, including Yun Yun, who all turned their gazes toward Xiao Ling, their eyes filled with undisguised worry.

Yun Yun moved gracefully with light steps, standing elegantly at the front of the crowd. Although her moon-white robe was stained with dust, it could not conceal her refined and elegant demeanor.

Her beautiful eyes were fixed on Xiao Ling, her willow-leaf eyebrows slightly furrowed, and her tone was full of genuine concern: "Xiao Ling, Senior Tianhuo is absolutely right. This Earthly Fiend Hall is a den of dragons and tigers for the Soul Hall, fraught with danger. It would be better if you left with us. If you want to settle this score with the Soul Hall in the future, you can come back when you have a safe opportunity. There is no need to risk your life here alone."

Facing the worried gazes of the crowd, Xiao Ling remained calm and composed. His azure robe fluttered without wind, and his domineering aura grew even more steady.

He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, yet carrying a penetrating power, calm and firm, "Rest assured, everyone, I have my reasons for insisting on staying. The Soul Palace dared to brazenly abduct my fellow disciples from the Starfall Pavilion. How could I, as the young pavilion master and elder, sit idly by in the face of such provocation?"

He paused, a confident smile curving his lips, a sharp glint in his eyes, his tone unwavering: "Besides, I dare to stay because I am absolutely confident in my own strength. Those so-called high-level half-saints are nothing but trifles in my eyes, not worth worrying about at all. You should return to the Starfall Pavilion first to regroup and rest. I will bring Anran back soon."

After hearing Xiao Ling's words and seeing his resolute expression and genuine confidence in his eyes, everyone knew that his mind was made up and that further persuasion would be futile.

Venerable Tianhuo stepped forward, raised his calloused hand, patted Xiao Ling's shoulder, and laughed heartily: "Good lad, still with that fearless spirit! I like that kind of personality!"

His tone was full of praise and trust, "Then I will go ahead and prepare a banquet at the Starfall Pavilion to await your triumphant return!"

Having said that, Venerable Heavenly Fire no longer hesitated, turned around and strode towards the pale silver spatial passage, his figure instantly disappearing into the passage.

The other members of the Starfall Pavilion also bowed to Xiao Ling and said in unison, "Take care, Young Pavilion Master!"

They then entered the passage one after another, their figures disappearing into the ripples of space.

Whether it was intentional or a coincidence, after the last fellow disciple disappeared into the passage, Yun Yun remained standing in place, not leaping away. Her moon-white robes gleamed faintly in the dim light of the secret chamber.

"Yunyun, you should leave with everyone first." Xiao Ling's gaze fell on the woman who was still standing in the same place. His tone was calm but with a hint of understanding. "If you still want to persuade me to leave with you, then there is no need to say more. We have spent so many time together, and you should know a thing or two about my personality."

Upon hearing this, Yun Yun gently shook her head, a lingering worry between her brows. She looked up at him with complex emotions, her voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of melancholy and concern: "Xiao Ling, I'm not trying to persuade you. But... do you know how Yan is doing lately?"

She paused, recalling the perilous scene of that day, a flicker of lingering fear crossing her eyes, before continuing...

"When the Soul Hall besieged our group, the situation was extremely critical. I did my best to draw the attention of three Soul Hall protectors, barely buying her a chance to escape. Now, many days have passed, and I still can't rest easy. I wonder if that girl has safely returned to the Starfall Pavilion, and if she has encountered any accidents..."

Upon hearing Yun Yun mention Nalan Yanran, Xiao Ling's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. He secretly thought to himself that he had been deluding himself, mistakenly believing that she was worried about his safety.

He raised his hand and waved it, his tone reassuring and calm.
"Don't worry. It was Yanran who rushed back to Xingyun Pavilion day and night to inform me about your abduction, which allowed me to quickly locate the location of Di Sha Hall and come to rescue you overnight."

He paused, a faint smile flashing in his eyes, and added,
“That girl must be extremely anxious in the pavilion right now, worrying about your safety as her master every day. You should return to Starfall Pavilion as soon as possible to reunite with her and put her mind at ease, so that she doesn’t develop a mental illness from worrying day and night.”

Upon learning that Nalan Yanran was safe and sound and had already returned to Xingyun Pavilion, Yun Yun's tense nerves finally relaxed. The gloom that had been shrouding her beautiful face dissipated, and she revealed a genuine and relaxed smile, much of the worry between her brows also faded.

She looked up at Xiao Ling, her beautiful eyes filled with gratitude and concern, and said sincerely.
"Xiao Ling, I will repay your life-saving grace once you return to the Starfall Pavilion, bringing Yanran with me to pay you a visit. Afterwards, you will be facing the Soul Palace experts alone, so please be extremely careful! My cultivation is low, and my understanding of the strength of high-level Half-Saints is limited, so I cannot be of much help. But if you are truly outmatched, remember not to fight head-on; just escape as quickly as possible. With your strength, even if you cannot defeat a Half-Saint, protecting yourself should not be a problem, right?" "You can rest assured about that." Xiao Ling lightly shook his finger, a nonchalant smile curving his lips, his eyes brimming with an overbearing confidence.
"To tell you the truth, my strength, Xiao Ling's strength, far exceeds your imagination. Those so-called high-level half-saints are nothing but clowns in my eyes, not worth mentioning at all!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he pointed to the still stable spatial passage beside him, his tone urging, "Alright, you don't need to linger here anymore, lest you keep Senior Tianhuo and the others waiting on the other side of the passage. I have remembered your instructions, thank you for your concern."

Seeing Xiao Ling's resolute attitude and overflowing confidence, Yun Yun knew there was no need to say anything more. She looked at Xiao Ling deeply, her gaze filled with gratitude, concern, and a hint of indescribable emotion. Then, a light and charming smile bloomed on her lips, like snow melting and cherry blossoms blooming in spring.

