"Grinding God Nine Turns, Descend!"
Li Xuan's mind stirred, and the giant stone mill instantly began to spin. The next moment, a terrifying suction force surged towards Shen Tu's consciousness.
"What... what is this ghastly thing!" Shen Tu's consciousness cried out in panic, feeling the immense suction from the stone mill. The next moment, Shen Tu's consciousness retreated madly towards the rear. However, the retreat speed was no match for the mill's suction.
In a mere ten breaths, Shen Tu's consciousness was pulled into the stone mill by the immense suction.
"Rest in peace." Li Xuan glanced at the stone mill, then moved his hand seals, activating the sixth turn of Grinding God Nine Turns. This level of operation demanded Li Xuan's full concentration just to barely maintain. No matter how strong Shen Tu's consciousness was, it couldn't withstand it.
As expected.
After the stone mill completed one full rotation, Shen Tu's consciousness was utterly annihilated. The scarlet tide had receded.
"Brother, thank you." Li Yao's consciousness voice echoed in Li Xuan's mind.
Li Xuan smiled slightly and appeared before Li Yao's consciousness. "Silly girl, you are my sister. Alright, I'll wait for you to wake up outside."
With a thought, Li Xuan's spiritual sense directly exited Li Yao's sea of consciousness. Prolonged presence within Li Yao's sea of consciousness could negatively affect her.
Buzz.
As Li Xuan's spiritual sense returned, his eyes slowly opened. Seeing Li Yao's face as it was before, Li Xuan finally relaxed.
"Young Master Li Xuan, is it resolved?" Qin Guang asked immediately upon seeing this.
Li Xuan nodded slightly, his gaze still fixed on Li Yao's face.
Qin Guang and Yang Xiao exchanged glances, surprise evident in their eyes. Soon, Qin Guang withdrew. With Shen Tu's consciousness eradicated from Li Yao, the Empress would awaken shortly. As people of the Ghost Realm, they had to wait for the Empress's awakening.
Time passed, and Yang Xiao did not engage Li Xuan in small talk during this period. Soon, Qin Guang led more than ten people into the stone cave. In addition, dozens more waited outside the cave. Clearly, everyone knew of the Empress's imminent awakening.
A quarter of an hour later, an aura emanated from the stone coffin. Within ten breaths, this aura grew powerful enough to reach the Saint realm, yet showed no signs of stopping. Even Yang Xiao retreated several steps, his expression one of respect.
Meanwhile, Li Xuan's face held a look of earnest anticipation. His sister, Li Yao, was finally about to awaken.
Another five minutes passed, and the aura from the stone coffin had terrifyingly reached the Qian Kun realm. Even Li Xuan was forced back several steps by this pressure.
Buzz!
With a humming sound, the rising aura finally slowed to a halt.
"Little master, your sister's strength is impressive. Just after recovering, she already has Yin Yang realm power!" The Heavenly Dao Pen's voice resonated in Li Xuan's mind.
Li Xuan was somewhat surprised. Li Yao possessed Yin Yang realm strength? This was right after her awakening, marking the complete end of the fusion. Li Xuan believed that as Li Yao absorbed the memories and divine abilities, her strength would undoubtedly increase further.
"You all may leave. I wish to spend some time with my brother." A voice emanated from the stone coffin. Yang Xiao, Qin Guang, and the others looked overjoyed, then bowed respectfully and turned to depart.
"Yao'er." Li Xuan stepped forward. The terrifying aura receded as he did.
"Brother, I thought I would never see you again." Li Yao's tears fell, yet her face was graced with a smile as she embraced Li Xuan.
Though not biological siblings, their bond since childhood surpassed that of blood relations. Every little memory surfaced, and Li Xuan was overcome with emotion. In this world, no one's journey was ever smooth.
After a brief chat, Li Yao's gaze turned towards the cave entrance. Li Xuan smiled, "Go handle your affairs first."
Li Yao was now not only Li Xuan's sister but also the mistress of the Ghost Realm. Li Xuan had spent a considerable time talking with her, and he wouldn't be selfish enough to let her neglect her responsibilities.
Li Yao nodded, then moved swiftly towards the cave exit.
Ten minutes later, Li Yao returned to Li Xuan's side.
"Finished so quickly?" Li Xuan asked, somewhat surprised.
Li Yao nodded slightly. "I'd rather be by brother's side."
Li Xuan chuckled, then reached out and stroked Li Yao's head. "You, my dear, are now the mistress of the Ghost Realm. They have protected you for so long; you must shoulder this responsibility."
"Mmm." Li Yao nodded slightly, then looked at Li Xuan. "Brother, have you been back to Qingcheng in these years?"
Li Xuan's expression faltered, then he sighed and nodded. "I went back once, but I didn't reveal myself. From the looks of it, the clan seems to be developing well."
Li Yao pondered for a moment, then said, "Brother, my memories are a bit jumbled. But while sorting them just now, I remembered something."
Li Xuan looked at Li Yao with surprise. "Is it about the Li family, or..."
"It's about you, brother." Li Yao said in a low voice. "Brother, do you remember a time when I had a persistent fever and was unconscious as a child?"
Li Xuan nodded. During that period, Li Xuan feared Li Yao might never recover. After all, she had been unconscious for over three months, suffering from a high fever, and not a single elder in the clan had offered assistance.
Li Yao continued, "Actually, it was because I accidentally overheard a conversation between the First Elder and the Second Elder. Their discussion was about your parents. From their words, it seemed that although your parents were declared dead in battle back then, their bodies disappeared."
"Was it Li Wen Tian who attacked you?" Li Xuan's brow furrowed. He had always thought Li Yao's illness was just that, but now there was such a hidden reason.
Li Yao's heart warmed. Li Xuan, upon hearing about his parents, still worried about her, demonstrating his deep affection for her.
"Brother, I have a suspicion. Your parents might not be dead. But if they are not dead, why didn't they return to the clan? There must be something amiss here." Li Yao stated.
Li Xuan fell silent. Li Wen Tian had already been slain by him. Even if there were secrets surrounding his parents' disappearance, it seemed unlikely to obtain any answers from him now.
Seeing his silence, Li Yao smiled. "Brother, although Li Wen Tian is dead, the Second Elder seems to be alive. And the clan elders might know something about this matter."
Li Xuan's eyes brightened. "In that case, I suppose I must go back."
"Brother, I'll go with you."