“Very well. Since you have cooperated so fully, I shall keep my promise.”
Lingxiao leapt dozens of metres away, then snapped his fingers once more. The corpse granny’s body exploded on the spot.
She was blown to pieces.
The storage ring, now shrunk back to normal size, fell to the ground and was picked up by Lingxiao.
This corpse granny’s storage ring truly was extraordinary. Most of the space inside was filled with preserved corpses, along with some spirit stones and a single book.
It appeared to be a form of witchcraft, different from martial arts. Its use required special conditions.
Lingxiao simply stuffed it into his own storage ring without examining it further.
He could study it later when he had time.
Seng Li’s storage ring contained far more spirit stones. This fellow had clearly been greedy for wealth. Moreover, there was also a book inside, presumably a martial arts manual.
The purpose of this manual was straightforward: it assisted warriors in condensing and strengthening their Cave Heaven Domain.
For the current Lingxiao, it was highly suitable.
He took it without hesitation.
Adding the storage rings of the other Biwave Island members, he acquired quite a few martial arts texts. When he returned to the Tianlong Continent in the future, he could place them in the Heavenly Martial Hall of the Heavenly Empire.
Lingxiao was well aware that for a powerful nation, the most important factor was not population or territory, but strong warriors.
Thus, from the very beginning of establishing the Heavenly Empire, he had set up the Heavenly Martial Hall.
This hall not only managed matters concerning warriors throughout the land, but also collected various martial arts. As long as one was a citizen of the Heavenly Empire,
from the age of three, they could receive free martial arts education for twelve full years.
After that, it would depend on individual fortune.
In this way, the young men and women of the Heavenly Empire would not miss the optimal cultivation period due to family circumstances.
If, after the twelve years of free education, someone proved exceptionally outstanding, they could be recruited into places such as the Heavenly Chosen Academy, the Heavenly Empire Institute, or the Heavenly Martial Hall for advanced study.
Lingxiao encouraged the development of sects.
Besides the state vigorously building several martial holy lands, powerful warriors could also receive policy support to establish their own sects or academies.
Now, not only was Lingxiao collecting martial arts manuals everywhere, but other warriors of the Heavenly Empire were doing the same.
Their figures could often be seen at many auctions.
Their valiant presence could also be spotted in numerous adventuring teams.
This was the hope for the revival of the Heavenly Empire. No one dared slack off.
Everyone worked hard, hoping to make the Heavenly Empire strong.
After all, powerful enemies surrounded them at present. Relying solely on formations for protection was hardly realistic. They still needed a sufficient number of powerful warriors.
The topic had veered off course. Back to the matter at hand.
At this moment, within the ruined temple, all the people from Biwave Island had been killed.
The two vice-island masters had brought a group of elite and powerful warriors to Sin City. On one hand, they sought an opportunity to find the Imperial Seal.
On the other, they wanted to kill Lingxiao and avenge the deceased Biwave Island disciples.
Yet neither goal was achieved. In this broken temple, they all became souls slain by Lingxiao’s sword.
The cause of the incident was not complicated.
The process was straightforward.
The corpse granny had framed Lingxiao, ultimately provoking his fury and leading him to slaughter them all.
Of course, the near-death of Situ Hongyan had also acted as a catalyst.
The current Biwave Island was essentially left with only the bare commander, Island Master Mo, and perhaps Biwave Sword Mo Cong to hold things together.
After this event, they were destined to be removed from the Seven Martial Sect Islands, just like the former Pixiu Island.
Biwave Island had committed many acts that incurred heaven’s wrath and people’s resentment. It was impossible for no enemies to come knocking.
Even without enemies, remember that they occupied the resource-rich Biwave Island. Other powers would certainly covet it.
As for whether the Black Crow Empire or the Divine Phoenix Empire would destroy it first, Lingxiao did not care.
At this moment, he gazed coldly at the corpses on the ground without the slightest sympathy.
He clearly remembered their arrogance and tyranny.
They had given neither him nor Situ Hongyan any chance to explain. Their shamelessness had reached an extreme.
If such people did not die, then heaven truly would be blind.
What concerned Lingxiao more at this point was actually Situ Hongyan.
Though he spoke coldly, claiming her life or death was none of his business,
deep in his heart, he could not bear for her to simply die like this.
Joking aside, if Situ Hongyan died, he, Lingxiao, might as well give up being an alchemist. This was a battle for his reputation.
“Good disciple, how do you plan to save her? Do not forget, the lowest-grade pill that can currently save her is the profound-grade high-level ‘Heaven-Reversing Pill’. With your strength, you simply cannot refine it. Even if your master lends you power, it would be useless. After all, alchemy is not combat. It is far more difficult.”
Yuan Zun naturally understood Lingxiao’s thoughts and asked via soul transmission.
At this time, Lingxiao was already extremely weakened.
He sensed people lurking in the distance and turned back to Leng Mei. “Let us return to our residence first.”
If he fainted now, it would fall entirely on Leng Mei alone. Lingxiao did not wish to become a burden at this moment.
Thus, he had to get back first.
On the way, he replied to Yuan Zun via soul transmission. “Master, of course I know that with my current ability I cannot save that woman. But you saw it too. In those circumstances, she was still willing to testify for me. I, Lingxiao, do not like owing favours to others.”
“I know you are a good child. Then your master will help you once more.”
Yuan Zun said, “Although I cannot help you refine the Heaven-Reversing Pill, there is a pill that you yourself can refine. It is called the ‘Tortoise Breath Pill’!”
“Tortoise Breath Pill?”
“Yes. This pill is merely yellow-grade. You should be able to refine it. First give it to her, and it will place her in a state of suspended animation.
Even after ten days, she will not die or consume life force. She will simply remain in suspended animation and be unable to do anything else. You still need to discuss it with her.”
Yuan Zun replied.
“No need for discussion. We will do it this way.”
Lingxiao was not the indecisive sort. He feared that if he discussed it with Situ Hongyan, the woman might hesitate and refuse.
After all, the hope of obtaining a Heaven-Reversing Pill was slim. Many would prefer to live properly for seven days.
For many people, that truly would be the case.
Lingxiao did not want to waste time explaining.
It was he who wished to save Situ Hongyan, not Situ Hongyan asking him to save her.
Thus, even if after saving her she immediately committed suicide, he would not mind.
He only intended to save her now. It was that simple.
Among the pile of corpses, the figures of Zhang Tiande and Representative Yan finally emerged. This was already more than ten minutes after Lingxiao had left.
They dared not appear earlier precisely because of fear.
“I truly cannot believe it. This was done by that Lingxiao. Shall we still compete for the Imperial Seal?”
Zhang Tiande drew in a sharp breath and asked.
“What is there to fear? That lad somehow used a method to suddenly boost his strength, but in the end he is alone. Moreover, the Imperial Seal is not even in his hands now. Why not compete?”
Representative Yan was indeed worthy of being from the Water God Temple. His courage was greater.
