Above, the heart of the Demon Sect's Protector pounded wildly, filled with fear!
"If I had been a second later, my body would've been destroyed, and I would've been forced to abandon it, relying on my Nascent Soul to find a new host!"
What he didn't realize was that if Lin Li had destroyed his body, even his soul would have been eradicated along with it!
If he had known that, he would have been even more terrified!
Behind Lin Li, Qinglian Immortal was overwhelmed with emotion as her heart raced, her face blushing at the sight of her "beloved" returning from the dead.
Elder Zou, on the other hand, was utterly shocked, his mouth hanging open as if it could swallow a whole egg: "My Jinghong Sword... is actually this powerful?!"
Even he had never imagined that one day his Jinghong Sword technique would be able to instantaneously kill six Core Formation-stage cultivators with such terrifying power!
"Like a Fish in Water!"
"Skyborne!"
Lin Li hadn't even used Slaughter Mode or his Man-Slayer Aura. With just two of Ye Fan's skills, he had already appeared behind the Demon Sect Protector in an instant.
Before the Demon Sect Protector could recover from his shock, Lin Li's sword flashed, slicing through the Protector's neck!
System Notification:
[Killed Nascent Soul 2nd Layer Demon Sect Protector, earned 268,913 evolution points]
"Two hundred sixty-eight thousand, nine hundred thirteen points!"
Ye Fan's soul trembled with excitement: "This brings my evolution points to over three million!"
"I'm less than one million points away from evolving again!"
"I wonder... what I'll evolve into after becoming a top-tier magic treasure?"
As Ye Fan reveled in excitement, those present—Elder Zou, Qinglian Immortal, and the many disciples of Xuantian Sect—were utterly shocked!
"Not only did he just kill six Core Formation-level Demon Sect cultivators in one strike... but even the Nascent Soul-level Demon Sect Protector was instantly slain?!"
"And it looks like... the Demon Sect Protector didn't even have time to release his Nascent Soul before he died!"
Everyone's breathing became heavy, overwhelmed by astonishment.
"Our Xuantian Sect... actually has such a terrifying powerhouse!"
Even the Nascent Soul-level ancestor of the Xuantian Sword Faction, who had been grievously injured, was left in disbelief. His weathered face, covered in deep wrinkles, reflected his utter shock.
Other cultivators might not fully grasp it, but as a fellow Nascent Soul-level cultivator, the Xuantian Sword Ancestor understood the gravity of Lin Li's actions.
"If I were in peak condition, could I have done what he just did—killing six Core Formation-level cultivators and a Nascent Soul Protector in an instant?"
The Xuantian Sword Ancestor shook his head, his heart pounding.
He couldn't do it.
Moreover, he could clearly see that the Demon Sect Protector was truly dead.
"Even his Nascent Soul wasn't able to escape! This is terrifying!"
"Is he really from our Xuantian Sword Faction?"
As everyone marveled in disbelief, Lin Li, who had just slain the Demon Sect Protector, finally turned to face them.
At that moment...
All those who had known Lin Li before were struck by a wave of astonishment.
"It's true..."
"It really is..."
Elder Zou, Qinglian Immortal, the Xuantian Sword Faction leader, and the Core Formation cultivator Wei Heng—all stared at Lin Li with expressions of pure shock. The one who had just saved Xuantian Sect from near destruction, the man who had killed the Demon Sect pursuers, was none other than Lin Li, the disciple everyone thought had been slain by the Demon Sect's young lord decades ago!
Hovering in midair, Lin Li surveyed his surroundings, his gaze falling upon the stunned Xuantian Sect members.
With a smile playing on his lips, he descended in front of the Xuantian Sect.
"Everyone, long time no see!"
Lin Li's tone was relaxed. Upon seeing Elder Zou, he clasped his hands in respect and said,
"Greetings, Master!"
The next moment...
He saw Qinglian Immortal!
In that instant, memories of their first intimate encounter flooded back to him.
Back then, he had eagerly hoped to reach the Core Formation stage and marry Qinglian Immortal openly.
But now...
Memories of his marriage in Baixing Kingdom, his family, and his son Lin Zheng suddenly filled his mind, leaving Lin Li torn with conflicting emotions.
For a brief moment, Lin Li didn't know how to face Qinglian Immortal.
Qinglian Immortal, unaware of Lin Li's inner turmoil, blushed deeply. Her eyes sparkled with joy, yet she was too nervous to speak.
Fortunately, Elder Zou broke the awkward silence.
"Lin Li! Is it really you?!"
Elder Zou rushed forward, gripping Lin Li's shoulders in excitement.
"It's me, Master!"
Lin Li nodded.
After a brief exchange, Lin Li quickly learned that the righteous-demonic war in Zhao Kingdom's cultivation world had reached its final stage!
"Master!"
Lin Li cupped his hands and said,
"The situation is urgent! Although the crisis for Xuantian Sect has passed, there are still three more Nascent Soul-level Demon Sect cultivators chasing after other sects. Please allow me to join the battle, and we can catch up after the war is over!"
"Alright!"
Elder Zou nodded. Lin Li glanced deeply at Qinglian Immortal, took a deep breath, and soared into the sky!
...
Half a day later.
In the final battle of Zhao Kingdom's righteous-demonic war, Lin Li demonstrated overwhelming power, not only saving the three great sects but also rescuing the four main factions from certain destruction.
In a single battle, Lin Li killed dozens of Core Formation-level Demon Sect cultivators.
Even the Vice Sect Master of the Demon Sect and another Protector, both Nascent Soul-level, fell prey to Lin Li's combat techniques. Using Like a Fish in Water, Skyborne, and Slaughter Mode, along with Ye Fan's Soul Extinguishing ability, Lin Li successfully killed them both!
This earned Ye Fan over three million evolution points!
The Demon Sect's Nascent Soul late-stage Sect Master, realizing the dire situation, immediately fled the battlefield.
Although Lin Li was immensely powerful, his cultivation was still only at the early Nascent Soul stage, and he couldn't stop the Sect Master from escaping.
As a result of this battle, Ye Fan accumulated over three million evolution points and successfully evolved once again!
Originally a top-tier magic treasure, Ye Fan had now evolved into an Inferior Spirit Treasure: Soul-Devouring Spirit Sword!
Moreover, in addition to the Soul Extinguishing ability, the sword gained a new passive skill: Soul Devour!
Soul Devour: When slaying a Nascent Soul-level or higher cultivator, it can devour the enemy's soul essence, enhancing the wielder's own soul, making it stronger.
This new ability not only allowed Ye Fan to provide Lin Li with energy feedback but also nourished Lin Li's soul, enabling the cultivator to advance more efficiently beyond the Nascent Soul stage.
Simultaneously...
Lin Li's cultivation, which had been at the peak of Nascent Soul Stage 2, surged during the battle, breaking through to Nascent Soul Stage 4!