196: Traitor! Xue'er is in your hands now.

As the earth-shattering roar of the self-detonation gradually faded, the entire valley finally returned to dead silence.

Amidst the billowing smoke, Qin Lang withdrew his golden protective light.

The arrogant half-step Sixth-Tier Demon Race leader, the Thorn Demon, had by now been completely reduced to powder, not even a single intact bone remaining.

As for the remaining four Fifth-Tier Experts, aside from the two who were quick to react and burned their essence blood to escape, the other four were all left here forever.

"We won..."

The battle blade in Chen Xuan's hand fell to the ground with a "clatter," and his whole body collapsed softly as if his spine had been ripped out.

His face was pale as paper; it was the backlash from overusing the "Blood Burning Talisman."

His essence blood had been depleted by more than half, and his originally stable Foundation was now riddled with holes.

This old titan's path of the Martial Artist was completely broken.

"Senior, was it worth it?"

Qin Lang stepped forward, channeling a gentle stream of Primal Energy to help stabilize his heart pulse.

"Cough, cough... what is there that isn't worth it?"

Chen Xuan coughed up a mouthful of black blood, but a smile of relief appeared on that aged face.

"At my age, to be able to trade my life for the lives of so many young children, even if I die, I can rest in peace."

Qin Lang remained silent, a sense of respect rising in his heart.

The time spent cleaning up the battlefield was always pleasant.

The gains from this battle were so rich they made one dizzy.

During their time blocking the gate, this group of Demon Race had intercepted and killed countless humans and other alien races; they had collected dozens of Storage Pouches alone.

The biological energy stones inside were piled like mountains, and there were countless rare Materials and weapons.

"Qin Lang, these are all your spoils of war."

Fan Lin walked over, clutching her severed arm, her attitude resolute.

"If not for you turning the tide, we would have long since become food for the Demon Race; how would we still be alive?"

Chen Xuan also nodded in agreement, and the other survivors had no objections.

This was the privilege of the strong.

But Qin Lang did not swallow it all alone.

He picked out the high-level Materials that were useful to him and those few Fifth-Tier Demon Cores, then waved his hand.

"Everyone, split the rest."

"This..."

The crowd looked at each other, their eyes full of emotion.

While Qin Lang was counting the spoils, he unexpectedly discovered a surprise.

That Nanming Li Fire residing in his palm, after incinerating a large number of Demon Race corpses, had not only not been consumed in the slightest but had instead become even more brilliant and eerie.

That touch of blue-purple flame core seemed to have grown a size larger.

"It can actually use Devilish Qi as nourishment?"

A sharp light flashed in Qin Lang's eyes.

This divine fire was truly the natural enemy of the Demon Race!

"The portal is open! Let's go!"

Someone shouted.

In the center of the valley, the spatial vortex leading to Blue Star had stabilized once again.

The survivors, having escaped death, cheered and scrambled to rush toward the portal.

Just then.

A male Disciple of Olympus Academy, who had been walking at the very back of the group, his eyes flickering, was preparing to blend into the crowd.

"Want to leave?"

A cold snort suddenly exploded in his ear.

Before he could react, a hand like an iron pincer had already tightly gripped his throat.

"Bang!"

Qin Lang exerted force with one hand, directly pressing this Disciple against the nearby rock wall.

"Senior Qin! What are you doing?!"

The Disciple struggled desperately, his face full of terror and innocence.

"Is he the one who sent the original distress signal?"

Su Muyue and Shangguan Xue were also stunned, not understanding why.

"That's right, it's him."

Qin Lang's eyes were cold, his fingers gradually tightening.

"Your distress signal was sent very timely, and the location was very precise."

"Precise enough to... exactly lead us into the Demon Race's encirclement."

"Furthermore, during the melee just now, everyone was fighting for their lives, except for you, who kept shrinking toward the Demon Race side."

"What? Are they your relatives?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole scene was in an uproar.

The expressions of Chen Xuan and the others instantly became extremely ugly.

"Speak! Did you betray everyone!"

Fan Lin shouted angrily, full of Killing Intent.

Under the threat of death, the Disciple's psychological defense completely collapsed.

"Don't kill me! I was forced too!"

