That familiar voice was like the first ray of dawn breaking through the thick gloom.
It clearly pierced through the deathly silence and oppressive atmosphere that enveloped the battlefield.
The sense of confinement by time and space receded like the tide, but the tremor that originated from the depths of the soul did not immediately dissipate.
Everyone's gaze was filled with the bewilderment of someone who had survived a catastrophe, and an indescribable awe.
And a hint of bewilderment, instinctively focusing on the cyan figure whose chaotic aura was gradually receding and revealing a clear outline.
He stood there, his figure imposing, as if he were the fulcrum of the entire world.
There is a rhythm that is consistent with the Tao flowing around the body, making people feel insignificant when they look at it, and they dare not have the slightest thought of blasphemy or disobedience.
Li Qingshan's gaze calmly swept across the entire scene, finally settling on the one with cloudy eyes in the demon race camp.
The young man, Pang Bo, had a face contorted in pain and was surrounded by an ominous green aura.
He shook his head slightly.
"Going out into the world is a good thing, but to have messed yourself up like this, you really know how to give me a 'surprise'."
Before he finished speaking, he casually raised his right hand, his fingers forming a sword shape, and lightly tapped Pang Bo's brow from a distance.
A stream of light so subtle it was almost imperceptible, yet seemingly containing the supreme laws governing Yin-Yang, and separating the pure from the impure.
It silently escaped from his fingertips, ignoring the distance in space, and instantly disappeared into Pang Bo's brow.
"Waaah!"
Pang Bo's body stiffened abruptly, then trembled violently, letting out a muffled roar from his throat, a mixture of extreme pain and the breaking of some kind of shackles.
The dense, ethereal green aura on his face surged and boiled wildly, as if he had been thrown into a demon-refining furnace!
A twisted, ferocious phantom of a demonic soul, filled with endless resentment and unwillingness, was forcibly forced out from the top of his head!
The phantom of the demonic soul emitted a silent yet piercing shriek that seemed to strike directly at the source of the primordial spirit. It blazed with green light and struggled frantically.
It tried to resist the force that wanted to completely strip it away and purify it, wanting to retreat back into the warm shell that it had come to regard as its own.
"A decaying soul clinging to life, does it even deserve to struggle?"
Li Qingshan's tone remained calm, as if he were narrating a trivial matter that had nothing to do with him.
However, the light that Pang Bo's brow instantly began to evolve within his body.
It transformed into a formless and intangible yet profoundly powerful Yin-Yang Dao Diagram, encompassing the mysteries of life and death, completely enveloping the Pang Bo sea of consciousness, the Sea of Bitterness, and even the limbs and bones.
The Dao diagram slowly rotated, the Yin-Yang and Yang energies resembling an ancient millstone of heaven and earth.
With the most primal power of purification and creation, it relentlessly grinds and refines the foreign demonic souls and evil thoughts.
On one hand, it nourishes and repairs Pang Bo's nearly dried-up life essence and severely damaged soul with its boundless vitality.
The demon soul, transformed from a great demon Azure Emperor, let out a final, desperate, and resentful wail under the crushing weight of the Dao diagram containing the fundamental laws of heaven and earth.
Its resistance was like an ant trying to shake a tree; the green light quickly dimmed and dissipated, and was eventually completely obliterated.
It transformed into the purest primordial essence, a portion of which was completely purified by the Dao diagram and returned to heaven and earth.
The other part, in a reciprocal manner, merged into Pang Bo's limbs and bones, replenishing the vital energy that had been eroded and depleted during this period.
The illusory image of the Yin-Yang Dao Diagram slowly dissipated, as if it had never appeared.
The chilling turbidity and violence in Pang Bo's eyes completely disappeared, and his gaze returned to its former clarity, though it was filled with exhaustion and weakness.
His body went limp and he fell forward, but Ye Fan, who had been on edge the whole time and hadn't dared to blink, rushed forward and caught him.
" Pang Bo! How are you feeling?"
Ye Fan's voice trembled with barely suppressed excitement and a hint of lingering fear.
He could clearly sense that the foreign aura that had been clinging to his friend's body had completely disappeared.
Although his breath was weak, that familiar, tenacious flame of life was burning steadily again.
" Yezi, damn it, we finally got that damn thing out of there!"
Pang Bo was panting heavily, his face as pale as paper, and his whole body was soaked in cold sweat.
But his eyes shone with an alarming brightness, filled with the ecstasy of surviving a disaster and a kind of exhausted relaxation.
He gripped Ye Fan's arm tightly, his nails almost digging into his flesh.
"I almost, I almost really died here, and I would never see you again,"
The two of them, without prior arrangement, turned their gazes, filled with boundless gratitude and reverence, to the blue-clad figure standing with his hands behind his back.
Ye Fan, supporting Pang Bo, bowed deeply, his voice extremely solemn:
" Teacher Li! Thank you so much for saving Pang Bo!"
