Chapter 1182: Creatures of the Black Pool

This was deep within a gloomy cavern. Beneath dim firelight, a pool of black water lay, with wisps of black vapor rising from it. The vapor would occasionally form numerous savage, grotesque faces, emitting piercing, venomous shrieks.

Beside the black pool stood an old man. On his robes was etched a blood-red eye that would roll from time to time, as if it were a living thing—rather eerie.

This person was none other than the Spirit Eye Dark Lord.

At this moment, he gazed at the black pool before him, an unfathomably strange luster flowing in his pupils. Then he waved his hand lightly, and eerie, enormous figures slowly walked out from the darkness.

With the aid of the dim lamplight, one could see those figures were all bizarrely twisted, with surging miasma of malice radiating from within their bodies—clearly a group of powerful aberrations.

However, at this moment the bodies of these aberrations were covered in black steel needles, with mysterious liquid flowing over the needles, causing the aberrations to be controlled by the Spirit Eye Dark Lord like puppets.

The Spirit Eye Dark Lord flicked his fingers, and these aberrations emanating dense miasma of malice immediately moved their stiff steps, walking straight toward the black pool ahead, then gradually sinking into it.

The black pool water swallowed them all completely.

At the same time, the Spirit Eye Dark Lord tossed numerous pill-like objects radiating peculiar auras into the black pool.

As more and more aberrations vanished into the black pool water, the previously calm black pool water suddenly produced numerous bubbles, as if it were boiling.

No one knew how long this situation lasted. The Spirit Eye Dark Lord's eyelids lifted, and he saw a slender, graceful figure slowly rising from the center of the black pool.

The black pool water flowed over her delicate body, covering her skin.

After a moment, the black pool water contracted, transforming into gauze-like garments that covered her curvaceous, exquisite body.

And that graceful figure abruptly opened her eyes at this moment.

Within her eyes was a stretch of deep black, as if some inexplicable pressure flowed within, but immediately afterward, everything gradually calmed, and a clarity also appeared in those eyes.

She stood up from the pool water, gazing calmly at the Spirit Eye Dark Lord beside the pool.

It was Li Li Lingjing!

The Spirit Eye Dark Lord stared at her as well, then an indifferent voice rang out: "You truly have enormous audacity, to dare actively devour a wisp of the will of the 'Demon King of All Beings.' Your madness is truly even worse than those aberrations."

"Is that so?" Li Li Lingjing reached out and scooped a Green Bamboo Green Snake Staff from the pool water, replying casually.

The Spirit Eye Dark Lord said blandly: "The Demon King of All Beings has sent word, demanding I hand you over. It wants you to taste every manner of suffering in the world."

"And what did you choose?" Li Li Lingjing's expression remained without the slightest ripple.

The Spirit Eye Dark Lord stared at Li Li Lingjing, and a chilling smile suddenly appeared on his withered, aged face. He said: "Of course I refused it."

"You are my most perfect creation. The fact that you could devour that wisp of will from the Demon King of All Beings only further proves how flawless my creation is!"

"Your madness this time proves my success!"

"The Soul-Eroding True Demons I created can truly fuse the human race with aberrations, forming a new species that truly possesses limitless potential!"

The Spirit Eye Dark Lord's gaze grew fanatically wild. He stared at Li Li Lingjing and said: "Unfortunately, up until now, among those aberrant species of mine, only you have successfully been born and grown. So how could I possibly hand you over to the Demon King of All Beings?"

"My Convergence Hall is not afraid of them."

With the mysterious behemoth that was Convergence Hall behind him, the Spirit Eye Dark Lord did not fear the threat of the Demon King of All Beings.

Li Li Lingjing's expression remained calm from beginning to end, even upon hearing the Spirit Eye Dark Lord compare her to a species created by him.

"Those Ghost Apparitions of yours lost quite a few this time," Li Li Lingjing said.

The Spirit Eye Dark Lord smiled and said: "Just some casually manufactured trash, not even comparable to a single hair of yours. If you don't like them, feel free to destroy them casually later."

"No interest," Li Li Lingjing said blandly.

The Spirit Eye Dark Lord paid it no mind either, and said: "During this period, just cultivate here. That wisp of will from the Demon King of All Beings isn't so easy to devour—I still need to give you some assistance."

