"Is it over?"
Xiao Tu stared blankly at the calm-faced Xia Chen before him. A strange, overwhelming fatigue suddenly assaulted his mind.
His body had long been battered by Xia Chen to the point of near collapse. Now, having exhausted all his energy in that soul attack, he didn't have a single ounce of strength left to resist.
To think...
Even after cultivating desperately and laying a cunning trap, he was still utterly helpless against Xia Chen in the end.
If it weren't for the techniques Young Master Ling Xiao had bestowed upon him, he probably wouldn't have even had a chance to scheme against Xia Chen.
But even so, in the face of absolute strength, all schemes were nothing but illusions.
"Young Master."
Xiao Tu slowly turned his head, looking at the white-robed youth standing not far away. A faint smile suddenly bloomed on his face.
"Avenge me... I will repay your kindness in my next life."
Having spoken, Xiao Tu respectfully bowed towards Ling Xiao.
"You won't die."
Ling Xiao simply gave a faint smile, raising his head to look at Xia Chen, his eyes remaining calm throughout.
"Won't die?"
Xia Chen's gaze darkened as he glanced towards the Tai Xuan Dao Master in front of the great hall.
Seeing that the latter's attention wasn't on them, he quietly sighed in relief.
The supreme treasure within his sea of consciousness was called the Soul-Devouring Pearl, a peerless treasure of the Ghost Race, utterly taboo for the Human Race.
Back then, during his campaign against the Ghost Race, he encountered a supreme expert among them. They fought for seven days and seven nights before he finally managed to slay his foe using his Dao Principle of Slaughter.
He also obtained this Ghost Race's peerless treasure, the Soul-Devouring Pearl.
Of course, when a treasure from another race fell into human hands, it would be branded as demonic and evil.
But the pearl's power was terrifying, capable of devouring souls and destroying spirits. Although Xia Chen didn't dare use it for offense, he often used it to defend against soul attacks, finding it incredibly effective.
Back then, Qing Yang and Chi Luo had coveted this treasure, believing it to be a supreme soul treasure, which was why they had turned on him.
How tragic. Even if this evil treasure fell into Qing Yang's hands, it would only bring him endless calamity, making him an enemy of the world.
He never expected that he, the mighty Slaughter Emperor, wouldn't die at the hands of the world because of this evil treasure, but would be killed by the joint efforts of his best brother and the woman he loved most...
Fortunately, because of this treasure, a wisp of his soul was preserved within it at the moment of his death. In the end, using the power of his Dao Principle, he shattered the void and landed on this land of the Sacred State.
And this place was also Xia Chen's birthplace.
Everything was fate.
He died because of the pearl, and he lived because of the pearl.
In this life, Xia Chen vowed to prove his Dao through slaughter and achieve unparalleled prestige!
As for this pearl... of course, he would keep it on him, to be used as his trump card.
Naturally, if the situation hadn't forced him earlier, he would never have dared to use this evil treasure in front of others.
But then again, which prodigy in the Eastern didn't have a life-saving trump card up their sleeve?
Since he hadn't used the pearl to kill anyone or devour souls, the Tai Xuan Dao Master probably couldn't discern its evil nature.
After all, no matter how strong the Dao Master was, he was just a native of this lower realm.
"Heh. If I say he will die today, not even the King of Heaven himself can save him."
Xia Chen sneered coldly, the hatred in his heart towards Xiao Tu growing even more intense.
Damn ant, you dare to ambush me?
He truly never expected that a mere youth from a lower realm could master such a terrifying soul technique.
It seemed Xiao Tu had some secrets on him as well.
But the more that was the case, the less time he could afford to give him.
Otherwise, once he grew up, he might become a threat.
Ling Xiao?
You're nothing!
Once we enter the Land of Fallen Emperors, I'll find a remote mountain on a quiet night and invite you for a... climb.
Buzz.
The power of his Dao Principle transformed into a blade in Xia Chen's hand, and he slowly stepped towards Xiao Tu.
"Young Master…"
Fu Yunao stood beside Ling Xiao, her pretty face already pale.
