As Wang Chen called out to her, Su Ling hobbled over, her gaze fixed on Elder Qing with a cold intensity. Wang Chen handed her a pill and instructed her to take it for recovery. Perplexed, Su Ling hesitated for a moment, but trusting Wang Chen's judgment, she obediently sat down and began refining the pill.
Wang Chen made sure Su Ling was busy refining the healing pill, not noticing his next move. He didn't want her to witness what he was about to do. He called her over and handed her the pill, keeping her attention focused elsewhere.
Elder Qing was puzzled by Wang Chen's call to Su Ling. He couldn't understand why Wang Chen didn't just give her the pill directly. But his confusion was short-lived, as intense pain consumed him. Wang Chen pressed on the severed shoulder where Elder Qing's hand used to be, causing him to writhe in agony. Elder Qing struggled to break free from the golden rocks, his mind clouded by the excruciating torment.
Wang Chen retracted his hand, causing a momentary relief to wash over Elder Qing. However, deep within, Elder Qing was plagued by confusion. Why would Wang Chen let him go? Wasn't this the perfect opportunity for Wang Chen to strike and gain the upper hand?
Wang Chen smirked, his eyes gleaming with mischief. He could see the doubt and confusion swirling within Elder Qing's mind. It was all part of his plan, a strategic move to play with his opponent's expectations.
"You think I'm just gonna let you off the hook that easily?" Wang Chen taunted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh no, my dear Elder Qing, there's something much more entertaining in store for you." Then Wang Chen placed his hand on Elder Qing's abdomen, directly over his dantian.
"Don't worry, I won't kill you," Wang Chen whispered, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Elder Qing was on the verge of asking what he meant, but before the words could escape his lips, he witnessed something terrifying. A dark, abyss-like miasma seeped out from Wang Chen's hand, its ominous hue captivating his attention.
To his surprise, the murky miasma swiftly infiltrated his dantian, the energy center within his body. Strangely, it caused no immediate pain, but Elder Qing's panic intensified when he realized that the black miasma began devouring his dantian's Qi.
Desperation etched across his face, Elder Qing tried to scream, to call for help, but his voice was suffocated by the Golden stones that were manipulated by Wang Chen's mastery of the Earth element. The ground beneath him formed an impenetrable seal, stifling his cries. Helpless and petrified, Elder Qing could only watch in horrified disbelief as his essence, the culmination of years of cultivation, was mercilessly devoured by the enigmatic darkness.
Elder Qing's horror intensified as the black miasma, having absorbed the Qi from his dantian, surged towards his Golden Core. In the realm of Golden Core cultivation, the core itself was the pinnacle of a cultivator's power, the very essence of their Qi. Its destruction meant a complete collapse of cultivation, forcing one to start anew from the beginning. Thus, cultivators held their cores with utmost care and reverence.
Now, that ominous black miasma enveloped Elder Qing's precious golden core, spelling imminent doom. The realization struck him like a thunderbolt, filling him with dread. As the miasma began devouring his golden core, he felt a bone-chilling horror. Helplessly, his gaze met Wang Chen's, devoid of any trace of arrogance or pride, replaced only by sheer terror.
The realization struck Elder Qing like a thunderbolt. How was Wang Chen able to achieve the impossible? Destruction of a golden core was one thing, but absorbing it? That was unheard of in the realm of cultivation. Elder Qing had initially believed that Wang Chen would leave him after dismantling his cultivation base. In that scenario, he could have gathered the scattered golden core fragments in his dantian and, with time and effort, restored his cultivation in about half a year.
But now, Wang Chen's actions defied all expectations. He was absorbing the very essence of Elder Qing's golden core, leaving no remnants behind. The implications were dire. Without the core fragments, Elder Qing would have to start his cultivation from scratch, investing the same amount of time and resources it took him to reach the Golden Core Realm in the first place.
