Proud Sword Soaring Clouds

"HEH HEH HEH HEH... Is that so?" The transparent, monstrous shadow’s voice was a cold, deep, and terrifying laugh. "I have been trapped here for far too long—to the point where I’ll go mad if I don’t fall into a deep slumber. If we succeed this time, I... will lead you all! We will return to that... true fertile land! And you," it continued, "will become my herald. You will be granted an endless lifespan and more benefits than you could possibly imagine!"

"O Great God, I shall forever be your most loyal servant! My soul has long been dedicated to you. Therefore, even without any reward, I... am more than willing to serve you!"

"HEH HEH... Rest assured, little guy. I like your cleverness!" the shadowy monster cackled. "Clever people tend to live longer, so you won’t be short on rewards! Now, I want you to bring that person before me. Let me... the Great God of the Deep Sea Demon Chapter... personally examine him!"

"As you command!"

Prostrated on the ground, a triumphant smile appeared on the old man’s face.

Ling Xiao’s Divine Sense didn’t dare make the slightest move. His powerful perception had already sensed just how formidable the being calling itself the Great God of the Deep Sea Demon Chapter truly was!

’So the entire habitat of the Ice Sea Secret Race is a special kind of Illusion Realm. But calling it an Illusion Realm isn’t entirely accurate. In truth, this Deep Sea Demon Chapter used its supreme Magical Power to forcefully carve out a domain entirely its own!’

’Inside this domain, it is an omnipotent god!’

’In other words, if the Deep Sea Demon Chapter wished it, the vibrant spring scenery before them could instantly transform into the golden leaves and rustling winds of autumn!’

’A domain!’ Ling Xiao marveled internally, then cursed. ’That old bastard really was up to no good. The moment he sensed my powerful Spiritual Power, he acted immediately and knocked all these people out. It’s a good thing I was on my guard.’

But figuring a way out of this predicament gave Ling Xiao pause. Time was of the essence, leaving him very little of it to come up with a plan.

The moment the old man stepped out of the door, Ling Xiao’s Divine Sense vanished. Then, inside a room, Ling Xiao’s body suddenly sat up.

If he wanted to run now, his chances of success were still quite high. After all, most of the clan members here probably didn’t even know what their Clan Leader was doing.

But Ling Xiao was incredibly reluctant to leave it at that. ’Nothing ventured, nothing gained!’ he thought. ’That ridiculously powerful entity wants to possess my body, but why can’t I be the one to refine it instead? If I could successfully refine it, the benefits would be immense!’

At the very least, his power would experience a huge breakthrough! Opportunities to refine such powerful Soul Power were rare, something one might only encounter by a stroke of luck!

Ling Xiao pressed his lips together tightly. He knew that if he couldn’t come up with a plan soon, his only option would be to escape.

Suddenly, Ling Xiao remembered the treasure cauldron he had taken from the Sea Domain Song Family’s treasury! The very one refined from the Essence of Cold Iron! It was the first item Ling Xiao had obtained that could be considered a true magical treasure!

Ling Xiao quickly took the treasure cauldron out of his ring. He still didn’t know the cauldron’s name, nor had he randomly given it one.

A bone-chilling cold emanated from the cauldron. Ling Xiao took out several dozen Tier Five Crystal Cores from his ring and threw them all inside. A brilliant radiance immediately erupted within the cauldron, with countless rays of light intersecting, yet not a single beam escaped! As the light reached the cauldron’s mouth, it all seemed to be swallowed back inside.

Ling Xiao quickly set up a Soul Refining Array.

Gritting his teeth, a somewhat crazed light flashed in Ling Xiao’s eyes. He was going all-in on this gamble. If he failed, he still had a way for his soul to escape. At worst, he would just have to reincarnate and cultivate again. But if he succeeded, this one victory would benefit him for the rest of his life!

While the other party coveted Ling Xiao’s body, Ling Xiao was also coveting the Deep Sea Demon Chapter’s immense power!

The cauldron was emitting an oppressive chill. Ling Xiao curved his lips into a satisfied smile, then with a wave of his hand, he stored the treasure cauldron back in his ring.

Just then, he heard the sound of footsteps outside. Ling Xiao immediately lay back down on the ground, feigning unconsciousness.

The old man with the white hair and beard gestured to two men and said a few words. The pair lifted Ling Xiao onto a soft litter and began carrying him toward the cave.

The closer his body came to the cave, the more Ling Xiao could feel an immense pressure that crushed any thought of resistance. For a moment, he was even tempted to abandon his plan and just flee. However, the thought of the endless rewards he could reap by refining that entity was too great. Throwing caution to the wind, Ling Xiao braced himself and allowed the men to carry him into the Divine Hall.

It felt different from when his Divine Sense had entered. The moment his physical body crossed the threshold, Ling Xiao shivered involuntarily. It wasn’t a shiver of fear, but an instinctive reaction. This great hall exuded the same feeling as the treasure cauldron he’d obtained from the Sea Domain Song Family—the one refined from the Essence of Cold Iron! It was incomparably frigid, sending a chill straight to the bone.

At this, Ling Xiao thought, ’Looks like the Clan Leader of this Ice Sea Secret Race is quite powerful himself! I can clearly feel the Spiritual Power of the two men carrying me is in disarray. They’re trembling, as if they want to drop me and flee at any second!’