Ling Zhantian uttered these words and strode steadily out of the palace gate.
Ling Xueyao stood in the cold hall, turning back one last time to look at the desolate, withered branches outside the window.
The glimmer of light in her eyes vanished in an instant, replaced by a deathly sorrow. She took a deep breath and followed after him.
The tall emperor, walking ahead, caught a glimpse of the obedient, graceful figure following behind him out of the corner of his eye, and a slight smile crept onto his lips.
However, just as the two were walking through the deep palace corridors...
Buzz.
A faint, hoarse divine thought suddenly resounded deep within Ling Zhantian's sea of consciousness:
"Tsk tsk... Ling Zhantian, the Heavenly Mystic Secret Realm that I left behind back then contains ancient killing intent and profound restrictions, enough to kill that brat inside."
"Why bother going through all this trouble to deceive this little girl?"
Ling Zhantian paused almost imperceptibly for half a beat, then continued striding forward without changing his expression, coldly responding in his heart:
"You don't understand that little beast's ruthless methods. I must ensure that nothing goes wrong."
Deep within his consciousness, the hoarse voice fell silent for a few breaths, then let out a mocking laugh:
"Hehehe... Absolutely foolproof?"
"In my opinion, this is merely one of the excuses."
The voice rose in pitch, carrying a chilling, insightful quality:
"Isn't the deeper reason because... you've never truly trusted me from beginning to end?"
"Otherwise, why would you have sealed my divine sense for so many years back then?"
Ling Zhantian sneered inwardly, his face grim and cold.
"As the ruler of the Great Qian Dynasty, how could I easily trust a remnant soul of unknown origin?"
"I know nothing about your true past, your origins, so why should I wholeheartedly believe you?!"
"Ha, you're quite suspicious."
The lingering spirit seemed unperturbed, merely sneering:
"If I hadn't taught you that heaven-defying demonic array that forcibly stripped away the essence of your special physique back then, would your Dao injuries have had any chance to heal?"
"Not to mention this time, if I hadn't lifted some of the restrictions on you from the Heavenly Mystic Secret Realm, how could you have set up such a deadly trap?"
"Having received such a great favor from me, you still secretly guard against me?"
Faced with this question, Ling Zhantian felt only endless coldness and defensiveness.
So what?
"Don't think I don't know what you've been doing in secret. If I hadn't been on guard, I probably would have become the vessel you possessed and reborn years ago, wouldn't I?"
A long silence fell over his mind.
After a long silence, the lingering thought finally spoke, its tone now tinged with inquiry:
How did you realize it?
"Since you know I harbor thoughts of possessing your body, why have you kept me alive until today without making a move?"
Ling Zhantian's eyes were as dark as an abyss as he said indifferently:
"Because you still have value to me."
"Although you are now merely a remnant soul clinging to life in a secret realm, it is undeniable that your knowledge, skills, and martial arts vision are far beyond those of ordinary people."
Ling Zhantian's lips curled slightly. "Your true cultivation level in your previous life... was probably far more than the Good Fortune Realm you claimed to be, wasn't it?"
The voice cackled, revealing an arrogant disdain for all living beings.
"You have a sharp eye."
"However, you are not yet qualified to inquire about my realm and origins in my previous life."
"Right now, we're both getting what we need; it's just a cooperative relationship based on shared interests."
The tone of that lingering regret suddenly turned cold:
"Once the secret realm opens tomorrow, I will secretly eliminate that brat who ruined your grand plan."
"His physical body will be taken over by me. From this day forward, we owe each other nothing and have no further connection."
Ling Zhantian quickened his pace slightly and whispered:
"Rest assured, now that a blood oath has been made, I will act in accordance with it."
"I only want the Heaven-Slaying Sword Emperor's inheritance key and Luo Wuxu's sword from that little beast's storage ring."
"Just... don't let your luck slip away in the secret realm. That little beast is incredibly cunning, with endless tricks up his sleeve."
Upon hearing Ling Zhantian's instructions, the lingering spirit emitted a mocking utterly contemptuous tone:
"What trouble can a mere junior cause?"
"When I roamed the continent, I crushed countless ants like him. You're the one who's scared out of his wits."
"From the moment he steps into the secret realm tomorrow, his life and death will be entirely in my hands."
Ling Zhantian did not refute.
He had never doubted the strength of this remnant soul within the secret realm.
Even assuming, hypothetically, something truly terrible happened in the secret realm, allowing that little beast to escape by sheer luck, so what?
The moment he steps out of the secret realm, that kid will face the overwhelming wrath of several top sects in the entire Eastern Continent, as well as the absolute killing power of the Nine Dragons Heaven-Locking Grand Formation of the Imperial City.
Not to mention... deep within the forbidden palace, the Crimson Flame Berserk Lion, having already refined a seventh-grade divine pill, could no longer suppress its bloodthirsty fangs.
A dead end.
This was an inescapable trap, one from which he could never break free, no matter how hard he struggled.
Thinking of this, Ling Zhantian turned his head, his eyes glancing at Ling Xueyao, who was silently weeping behind him, a cold glint appearing in his eyes.
"Little beast..."
"Tomorrow... will be your death day!!"
The next day, at dawn.
In the backyard of the Pill Pavilion, inside a side room.
The dense spiritual energy slowly dissipated throughout the room.
On the bed.
Chu Yunfei exhaled a long breath of turbid air that shimmered with a faint golden light, and slowly opened his eyes.
After a night of arduous cultivation, the refinement of the six layers of his Divine Sea within his body finally reached perfection, and even the solid seven-layer barrier of his Divine Sea showed faint signs of loosening and cracking.
He was just one step away from reaching the Divine Sea Realm Seventh Level.
However, Chu Yunfei's expression revealed a hint of helplessness and frustration.
He raised his hand and rubbed his slightly swollen temples, feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation.
In the latter half of last night...
That alluring and seductive figure in a black dress shamelessly came knocking again.
Without a word, the little demoness skillfully pounced on the bed, her eyes full of anticipation as she urged him to use his "secret technique."
Chu Yunfei was already full of youthful vigor, and having been seduced by the enchanting woman earlier, when faced with those breathtaking curves and incredibly elastic, soft touches...
Several times, the evil fire within him nearly spiraled out of control, and he almost couldn't resist taking the demoness to her on the spot.
Fortunately, he had a strong will and managed to restrain himself.
"That stupid witch..."
Chu Yunfei cursed under his breath, his lips twitching violently.
"I really don't know what's wrong with him. Doesn't he understand the difference between men and women?"
"You've come to provoke me time and time again... Once the competition is over and I'm free, I'll take you down completely!"
Chu Yunfei shook his head, forcibly shaking off the erotic and suggestive images from his mind.
He stood up, straightened his long robe, and looked up at the sky outside the window, which was beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn.
The early morning air carried a sense of impending doom and oppression.
The Seven Sects Grand Competition.
Today, no less.
Chu Yunfei gripped the Abyss-Devouring Sword at his waist, his eyes gradually turning cold:
" Ling Zhantian..."
"You've set a trap, and here I come!"