After leaving the Imperial Palace, Ling Chen went straight back to the Grand General's Mansion.

This time, Ling Chen also received a Thunder Sound Sword from Empress Yunyao. Though it's said that accepting a favor means you're indebted, Ling Chen had already agreed to join Empress Yunyao's camp, and it's not out of the question to repay this favor in the future. Accepting the advantage was thus done with a clear conscience, and he was in a very good mood.

Unfortunately, the words Empress Yunyao said last he didn't hear. Had he heard them, Ling Chen might be unable to laugh now.

Two days later, the members of the Ling Family set off back to Xuzhou.

When the party returned to the Ling Family, it undoubtedly caused quite a stir.

Ling Chen, now unmistakably the most popular figure in the Ling Family, who previously might have shaken the world of the Ling Family. People didn't know the extent of Ling Chen's strength, thinking that entering the top ten of the Heavenly Sword Championship was incredibly difficult. Who could have predicted that Ling Chen would win the championship, defeating the rumored number one genius of the Nine Provinces, Peerless Sword?

This was simply a dream-like event.

Ling Chen's championship win at the Heavenly Sword Championship was not only a personal triumph gaining unparalleled luck but brought glory and fortune to the Ling Family as well.

Without Ling Chen's sudden rise, the Ling Family could very likely have fallen, deteriorated, and ended up at the lower ranks of the Nine Great Families, perhaps even dropping out of their ranks. But Ling Chen's emergence turned this downward trajectory around, reversing the family's destiny.

Fortunes like these, once they sink, are very hard to restore, even saints can't do it, unless there appear supreme experts beyond saints, it's only by their extraordinary powers that they can reverse fate, changing the entire family's destiny.

Therefore, within the whole Ling Family, those who could reverse its fortunes were only the younger generation. They originally thought it would be Ling Yuxuan; unexpectedly, it turned out to be Ling Chen.

This matter has already been hotly discussed within the Ling Family.

The Ling Family's back mountain.

Beside a cliff of a peak piercing the sky, there stood three figures.

They were Ling Chen, Ling Lie, and Ling Family Patriarch Ling Tingfeng.

"Ling Yu, to be honest, I never imagined you could seize the first place position. I've already heard the specific process of the competition from Elder Ling Lie."

Ling Tingfeng was all smiles, "You repeatedly showed astonishing potential, your combat power soared, and eventually even Peerless Sword and Liu Mengru, such prodigies of the Nine Provinces, were defeated by you, bringing great merit to our Ling Family."

"Yes indeed, this time Ling Yu, you won the championship at the Heavenly Sword Championship. The many elders, even several of the Great Elders of our Ling Family, are very happy and are currently discussing how to reward you."

Ling Lie also spoke with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Ling Chen's face slightly tensed. Those several Great Elders of the Ling Family, their cultivation is unfathomable, and they've been in seclusion for years. It's surprising that even they've been alarmed.

However, regarding the so-called reward from the Ling Family, Ling Chen wasn't overly concerned. His gaze fell on Ling Tingfeng, pondering for a moment, before he spoke, "I remember last time the Patriarch, you said if I could achieve top three in the Heavenly Sword Championship, you would agree to one of my conditions?"

"Correct, I indeed said that."

Ling Tingfeng first hesitated, then nodded. He said this when Ling Chen made bold claims, defeating Ling Hai. But at that time, even he didn't believe Ling Chen could enter the top three, so he said it to encourage Ling Chen.

It's unexpected that Ling Chen managed to accomplish such seemingly incredible things at the time.

Still, as the Ling Family Patriarch, his words carry weight. Since he spoke them, he naturally has to deliver on them now.

"Ling Yu, what do you want?"

Ling Tingfeng asked Ling Chen, "As long as it's within my capability, I will definitely accomplish it for you."

Upon hearing these words, Ling Chen couldn't help but ponder, then lifted his leg, seemingly making a decision, and said, "Patriarch, I want to borrow a treasure from the family."

"Oh? What treasure?"

Ling Tingfeng raised his eyebrows.

"Saint's Soul Niche."

Ling Chen's gaze slightly focused, he replied.

"Saint's Soul Niche?"

The expressions of Ling Tingfeng and Ling Lie changed almost simultaneously, and then they both frowned tightly, "What do you want to borrow the Saint's Soul Niche for?"

"To save a friend."

Ling Chen knew if he didn't provide a reason, such an important clan treasure wouldn't easily be lent to him, "I have a friend who has become a living dead due to soul injury. I heard that the Saint's Soul Niche has the ability to gather spirits. I want to borrow it from the family to awaken her."

"Who told you the Saint's Soul Niche has the ability to gather spirits?"

Ling Tingfeng's brows furrowed further, "The Saint's Soul Niche is the Ling Family's clan treasure, stored in the Ancestor Pavilion for hundreds of years. Its purpose is to store the heroic souls of the Ling Family's ancestors, and it's said to seal many exotic beast and demon souls in it too. As for the ability to gather spirits, I've never heard of it."

"Indeed, Ling Yu, the soul is the fundamental existence of a person. If the soul is dispersed, it signifies death. How can the dead be revived?" Ling Lie also spoke from the side.

"I heard it from someone else."

Ling Chen couldn't possibly disclose information about the Witch Fiend Sect and Hades Supreme, "It may just be a rumor. If it's truly impossible, then let it be."

"This matter is absolutely impossible."

Ling Tingfeng shook his head, his tone decisive, "The Saint's Soul Niche cannot leave the Ancestor Pavilion. Not to mention how the Elderly meeting decides, the Great Elders would never agree. Not even for you, even I as the Patriarch cannot borrow the Saint's Soul Niche. So don't think about it anymore."

"I understand."

Ling Chen nodded. The matter had reached this point, borrowing this way seemed infeasible.

"Do you have any other requests?" Ling Tingfeng asked.

"I haven't thought of any for now; once I do, I'll inform the Patriarch."

Ling Chen's sole target was the Saint's Soul Niche; he had little interest in anything else.

"Alright, then let me know once you've decided."

Ling Tingfeng nodded, not thinking much more, patted Ling Chen's shoulder, "I have some matters to handle. If you have any issue, come directly to me."

"Ling Chen, the dead cannot be revived; do not attempt the impossible. Your friend's situation is indeed a tragedy, my condolences."

Ling Lie also offered some comfort, then left the peak together with Ling Tingfeng.

Watching their departing figures, Ling Chen's eyes suddenly flickered with a gleam. Since borrowing wasn't possible, he could only resort to other strategies.

Regardless, he must obtain the Saint's Soul Niche.

He's already out of time. The three-month deadline agreed with Hades Supreme has passed. Awakening Xia Yunxin can wait no longer.