Ling Xiao left the Alchemists’ Association under the astonished gazes of Lin He and Tie Mu.
He had not told them how he planned to obtain the Soul Armour.
After all, saying outright that he intended to steal it would probably terrify everyone in the association.
Moon Goddess stayed close by his side. She understood his thoughts perfectly.
“When do we move?” she asked.
“Tonight. Too many eyes during the day,” Ling Xiao replied with a smile. “But Sister Moon, this time you should stay outside.”
“Why?”
Moon Goddess was taken aback.
“Haven’t you sensed it? The Yin-Yang Demon King has returned to the True Demon Empire. If you appear inside the palace, he will definitely detect you. A covert operation would instantly become public, which would be very bad for us.”
Ling Xiao explained, “You only need to wait outside and support me. If the Yin-Yang Demon King shows up, stop him. I’ve already sent people to investigate Jiao Batian. His strength is nothing special, just an ordinary First Cavern Heaven warrior. There’s no need for you to act personally.”
“Even so, you are still no match for him,” Moon Goddess said.
“That’s not necessarily true. How will I know unless I try?”
Ling Xiao genuinely wanted to test himself against a Cavern Heaven warrior using his own power, not borrowed strength.
“Fine, I agree. But if your life is in danger, I will rush in immediately. Don’t blame me when that happens,” Moon Goddess said with a laugh.
“Of course that’s fine.”
Ling Xiao grinned, then vanished with Moon Goddess into the bustling streets of the Demon Capital.
That night, Ling Xiao slipped into the palace of the True Demon Empire.
Using a soul secret art, he extracted information from a serving eunuch and learned Jiao Batian’s whereabouts.
Jiao Batian was cultivating inside a secret realm deep within the palace.
“Come out. To reach this place shows your skill is indeed impressive, but this training ground is filled with arrays. You cannot hide from me.”
Originally, Ling Xiao had planned to deal with Jiao Batian quietly, then extract the location of the Soul Armour from his soul.
However, the moment he entered the secret realm, the man detected him.
Ling Xiao was frank. He revealed himself and smiled. “Jiao Batian, I bear you no malice. I only want one thing from you.”
“What do you want?”
Jiao Batian glanced at him, showing no immediate intention to fight, yet an overwhelmingly domineering aura crashed over Ling Xiao like a storm.
“Soul Armour,” Ling Xiao answered.
“Then you’ve come to the wrong place. I do not have the Soul Armour.”
Jiao Batian spoke coldly. “Moreover, since you are here today, do not think you can leave. One shout from me and this place will be surrounded at once. Even if you grow wings, you won’t escape.”
“Heh, feel free to try.”
Ling Xiao laughed lightly.
Jiao Batian frowned and attempted to send his voice outside, but failed.
The protective arrays that were meant to shield him had now become a cage.
Unless he killed Ling Xiao here, no one outside would know what was happening.
Boom!
Jiao Batian suddenly slammed a palm into a nearby boulder, shattering it to pieces.
“Who exactly are you? What is your goal?”
Ling Xiao smiled. “No need to be so nervous. You are a grand Cavern Heaven warrior, while I am merely a Celestial Human realm cultivator. Surely you are not afraid I could kill you?”
“I already told you, I only want your Soul Armour. We can trade for it.”
He preferred courtesy before force.
This was the opponent’s territory. If they fought and he failed to kill Jiao Batian outright, the consequences would be endless.
“Give up. The Soul Armour has already fused with my soul for protection. Unless you kill me, you cannot take it,” Jiao Batian said coldly.
“In that case, I have no choice but to act.”
Ling Xiao stretched his limbs. “Jiao Batian, how many humans have you killed?”
“Countless. I have long lost track. You humans are a lowly race. Killing you means nothing,” Jiao Batian said with disdain.
“Good. That makes it easier. I won’t feel guilty about killing you.”
Ling Xiao’s voice turned icy.
“Kill me? You think you can kill me?”
As he spoke, Jiao Batian stood up. Terrifying celestial yuan force exploded from his body, his violent aura growing even stronger.
“Shall we fight? Perfect. I have always wanted to test myself against a First Cavern Heaven expert. You can be my sparring partner,” Ling Xiao said with a faint smile, though inwardly he grew serious.
This was the first time he intended to face a First Cavern Heaven warrior with his own cultivation alone.
Not relying on Moon Goddess or Butterfly Goddess.
Purely his own strength against an opponent far more powerful than himself.
“With just you? Hahaha!”
Jiao Batian burst into laughter. “Hurry and call your companions out. Fighting me alone? You truly don’t know the height of the heavens. With mere early Ninth Celestial stage cultivation, you really think you can beat me?”
His laughter carried absolute confidence and thick mockery.
“I really don’t have any companions.”
Ling Xiao shrugged.
“Very well. Then die!”
Jiao Batian lost all patience. He had held back earlier, fearing Ling Xiao had allies, but now it seemed Ling Xiao had truly come alone.
There was no reason to wait. His expression turned ferocious. He stomped the ground and shot towards Ling Xiao like lightning.
The instant Jiao Batian lunged, the surrounding air turned freezing cold. Terrifying currents of frost gathered in the atmosphere.
The resulting chill obscured Ling Xiao’s vision.
Ling Xiao felt the air in the secret realm suddenly become thick and sticky, as though an invisible force glued his body and limbs, preventing him from moving faster.
A Cavern Heaven warrior, even one at the First stage, truly could not be underestimated.
It was said the greatest difference between Cavern Heaven and Celestial Human warriors was the ability to condense one’s own cavern heaven.
This cavern heaven was also called a domain.
Within their cavern heaven, Cavern Heaven warriors held absolute advantage.
Some saw explosive increases in combat power.
Some could restrict an opponent’s movement.
Some could launch attacks in coordination with their domain.
Whatever the type, possessing a cavern heaven was the key reason Cavern Heaven warriors crushed Celestial Human warriors.
Ling Xiao was certain Jiao Batian’s cavern heaven was the so-called “Frost Current Cavern Heaven”. In this environment, an opponent’s speed would plummet while Jiao Batian’s own speed increased.
The gap created by that contrast was enormous.
If Ling Xiao could not find a way to counter this domain, he would undoubtedly be the one to suffer in the end.
“Blazing Sun Feather Robe!”
Ling Xiao unleashed his scorching protective technique.
