C4 Ling Ji

At the critical juncture between life and death, Xing Yun's eyes snapped open, unleashing a burst of golden light. Divine radiance then descended from the heavens, enveloping all the exotic creatures.

"Divine Ruler, we submit!"

The creatures, in unison, voiced their allegiance as they prostrated before Xing Yun and streamed into the first level of the Spire of the Infinite.

Xing Yun, now one with the Spire of the Infinite, had mastered the first realm—Ten Thousand Beasts Submission! With sufficient strength in the future, he would be able to summon these creatures. Whether divine or sacred, any one of them could dominate the Shadowlands.

Yet, Xing Yun's current cultivation level was limited. Awakening these creatures, or even temporarily summoning a mere shadow of their true power, required a significant amount of Fellheart Energy.

Fellheart Energy was a unique force that Xing Yun had harnessed through the Star Beast Arts after taming various Hellbeasts, including ordinary, spiritual, divine, and sacred ones. This energy, cultivated with the aid of the Voidlands, not only strengthened the creatures but also fed back into the Spire of the Infinite, bolstering both Xing Yun's and the Spire's power.

It's worth noting that in the past, the Hellbeast minions in the Voidlands had all sacrificed themselves to protect Xing Yun from the Heavenly Tribulation. The Spire of the Infinite had been left in ruins, sealing itself off until Xing Yun's cultivation could advance and allow for its restoration, one layer at a time.

The more formidable the Hellbeast subdued with the Star Beast Arts, the greater the Fellheart Energy Xing Yun could extract, accelerating the Spire's repair.

"It seems I must venture to the Devilbeast Mountain Range to subdue more Hellbeasts," Xing Yun mused.

As a former sovereign who had mastered the Great Dao in his past life, Xing Yun's path was a unique martial way, integrating the King's Way, the Tyrant's Way, the Sword's Way, and the Pill's Way.

One of the cornerstones of Xing Yun's martial prowess was the Way of Pride!

Xing Yun stood resolute and unyielding in the face of any adversity. He found boundless joy in battling the heavens themselves, so clashing with mere mortals was hardly a challenge.

He deemed ordinary warriors unworthy of his attention, only striking when provoked beyond his limits. Gu Yan had slaughtered too many of Xing Yun's followers, crossing a line and, with fate on his side, Xing Yun ended him without a second thought.

Casual combat would eventually bore Xing Yun and sully his martial path, hindering his future enlightenment.

Thus, cultivating a cadre of devoted human followers and Hellbeasts seemed an excellent strategy.

Gazing upon the fissures in the Spire of the Infinite, Xing Yun's belief only solidified: "In my past life, I could only unlock nine levels. This time around, I, Xing Yun, will undoubtedly unlock all twelve, to uncover the profound mysteries of the Way of the Infinite!"

Each level of the Spire of the Infinite represented a distinct realm. In his former life, Xing Yun had reached the pinnacle of the Infinite Cosmos—the zenith of the Exalted realm—yet he managed to unlock only nine levels. It was this limitation that propelled him to pursue the fabled God-level.

Should he fail to unlock all twelve levels in this life, it would all have been in vain!

With his decision firm, Xing Yun retrieved the exquisite Spirit Ring bequeathed to him by Gu Yan.

The Spirit Ring contained numerous martial techniques and pills, but what truly captivated Xing Yun was the soul of a mighty warrior concealed within. With a mere thought, the spiritual essence of heaven and earth within the Voidlands surged into the Spirit Ring, and a graceful silhouette slowly emerged before Xing Yun, taking on a tangible form.

Before him stood a red-clothed maiden adorned with a phoenix coronet, her beauty unparalleled, her figure lithe and elegant.

Yet, at that moment, she regarded Xing Yun with a cold, hateful stare.

Unflinchingly, Xing Yun met her gaze, and they locked eyes for a full fifteen minutes.

At last, the maiden broke the silence, "Why did you spare my life?"

