Batian Martial Soul

Ling Xiao slowly turned around, his eyes indifferent as ice, his tone laced with sarcasm: "Just because it's important to your Sword Sect, does that mean I should give it to you? Then your Sword Sect's treasured artifact, the 'Azure Nether Sword Embryo,' is also very important to me. Otherwise, why don't you bring it to me?"

Yu Jianzi paused, his expression turning somewhat grim, but he remained undeterred: "Emperor Batian is joking. If you are willing to part with it, my Sword Sect is willing to form an alliance with the Batian Empire. If the Batian Empire ever needs our assistance in the future, my Sword Sect will do our utmost!"

"In the future?" Ling Xiao laughed, his laughter filled with cold mockery. "Where was your Sword Sect when the Holy Hall led all the major forces to besiege me? I don't ask you to help me in my time of need, but now that I've established myself, you're adding to my glory and trying to take my things for free...aren't you shameless?"

Yu Jianzi's expression changed drastically, and he was about to speak in his defense...

The sword flashes like lightning!

A sword beam, refined to its utmost, suddenly appeared out of thin air and silently swept past Yu Jianzi's head.

"Hey!"

A strand of gray hair slowly drifted down, sending a chill down Yu Jianzi's spine. He broke out in a cold sweat and instinctively retreated several feet, looking at Ling Xiao in horror.

"If you continue to be stubborn, next time it won't be your hair that gets cut off, it will be your head!" Ling Xiao's eyes were icy cold, and there was not a trace of a joke in his tone.

If it weren't for Yu Jianzi's help when he was in danger, he would have already taken action. How could he tolerate the other party's repeated harassment? But Yu Jianzi actually thought that he could take advantage of that old favor and push his luck.

"You..." Yu Jianzi was both shocked and angry, but dared not step forward again.

Ling Xiao ignored him, his gaze suddenly shifting to the void behind him. His voice rose sharply, carrying the force of thunder: "Listen up, everyone from the Sword Sect! From this day forward, this ruin belongs to the Overlord Empire, and it belongs to me, Ling Xiao! If you dare to covet it again, I'll personally visit your Sword Sect's mountain gate... Don't blame me for being ruthless then!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the void twisted and a middle-aged man in a purple robe was forced to reveal himself. He was none other than Lin Yijian, the sect leader of the Sword Sect.

His face was so dark it could drip water, and he stared intently at Ling Xiao, gritting his teeth as he said, "Overlord Emperor, you are far too domineering!"

The next second, Ling Xiao's gaze suddenly locked onto him. He didn't make a move, but an extremely terrifying demonic intent swept out like a tsunami, accurately locking onto Lin Yijian's soul!
"what……!"

Lin Yijian let out a shrill scream, his eyes instantly filled with blood, his body trembled violently, and his soul felt as if it were being pierced by thousands of steel needles. The pain almost made him faint, and he staggered back several steps before he could barely steady himself.

“I didn’t attack Yu Jianzi because of the kindness he showed me in the past,” Ling Xiao’s voice was as cold as ice. “But you are different, Lin Yijian. I will not feel any guilt if I kill you.”

The single word "Get out" resounded like a thunderclap from the heavens, carrying an undeniable killing intent.

Lin Yijian trembled, staring into Ling Xiao's emotionless eyes, a deep-seated fear rising within him. He never imagined that Ling Xiao, who could once rival him, had become so powerful... a single glance was enough to severely damage his soul!

Taking a deep breath, Lin Yijian dared not utter another word. He glanced at Ling Xiao, then helped the still-shaken Yu Jianzi up, turned into a streak of light, and left in a sorry state.

Ling Xiao then withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "Order Shadow Venerable to secretly monitor the Sword Sect's every move. If there are any unusual movements, there is no need to report; execute them first and report later!"

"As ordered!"

A low, guttural response came from the void, then silence returned.

In the current Silent Realm, there is a secret force composed of top elites from various factions, led by Shadow Lord. They only obey Ling Xiao's orders and are his hidden pawns in controlling the overall situation.

Just then, a figure appeared silently beside Ling Xiao. The figure's aura was harmonious and restrained, yet it resonated faintly with the laws of heaven and earth, and the pressure of an Emperor Realm expert quietly spread out.

Ling Xiao turned his head, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Golden Flame? You... have broken through to the Emperor Realm?"

The person who arrived was none other than his best brother, Jin Yan! At this moment, Jin Yan's temperament was even more composed, his eyes held a hidden sharpness, yet he possessed an aura of dominance over the world.

Jin Yan grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, his tone tinged with smugness: "Aren't you surprised, boss?"

"Very unexpected, and also very pleasantly surprised," Ling Xiao exclaimed sincerely. "Is it the effect of the Heavenly Creation Pill?"

“Not entirely.” Jin Yan shook his head, his tone full of gratitude. “It was mainly the Kangguo Divine Liquid you gave me before, plus the original spiritual energy of this ruins, and the Heavenly Creation Pill that gave me the final push, that finally allowed me to break through the shackles and advance to the Emperor Realm! All of this is thanks to you, Boss, otherwise I don’t know how many more years I would have been stuck!”

Ling Xiao patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Congratulations! This is all thanks to your hard work and accumulated strength. When your strength reaches a certain level, breaking through is just a natural thing."

Jin Yan looked up at the surging sea of ​​clouds, his voice soft yet firm: "The Realm of Annihilation is ultimately too small. Boss, your stage has never been here."

Ling Xiao remained silent, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing his cuffs. Jin Yan's words had struck a chord deep within him.

Jin Yan turned to look at him, his gaze deep and unfathomable: "Don't think about living a peaceful life. Your path was destined to be bumpy from the very beginning. If I'm not mistaken... that Demon Lord Black Heaven Sword is back in your hands, isn't it?"

Ling Xiao's pupils suddenly contracted, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Jin Yan's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty: "The whole world is searching for the Black Soul King, but the last place he disappeared was in your Lin Yuan City. Either he's already dead, or... he's right here with you."

Ling Xiao nodded slowly, without hiding anything: "He's still alive."

"It's good that you're alive." Jin Yan's expression suddenly became solemn, and his voice was extremely low. "This matter must not be leaked in the slightest. Otherwise, the eyes of the whole world will once again be focused on Lin Yuan City, and then it will be a situation of utter destruction."

“I know that, of course.” Ling Xiao sighed softly, a look of seriousness crossing his brows. “But these things can’t be kept secret for long. There are too many smart people in the world; the truth will eventually come out.”

“That’s true.” Jin Yan echoed, his tone growing increasingly somber. “We must be especially careful of the Holy Temple. That Chi Ling… she’s no fool. I suspect she already knew that the Black Soul King hadn’t left Lin Yuan City.”

Chiling.

Upon hearing this name, Ling Xiao's eyes narrowed sharply. The image of a woman in fiery red, always smiling, flashed through his mind—a smile that concealed a blade capable of piercing to the bone.

As soon as he finished speaking, Ling Xiao's expression suddenly changed. His keen senses detected a familiar aura, and he abruptly looked up...

Beside the moon gate at the garden entrance, Chi Ling, dressed in red, leaned against the doorframe, her eyes crinkling with a smile as she gazed at him, as if she had been waiting there for some time. (End of Chapter)