In that moment, Elder Qing surrendered to the inevitable. He knew he couldn't escape his fate. The devouring miasma had shattered his hopes, leaving him defenseless and powerless. The fear etched deeply in his eyes testified to the overwhelming might of Wang Chen. Any resistance was futile, and he acknowledged the dire consequences of his underestimation.
As time ticked away, the black miasma enveloped the remaining traces of Elder Qing's golden core, leaving nothing but a void in its wake. The symbol of his cultivation, once shining with brilliance, now dissipated into nothingness. It was a devastating sight, akin to witnessing the collapse of a grand palace but no one to see it.
"Hmm?... Just in time," Wang Chen thought, sensing that Su Ling had successfully refined the healing pill and regained her strength.
As Su Ling opened her eyes, her gaze fell upon Elder Qing, whose face had lost all color, replaced by an overwhelming sense of despair.
"Su Ling," Wang Chen called out.
"Hmm?" Su Ling turned her attention to Wang Chen, her gaze meeting his resolute eyes filled with hope and a radiant brightness. She watched as Wang Chen approached her, leaving the defeated Elder Qing behind. As the grip of the golden rocks loosened, Elder Qing fell to his knees, overwhelmed by his circumstances.
Stepping in front of Su Ling, Wang Chen retrieved a sword from his storage ring. He gazed at her, his voice filled with empathy, "Su Ling, I understand how much pain and sorrow he has caused to your mother. I know you're devastated by it."
Pausing for a moment, Wang Chen observed the sadness etched on Su Ling's face and a slight trembling in her body. Inside, he couldn't help but smirk, knowing the fire that was about to ignite within her. Placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, he locked eyes with her and handed her the sword he had just retrieved. He spoke with conviction, "Kill him! I could take his life, but what would I gain? Nothing. However, if you avenge your mother, her soul will find peace in the heavens."
A flicker of uncertainty passed through Su Ling's eyes, her trembling hand reaching out to grasp the hilt of the sword. But in that same moment, an unyielding resolve sparked within her. The tears streaming down her cheeks mingled with an unquenchable fire, fueling her determination. With every step she took towards Elder Qing, her heart pounded with a mix of trepidation and newfound courage.
In this pivotal moment, Su Ling's trust in Wang Chen soared to unparalleled heights. She believed in his unwavering protection, knowing that he would stand as her shield against any threat that dared to impede her path of retribution. And so, with the weight of her mother's memory on her shoulders, Su Ling moved forward, sword in hand, ready to exact her vengeance upon Elder Qing.
As Su Ling approached Elder Qing, his eyes widened with a mixture of despair and anger. He had never expected her to have the courage to confront him, let alone seek his life. In a desperate attempt to save himself, Elder Qing's voice trembled as he stuttered out apologies and excuses, hoping to manipulate Su Ling's emotions.
"S-Su Ling, please listen to me," he pleaded, his voice laden with false remorse. "It was your father's orders, I swear! I had no choice but to follow his commands. I cared for you, I truly did…"
But Su Ling's gaze remained cold and unyielding. She had heard enough lies and manipulation to see through his words. She knew deep down that he was responsible for the pain her mother had suffered, and no amount of excuses could change that.
Ignoring his pitiful pleas, Su Ling tightened her grip on the sword, her determination unwavering. She had come too far to be swayed by his feeble attempts at redemption. This was her moment of justice, a chance to avenge her mother and find closure.
As Su Ling raised the sword, the weight of her mother's pain and her own determination fueled her strike. It was time for Elder Qing to face the consequences of his actions, and Su Ling would be the one to deliver the long-overdue justice.
[Author's Note: Hey, everyone! Can you believe it? We've hit a huge milestone today—100 chapters! I'm over the moon, and I want to express my gratitude for your amazing support. Thank you for sticking with me even though I'm just a mediocre writer.
As a shameless author, I'm shamelessly asking for some gifts to celebrate this achievement. It could be a virtual high-five, a funny GIF, or even a cheesy joke. Anything to make me smile! Let's continue this adventure together, and here's to many mor
e chapters and shameless requests. Thank you, thank you, thank you!]
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