The private room was enveloped in black flames, incinerating the air.
The extreme temperature caused the table to spontaneously combust, turning the feast into ashes in an instant!
"What a shame..."
Ye Ling sighed slightly as he watched the table of delicacies turn to ash. "Waste is a disgrace..."
Donghua Sanren, merged with the black flames, sneered at Ye Ling, "Ye Ling, don't think you have the right to be arrogant just because the Three Realms' Immortals address you as Emperor! In my eyes, you're nothing but a useless figurehead!"
The Sword Spirit, seeing Donghua Sanren attack Ye Ling, also roared at him, "Donghua, are you mad! Do you know what you're doing?"
He had personally witnessed Ye Ling's strength and knew that Ye Ling's cultivation surpassed that of a Saint!
Beings like Ye Ling were not to be trifled with by Saints like themselves!
Donghua Sanren's attack on Ye Ling now was akin to a moth flying into a flame!
Facing the Sword Spirit's questioning, Donghua Sanren cackled, "Hahaha... Sword Spirit, you're simply too scared of Ye Ling to even dare to test his true strength!"
"I'll let you go, as a friend. Scram!"
As Donghua Sanren spoke, the black flames parted, creating a path for the Sword Spirit to exit.
Seeing the path appear before him, the Sword Spirit instinctively looked at Ye Ling, hesitating.
He could escape, but he also knew that once he left this black flame, he would never have any further interaction with Ye Ling. If Ye Ling were to settle scores later, he might also be on the list!
But...
The Sword Spirit believed he understood his friend Donghua Sanren well, knowing that Donghua Sanren was not a reckless person!
Donghua Sanren daring to attack Ye Ling at this moment meant he had some trump card to win. The Sword Spirit did not want to be caught in this.
Ye Ling remained seated and asked the hesitant Sword Spirit, "What? Your friend has opened a path for you to escape, why are you still lingering here?"
"Emperor..."
The Sword Spirit pursed his lips, struggled for a moment, then decided to gamble everything. He stood behind Ye Ling and said firmly, "Emperor! I failed to see Donghua's ambition, and it is my fault!"
"To atone for my mistake, I will stand on the same side as you today!"
By saying this, the Sword Spirit had clearly chosen his side, opposing Donghua Sanren.
Although he knew he couldn't help Ye Ling much by staying, he was expressing his stance.
As long as they survived this crisis, even without merit, he would have contributed effort. Ye Ling, even if he didn't reward him, would at least not blame him for this matter later.
Ye Ling was first stunned by the Sword Spirit's words, then shook his head and smiled, "I didn't expect you to have such a mind, you fellow."
Ye Ling naturally understood the Sword Spirit's intention for staying. However, since the Sword Spirit was willing to risk his life to take a stand, he had no reason to refuse.
Based on the Sword Spirit's attitude, he planned to grant him some fortune after the matter was resolved.
Seeing the Sword Spirit choose to stand with Ye Ling, Donghua Sanren's eyes showed disappointment. He sighed, "Sword Spirit... I thought that as my friend, you would at least have some self-awareness, but I didn't expect you to be so short-sighted."
"Fine, since you wish to court death, don't blame me for being ruthless..."
As Donghua Sanren spoke, the path that had been opened in the black flames closed again, trapping both Ye Ling and the Sword Spirit within.
The surrounding black flames burned fiercely, sealing all exits from the private room.
The temperature in the room rose higher and higher. To withstand the terrifying heat, the Sword Spirit's spiritual energy was consumed faster and faster, even affecting his physical form.
However, the Sword Spirit did not beg Ye Ling for help and could only grit his teeth and endure.
After all, he had chosen to stay and help. If he became a burden from the start, he might as well have left earlier.
While the Sword Spirit was suffering immensely, Ye Ling seemed unaffected. He stood up from his seat and faced Donghua Sanren directly.
The chair that had been under Ye Ling instantly turned to ashes.
