Amid the mountains, five-colored radiance spread through the air. A figure stepped out from within it—it was Gu Lingxiao.
Compared to True Lord Yingling's bedraggled state after forcing his way through, Gu Lingxiao was in far better condition. Even the hem of his robes was spotless. Yet at this moment, Gu Lingxiao's expression was anything but pleasant.
"The Five-Elements Heavenly Scripture's source power must be used sparingly. If I had not already gathered all five Five-Elements Dao Artifacts this time, the price I paid would have been even greater."
Raising a hand to grasp the white hair at his temples, Gu Lingxiao's face was full of gravity.
The restriction that had been activated was anything but ordinary. With his own strength alone, even with five Dao Artifacts on his person, it would have been difficult for him to escape unscathed. After all, his cultivation was still too low. He was merely at the Purple Mansion realm, not the Celestial Phenomenon realm. His easy escape had relied more on the power of the Five-Elements Heavenly Scripture.
Using the Five-Elements Heavenly Scripture to command the five Dao Artifacts—this was the key to his ability to escape through the Five Elements. Neither could be lacking.
At that very moment, sensing something, Gu Lingxiao abruptly cast his gaze outward.
"The connection between Ying Ling and me has been severed. Did something happen to him?"
After sensing for a moment and confirming that the subtle connection had indeed vanished, Gu Lingxiao furrowed his brow.
"Was he shredded by the restriction? That shouldn't be possible. Based on my previous observations, with Ying Ling's strength, he should have been fully capable of fighting his way out of the encirclement. At most, he would have needed to pay a certain price."
"Now that he seems to have fallen,