Without further hesitation, she turned and took graceful steps into the pale silver spatial passage. As her clothes fluttered, her figure was quickly swallowed up by the spatial ripples within the passage.

Once Yun Yun's figure had completely disappeared, Xiao Ling immediately composed himself, and the spatial power in his palm abruptly withdrew.

The spatial passage, about ten feet wide, receded like the tide, leaving ripples in the void before finally disappearing completely, as if it had never existed.

Inside the secret chamber, a chilling aura swirled in the empty space, with only Xiao Ling's figure standing like a solitary peak, his azure robe contrasting sharply with the surrounding deathly silence.

With a flick of his palm, a streak of dark light suddenly appeared, and a banner covered with strange runes landed steadily in his hand—the Ten Thousand Souls Banner!

On the banner, black mist surged and swirled like living things, and wisps of cold aura seeped out, intertwining with the residual aura of the Soul Palace in the secret chamber, causing the surrounding temperature to drop several degrees. Countless soul shadows roared and floated among the runes, terrifying beyond measure!
"Come out." Xiao Ling's thoughts stirred slightly, and he lightly tapped the banner with his fingertips.

hum-

Suddenly, the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls erupted with thick black mist, and ten tall figures flew out from the banner, landing steadily in front of Xiao Ling like ghosts.

They were all dressed in dark black robes, their hoods covering most of their faces, revealing only pairs of eyes that gleamed with a cold, eerie green light. The chilling aura surrounding them was as solid as iron, clearly indicating that they were all at the peak of the Dou Zun realm! Just one step away from the Half-Saint realm, this lineup was enough to sweep away many so-called major forces in the Central Continent!
"Meet the master!"

Ten figures in black robes knelt on one knee in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized. Their voices were deep and hoarse, like the friction of metal against stone, filled with respect from the depths of their souls. Their auras were completely suppressed, and they dared not overstep their bounds in the slightest.

Xiao Ling gently rubbed the Myriad Soul Banner with his fingers, a cold smile curving his lips. His voice was deep and magnetic, tinged with amusement and anticipation: "It's been quite a while since I've replenished the Myriad Soul Banner with its soul. This gathering of many powerful figures from the Soul Palace and the Earthly Fiend Hall is an excellent opportunity."

He looked up towards the outside of the secret chamber, a sharp glint in his eyes, his tone filled with unwavering certainty.

"I hope that the soul of that Bone Nether Saint is worthy of the title 'High-Level Half-Saint,' and that he won't disappoint me..."

……

Before the massive stone door to the underground chamber of the Earthly Fiend Hall, two figures in black robes leaned against the stone wall, chatting leisurely.

The stone gate, forged from ten-thousand-year-old black iron, was incredibly heavy, but at this moment it became the backdrop for the two to rest temporarily.

"Because of this damn operation, the branch hall I'm guarding is piled high with work!" The black-robed man on the left tugged at his collar, his tone full of complaints, his cold voice revealing impatience.
"I'm still far from meeting the target for soul collection this quarter. Once I've sorted things out here, I'll have to rush back tonight to make up the difference. What bad luck!"

"Hehehe..." The black-robed man on the right let out a strange laugh, his tone nonchalant, "What's the panic? If we can capture Xiao Ling this time, it will be a tremendous achievement, and the elders will reward us handsomely!"

"As for the soul quota, just leave it to your subordinates. They have plenty of ways to plunder it. Do you think I'd let you run errands for them personally?"

The two were engrossed in their conversation, completely unaware that the black iron stone door behind them, powerful enough to withstand a full-force attack from a half-saint, was already quietly emanating a faint golden halo.

boom--!
In an instant, a deafening explosion suddenly erupted!

The tightly closed black iron stone door suddenly shattered like paper, and countless black fragments, along with thick dust and air currents, transformed into a shock wave that could be seen to destroy, and burst out of the secret chamber!

The two figures in black robes didn't even have time to turn their heads before they were slammed hard into the back by the terrifying impact. They hastily circulated their fighting spirit, but couldn't even muster the slightest resistance.

His body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, spitting out blood, and the cracking sound of his bones breaking could be clearly heard amidst the roar.

The shockwave continued unabated, rushing straight into the depths of the passage. Several massive stone pillars, each requiring several people to encircle, shattered instantly, sending debris flying and dust billowing everywhere.

If the underground structure of the Earthly Fiend Palace had not been reinforced with a special formation, with tight and secure joints and made of extraordinary materials, it would probably have collapsed completely under this attack and become a pile of ruins!
The earth-shattering roar from underground was like a thunderclap, instantly shattering the silence of the Earthly Fiend Palace! It immediately alerted all the Soul Palace experts guarding the area!
In an instant, countless spatial ripples appeared in the void, and figures dressed in black robes emerged from the air like ghosts, converging in the underground hall in the blink of an eye.

Their bodies were surrounded by cold, surging battle qi, their auras chilling. They were clearly the elites of the Soul Palace, all of them Dou Zun level experts!
At the very front of the crowd, a figure dressed in a dark purple robe slowly solidified.

This person was thin and gaunt, his face shrouded in a thin layer of black mist, revealing only a pair of turbid eyes that shone with a chilling, predatory light. The semi-saintly pressure surrounding him was as heavy as a mountain, making the surrounding air almost freeze. He was the mastermind behind this Soul Palace operation, the Bone Nether Saint, whose strength was as high as a high-level semi-saint!
"This saves me the trouble of searching for them one by one. I didn't expect them to all come to me willingly. Now, I advise you to use all your means. I hope your struggles will make me more amused..." (End of Chapter)