The following matters no longer required Ling Xiao’s attention. With the Mountain and River Martial Soul coordinating with the Ancient Golden Dragon, taming the Ancient Hell Dragon was merely a matter of time.
What he needed to do now was to quickly gain control over the rampant energy within his body.
After the sphere burst, it released a vast amount of black Hellfire. If he didn’t guide it promptly, even the recuperative abilities of Heavenly Dragon Golden Body would be insufficient.
Soul Power forcibly guided a strand of black Hellfire to circulate within Ling Xiao’s body. Wherever it passed, other strands of Hellfire were also absorbed into it.
The energy belonging to the Ancient Hell Dragon, which had been scattered and fleeing within Ling Xiao’s body, was now being gradually integrated and kneaded by him.
When the last strand of black fire merged, Ling Xiao found that the True Essence in all nine of his Martial Veins had become black—
Hellfire True Essence.
Moreover, this True Essence seemed very viscous, feeling much like black magma. In terms of both density and quality, it far surpassed any True Essence Ling Xiao had before.
However, this newly formed True Essence was not so obedient, as there were remnants of the Ancient Hell Dragon’s Soul Power mixed within it.
These remnants, craving their freedom, became even more violent.
Ling Xiao felt as if his body was about to explode, experiencing a pain as though something was tearing him apart.
From the outside, Ling Xiao’s body was covered in cracks, much like parched earth.
The most terrifying part was that the fissures were not bleeding red but oozing black magma.
At this moment, Ling Xiao looked like a shattered porcelain figure glued back together, where the slightest touch might cause him to completely fall apart.
Standing to the side, Dai Yuling found this sight intensely painful.
In fact, from the moment Ling Xiao avenged her in the Moon Hua Sect and retrieved her Martial Soul, she had developed feelings of admiration for this boy.
Unfortunately, she had never expressed these feelings openly; she was not adept at conveying her emotions.
She merely repressed her feelings deep in her heart, hoping that everything would be fine for Ling Xiao, which would make her happy.
Seeing Ling Xiao’s painful and woeful state now, she truly wished she could switch places with him.
She thought of going to help, but as soon as she got close to Ling Xiao, she was repelled by the terrifying energy and spat out crimson blood.
"What in the world is happening? Ling Xiao, you mustn’t be in trouble!"
Dai Yuling’s eyes were already moist.
However, at this very moment, sudden fluctuations of energy were felt from outside.
Dai Yuling abruptly stood up, closed her eyes, and controlled the external plants to check on the situation.
That’s when she realized, the Steel Battleship that should have been at the third checkpoint had appeared at the fourth!
And not just that, all the Black Spirits on the ship were launching an attack on the Land of Ten Thousand Thunderbolts.
That included the Ancient Ship King.
Dai Yuling also spotted a familiar figure, it was Tantai Lingzi!
This woman did not seem to be under control; she was very close to the Ancient Ship King, almost leaning against him and laughing.
Because of her low cultivation level, Dai Yuling could only see this much and was unable to hear what they were saying.
But that didn’t matter anymore.
What mattered was that Ling Xiao was at a crucial moment, and these people absolutely must not disturb his devouring process.
Fortunately, the defenses of the Land of Ten Thousand Thunderbolts were strong enough to hold for about a quarter of an hour under the current circumstances.
If Ling Xiao had not finished the devouring by that time, then she would have to fight with all she had.
At worst, she would face death!
Whether it was being eliminated or truly dying, Dai Yuling was not afraid!
All she had in mind was Ling Xiao!
Defend Ling Xiao, protect Ling Xiao!
Ling Xiao was fully occupied with the crisis within his body and was unaware of the situation outside.
Despite the risk of his body breaking down at any moment, he still believed that the most dangerous moment had passed.
In fact, the instant he shattered that black light sphere, he was practically victorious.
The experience that followed was excruciating, but with a goal in sight, it became bearable.
Under the control of his powerful soul power, the restless and agitated Hellfire True Essence gradually calmed down, as if a wild beast was being tamed.
Ling Xiao’s consistent practice of cultivating his soul paid off tremendously at this moment.
The previously violent aura quickly dissipated, replaced by a sense of familiarity and comfort.
The remnant soul power of the Ancient Hell Dragon within the black Hellfire True Essence was completely cleansed, leaving only Ling Xiao’s own soul power.
Dai Yuling joyfully discovered that Ling Xiao’s body was beginning to heal continuously, and the previous trembling was gone; there was even a victorious smile on his face.
Apart from success, she could think of no other explanation.
"Indeed, worthy of being Ling Xiao. Even in such pain, he’s still able to maintain his sanity. If it were me, I definitely couldn’t do it. He’s too incredible, too amazing."
Now Dai Yuling finally understood why Ling Xiao was always ahead of others, always a step ahead.
To suffer greatly is to ascend above others!
This saying couldn’t be truer.
Though Ling Xiao’s talent was not outstanding, he had an exceptional capacity for enduring hardship, a crazed kind that no one could match.
Suddenly, a thunderous noise erupted from below the mountain as the thunderstorm was blasted with a massive indentation.
This is bad! The Land of Ten Thousand Thunderbolts is about to collapse!
The enemy’s assault was too ferocious.
Although the thunderstorm hadn’t been completely blasted away yet, in two or three minutes at most, this place would become perilous.
Dai Yuling glanced at the Black Dragon King and the Extraordinary Swordsman, then sprinted down the mountain.
She couldn’t disturb Ling Xiao’s cultivation; if the enemy broke through, they’d hold out for as long as they could.
Although the Ancient Ship King was extremely powerful, a fighter of the First Line Heaven Realm, they had two Half-step Celestials on their side who should be able to hold off for a while.
Plus, with her newly acquired Martial Soul’s strong supportive capabilities, she hoped Ling Xiao could complete the absorption of the Ancient Hell Dragon Martial Soul in time.
Inside the Mountain and River World, the phantom of the Ancient Hell Dragon was trampled underfoot by the Ancient Golden Dragon, losing its savage nature completely.
At the same moment, the Mountain River Will poured in frantically, replacing its own soul and merging into Ling Xiao’s soul.
From the outside, Ling Xiao was engulfed in a black light, looking like a giant black cocoon.
It was believed that when this cocoon hatched, Ling Xiao would transform.
At this time, inside Ling Xiao’s body, repair and strengthening were happening simultaneously.
The black Hellfire had previously wrecked havoc on his body.
Now, however, it was cooperating with the Heavenly Dragon Golden Body to continuously repair and strengthen Ling Xiao’s damaged meridians and internal organs.
After this round of repair and enhancement, Ling Xiao’s physical strength would receive another significant boost.
This would pave the way for his future advancement into the Heavenly Man Realm.
Many Transcendent Realm martial artists fail at the last critical moment because their bodies aren’t sturdy enough, dying while opening the First Line of Heaven.
But this was no longer a problem for Ling Xiao.