Five Years!

"Hmph, consider yourself lucky."

Luo Liuli's fingertips lightly plucked, and the wisp of silver-gray soul power condensed into a crystal-clear bead in her palm.

With a flick of her wrist, the silver bead turned into a streak of light and fell into Wei Qing's hand.

"Within five years, improve your strength with all your might." Her figure began to turn transparent. "This seal can only hold on for another five years at most."

Before her voice faded, a red shadow flashed, and Luo Liuli vanished into Wei Qing's brow.

Everyone present only saw Wei Qing suddenly freeze, unaware of what had happened.

"Five years?" Wei Qing rubbed the silver bead in his hand, his brow furrowed slightly.

He knew clearly—after five years, there would only be two paths: either he would break through to the Martial King Realm himself and suppress the Heavenly Demon, or he would have to ask a Human Race Martial King for help.

"Qingzi, what's wrong?" Jun Wushang patted his shoulder.

"Nothing."

Wei Qing came back to his senses, walked to the front of the sealing formation as if nothing had happened, and pretended to form seals. Concealed by his sleeves, he took out the silver bead.

Clutching the silver bead in his hand, he turned back to face everyone. "Alright, the demon's soul power is secured."

"That's great! We can finally leave this cursed place!" Dongfang Rongrong exclaimed excitedly, waving her fists.

Upon hearing this, the others also showed joy on their faces.

Tantai Yue glanced thoughtfully at Wei Qing's brow, the Ice Soul Sword trembling slightly within its sheath.

She seemed to have sensed something, but ultimately didn't ask further.

Wei Qing stepped forward and pressed the silver bead onto the core of the formation.

Instantly, the entire great formation lit up with silver light, and the formation patterns on the ground began to flow as if infused with life.

The silver bead rotated slowly at the formation's eye, releasing a halo of light with each turn.

When the ninth halo spread out, the space above the formation suddenly distorted, and a portal with rippling water patterns gradually took shape.

Starlight flowed within the portal, and familiar scenery from the outside world could be vaguely seen.

Just as Wei Qing was about to step into the portal, an inexplicable call suddenly came from the depths of the Black Mist Wasteland.

It felt as if someone had grabbed him, causing his steps to involuntarily halt.

"What's wrong?"

Tantai Yue, walking beside him, turned back sharply.

"Nothing."

Wei Qing shook his head and paid no further attention to the source of the calling sensation.

The origin of the Black Mist Wasteland was too mysterious; to this day, no one had discovered what lay in its deepest reaches.

With his current strength, venturing there would be too dangerous.

"Go!"

Wei Qing grunted, taking the lead into the portal.

The others followed closely, their figures disappearing one after another into the light screen.

Just as their presence vanished, within the sealing formation, the previously weak and prostrate Silver Moon Demon immediately revived with full health, a glint of ruthlessness flashing in its eyes.

"When this King breaks free, the humiliation of today will be repaid a hundredfold!"

At the same time, in the outside world.

The air in front of Feng Wuya and the others began to distort, and a portal identical to the one within the Black Mist Wasteland appeared out of thin air.

"Alert!"

Zhang Zhidong, Liu Xinghe, and the others heard this and placed their hands on their respective weapons.

Although they had confirmed that their disciples were temporarily safe after the Blood Robe Sect members perished earlier, they didn't know whether the figures emerging from this sudden portal would be their disciples or enemies.

If they were enemies, they would have to strike them down immediately.

Under everyone's tense gaze, Wei Qing's figure was the first to step out of the portal.

Tantai Yue, Jun Wushang, and the others appeared one after another behind him, each with exhaustion from their near-death experience on their faces.

"Mother."

Zhang Xue, like a fledgling swallow that had weathered a storm, lunged towards Shen Yan in the crowd.

Shen Yan opened her arms and hugged her daughter tightly, her fingers trembling as she stroked her messy hair.

"It's good that you're alright... It's good that you're alright."

Seeing his daughter return safely, Zhang Zhidong's worried heart finally relaxed.

"Master."

"Father."

"Master, Elder."

Qin Shuang, Liu Yulong, Dongfang Rongrong, and other disciples of the Sect successively reunited with their elders. The scene was filled with a mix of joy and sorrow.

"Rongrong, Yuanming, what happened to your cultivation?"

Zhao Santong, after his initial joy, noticed the current cultivation levels of his two disciples. His smile suddenly froze on his face. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief, his voice changing tone.

Dongfang Rongrong's aura had clearly reached High Seventh Rank, while Song Yuanming had even broken through to Low Sixth Rank, only two minor realms below him, their master.

This was at least three minor realms higher than before they entered the Black Mist Wasteland!

"Mid Sixth Rank?" Xuan Yue Li grabbed Nangong Ruyan's wrist. After probing with her true essence, her pupils contracted sharply. "This... how is this possible..."

"Xue'er, your cultivation also..."

Shen Yan and Zhang Zhidong also discovered that Zhang Xue's cultivation had surprisingly soared to Mid Seventh Rank.

The elders from various sects present then noticed the abnormality and began checking their disciples' cultivation levels.

The results shocked everyone—

The disciples who emerged from the Black Mist Wasteland either hadn't broken through, or for those who had, the minimum increase was two minor realms.

At the same time, they also noticed that some disciples were missing.

They then began to inquire.

While they were happy about the mysterious Inheritance that benefited their disciples, they also learned of the Blood Robe Sect's collusion with demons.

"What?!" Zhao Santong roared, his beard and hair bristling. "Damn it! No wonder that bastard Zhou Xing ran faster than a rabbit!"

Liu Xinghe's expression was as dark as water. "After returning to the Sect, immediately convene all factions. Such traitors as the Blood Robe Sect cannot be allowed to live until tomorrow!"

Xuan Yue Li: "Agreed!"

"Agreed!"

The Sect Masters and elders of each faction were furious, especially those whose disciples had perished, wishing they could march on the Blood Robe Sect right now.

Feng Wuya slowly walked up to Wei Qing, a rare seriousness flashing in his eyes. "Wei Qing, if you hadn't turned the tide this time, my lineage might have been cut off."

"Consider this a debt of gratitude. If you need anything in the future, I will do my utmost to assist you."

"My Blazing Sun Sect also owes you a favor. If you need anything, the entire Sect will help you."

"My Mystic Maiden Palace as well."

"So does my Qingshan Sect."

All the sects present made their promises one by one.

Not only had Wei Qing protected their Sect's Inheritance, but they had also learned from their disciples that Wei Qing was a peerless genius of High Seventh Rank at the age of 16.

With such terrifying talent, under the protection of the Heavenly Realm Division, as long as Wei Qing did not fall, he would undoubtedly become a formidable existence that could suppress the Great Zhou or even the Eastern Domain in the future.

While making their promises, they were not without the intention of forming connections.

Zhang Zhidong's expression shifted slightly upon seeing this.

Wei Qing had instantly become the protected target of the major powers in Jizhou. It could be said that even setting aside his identity within the Heavenly Realm Division, no force in Jizhou would dare to easily offend Wei Qing in the future.

"Seniors, eliminating demons is precisely the duty of my Heavenly Realm Division, so there's no need for you all to..."