But... with the barrier set up by the Tai Xuan Dao Master, not to mention her, even Ling Xiao probably couldn't do anything about it.
"That pearl is quite nice. I fancy it."
Ling Xiao gave a faint smile, then suddenly stepped forward. In an instant, he appeared right in front of Xia Chen.
The mockery on the latter's face hadn't even faded yet, and now it completely froze solid.
"You… You…"
Ding. The Son of Fate's resolve wavers. Congratulations, Host, on plundering 300 Luck Points and 3000 Villain Points.
Xia Chen stared in shock and fear at the white-robed figure who seemed to have descended from the void, swallowing hard.
Dammit!!
I told myself in this life I must endure and keep a low profile, and never show off!!
Otherwise, my face is bound to get slapped!
Slap!
A crisp slapping sound instantly resounded across the peak of Path-Enlightenment Mountain.
The prodigies from the ancient clans and great sects who had long finished their battles were all staring dumbfounded at the figure sent flying, their eyes filled with intense shock.
"Impossible!! He's cheating!! No... wait!! Could it be that the Tai Xuan Dao Master saw through the secret I carry? Did he intentionally let Ling Xiao in to test me?"
In an instant, a hundred thoughts flashed through Xia Chen's mind. He finally landed in a thoroughly humiliating posture, sliding for a hundred zhang across the ground.
And the new teeth he had just grown were once again shattered into pieces.
In front of the great hall, the Tai Xuan Dao Master frowned slightly, looking at Ling Xiao with some surprise.
The fluctuation from that kid just now...
As expected of him!
"The King of Heaven? I don't know about any King of Heaven, but I'm here now. What are you going to do about it?"
Ling Xiao stood beside Xiao Tu, his gaze clear and sharp. But the words he spoke sent an inexplicable chill down everyone's spines.
Especially Shangguan Qinghe in the adjacent section, who was now clenching his fists, his eyes excited, his entire body trembling uncontrollably.
I knew it! This Ling Xiao has strange methods. Showing off in front of him definitely leads to bad outcomes.
I'm such a clever little ghost!
From now on, call me loudly, Brother Outcome!!
"You... You cheated!!"
Xia Chen roared in despair. Here on the peak of Path-Enlightenment Mountain, he didn't dare to unleash the power of that evil pearl. If the Tai Xuan Dao Master were to detect anything amiss, he would surely lose both the pearl and his life.
And with his current strength, he was no match for Ling Xiao at all.
If that was the case, what was the use of all his schemes and plans?
Of course, if Ling Xiao knew what he was thinking at this moment, he would patiently comfort him a few words.
Little leek, you're overthinking it.
How could I bear to kill you here? The light and heat you emit feel so warm to me!
Buzz!
A clear, resonant hum suddenly came from the distant sky.
The figure of the Tai Xuan Dao Master descended through the air, coming to stand above the crowd.
"The one hundred and sixty prodigies have all been selected. Please, all of you, proceed to the central battle stage!"
Gulp!
Hearing this, a flash of excitement immediately appeared in Xia Chen's eyes.
As expected, I am favored by Heaven's Mandate, protected by the Heavenly Dao itself.
Even Qing Yang and Chi Luo couldn't kill me. Ling Xiao, if you want to kill me, it's absolutely impossible!
At this moment, Ling Xiao didn't even bother to look at him. He reached into his robe, pulled out a pill, and handed it to Xiao Tu.
"Take it. I will avenge you."
"Thank you, Young Master!"
If Xiao Tu's previous submission to Ling Xiao was due to the Soul Imprint and fear, then now, he was genuinely willing from the bottom of his heart to die for the young man before him!
The grace of saving his life, the supreme opportunity.
All were bestowed upon him by the Young Master alone.
In this life, Xiao Tu would follow the Young Master's lead unconditionally!
Ling Xiao smiled faintly and turned to look in the direction of the central battle stage.
There, a peerless figure in white stood alone. A pair of clear, cold, bright eyes were looking straight at him.