“What if you add me?”
Ling Xiao slowly emerged from the bushes, the World Eye hovering above his head, emitting an eerie glow.
“You’re even less worth mentioning.”
The Cave Heaven Realm warrior, though aware of Ling Xiao’s prowess, was a Cave Heaven expert. Why would he fear him?
“Is that so?” Ling Xiao said with a cold smile. “Soul Judgment: Immortal Gourd.”
The Soul Dice, through evolution and refinement, had been transformed by Ling Xiao’s will and the guidance of his Mountain River Martial Soul into its current form.
It was a long process.
During this time, Ling Xiao had not used the Soul Dice in battle.
Burning Heaven, Divine Tomb.
Now, the Immortal Gourd.
Soul Judgment had evolved from its original two abilities, finally developing a third.
Burning Heaven could incinerate anything, a soul fire that burned from within.
Divine Tomb could summon all the dead spirits within it.
The Immortal Gourd could absorb the souls of any object, turning them into spiritual liquid to enhance a warrior’s soul force.
The massive gourd floated in the air, its powerful suction seeming to pull the Cave Heaven warrior’s soul right out.
Of course, the opponent was a Cave Heaven warrior, albeit only at the second stage, the Great Empty Heaven Realm.
The Cave Heaven Realm required condensing ten Cave Heavens above the Heavenly Veins.
First, Wangwu Mountain Cave, known as “Clear Void Heaven.”
Second, Weiyu Mountain Cave, known as “Great Empty Heaven.”
Third, Xicheng Mountain Cave, known as “Supreme Mysterious True Heaven.”
Fourth, Xixuan Mountain Cave, known as “Three Mysterious Ultimate True Heaven.”
Fifth, Qingcheng Mountain Cave, known as “Treasure Immortal Nine Chambers Heaven.”
Sixth, Chicheng Mountain Cave, known as “Upper Clear Jade Peace Heaven.”
Seventh, Luofu Mountain Cave, known as “Vermilion Bright Shining True Heaven.”
Eighth, Juqu Mountain Cave, known as “Golden Altar Huayang Heaven.”
Ninth, Linwu Mountain Cave, known as “Dragon God Mysterious Void Heaven.”
Tenth, Kuocang Mountain Cave, known as “Accomplished Virtue Hidden Mysterious Heaven.”
Though the opponent had only condensed the second Cave Heaven, their strength was formidable.
Ling Xiao’s Immortal Gourd alone could not subdue them.
This was where Qin Huo came in.
Seizing the moment, Qin Huo sprang forward, his long spear transforming into a terrifying burst of energy, channelling all his Heavenly Essence Force, thrusting toward the Cave Heaven warrior.
This strike was like a hero facing death.
Qin Huo’s mind was clear of distractions, focused solely on defeating the warrior.
It was either their death or his. He had no other choice.
Boom!
The ferocious attack pierced the warrior’s protective Heavenly Essence Force, driving straight through their chest.
It wasn’t that the warrior was weak; the key was Ling Xiao’s distraction.
Together, the two made killing a second-stage Great Empty Heaven warrior relatively easy.
“No—!”
With their body pierced, their soul let out a wail.
The Immortal Gourd’s terrifying suction seized the moment, pulling the warrior’s soul inside.
“Collect.”
Ling Xiao recalled the gourd, feeling the soul struggling within.
But it was futile. A mere soul could not escape the gourd’s confines.
“What happened today, pretend you didn’t see it. Otherwise, I’ll kill without mercy.”
Ling Xiao’s icy voice snapped the trembling warriors hiding nearby out of their shock.
They felt their throats dry, terror sweeping through them.
The scene they had just witnessed was too astounding.
Two Heaven Realm warriors had teamed up to kill a Cave Heaven warrior so easily.
Most terrifyingly, they had even absorbed the opponent’s soul.
“We shouldn’t stay here. Let’s go.”
Ling Xiao had no intention of silencing witnesses. He wasn’t that kind of person.
Besides, even if word spread, people would only think he possessed some treasure. They likely wouldn’t connect it to the Soul Dice.
Its transformation was too drastic.
Even the Soul Clan would struggle to recognise it.
“Are you two looking for the enslaved humans?” a figure emerged from the woods, asking respectfully.
“You know something?” Ling Xiao asked.
“Yes. From what I know, those slaves were sold to the military and sent to the border to build walls,” the person replied.
“Which direction?”
“North, toward the Black Crow Empire’s border.”
“Here.” Ling Xiao tossed the person a thousand low-grade spirit stones. “If this is true, these are yours. If you dare deceive us, you saw what happened to that man.”
“I’m human too. Though I dare not offend the Divine Phoenix Clan, this is my duty,” the person said, cupping their hands.
“Qin Huo, head north. I’ll catch up after taking Yanran back to the Clear Void Academy,” Ling Xiao said after a moment’s thought. “At the border, there’s a slave-trading base. The military’s slaves are likely sent there to be sold, rarely reaching the northern border.”
He had learned this from Ji Ning’s letters.
In recent years, the court had sent Ji Ning no new troops, yet expected him to hold the northern desert, likely hoping the Black Crow Empire would kill him.
The slave-trading base was far from the northern desert city, guarded by a general from the Ice Phoenix Clan. Slaves sold there rarely met good fates.
Ling Xiao tapped Qin Huo’s forehead, imprinting a clear route map in his memory, leaving Qin Huo astonished.
“Understood, Chosen One. I’ll go ahead,” Qin Huo said, leaping into the air.
Ling Xiao didn’t waste time. He returned to the Clear Void Academy, handed Feng Yanran to Feng Qingyan, and set off to catch up with Qin Huo.
An hour later, he reached him.
Qin Huo, the Flying General, was stunned. His title came from his remarkable speed, yet Ling Xiao had caught up so easily.
With a wry smile, he felt more confident.
Following someone like this would not lead to regret.
“Chosen One, I asked around. A group of slaves was indeed brought here, but they were shipped out to sea a day ago, headed for Pixiu Island, one of the seven martial sect islands,” Qin Huo said helplessly.
“Pixiu Island? Interesting name,” Ling Xiao said, frowning. Despite his pursuit, the slaves had been sent away.
“Chosen One, it’s not just interesting. Pixiu is said to be a place of no return. I inquired, and no one—slave or warrior—who goes to Pixiu Island ever comes back,” Qin Huo said worriedly.
“Alright, stop calling me Chosen One. Call me Ling Xiao or Brother Ling from now on to avoid suspicion.
Also, I want to know why warriors would voluntarily go to Pixiu Island,” Ling Xiao asked.
