Ling Tian Sword God

"I'll give it a try."

With no other choice, Ling Chen heaved a sigh. This Xia Ji's methods were indeed formidable; she was a dangerous individual.

"That's better."

Only then did Xia Ji withdraw her hand and casually walk over to Ling Chen's side.

Seeing this, Ling Chen also turned his attention to the stone slab in front of him. Despite the complexity of the mechanisms on it, they were ultimately external mechanisms and posed no challenge to Ling Chen, who had already read the "Secrets of Mechanism."

In less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, Ling Chen had solved the mechanism.

HUM. HUM.

The entire stone slab began to vibrate, and the Void Emperor's Royal Decree embedded within it protruded due to the mechanism's operation, presenting itself.

Xia Ji's face lit up with joy, and she immediately took the Void Emperor's Royal Decree.

However, the Token looked utterly ordinary, with no distinctive features.

This is the greatest secret of Tienzong?

Xia Ji found it hard to believe. How could such a Token wield any significant power? How could it be Tienzong's most precious treasure?

In the next moment, she infused her True Qi into the Token. A huge surge of information instantly flowed into her mind.

A powerful, mysterious force emanated from the Void Emperor's Royal Decree, seemingly forming a Barrier that enveloped the surrounding space.

Even Ling Chen felt the tremendous power fluctuations. However, Xia Ji bore the majority of the pressure.

Xia Ji's face rapidly turned pale, and she even spat out a mouthful of blood. She was clearly not lightly injured, and it was a spiritual wound.

Hurriedly severing her spiritual connection with the Void Emperor's Royal Decree, Xia Ji clutched her chest and took several deep breaths; her complexion gradually recovered.

"What exactly is in this Void Emperor's Royal Decree?" Ling Chen asked, full of curiosity.

"Some profound writings. Not only are they incomprehensible, but they also contain a terrifying spiritual pressure. I'm afraid that if one's Cultivation hasn't reached a certain level, they aren't even qualified to comprehend it. Instead, their mind will be harmed," Xia Ji said, looking at the Void Emperor's Royal Decree in her hand with lingering fear.

"Even your Grand Master level Cultivation suffered a backlash?"

Ling Chen was also taken aback. If even Xia Ji's Cultivation was harmed by the backlash, what would happen if I rashly infused my True Qi to unlock its secrets? I would undoubtedly be blasted into an imbecile.

BOOM!

Before Ling Chen could get a reply, the ground suddenly began to tremble. The hall seemed to be on the verge of collapsing.

Damn, this place is collapsing.

Ling Chen looked around in surprise. The surroundings were shaking violently, and rocks were falling. Having lost the Void Emperor's Royal Decree, which acted as its linchpin, the hall was evidently about to collapse.

"There's a small door over there!"

Xia Ji pointed into the distance. There, unexpectedly, was a small door just over a person's height, which was also the only exit from this place.

Xia Ji pocketed the Void Emperor's Royal Decree and, without a word, bolted straight for the small door.

Ling Chen was about to move when he suddenly turned to look at Xu Ruoyan, who was still injured and sitting on the ground. He turned back, went to her side, and helped her up.

"How could you aid a tyrant in their evil deeds, helping this demoness take the Void Emperor's Royal Decree?" Xu Ruoyan's almond-shaped eyes glared at Ling Chen. She was clearly still resentful about Ling Chen helping Xia Ji activate the mechanism.

"If I hadn't helped her, she would have killed us both. Besides, now that things have come to this, do we have any other choice?"

Ling Chen shook his head. However, when helping Xia Ji obtain the Void Emperor's Royal Decree, he hadn't failed to consider its destination. Last time on Ghost Fog Mountain, he had heard Xia Ji address Liu Xiling as 'Master.' Therefore, this Void Emperor's Royal Decree would eventually fall into the hands of his mother, Liu Xiling. That was better than it falling into the hands of the Saint Witch Religion Sect Leader, Sikong Yi, although the two were essentially similar in nature.

