As Ye Ling's image dissipated at the pinnacle of the extraterrestrial starry sky, all the powerful beings who witnessed this scene fell into silence, their thoughts in disarray.
Following this, major factions dispatched their most elite scouts, employing every possible method to investigate Ye Ling's identity.
There were those who wanted to nip Ye Ling in the bud, those who wished to recruit him, and even some who aspired to become his Dao companions – a myriad of reasons surfaced.
Even before leaving the domain, Ye Ling had already made a name for himself in the extraterrestrial realms.
The man in the dragon robe stared at Ye Ling with disbelief, unable to snap out of his daze. He too was thoroughly awestruck by Ye Ling's boldness.
After uttering these words, Ye Ling felt refreshed. He turned to the man in the dragon robe and said, "Although you and I are enemies, you have also helped me. State your name, otherwise, when I cut you down next time, you will still be an unknown."
Hearing Ye Ling's arrogant words, the corners of the dragon-robed man's mouth twitched. However, given Ye Ling's previous act of provoking all the extraterrestrial powerhouses, he had somewhat grown accustomed to Ye Ling's personality. He said, "Good lad, regardless of your strength, you are the most arrogant person I have ever encountered. You are qualified to know my name."
"Listen well, boy. I am the Palace Master of the Void Palace, Xu Wu Jue! When the cosmic barrier disappears, I will personally cross billions of miles to slay you!"
Ye Ling chuckled in response, "I am Ye Ling. I await your arrival to offer your head."
As the words fell, Ye Ling summoned his Devouring Domain, consuming and absorbing Xu Wu Jue's dragon claw, converting it into his own power.
Seeing that Ye Ling had severed the communication, Xu Wu Jue's expression instantly turned solemn, his eyes profound. It was unclear what he was thinking.
A moment later, Xu Wu Jue issued an order that he would enter secluded cultivation and refuse all external communication.
This action by Xu Wu Jue once again sent shockwaves through the Void Palace, with cultivators speculating on the reasons behind his decision.
Although Xu Wu Jue did not believe the current Ye Ling posed a threat to him, he saw infinite potential within Ye Ling.
He had a premonition that if he made no further progress, the next time he met Ye Ling would be the day of his demise.
Within the domain's universe, on Earth, Kyoto, China.
When Ye Ling returned, he happened to witness Ye Qiao and Yun Dan Dan concluding their battle.
Without Xie Bu Gui's assistance, Yun Dan Dan could no longer transfer her core. After being trapped once more by Ye Qiao's rune chains, her core was completely destroyed by Ye Qiao.
Now, Yun Dan Dan was merely a faint soul floating in the air, with no power to resist.
"It seems this side has also concluded..."
Ye Ling murmured softly, then acted to withdraw the barrier around Kyoto, transferring all the citizens of Kyoto back from the alternate timeline.
The destroyed buildings around the Yun family were also restored to their original state. Except for the absence of the surrounding异士 (yìshì - special ability users), everything was as it was before.
Kyoto basked in the bright sunlight, as if nothing had happened.
The ordinary citizens of Kyoto continued their mundane lives, completely unaware that their city had experienced a near-destruction.
After settling the citizens of Kyoto, Ye Ling did not forget the heavenly soldiers and generals he had sacrificed. He directly summoned the Great Dao of Reincarnation, resurrecting all the heavenly soldiers and generals, as well as Nezha, who had been sacrificed with his blood.
In an instant, a dense formation of heavenly soldiers appeared in the clouds.
Li Jing and Nezha also awoke from the clouds, their spiritual energy full and their strength undiminished.
Everything that had happened before felt like a dream to them.
To the citizens of Kyoto, the resurrection of the heavenly soldiers and generals merely appeared as the sky darkening, signaling an impending rain.
Seeing the peaceful surroundings and the resurrected immortals, Ye You breathed a sigh of relief. She then turned to Ye Ling, who had landed before her, and said with a hint of pride, "Brother, after you left, I kept a close watch on Ye Qiao and Bai Qiao, never letting my guard down."