Li Qingshan nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Yan Ruyu was at the head of the group.
Yan Ruyu felt the gaze and her heart began to race involuntarily.
She took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing her turbulent emotions and the instinctive awe that came from the depths of her blood and soul in the face of a higher existence.
Stepping forward, her posture humbled to the point of being beneath the dust, she gracefully bowed, her clear voice trembling slightly, unable to conceal the tremor:
"Junior Yan Ruyu, a descendant of the Azure Emperor, pays respects to Senior."
"Thank you so much, senior, for your intervention, which averted this catastrophe and saved my people from certain death."
She slightly raised her head.
"The predecessors' achievements were Fortune, and their wisdom was as sharp as a torch."
The younger generation and their clansmen are now at their wits' end.
I implore you, I implore you, senior, to have mercy and grant me a glimmer of hope.
Her words and demeanor were as humble as possible.
Li Qingshan looked at her, his gaze lingering for a moment on the Azure Green Lotus Emperor Weapon in her hand, which resonated faintly with his " Green Lotus Grows in Chaos " phenomenon and transmitted a subtle wave of the same origin.
His gaze slowly swept over the demon tribesmen behind her, who were covered in wounds, their eyes filled with fear, exhaustion, and a faint spark of hope that had been rekindled by his appearance.
Thoughts flowing in the heart
The Azure Emperor, A Single Lotus Through the Eternal Blue Heavens, attained enlightenment in the Post-Desolate Ancient Era, overshadowing all the geniuses of his time. His talent has amazed the ages.
Unfortunately, attempting to evolve Immortal Domain within the Desolate Pagoda using one's own power is an impossible, heaven-defying feat.
Trapped within, all outsiders believed he had passed away, but in reality, he was in a strange state between life and death.
His ambition is admirable, his actions are lamentable, and he was truly a traitor. Otherwise, with his Heavenly Emperor -level combat power, the Dark Turmoil two hundred years later wouldn't have been so tragic.
However, if we can lend a helping hand later, break the shackles of the Desolate Pagoda, and rescue it.
This is not only a redemption for a Great Emperor, but also a powerful ally against the potential Dark Turmoil to come.
The descendants who sheltered him today have forged this good relationship. If they can find the Desolate Pagoda in the future, it may be the opportunity to persuade him, cooperate with him, or even rescue him from his predicament.
This investment was worthwhile.
In the blink of an eye, Li Qingshan had already clearly understood the Cause and Effect, the benefits and harms.
He spoke slowly, his voice calm:
"Your Majesty the Azure Emperor is exceptionally talented and has rendered meritorious service to all races and virtuous service to all living beings."
The fact that their descendants have fallen to such a state is indeed a tragedy of our times, and also our responsibility.
These words were like a warm current that instantly flowed through Yan Ruyu's body, causing her delicate body to tremble and her beautiful eyes to instantly fill with an uncontrollable mist.
How many years has it been?
They carried the glory and shackles of being descendants of the Demon Emperor, enduring scorn and relentless pursuit while constantly on the run.
At that moment, she felt as if she had found true support.
Just then, the seventh elder of the Ji Family, who was standing to the side, finally managed to muster a last bit of courage from the oppressive force that had almost shattered his Dao heart.
His face was deathly pale, and he was drenched in cold sweat. He steeled himself and stepped forward, cupping his hands in a respectful bow. His voice was as dry as sandpaper scraping:
"Li, Holy Son Li, your supernatural powers are boundless, I, I bow down in reverence."
However, this Demon Emperor's Saint Weapon is ultimately, ultimately, something that relates to the fate of the Big Dipper.
If, if we allow the demon race to take them away, I fear, I fear it will bring countless bloodshed and endless peace in the future.
At that time, it will likely be neither Jade Pool desires, nor what the Big Dipper wishes for.
He dared not mention the struggle again, and could only try to exert pressure in a roundabout way by talking about "the well-being of the people" and "potential disasters," hoping that Li Qingshan would have some reservations.
Li Qingshan turned his gaze, his expression calm as still water, but the Seventh Elder of the Ji Family felt as if two invisible divine mountains had crashed down on his heart.
It made his soul tremble, his consciousness almost shattered, and all the carefully crafted words he wanted to say got stuck in his throat, turning into a suppressed groan.
His face paled even more instantly, and he swayed precariously.
The Ji Family cultivators behind him were frozen as if by invisible ice, finding it extremely difficult to breathe, their backs soaked with cold sweat.
Ji Haoyue gritted her teeth, her body beneath the purple robes trembling violently from the extreme force and resentment.
His proud Eastern Wasteland Divine Body felt an unprecedented sense of suppression and insignificance at this moment.
He couldn't even muster the courage to look directly at that Dao Body, at that despairing, immense gap that stemmed from the very essence of life.
