Whiz whiz whiz whiz!

The entire sky above the Ling Family was filled with the sound of breaking wind, as silhouettes flew by on swords, all rushing towards the same direction.

It was the location of the tavern.

They had all received Ling Ba's urgent message, which led them hurriedly towards the tavern, where Ling Yu was nearby.

Moreover, there was a piece of earth-shattering news that shocked them all.

Ling Yu was Ling Chen!

Ling Tingfeng's face revealed a bitter smile. More than twenty years ago, Ling Tianyu reigned over the Ling Family as the foremost prodigy, and now, two decades later, Ling Chen has returned to the Ling Family, once again as its top talent.

It's a blatant mockery to the Ling Family.

"Ling Yu is Ling Chen. Could it be that Ling Tianyu sent him here? Could Ling Tianyu be nearby?"

Ling Zhen, who had also received the news, said seriously.

"Ling Tianyu has been away from the family for years, if he wanted revenge, why wait until now? Besides, according to the Black Sword Guards, Ling Tianyu has been hiding in the Wildlands all these years, seemingly without thoughts of revenge on the family."

Ling Tingfeng shook his head.

"This youngster Ling Chen, he's so meticulous and managed to hide his true identity from all of us."

Ling Lie squinted his eyes slightly, "His theft of the Saint's Soul Niche was obviously premeditated, and just by coincidence, he had cooperation from the Witch Fiend Sect. We wouldn't believe if he had no collusion with them."

"Let's catch him first."

Ling Tingfeng sighed, a hint of insight gleaming in his eyes, "Perhaps he was influenced by the Witch Fiend Sect. If he hands over the Saint's Soul Niche, we could forgive him, even let him return to the Ling Family."

"I fear Ling Ba and the Elder Branch wouldn't think of it that way. They certainly won't allow Ling Chen to survive past today."

Ling Lie shook his head. Ling Chen killed Ling Yuxuan, and this time, even if they wanted to show mercy, it's unlikely.

Besides, with Ling Chen intentionally planning the theft of the Saint's Soul Niche, will he really hand it over easily?

"Speed up. Even if we can't make Ling Chen turn back, we absolutely cannot let him take the Saint's Soul Niche away!"

Ling Tingfeng's expression was slightly stern, "You know the consequences of the Saint's Soul Niche falling into the Witch Fiend Sect's hands are unimaginable!"

Hearing this, Ling Lie, Ling Zhen, and others' expressions changed as if they had suddenly remembered something significant.

Indeed, as Ling Tingfeng said, if the Saint's Soul Niche falls into the Witch Fiend Sect's hands, the consequences will be extremely severe!

...

In front of the tavern.

Ling Ba glared viciously at Ling Chen, wishing to devour him whole. However, the presence of the Thousand Ghosts Saint from the Witch Fiend Sect kept him from acting rashly.

Yet, at his command, the Ling Family's experts erupted into action, fiercely charging towards Ling Chen.

"Thousand Ghosts Saint, I'll leave this to you."

Facing the surging Ling Family experts, Ling Chen didn't give them a second look, and immediately surged into the tavern.

"Leave it to me."

The Thousand Ghosts Saint grinned, a violent intent gleaming in his sinister eyes. As his hands formed seals, a massive wave of black True Qi swept out, gathering ghostly heads seemingly from the Underworld, sending demonic ghost soldiers to clash with the Ling Family's experts.

The cries of battle were earth-shattering.

Meanwhile, inside the tavern, it was exceptionally quiet, as if the sounds of battle outside were completely isolated, not a bit got inside.

Ling Chen walked into the tavern, his gaze falling on the gray-robed, eerily-auraed Witch Fiend Sect disciples, and also spotting a man and a woman standing back to him. The woman's lips were crimson like flames, her beautiful face deathly pale — it was Hades Supreme.

"Young master Ling Chen has arrived."

Upon seeing Ling Chen, Hades Supreme smiled enticingly with her crimson lips.

Ling Chen paid little attention to Hades Supreme, his gaze fell upon the black-clad man beside her. This man's aura was unfathomable, like a vortex, absorbing the surrounding qi — likely a major figure from the Witch Fiend Sect.

"This gentleman is our Left Guardian Law."

Hades Supreme saw Ling Chen focused entirely on the black-clad man and introduced with a smile.

As her voice fell, the black-clad man turned, revealing a face covered with a mask resembling a Fierce Ghost. From beneath this menacing mask, came a deep voice, "Did you bring the Saint's Soul Niche?"

At these words, Ling Chen flipped his hand, and the black box surrounded by blue qi appeared in his grip. From inside, eerie wailing echoed, it was the Saint's Soul Niche retrieved from Ancestor Qingye's stone statue.

Upon seeing the Saint's Soul Niche, the aura of the Witch Fiend Sect's Left Guardian Law and Hades Supreme changed, especially a fiery look appeared in Hades Supreme's eyes, clearly evident.

Yet, just showing the Saint's Soul Niche briefly, Ling Chen retracted it and said calmly, "I've obtained the Saint's Soul Niche according to our agreement, now it's up to the Left Guardian Law to deploy Divine Power and help me leave here."

Ling Chen would naturally not hand over the Saint's Soul Niche easily, especially in the current situation.

"Rest assured."

Left Guardian Law's fervor gradually faded, "This is a transaction. You helped my Witch Fiend Sect retrieve the Saint's Soul Niche, I shall adhere to my promise, ensure your safe exit and also awaken your friend."

"Indeed, young master Ling Chen, why so wary? Left Guardian Law truly appreciates you."

Hades Supreme chuckled, "Since you can't return to the Ling Family now, why not join my Witch Fiend Sect instead? The future cultivation will not be weaker than the Ling Family's."

Ling Chen's eyes narrowed slightly, then he replied faintly, "Joining the Witch Fiend Sect is not urgent. Right now, dealing with enemies should come first."

Even if he left the Ling Family, he wouldn't join a faction like the Witch Fiend Sect.

Swoosh!

Suddenly, a black beam shot into the tavern from outside, caught by Left Guardian Law, forming musical notes that floated before him.

His expression turned slightly serious.

"Ling Tingfeng has arrived, along with three Ling Family Elders."

Left Guardian Law spoke.

"Ling Tingfeng is a Third Level Saint. Those three Ling Family Elders have cultivation of the Saint Path Second and First Realm. How does Your Excellency intend to handle them?"

Ling Chen squinted his eyes, and asked.

"It seems little friend Ling Chen still lacks confidence in me,"

Left Guardian Law chuckled faintly, but his tone suddenly turned extremely sharp, "It's time for little friend Ling Chen to see the true strength of my Witch Fiend Sect."

Those words fell, and he waved his hand suddenly, three shadowy figures appeared silently behind him, each with a formidable aura equal to the Thousand Ghosts Saint earlier.

Ling Chen's eyes constricted. These three shadows, like the Thousand Ghosts Saint, are likely members of the Witch Fiend Sect's council of ten elders.