"That must have been very hard work for you." Ye Ling smiled and ruffled Ye You's hair. He then looked at Ye Qiao, who was standing in the air, and Yun Dan Dan, who was reduced to a faint soul, his gaze slightly narrowing.
Now that Ye Qiao and Yun Dan Dan had settled their differences, the trial should have a result. Ye Ling was very curious about how the rune seal within Ye Qiao's soul would change.
Just as Ye Ling was about to investigate Ye Qiao's changes, Li Jing, leading Nezha, flew down from the clouds and landed before Ye Ling, bowing respectfully.
Seeing Li Jing and the others approach, Ye You stopped clinging to Ye Ling. She said to Ye Ling, "Brother, you attend to your important matters first. The circle of 异士 must be in chaos now. I'll go help Li Ren with the follow-up."
Ye Ling nodded slightly and said, "Yes, go ahead."
"Hehe, see you later, Brother!" Ye You giggled and leaped away.
Nezha stared blankly at Ye You's departing figure, lost in thought.
He still remembered how Ye You had saved him when he was severely injured.
Ye You had left a deep impression on his heart.
Seeing Nezha's gaze linger on his sister, Ye Ling immediately took a step forward, blocking Nezha's view.
Nezha immediately realized his impropriety, his cheeks flushing. He took a step back in a flustered manner and apologized to Ye Ling, "Your Majesty, I apologize for my rudeness."
To ease the awkward atmosphere, Li Jing coughed twice and bowed to Ye Ling with his fists clasped, expressing his gratitude. "This time, it is all thanks to Your Majesty's intervention. Otherwise, with our own strength alone, we would not have been able to capture that female demon."
Ye Ling smiled and said, "No need for thanks. This matter concerns the safety of my disciple, so my intervention was for my own sake."
Hearing Ye Ling's words, Li Jing looked at Ye Qiao in the air with surprise and exclaimed, "She is Your Majesty's disciple?"
Ye Ling raised an eyebrow, "What? Heavenly King Li, are you surprised?"
Li Jing's face showed difficulty, and he hesitated to speak.
However, Nezha, who was more straightforward, said to Ye Ling, "Your Majesty, this matter concerning Ye Qiao and Yun Dan Dan is of great significance. We need to bring them back to the Heavenly Court for investigation to understand the cause of this disaster, to prevent future calamities."
"Nezha!" Li Jing glared fiercely at Nezha, signaling him to stop speaking.
If Ye Qiao had no connection to Ye Ling, then their request to Ye Ling to take Ye Qiao and Yun Dan Dan might have earned them some favor from Ye Ling, allowing them to take the individuals.
But now that Ye Qiao was Ye Ling's disciple, how could Ye Ling allow the Heavenly Court to take her away?
Li Jing was aware of this, which was why his expression was troubled, and he found it difficult to speak.
Ye Ling smiled at Nezha, and then said to Li Jing, "It's fine. Yun Dan Dan's appearance has indeed affected the Heavenly Court, so it is understandable for you to take them back for investigation. Nezha did not make any mistakes."
Hearing Ye Ling's words, Li Jing's eyes suddenly lit up with surprise, "Does Your Majesty agree to let us take Ye Qiao back for investigation? We can guarantee that not a single strand of Your Majesty's beloved disciple's hair will be harmed!"
Ye Ling shook his head and refused, "That won't do."
"This..."
Being refused by Ye Ling like this, Li Jing was stunned and didn't know what to say.
Ye Ling continued, "I will personally investigate this matter. Your Heavenly Court need not interfere. If the two of you have nothing else, please lead your troops back."
Seeing that Ye Ling had directly issued an eviction notice, Nezha became anxious and quickly said, "Your Majesty, this matter not only concerns the human realm but also involves the immortal and nether realms. We implore Your Majesty to consider the beings of all three realms."
Ye Ling's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Nezha and said, "Are you implying that I am incapable of handling this matter properly?"