Xing Yun suddenly burst into wild laughter, causing the young woman to retreat several steps warily. Her face then fell, and she slumped to the ground, her eyes brimming with resentment.

Noticing her continued glare, Xing Yun offered a faint smile and remarked, "It's quite rude to engage in conversation without introducing yourself."

The young woman was taken aback by his comment.

The Xing Yun before her bore no resemblance to the one she had known. He exerted an intangible mental pressure on her, making it clear that she stood no chance of deceit or rebellion in his presence.

After an internal struggle, she finally spoke with venom in her voice, "Ling Ji! Etch this name into your memory. Given the opportunity, I will obliterate you completely!"

"A truly beautiful name," Xing Yun complimented, his smile unwavering. Then, his tone turned severe, "Given your level of power, you ought to realize that here, whether you're merely a lingering spirit or at the height of your strength, you're utterly at my mercy!"

Ling Ji gritted her teeth in fury and retorted, "So, what's your plan? To shame me before obliterating my soul, or to keep me imprisoned here eternally as your captive?"

She was acutely aware that in this eerie place, a bizarre and overwhelming force restrained her completely, leaving her powerless to even self-destruct if Xing Yun so wished.

Even as a God-Emperor, a rarity among the Infinite Cosmos, who could single-handedly lay waste to all sects within the Shadowlands, she felt helpless.

"You're severely underestimating my magnanimity," Xing Yun scoffed with a smirk.

Driven to fury, Ling Ji's laughter was tinged with scorn, "Oh, really? Is groping the saintess's chest a demonstration of your 'magnanimity'?"

Xing Yun roared with laughter, "Having spent this time with me, do you truly believe I touched her out of lust?"

Ling Ji, taken aback yet defiant, responded scornfully, "Who can say? Aren't you also trying to coerce me into joining you? This way, you'd have both beauty and a warrior at your disposal—a cunning scheme indeed!"

She could distinctly sense that although the spiritual energy in this eerie place had mended a portion of her soul power, it was fleeting and could vanish at any moment, leaving her without support and reduced to dust. The one who had the power to make this energy disappear was, undoubtedly, Xing Yun.

"Beauty? You certainly possess some charm, but how do you measure up to the beauties of the Empyrean?" Xing Yun's mocking tone left Ling Ji frozen in place.

Xing Yun wasn't lying; the Empyrean was the mightiest plane within the Infinite Cosmos, teeming with formidable figures and innumerable beauties.

Ling Ji, not willing to concede, retorted, "So you're aware of the Empyrean. The rumors must be true; you hail from an Upper Realm Plane even mightier than the Shadowlands. State your intentions. If you're here to kill me, do it swiftly. A mere moment in this place feels like an eternity to me!"

It was customary for those in the God-Emperor Realm to refer to themselves as emperors, humbling themselves only before those in the Exalted Realm.

Yet, inexplicably, the youth before her stripped her of any semblance of pride.

"Swear fealty to me, become my follower, and not only will I restore your body, but I will also aid you in ascending to the Exalted Realm!" Xing Yun declared.

His words struck Ling Ji like a bolt from the blue, leaving her heart in turmoil and her mind struggling to grasp the reality of his offer.

From the Voidlands echoed Ling Ji's laughter, clear as a bell, "Just you? Do you think reaching the Exalted Realm is as easy as picking cabbages?"

"If I say you can, then you can," Xing Yun replied, his voice resonating with authority.

In his past life, Xing Yun's mastery of alchemy alone had elevated more than a dozen warriors to the Exalted Realm, solidifying his status as the supreme ruler of the Infinite Cosmos.

Ling Ji stared at Xing Yun, her astonishment mingling with skepticism. She felt an overwhelming sense of confidence and arrogance emanating from him, the likes of which even an Exalted expert might not possess.

Her instincts convinced her that this young man could indeed fulfill his promises.

