Meanwhile, in the nameless valley.
Hearing the commotion, Ye Ling turned to look at the former guardian. He saw the former guardian's cloudy eyes gradually clear, and the violent spiritual energy within his body subsided.
However, the former guardian's aura was still quite weak at this moment, like a candle in the wind.
The World-Ending Spirit Fire, sealed by Ye Ling, saw the change in the former guardian and sighed, "So you actually managed to get lucky, you brat, and saved that guy."
Ye Ling chuckled, "It's fate."
With that, Ye Ling destroyed all the stone doors, leaving not a trace behind.
After all, these stone doors were connected to a member of the Corrupted Evil Clan, and he had just caused a ruckus in their territory. If those guys had any means to descend to Earth through the stone doors, things would get troublesome.
Moreover, the purpose of these stone doors was to save the former guardian. Now that he had been rescued, the stone doors were no longer necessary.
Leaving no loose ends.
After destroying the stone doors, Ye Ling removed the chains binding the former guardian, setting him free.
Seeing the former guardian regain his senses, the little boy's anxious eyes suddenly lit up with surprise. He scurried towards the former guardian.
The former guardian still had a bit of confusion in his eyes. When the little boy fell into his arms, he didn't react. However, a flicker of emotion appeared in his confused gaze, as if he recognized the little boy.
The World-Ending Spirit Fire glanced at the former guardian, who sat blankly, then sighed, "What a pity. Those Corrupted Evil Clan guys were truly ruthless. This fellow is doomed."
"Doomed?" Hearing the World-Ending Spirit Fire's words, Ye Ling's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"
The World-Ending Spirit Fire said, "Don't you control the Great Dao of Reincarnation? Take a look with it, and you'll know."
After the World-Ending Spirit Fire finished speaking, Ye Ling no longer hesitated. He immediately summoned the Great Dao of Reincarnation and examined the former guardian's soul condition.
"This is!"
When Ye Ling saw the former guardian's severely damaged soul, his pupils contracted sharply, and he exclaimed, "Why is his reincarnation information missing?"
The World-Ending Spirit Fire said, "It's likely that the Corrupted Evil Clan never intended to let him go when they controlled him. After you killed that supreme immortal of the Corrupted Evil Clan, the former guardian's soul information died along with that Corrupted Evil Clan member."
"What remains in the former guardian's body now is merely a wisp of residual consciousness."
Ye Ling: "..."
Ye Ling fell silent, his fists clenching involuntarily.
To save the former guardian, he had put in great effort. He had even ventured into the Corrupted Evil Clan's lair and almost perished there.
Ye Ling had thought he had successfully rescued the former guardian this time, only to realize that this was the final chapter of the former guardian's life.
The World-Ending Spirit Fire seemed to sense Ye Ling's heavy mood and dared not provoke him, deliberately keeping quiet and refraining from its usual taunts.
Ye Ling looked at the little boy nestled in the former guardian's arms, his breathing growing heavy. He didn't know how to tell the little boy the cruel truth.
With a heavy heart, Ye Ling walked towards the former guardian and the little boy.
Seeing Ye Ling approach, the little boy excitedly threw himself into Ye Ling's arms, nuzzling him affectionately and expressing his gratitude.
Looking at the little boy affectionately snuggling in his arms, Ye Ling forced a smile and said, "Can I talk to him for a moment?"
"Mhm!"
The little boy nodded, turned into a wisp of white smoke, and drifted out of Ye Ling's embrace.
Ye Ling looked at the former guardian and injected his spiritual energy into him, asking, "Can you still move?"
The former guardian's mind was still in a haze. Although he had regained his senses, his movements were significantly slower, and he couldn't respond to Ye Ling.
Seeing the former guardian trying his best to recall, Ye Ling immediately used his spiritual energy to support him, while also sharing his soul power to accelerate his recovery.
Soon, a light appeared in the former guardian's eyes, and his senses fully returned.
He looked at Ye Ling and rasped, "You... saved me?"
Ye Ling replied, "I'm sorry... I couldn't succeed."
The former guardian, however, shook his head and smiled, "There's nothing to be sorry about. The moment I was captured by the Corrupted Evil Clan, I knew I was dead. To be freed from their control and regain a moment of freedom before death, I am already content."
Ye Ling: "..."
The former guardian continued, "Actually, during the years I was controlled by the Corrupted Evil Clan, I maintained a clear consciousness and knew what I was doing, but I couldn't control any of my actions... I could only watch helplessly as I brought infinite suffering to the Inner Universe..."
"During this time, I was in extreme pain, wishing for death every moment. Now you have fulfilled my wish and allowed me to atone for my sins with death."
"Thank you for granting me release."
Ye Ling sighed, "As a guardian, you have done enough for this universe. There's no need to feel guilty. It is the sentient beings who owe you much."
The former guardian shook his head, "No... I have not done enough... The Shadow Hall and the Void Organization still exist, the loopholes in the cosmic barrier have not been repaired, and this world is still in danger."
"The Shadow Hall and the Void Organization..." Hearing the former guardian's words, Ye Ling's expression turned solemn. "You are also investigating them?"
"Mhm..." The former guardian nodded weakly, "While I still have some time, I will tell you all the information I have investigated... my successor."
"This can also be considered atonement for my sins."
The former guardian smiled and, before Ye Ling could speak, continued, "The Shadow Hall is backed by numerous extraterrestrial forces. They are a nail inserted by these forces into the Inner Universe, attempting to break through the cosmic barrier through the Shadow Hall."
Ye Ling said, "I've also investigated this... and I'm currently preparing to take action against the Shadow Hall to eradicate this tumor from Earth."
"It seems you are much more capable than I..." The former guardian smiled with relief, then added, "In that case, let's talk about the Void Organization... The Void Organization is actually older than the Shadow Hall. My investigation into them is much deeper than my investigation into the Shadow Hall."
"Isn't the purpose of the Void Organization to find the Ruins of Time?" Ye Ling frowned, suddenly realizing that he was about to hear a monumental secret from the former guardian!
The former guardian said, "Indeed... their stated purpose is to find the Ruins of Time. This seemingly poses no threat to the safety of the universe, but behind their objective lies a grand conspiracy!"
"A conspiracy?"
"Mhm... The leader of the Void Organization, Huang, is a descendant of the Primordial Race, the Royal Family of the Void Realm... and a son of the Creation God... His true objective is to go to the Ruins of Time to resurrect the two Creation Gods who have long since died..."
"Gui Que and Di Chu!"
Hearing the former guardian's words, Ye Ling's heart was thrown into turmoil!