He was streaming with tears and snot, howling as he confessed.

"I was caught by them... they planted a Restriction inside my body..."

"If I didn't cooperate to lure people over, they would detonate the Restriction, making me wish I were dead..."

"Beast!"

Chen Xuan was trembling with rage and slapped the man across the face.

In order to save his own life, he actually didn't hesitate to drag dozens of compatriots to their deaths!

This kind of person is even more detestable than the Demon Race!

A burst of light and shadow swirled.

The crowd passed through the portal and returned to that familiar huge platform—the "South Heaven Gate."

It was the transit station established by Blue Star in space.

Looking at the busy human figures around them and the starships in the distance, everyone felt as if they had been separated by a lifetime.

Qin Lang threw the traitor, who was as limp as mud, to the Martial Artist Guild enforcement team that had arrived upon hearing the news, just like throwing trash.

Waiting for him would be the harshest trial of the military court.

"Qin Lang, I won't thank you for such a great kindness."

Chen Xuan cupped his hands in a salute to Qin Lang, his expression solemn.

"In the future, if there is anywhere you need this old man, even if it means risking this life, I will not refuse!"

After saying this, he left with the support of medical personnel.

"Junior, I should be going too."

Ran Qing walked forward, her water-like eyes looking deeply at Qin Lang.

She didn't say much more, turned around, and stepped onto another Rainbow Bridge.

It led to an unknown spiritual Realm.

Her back was proud and resolute, like a lonely Phoenix traveling alone.

After seeing everyone off, Qin Lang was not in a hurry to leave.

In the living area of South Heaven Gate Base, he spent a huge sum of money to rent two top-level Cultivation rooms.

"Muyue, you haven't fully digested the Opportunity you obtained in the Li Huo Palace."

Qin Lang looked at Su Muyue, his tone gentle but unquestionable.

"The energy of that Fire Spirit Fruit is too vast; if you don't hurry to absorb it, it will damage your Foundation."

"Stay here to go into seclusion; when you have completely stabilized your Realm, I will come to pick you up."

Although Su Muyue was reluctant, she knew what was important.

She nodded obediently, took the large pile of auxiliary potions Qin Lang gave her, and walked into the Cultivation room.

After handling all this, Qin Lang finally had time to take out that broken Golden Giant Toad.

He tried to contact the online customer service of the "Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion."

The result made him gasp.

"Eighth-Rank Spirit Puppet? The core Formation is severely damaged?"

"Estimated repair cost: 30,000 cubic units of biological energy, and it requires waiting in line for ten years."

"Ten years?"

"It would be way too late by then!"

Qin Lang decisively turned off the communicator and could only temporarily put away this gold-swallowing beast.

"We'll talk about it later."

After a day of rest, Qin Lang's state was adjusted back to its Peak.

He changed into a brand-new combat suit and stood at the entrance of the Rainbow Bridge.

And beside him, standing prettily, was a stunning beauty.

Shangguan Xue.

She had changed into a sleek, tight-fitting leather outfit, outlining breathtaking curves, and the flowing cloud overlapping shadow sword on her back added a touch of heroic spirit.

"Are you ready?"

Qin Lang turned his head, looking at this face that made his heart flutter.

"This time, it's just the two of us."

"I want to take you to a place where there is an Opportunity that belongs to you."

Before leaving, Su Muyue pressed against the glass door of the Cultivation room, waving at Qin Lang.

"Husband! You must take good care of Older Female Cousin!"

This girl, even at this moment, was still worrying about others.

Qin Lang smiled helplessly.

He turned around and, in front of countless Evolvers nearby, very naturally reached out and took hold of Shangguan Xue's slightly cool, soft hand.

Shangguan Xue's delicate body trembled.

She instinctively wanted to break free, but was held even tighter by Qin Lang.

That warm touch spread from her palm all the way to her heart.

Nervous.

Shy.

And a trace of... unspeakable, secret anticipation.

Does this count as... eloping?

"Let's go, Xue'er."

Qin Lang hooked the corner of his mouth into a mischievous smile, and pulling the blushing, heart-fluttering beauty, stepped into that brilliant seven-colored light curtain.

This journey would be vast and open, letting the "bird" fly freely...