The Xia Emperor withdrew his gaze and turned to glance at the Ninth Elder. There was no warmth in that look, yet the Ninth Elder distinctly read a faint trace of irritation in it.
The Xia Emperor spoke slowly. "Now that Lin Ming is dead, my wish has been fulfilled. As for the Sunflower Ice Spirit Object... since the spatial storm swallowed it, let it accompany that young man to the grave."
The Ninth Elder's lips moved as though he still wanted to say something, but when he met the Xia Emperor's dark-gold eyes, he swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue.
He knew full well that the Xia Emperor's purpose on this journey had always been to avenge Xia Xuan. The Sunflower Ice Spirit Object was merely incidental.
Now that Lin Ming was dead, the Xia Emperor naturally would not expend any more effort on a spirit object that had already vanished.
The Ninth Elder fell silent for a moment, then finally let out a long sigh. His breath condensed into a thick cloud of white mist in the bitterly cold air, lingering for a long time.
He turned and walked toward the three clansmen slumped on the ice mound.
The three were huddled together. The one at their head moved his lips and said hoarsely, "Ninth Elder... that spirit object..."
The Ninth Elder slowly shook his head. At this, the faces of all three Ice Spirit Clan experts darkened, and bitter smiles appeared at the corners of their mouths.
Without delaying any further, the Ninth Elder led the three clansmen away.
The Xia Emperor tried to persuade him to stay, but the Ninth Elder ignored him and left.
Watching the Ice Spirit Clan members depart, the Xia Emperor cast one last look at the ruins. His