701: Daxia Palace

Xiao Lingchen recovered, cupped his hands, and bowed to Ye Ling霜, his tone sincere: "Thank you, Ay霜战神, for your timely assistance today. If you hadn't arrived, we might have fallen victim to the Demon Race."

Ye Ling霜 nodded slightly, her gaze lingering on him for a moment, as if confirming something.

Then she said, "There's no need to thank me. This action was ordered by the Crown Prince, and besides, eradicating the Demon Race is my duty."

"I have something to discuss with you. Come with me."

"With me?"

Xiao Lingchen was stunned, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.

He had never met this War Goddess before; apart from their joint battle today, there seemed to be no other connection between them. What could she want with him?

Xiao Lingchen immediately voiced his confusion.

However, Ye Ling霜 only said, "If you want to know what it is, come with me and you'll find out."

Xiao Lingchen subconsciously shook his head, his tone apologetic: "Please forgive me, War Goddess, but I'm afraid I cannot at this moment."

He looked up towards the distant Wang Family and Ji Family, a sharp glint in his eyes.

The powerhouses of the Wang and Ji Families were now captured by Ye Ling霜, and this was the moment when both Families were at their weakest.

He intended to lead the Tongshang Alliance to press their advantage and annihilate these two great Families in one fell swoop; he absolutely could not miss this opportunity!

However, upon hearing this, Ye Ling霜 merely glanced at him indifferently, her tone devoid of any ripple, yet carrying an undeniable authority.

"I am not discussing this with you."

Before her words fully landed, without waiting for Xiao Lingchen to react, she reached out and grabbed his wrist.

Her palm, calloused from years of wielding a halberd, held astonishing strength. Xiao Lingchen felt a surge of raw power, making it impossible for him to break free.

"Ay霜战神!"

"Don't..."

Xiao Lingchen was both shocked and anxious, wanting to pull his hand back, but she held him even tighter.

Ye Ling霜 said no more. Her figure flickered, and she took Xiao Lingchen with her, transforming into a silver streak that sped towards the horizon.

"Lingchen!"

"Alliance Leader!"

Hua Nishang, Ji Fuxi, Wan Linlin, and the others from the Tongshang Alliance cried out in alarm, their faces filled with anxiety.

They wanted to chase after her, but with Ye Ling霜's Cultivation, they simply couldn't catch up!

"What do we do? Ji-jiejie, Ay霜战神 took Lingchen away!"

Wan Linlin was extremely anxious, her eyes full of worry.

They had no idea what Ye Ling霜's intentions were, and they feared that Xiao Lingchen might be in danger because of it.

Ji Fuxi's brows were tightly furrowed. Although she was also worried, she remained relatively calm and said, "Don't panic."

"Ay霜战神 is the War Goddess of the Great Xia Dynasty, and she took Lingchen away in front of so many of us. She shouldn't harm him."

"I imagine she must have something important to discuss with him!"

Hearing Ji Fuxi say this,

Everyone could only temporarily ease their minds.

But then, another problem arose.

Someone asked at this moment:

"What should we do now?"

"Wait here for the Alliance Leader to return, or..."

"I think we must press the advantage! Wang Zhantian and Ji Ruofeng, as well as the powerhouses of the Wang and Ji Families, have all been taken away by Ay霜战神. This is a good time for us to attack the two great Families! We absolutely cannot let this opportunity slip away!"

"Exactly! I think so too! If we continue to attack the two great Families now, they will certainly have no means of resistance!"

"..."

For a time, many people clamored, suggesting to continue attacking the Wang and Ji Families.

However, Xiao Lingchen's several Dao Companions and the high-ranking members of the Tongshang Alliance hesitated.

After some discussion, it was Yue Qingxuan who spoke up.

"Let us return to the Piaomiao Immortal Sect to regroup first, and then we will discuss it after the Alliance Leader returns!"

Previously, Yue Qingxuan had been managing the Tongshang Alliance on behalf of Xiao Lingchen.

Now that Xiao Lingchen had been taken away, the decision naturally fell to him.

And upon hearing Yue Qingxuan's words, some of the people present found it difficult to accept.

"Vice Alliance Leader Yue, do we really have to go back?"

"Isn't this bad?"

"Yes! This opportunity is too rare! Perhaps we can annihilate the Wang and Ji Families in one fell swoop?!"

"Annihilate? Easier said than done!"

Yue Qingxuan looked at the unwilling crowd and slowly shook his head, his tone solemn: "The Wang and Ji Families, being among the Eight Great Hidden Families, have stood for thousands of years. Their Legacy is absolutely far beyond imagination!"

"Although many of their powerhouses have been taken away, comparatively, we are the ones who are truly without a Dragon leader."

"Furthermore, our consumption has been too great. A rash attack would only be counterproductive!"

These words were like a bucket of cold water, dousing the restlessness in everyone's hearts.

They looked at each other. Although still unwilling, they understood that Yue Qingxuan's words made sense.

The two great Hidden Families had terrifying Legacies, and the Tongshang Alliance had just experienced a major battle with considerable casualties. It was indeed not advisable to rashly start a new war.

"Senior Yue is right, we should indeed be cautious."

Hua Nishang stepped forward and said, "With the Alliance Leader absent, we must stabilize our position even more. Returning to the Piaomiao Immortal Sect to regroup and recuperate, and then making a decision after the Alliance Leader returns, is the safest approach."

Ji Fuxi, Wan Linlin, and Zhu Qiqi, along with Xiao Lingchen's other Dao Companions, all nodded in agreement.

Seeing that the core figures of the Alliance all spoke this way, the other Cultivators, despite their reluctance, could only suppress their thoughts.

The murmuring gradually subsided.

Everyone composed themselves and began to count casualties and clear the battlefield.

The Cultivators of the Tongshang Alliance helped the wounded, carrying the captured supplies, and headed back towards the Piaomiao Immortal Sect in a mighty procession.

....................................

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Xiao Lingchen was held in Ye Ling霜's hand, feeling the whistling wind in his ears. Besides confusion, he felt mostly helplessness.

This War Goddess's domineering nature truly exceeded his expectations.

Throughout the journey, no matter how many times he asked her what she wanted with him, she remained silent, leaving Xiao Lingchen utterly helpless!

He could only secretly pray that whatever she wanted with him wouldn't take too long.

After an unknown period of flying, the wind in his ears gradually subsided, and Ye Ling霜's speed slowly decreased.

Xiao Lingchen looked down and saw a magnificent complex of buildings below. Vermillion palace walls stretched endlessly, and glazed tiles reflected dazzling golden light under the sun, looking extremely grand!

Ye Ling霜 brought him down outside a secluded courtyard and released her tight grip.

Xiao Lingchen rubbed his slightly numb wrist and looked around.

Unlike the opulent buildings he had just seen, this courtyard had plain gray-blue walls, and two lush ancient pines grew at the entrance, exuding a serene and secluded atmosphere.

"Ay霜战神, where is this?"

Xiao Lingchen couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Wait here."

Ye Ling霜 didn't answer. She dropped a sentence and then turned into a silver streak, disappearing from sight.

Seeing this,

Xiao Lingchen stood rooted to the spot, looking at the tightly closed courtyard gate, and shook his head helplessly.