Despite the immense temptation, Ling Ji shook her head, "No matter your enticements, if you've slain Gu Yan, don't expect my allegiance. Grant me a swift end."

Xing Yun's voice was icy as he spoke, "Gu Yan's arrogance and ignorance stem from having your support. He's ruthless and bloodthirsty, even plotting my demise. Why shouldn't I kill him? Had he not made this blunder, I might have ignored him."

Gu Yan, favored by fortune, was bound to encounter more opportunities in the future. Xing Yun could have exploited him from the shadows, yet he chose not to, for Xing Yun was an opportunity for others!

"Regardless, you sought revenge by killing him, did you not?" Ling Ji countered.

"Ambition requires decisive action, leaving no threats for the future," Xing Yun replied gravely.

"I see. Proceed," Ling Ji said, closing her eyes with a sigh.

But the anticipated obliteration or confinement did not come. After a long wait, Ling Ji opened her eyes to find Xing Yun gazing at her serenely.

"Why haven't you acted?"

At her question, Xing Yun shook his head, "I don't have the heart to."

"You don't have the heart?" Ling Ji was taken aback.

She should have scoffed at such a statement, considering Xing Yun had obliterated Gu Yan with a single move, affecting even her own lingering spirit, sending it into slumber.

Yet, inexplicably, a peculiar sensation within her grew stronger. She knew it wasn't Xing Yun's psychic manipulation—this feeling had long been present in her own heart.

Xing Yun nodded, his voice tinged with regret, "You harbor doubts and remorse too, don't you? Gu Yan is far from virtuous; he's merely lucky. Besides, despite his affections for you, he still lusts after the saintess and fabricated a lie to kill me. Is he truly worth your sacrifice?"

Ling Ji remained silent. She had spent three years healing within the Spirit Ring, drawing upon Gu Yan's spiritual essence, which had caused the once prodigiously gifted Gu Yan to be labeled worthless for those years. Consequently, she was filled with both guilt and gratitude, and she yearned to help Gu Yan rise above it all.

Over the last three years, Ling Ji had observed Gu Yan's conduct and found it impossible to endorse. The notion of the saintess coming to his rescue was, without a doubt, a fabrication.

Gu Yan's affection for her, as Xing Yun had accurately pointed out, was something she could not deny. Yet, she refused to betray her own heart and loyalty.

Above all, she had never experienced love before. Being saved by Gu Yan had stirred something within her, albeit slightly.

"Why would you sacrifice your future for a cruel manipulator who has exploited you?" Xing Yun's piercing inquiry left Ling Ji utterly speechless.

Exploitation...

The vague sensation she had long harbored was laid bare by Xing Yun, though she had been reluctant to acknowledge it.

She recalled the moment Gu Yan realized it was Ling Ji who had drained his spirit energy, leaving his cultivation in ruins. His eyes, bloodshot with rage, resembled those of a wild beast ready to pounce. Yet, upon her assurance that she could help him ascend to great heights, his fury transformed into wild elation, his eyes whirling with excitement.

The more Ling Ji dwelled on these memories, the more her anxiety grew. Biting her red lips, she shook her head and insisted, "I don't believe it!"

Xing Yun shook his head in response. No one understood human nature better than he did. He could see right through Gu Yan's deceitful nature and Ling Ji's indecision, likely guessing the truth.

With this in mind, Xing Yun spoke with gravity, "Why continue to lie to yourself? You must realize that I, Xing Yun, am destined to ascend to the pinnacle of the Infinite Cosmos. Aligning with me is a rare opportunity that lies before you."

Ling Ji vehemently shook her head, replying impulsively, "I can't do it. Regardless of his actions, he has shown me kindness. Go ahead and execute me if you must. But if I ever get the chance, I will surely seek my revenge."

In that moment, she understood that any subterfuge was futile before Xing Yun. Concealing her thoughts from him was even less likely to succeed. It was best to be candid.