Like an insurmountable sea of stars, it crushed all his confidence and pride to dust.
For the first time, he realized so clearly what a "vast difference" meant, and what it meant to be "far beyond reach."
" The Big Dipper is vast, and it has the capacity to encompass all things."
Li Qingshan's voice broke the suffocating silence.
"The teachings established in Jade Pool uphold transcendence and protection, and safeguard the principles and order of the world."
In today's dispute, you all know perfectly well who is right and who is wrong.
It summoned ancient Saint Weapon, disregarding the suffering of living beings. If I hadn't arrived, this place would have long been turned into a death zone of extinction.
"Did you ever consider the stability of the Eastern Wasteland and the well-being of the people during your journey?"
His words carried immense weight, like Heavenly Dao decrees, striking the hearts of every Ji Family cultivator, turning their faces ashen with shame, and sending a chill down their spines.
Li Qingshan's gaze returned to Yan Ruyu:
"From this day forward, the Azure Emperor Lineage shall be under the protection of my Jade Pool."
Does anyone have any objections?
The last four words, clear and calm, resounded like thunder in the ears of the Ji Family, carrying an absolute power that needed no emphasis.
No one dared to meet his gaze.
The Seventh Elder of the Ji Family looked ashen-faced, his lips trembling. In the end, all his resentment, fear, and scheming turned into a long sigh filled with endless bitterness and helplessness.
He bowed his head deeply, almost bending over to the ground:
"Holy Son, the Holy Son's teachings are correct. We were mistaken and have offended you. Please forgive us."
"The Ji Family hereby declares that this matter is settled. Farewell!"
Just as the Ji Family was about to retreat in a disheveled state, Li Qingshan's voice rang out again:
"Slow."
Just two words were enough to freeze all the Ji Family cultivators in place, their hearts nearly skipping a beat, and fear gripping each of them instantly.
The Seventh Elder of the Ji Family turned around with difficulty, forcing a smile that was more like a grimace, his voice hoarse. "No, I wonder if Holy Son Li has any further instructions?"
Li Qingshan's gaze swept over them, finally settling on the ancient mirror in the Seventh Elder's hand, which still retained a lingering charm.
"This object is too malevolent; if it remains in your hands, it may cause further trouble."
Stay.
"You!"
Upon hearing this, a renowned member of the Ji Family instinctively wanted to refute it. Although this replica was far inferior to the real Emperor Weapon, it was still extremely precious and one of the family's most important treasures!
However, he had barely uttered a single word when Li Qingshan's casual glance silenced him completely.
His gaze wasn't sharp, but it carried a kind of indifference that looked down on all living beings, making him feel icy cold all over, as if uttering another word would instantly annihilate him.
The Seventh Elder's facial muscles twitched violently a few times, his knuckles turned white from gripping the ancient mirror too tightly, and his arm trembled slightly.
Staying would be tantamount to being slapped hard in the face in front of everyone—a disgrace!
He had no doubt that this unfathomable Jade Pool Holy Son would immediately take action, and none of them would be able to leave this place alive.
Ultimately, the fear of death outweighed the desire to save face for the family.
He took a deep breath, as if he had aged decades in an instant, and used all his strength to forcefully suppress the humiliation and resentment that had seeped into his bones.
With trembling hands, he slowly lifted out the ancient mirror that flowed with the laws of space.
"What you say, Holy Son Li, is absolutely right."
Every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying a bitter, bloody taste.
"This item shall be entrusted to the Holy Son for his disposal."
A beam of clear light swept past, and the replica of the Void Mirror floated lightly into Li Qingshan's hand.
He didn't even glance at it before casually putting it away, as if it were just an insignificant trinket.
This scene made all the Ji Family members blush and lower their heads, not daring to let anyone see the resentment and humiliation in their eyes.
Ji Haoyue clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug deep into her palms, drawing blood without her even noticing.
The family's most prized possessions were forcibly taken from them right before their eyes, and they couldn't even muster the thought of resisting. This feeling of powerlessness was more unbearable than being killed.
The Seventh Elder practically dragged his body around, urging his ashen-faced clansmen to leave quickly.
What are powerful weapons, what is family prestige? They all seem so laughable and insignificant in the face of the death threat brought by absolute power.
To escape unscathed is already an indication that the other party showed mercy.
With her last ounce of strength, Ji Haoyue glanced deeply out of the corner of her eye at that ethereal figure, seemingly detached from the flow of time.
An unprecedented sense of defeat and utter powerlessness overwhelmed him like ice water.
He turned away silently, his back view filled with the desolation and loneliness of a hero's end.
Ji Ziyue's face turned pale. She gripped her brother's sleeve tightly and hurriedly left.
Unable to resist turning back again to look at that Dao Body, his large eyes filled with extreme shock and indescribable fear.
And a complex longing for that absolute power that even she herself had not clearly understood.
They arrived with ease and composure.