When Wu Ling stepped into the screen of light, he suddenly felt as if someone were watching him. His heart tightened. He had already guessed that this was the Asura God's gaze.
Fortunately, that gaze only lingered for a short while before it moved away. Even with Wu Ling's state of mind, he let out a quiet breath of relief.
A flash of light passed. Wu Ling appeared on a stretch of grassland.
Feeling the new power inside his body, Wu Ling nodded in satisfaction. "The world is vast, after all. If Tang San's existence really is only a coincidence, then the Asura God's divine seat is not a bad option."
Just as Wu Ling was about to test the domain, two people suddenly appeared beside him.
Wu Ling instinctively shifted into a combat stance, then immediately recognized them. "Grandpa Ghost, Grandpa Yue, you are already here?"
Correct. The two of them were Ghost Sage and Chrysanthemum Sage. As for how they knew Wu Ling would come out today, that was naturally because Rose had told them.
Although Slaughter City forbade the use of Spirit Skills, Spirit Power itself could still be used. That meant Wu Ling could still maintain a faint line of communication with Rose and the others.
Because the distance was too great and Slaughter City itself interfered with the connection, the communication between Wu Ling and Rose could barely be called words. At most, it was like a few vague mm-hm sounds. But that was enough.
Before Wu Ling entered Hell Road, he had worried that Hell Road might interfere even more, so he sent Rose a few early signals. The main body, silent for so long, had suddenly spoken. Rose then checked the time and concluded that Wu Ling was preparing to leave.
After Rose reported this to Bibi Dong, Bibi Dong acted on the principle that it was better to believe it than miss the chance. She ordered Chrysanthemum Sage and Ghost Sage to wait near the exit for Wu Ling.
Of course, they were not going to wait forever. If Wu Ling failed to appear within seven days, they would return and report. The timing worked out perfectly. They had arrived less than half an hour before Wu Ling came out.
When the two Titled Sages saw Wu Ling emerge, they both quietly relaxed. They trusted Wu Ling's strength and the precautions he had left behind, but Slaughter City's rules were troublesome. If nothing went wrong, that was naturally best.
"Not bad. It seems you have already obtained the Deathgod Domain. Her Holiness will be very pleased." Ghost's slightly hoarse voice sounded, and Wu Ling felt a flicker of nostalgia.
"Mm. Let's go, Grandpa Ghost. Sorry to make you wait." Wu Ling grinned. After spending so long without changing expression, his smile looked a little stiff, but on his gentle, handsome face it did not feel out of place at all. Instead, it gave him a cold yet soft air, the kind of contrast people might call pure and alluring in a girl.
"Ah, Little Lingling is so cute!" Yue Guan stepped forward and hugged Wu Ling. Wu Ling was now about 1.7 meters tall, just the right height for Yue Guan to rest his chin on Wu Ling's head. He rubbed Wu Ling's hair as if he were petting a small animal.
As Wu Ling's smile gradually relaxed, the three of them left in the direction of Spirit Hall.
A few days later, Wu Ling and the others returned to Spirit City. Looking at the bicycles that almost everyone around him seemed to have and the streetlights being built along the road, Wu Ling nodded with satisfaction. "Looks like Rose has already started moving the plan forward."
"Grandpa Ghost, Grandpa Yue, I'm going to see Teacher first. Are you coming too?" Wu Ling tilted his head slightly and asked the empty air.
"We will go together. We need to report as well."
Wu Ling nodded silently and walked straight toward the Supreme Pontiff Palace.
When he reached the entrance, the outermost guard was just about to step forward and question him, but the veteran beside him pulled him back. The guard could only watch as Wu Ling pushed the doors open with practiced ease and entered the palace.
"Brother, who was that? He just walked straight in without even reporting." The new guard asked the veteran beside him.
The veteran glanced around, confirmed that only a few guards were nearby, then explained to the rookie. "You came late, so you may not know. Let me put it this way. You know Her Holiness's first disciple, right?"
"Of course I know... wait. Don't tell me!" The rookie suddenly realized something. His eyes widened, and he quietly pointed at the palace doors.
"Exactly. That was Her Holiness's first disciple. The genius Spirit Master who invented Soulcraft tools and cultivation methods. Her Holiness personally gave him the right to enter and leave the Supreme Pontiff Palace as he pleased, so pay attention the next time you see him."
"I heard he went somewhere to train before. Looks like he is back now."
The rookie nodded woodenly. Even now, he still could not believe that he had seen the mysterious disciple of the Supreme Pontiff, someone many clan heads had never even met.
Even through the door, Wu Ling still noticed the people outside discussing him, but he paid it no mind.
He crossed the front hall and entered the main chamber. The moment he stepped in, he saw Bibi Dong seated above. What drew his attention was the young woman standing beside her.
"If she can stand in that position, she should be Serena Ivory. Grandpa Ghost mentioned her on the way back. He said Teacher took another disciple half a year ago."
With that thought, Wu Ling ignored the curious gaze the girl cast toward him from above. He gently knelt on one knee. "Teacher, I have returned."
"Good. Returning safely is the best result." Bibi Dong's tone was calm, but Serena Ivory, standing at her side, clearly saw a faint smile touch her teacher's lips.
To be honest, in the half year Serena Ivory had followed Bibi Dong, this was the first time she had seen that expression. That only made her curiosity toward Wu Ling grow stronger.
"Since you made it out, that proves you obtained the domain. Show me."
Wu Ling stood and cupped his fist. "Yes."
In the next instant, a scarlet wave of air carrying the scent of blood erupted from his body.
Serena Ivory only felt her whole body stiffen. Then the shadow of death instantly covered her.
"Death! Death! Death! Death! I will die! I will die! I will die! I will die! This is death I cannot resist!"
That was Serena Ivory's closest brush with death. Later, it was said that she would never forget the despair from that moment for the rest of her life.
But in the next breath, Bibi Dong waved her hand lightly, and all those sensations vanished.
Bibi Dong nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad. It feels stronger than mine was back then."
"Right. I forgot to introduce you. This is Serena Ivory, your new junior sister."