Ye Ling glanced at the surrounding black flames and then asked Donghua Sanren, "So, how do you plan to deal with me? You're not thinking of burning me to death with these black flames, are you?"
The energy contained within these black flames was indeed terrifying. Ye Ling even felt an aura similar to the Barren Domain within them.
However, these black flames might be effective against ordinary Saints, but they were somewhat lacking against Ye Ling.
Donghua Sanren smiled, "After all, you are the Emperor renowned throughout the Three Realms. Your strength surpasses that of ordinary Saints. I naturally don't believe these black flames alone can solve you. But do you know what domain you are currently in?"
"What is it?" Ye Ling followed Donghua Sanren's words.
"Anti-Domain Realm!" Donghua Sanren sneered. "I know, Ye Ling, you have seized the inheritance and mastered the Barren Domain!"
"The Barren Domain can weaken one's cultivation. As long as you are within the Barren Domain, you are invincible among peers!"
"But this Anti-Domain Realm is a unique barrier created by the Shadow Hall. Within this barrier, all domains will be rendered ineffective, and your Barren Domain will naturally lose its effect!"
"And outside the Anti-Domain Realm, I have added a Blood Demon Barrier. I can enhance my power through sacrifice. Those security personnel outside, though appearing to be mortals, are actually my Blood Demon Seeds. Each one is cultivated with endless effort and can provide me with immense power!"
"Now, I have sacrificed all those Blood Demon Seeds, and the power I have gained far surpasses that of a Saint!"
"Without the Barren Domain, and with my power infinitely enhanced by the Blood Demon Barrier, plus the helpers sent by the Shadow Hall, Ye Ling, how can you fight me?"
Ye Ling listened to Donghua Sanren's words with a smile, then clapped his hands and laughed, "So you've made so many preparations in secret. I have to admit, I underestimated you before."
Donghua Sanren stood amidst the black flames and continued to sneer, "Since that's the case, why don't you obediently hand over the inheritance? That way, I can at least leave you a complete corpse!"
As Donghua Sanren spoke, the Shadow Clan members in the four corners of the room pushed the black flames towards Ye Ling, shrinking the space for Ye Ling and the Sword Spirit to move.
The Sword Spirit stood beside Ye Ling, and as the encroaching black flames neared, a hint of panic flashed in his eyes. He asked Ye Ling, "Emperor! I didn't expect Donghua to make so many preparations to target you. What should we do now?"
The Sword Spirit, who had initially held infinite confidence in Ye Ling, now harbored some doubts after hearing Donghua Sanren's words.
He had heard of the Blood Demon Realm before; it was a famous evil formation from ancient times, on par with the Heaven Annihilation Evil Formation!
Generally, a single Blood Demon Seed could enhance one's power significantly, enough to allow a Saint to crush another Saint within the barrier!
Now, the bodies outside were almost piled up like a mountain. If those were all Blood Demon Seeds... he couldn't imagine how powerful Donghua Sanren had become!
Ye Ling, however, remained unfazed. He glanced at the Shadow Clan members pushing the black flames closer, then fixed his gaze on Donghua Sanren, who was within the black flames, and smiled, "You have indeed made many preparations, even specially setting up an Anti-Domain Realm to seal the Barren Domain. It's a pity..."
*Hiss!*
Ye Ling smiled and shook his head. Demonic energy emanated from his body, causing the surrounding temperature to plummet!
The Sword Spirit, who had been feeling incredibly hot, suddenly shivered!
It was so cold!
The Sword Spirit looked at Ye Ling with a face full of horror. Ye Ling's lips were slightly curved, and his eyes held a hint of mockery!
At this moment, Ye Ling took a step forward, and the surrounding burning black flames instantly vanished. A large amount of demonic energy filled the entire private room!
Before the Sword Spirit could react, Ye Ling had already teleported in front of Donghua Sanren and easily gripped his neck!
Ye Ling stared at the horrified Donghua Sanren and chuckled, "I don't need any fancy tricks to deal with you."