Watching the accomplices who had slaughtered her entire clan, Ye Ziling’s fingers clenched into fists beneath her sleeves, imprinting lines on her palms. The hatred in her eyes was almost bursting forth, but reason timely curbed its spread.
What goes around comes around, but the time has not yet come.
Walking to the center of the hall, Ye Ziling swept her gaze across the room and declared with a sharp voice, "The authority to set exam questions for the immortal trials is personally bestowed by the Heavenly Emperor upon Jiuling Palace. Since when did it become the mortal realm's place to interfere? Furthermore, you all discussed the exam authority without my consent. Do you all think I am dead?"
The authority to set exam questions only became effective with her personal agreement and seal. What did these people take the exam authority for? A game?
The crowd was stunned by Ye Ziling's forceful demeanor, and for a moment, no one dared to speak. She looked no older than eighteen or nineteen, yet her aura was so formidable.
"Moreover, let's not even mention that there are over a hundred types of demonic beasts for the martial arts trial. With creatures like the Taotie, Tian Gou, and Mountain Fiends among the mid to upper-tier demonic beasts, who among you here can guarantee you can control them?"
"Don't you agree, Elder Chu, Sect Leader Shen?" Ye Ziling glanced at the two men with a smile, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes. This forced the two old men to avert their gaze in unison, remaining silent.
Upon hearing this, their palms began to sweat involuntarily.
How embarrassing, to be intimidated by a mere young girl!
Indeed, Jiuling Palace was powerful, and controlling these demonic creatures was no issue for them. It would be difficult for all of them combined to take down even one Taotie, let alone control these beasts.
Ye Ziling smirked coldly, opening the Hundred Beast Pouch she had torn from Ling Xi. Several Taoties materialized in the hall, instantly turning the faces of the elders from various sects pale.
The most valuable item on a beast tamer was the Hundred Beast Pouch, which contained a hundred types of tamed demonic beasts. The creatures within were equivalent to half a demonic city, each one worth thousands of gold.
"Whoever can obtain the demon cores of these demonic beasts today, I will transfer the exam authority to them," Ye Ziling stated calmly, her gaze sweeping across the room, cold and emotionless. The crowd's expressions shifted, and they all lowered their heads in silence.
Silence fell over the hall once more.
Ye Ziling had anticipated that these people would lack the courage, so she dispensed with further words and announced directly, "Since no one dares to step forward, I hereby declare that Jiuling Palace will set the questions for the martial arts trial."
After speaking, her gaze landed on Xuan Lang. Seeing his face turn green, a cold arc curved her lips. She walked towards him and whispered a warning, "We will settle your crimes back at the palace."
"There are some matters within the palace, so I will not disturb you all any further."
With that, she flicked her sleeve and turned to leave, leaving Xuan Lang with a face as black as the bottom of a pot.
"G-greetings, Palace Master." As Ye Ziling walked out the door, many who had been stirring up trouble quickly bowed and paid their respects.
She swept a cold glance over everyone and walked straight out of the hall.
She had almost forgotten; there was still a life waiting for her to take.
-
"Beast, show yourself!" Ling Xi’s hands and feet were almost severed by the Immortal Binding Rope. Coupled with his half-numb body, he couldn't exert any strength. He tried to break free from the rope, but the more he struggled, the tighter it became.
With all his disciples attending the Immortal Trial mobilization meeting in the main hall, there was no one in the surrounding rooms.
[System: Lord Ling, what is wrong?]
Hearing the long-lost voice, Ling Xi felt a wave of relief and got straight to the point, "Find a way to help me untie the Immortal Binding Rope."
[System: My Lord… I wish I could help you, but with my power, I cannot move this rope at all. How about you release your divine beasts to help?]
Mentioning divine beasts made Ling Xi angry. If he still had the Hundred Beast Pouch, he would have been saved long ago. Why would he summon this beast?
"The Hundred Beast Pouch was taken away," Ling Xi sneered. "Is there any way to transfer it back?"
Last time, this beast was able to transfer the beast control powder to the top-grade item, so it should be able to transfer the Hundred Beast Pouch back to him.
[System: No, it can only be transferred out, not back… However, someone will be here soon!]
"Who?" Ling Xi asked, confused.
Before he could get an answer, the door creaked open. A pair of silver silk shoes embroidered with phoenixes stepped in. Ling Xi slowly looked up from the flowing gauze skirt and met a beautiful face filled with fierce hostility.
The person who entered was none other than the top-grade item.
As Ye Ziling closed the door, she was met by the burning gaze of the person on the bed. The handsome face, filled with expectant eyes, was instantly extinguished.
Seeing her in new clothes, Ling Xi was somewhat puzzled. Where had the white gauze skirt with the torn sleeves gone? Had she changed so quickly?
"Miss Ye, when do you plan to untie me?" Ling Xi's gaze swept over her face, a strange glint flashing in his eyes. He let out a soft hum, accompanied by a shallow smile.
Ye Ziling leisurely glanced at him, the ferocity in her eyes transforming into a mocking smile. She spoke indifferently, "The moment you die."
Her cold voice conveyed endless hatred.
She probably wouldn't be able to get the Sun and Moon Divine Lamp from Ling Xi. However, there was bound to be another fragment in the Shaolin Sect. Once she took this man’s life, she would go and claim that Sun and Moon Divine Lamp.
Since her immortal power was ineffective against him, using brute force should work.
With that, her fair hands reached for Ling Xi's neck and tightened suddenly, an intense suffocating sensation engulfing him, making it difficult for him to breathe.
This top-grade item had a lot of strength.
Ling Xi regretted it, wishing he hadn’t played such a risky game, as he was now gambling away his life.
[Ling Xi: What method is there to escape now? Is the revival card still available?]
[System: Lord Ling, the revival card is still available, but in my humble opinion, there is a more suitable method.]
[Ling Xi: Why didn't you say so earlier. What method?]
[System: Time reversal! As long as you contribute some power, Lord, time can be reversed to one day ago.]
One day ago was when he had not yet met the top-grade item.
[Ling Xi: Stop the nonsense, hurry and reverse it. I can’t hold on much longer.]
[System: However… Lord Ling, you must be prepared, as you will have to make a small sacrifice.]
Ye Ziling saw Ling Xi’s handsome face turn red and his relaxed posture on the bed, feeling a twinge of annoyance.
Killing was merely a moment’s work, and what she enjoyed most was the pleasure of watching someone suffer to death. But now, it seemed she was letting him off too easily.
[Ling Xi: Faced with life and death, why hesitate?]
[System: Your subordinate… will attend to it immediately!]
Just as Ye Ziling was about to exert a final, forceful grip, a blinding white light flashed before her eyes. Her body stiffened, and she felt as if she were pinned in place, completely unable to move.
What kind of evil art was this?
She opened her eyes again, and the scene before her had changed.
The candlelight flickered around her, and the night breeze stirred the curtains. A zither sat by the window, surrounded by intricately carved screens.
Several luminous pearls hung from the ceiling, emitting a faint blue glow in the dim light.
Ye Ziling scanned her surroundings in a daze. Based on the furnishings and decorations in the room, she deduced that she was in an inn.
Looking down at herself, she felt a slight weight in her芥子袋 (Jiezi Dai - Mustard Seed Bag).
Opening the bag, a piece of shattered glazed tile lay within.
She took it out and examined it carefully.
This was—the Sun and Moon Divine Lamp?