Besides, in the face of Xia Ji's absolute, formidable strength, any tricks they might attempt would be futile.

"Alright, if you're really angry with me, then after we get out, if you're still upset with me, you can make this matter public. How about that?" The situation was urgent, and Ling Chen couldn't be bothered with Xu Ruoyan's nonsense. He scooped her up and dashed towards the small stone door.

BOOM!

Just as Ling Chen, carrying Xu Ruoyan, dashed into the stone door, the main hall suddenly collapsed, shattering into a pile of rubble.

Carrying Xu Ruoyan, the ground beneath Ling Chen's feet also split and crumbled. He had pushed his speed to the limit to escape safely just in time. However, no sooner had his front foot landed than the ground beneath his rear foot disintegrated. It was an extremely perilous moment.

RUMBLE!

Outside the hall, to the astonishment of many, the main doors suddenly swung open, and two figures successively darted out.

"They're out!"

A clamor arose among the crowd.

"Why are there three of them? Look, that person is a Demon Way Follower!" one of the Righteous Path Disciples pointed at Xia Ji, exclaiming in shock.

"Into whose hands has the Heavenly Sect's Secret Treasure fallen?" the Young Master of Myriad Dao stepped forward, demanding sternly.

"It's in this demoness's hands!" Xu Ruoyan immediately replied.

"What? Everyone, with me! Let's apprehend this demoness!"

The Young Master of Myriad Dao's expression turned grim. The Heavenly Sect's Secret Treasure was an object of immense importance. How could it be allowed to fall into the hands of a Demon Way Follower?

"Just by yourselves?"

A trace of disdain appeared in Xia Ji's eyes. Although there were many Righteous Path Disciples present, she didn't regard a single one of them.

"Myriad Images of the Forest!"

The Young Master of Myriad Dao vanished in a flash. Behind him, six phantoms instantly appeared, constantly interweaving and moving, their transformations unpredictable. Although it was a far cry from the Myriad Images of the Forest displayed by Lu Youzhen, being able to comprehend Myriad Images of the Forest was a feat only a few in the Myriad Dao Sect could achieve, and the Young Master of Myriad Dao was one of them.

"Sky Heart Guidance!"

Feng Piaoliu also moved, drawing his sword and thrusting it out, attacking Xia Ji from another direction.

"Wu Xiang Formless!"

Nie Wu Xiang launched himself into the air, soaring dozens of meters high. His body transformed into a spiral, and then an infinite leg force condensed, kicking towards Xia Ji's head.

In an instant, the three leading Righteous Path Disciples attacked Xia Ji simultaneously. With three against one, their offensive was overwhelming.

However, Ling Chen glanced over at the Demon Way side. Yao Fang, Mei Ji, Xu Chao, and the others hadn't moved an inch, showing no intention of making a move.

It seems they are entirely confident in Xia Ji's strength, which is why they are so composed.

Sure enough, Xia Ji, facing the combined attack of the three, showed no signs of panic. Her delicate foot tapped the ground, and her entire figure spun up as the Bewitching Sword in her hand swept out horizontally.

"Phantasmal Sword Sky Shadow!"

Strands of icy black sword qi radiated from the sword's body, spreading out in all directions like an octopus's tentacles.

CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!

All six of the Young Master of Myriad Dao's phantoms were shattered. His true body was also struck by a sword, and he was sent flying backward, vomiting blood.

The attacks of the other two, Nie Wu Xiang and Feng Piaoliu, were also successively crushed. In the next moment, they were hit by Xia Ji's sword qi and flew out like kites with severed strings, landing on the plaza.

How can this demoness be so strong?

Beside Ling Chen, Xu Ruoyan was shocked. She hadn't expected Xia Ji's strength to be so formidable. The combined force of the three young paragons had been defeated by her in a single move, completely unable to fight back.