"However, fortunately the Demon King of All Beings had a crown severed by Wang Xuanjin this time, so it doesn't have the energy to pay attention to this lost wisp of will. Taking advantage of this gap, if you can completely devour this wisp of will, then afterward you will have a different path. At that time, I will take you to the true Convergence Hall."

"There, you will obtain true power."

The Spirit Eye Dark Lord's voice echoed through the gloomy cavern, while his figure gradually turned illusory and vanished from this place.

Li Li Lingjing gazed at his disappearing figure, her eyes also lowering slightly. Then black pool water surged beneath her feet, gradually covering her body.

As her vision plunged into the final darkness, Li Luo's face flashed through her mind.

Presumably, he should be fine, right?

Heavenly Yuan Ancient Academy.

After returning to the academy, Li Luo did not leave immediately, but instead brought Jiang Jiang Qinge to stay in the small building where Mentor Xi Chan had previously resided.

Because the things he needed had not yet been obtained.

As for Lu Ming, Senior Zong Sha, and others, they had already finished their cultivation two months prior, and then began their return journey with their respective mentors.

And during these few days of temporarily staying at the academy, Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge undoubtedly became the hottest topic of conversation throughout the entire Heavenly Yuan Ancient Academy. After all, during the period when they were cultivating and breaking through, the events of this conscription mission had already long spread among the many students of Heavenly Yuan Ancient Academy.

So the originally remote small residential building here instead became a place where countless students flocked in an endless stream to observe. They craned their necks in anticipation, claiming they wanted to witness Li Luo's bearing, but many understood these were just excuses—what they truly wished to see was that resplendent pearl from the Holy Light Ancient Academy.

Once a busybody caught a glimpse of her beauty, he was awestruck, declaring outright that her appearance and temperament even surpassed Jiang Jiang Wanyu and Senior Li Hongyu of the Celestial Star Academy, which prompted even more students to try catching a glimpse of her true form.

However, Jiang Jiang Qinge rarely went out or showed herself these days, which caused many people lying in wait outside the small building to sigh in regret.

And at this moment, inside the small building, Li Luo was entertaining familiar faces such as Jiang Jiang Wanyu, Senior Zong Sha, Li Hongyu, and Feng Lingyuan.

After this conscription mission to the Little Heavenly Domain, the relationship between them had undoubtedly grown deeper.

"Hongyu, you said you're going to leave with Li Luo this time?" When Feng Lingyuan learned of Li Hongyu's subsequent plans, she could not help but feel somewhat surprised.

Li Hongyu nodded slightly, but did not offer much explanation.

"This guy Li Luo really dug up a great treasure from our academy," Feng Lingyuan could not help but say.

It was worth mentioning that Li Hongyu had also gained considerable improvement in the final rewards of this conscription mission. Now her Celestial Phase Diagram was about to reach the level of nine thousand zhang. Of course, Li Hongyu's combat ability was not the main point—what truly possessed strategic effect was that special phase attribute of hers.

"If Senior Feng is interested, you are welcome to join our Dragon Fang Guard; I would be more than happy," Li Luo said with a smile, extending a tentative invitation. After all, Feng Lingyuan's strength was only a step away from the Marquis Realm; as long as she found a suitable 'Foundation Establishment Spiritual Treasure' next, she could attempt to break through to the Marquis Realm.

Feng Lingyuan shook her head and said, "I still have other matters to attend to. If I encounter setbacks in my future travels, I will come find you at the Dragon Fang Sect then. I hope that when the time comes, you won't forget our old friendship."

Li Luo chuckled and nodded, then changed the subject, no longer pressing the matter.

While Li Luo was speaking, Jiang Jiang Qinge sat to one side, occasionally picking up the teapot to pour tea for Jiang Jiang Wanyu and the others. Jiang Jiang Wanyu and the others, flattered, hurriedly accepted and kept expressing their thanks.

Now that Jiang Jiang Qinge had broken through to the Marquis Realm, her own oppressive aura grew increasingly strong. Even sitting here with few words, she still made everyone present other than Li Luo feel considerable pressure.

And just at this moment, Li Luo saw spatial ripples arise in the courtyard, and then Lan Lan Lingzi's figure abruptly flashed into view.

So his eyes immediately brightened.

So the thing he wanted is finally to be handed over?