Ling Luoyi frowned as she observed the situation.
The current cultivation advancements of the Ling family's direct descendants should not have caused such a significant disturbance. However, with over twenty people advancing simultaneously, the resulting fluctuations in spiritual energy had amplified, leading to the current spectacle. But what was that ascension light pillar?
Ling Luoyi couldn't dwell on that matter now. The spiritual energy fluctuations caused by the advancements were growing stronger. If this continued, it could trigger a spiritual energy surge within this small world, causing its spiritual energy to leak out. At that point, it would be difficult to prevent discovery. If it were discovered by the human race, it would be manageable, but if other races found out, it would be quite troublesome. This place could not withstand their attacks.
Ling Luoyi quickly exited the small world. After checking that no one was in the room, she sternly called out, "Xing Yu, come out!"
With Ling Luoyi's current mastery of spatial spiritual energy, she was unable to stabilize such a vast space within the small world. Moreover, she intended to reinforce it, so she had to rely on Xing Yu.
Gu Yuncheng had returned to the Demon Realm, but based on Ling Luoyi's understanding of him, he would not have taken Xing Yu with him.
As expected, the moment Ling Luoyi finished speaking, Xing Yu entered from outside the door.
Xing Yu entered, bowed to Ling Luoyi, and said, "Your subordinate greets Your Highness. May I ask why Your Highness summoned me?"
Ling Luoyi cut to the chase, took off her bracelet, and placed it on the table. Pointing to the still-flashing gemstone, she said, "Xing Yu, the spiritual energy in this space is becoming unstable. I fear the spiritual energy within will leak out, and it needs to be stabilized. I am also worried that such incidents might occur again in the future and wish to reinforce it, but my abilities are insufficient. Therefore, I must trouble you."
Upon hearing this and seeing the gemstone's flashing frequency quicken, Xing Yu, without further ado, channeled his spatial spiritual energy into the gemstone. He began to repair the damaged edges and corners while also reinforcing the formation that stabilized the small world.
Ling Luoyi watched and also channeled her spiritual energy into it. She stabilized the spiritual energy storm within, caused by the advancement fluctuations, and guided it into the ascension light pillar.
After Ling Luoyi and Xing Yu infused their spiritual energy, the spatial instability within the small world, caused by the spiritual energy surge, gradually subsided.
Thanks to their timely actions, the clansmen did not notice anything amiss, merely feeling that the somewhat sharp wind in the air had disappeared.
Approximately an hour passed. The ascension light pillar had halved in size, and the spiritual energy storm within it had weakened by half.
Sensing that the small world had stabilized, Ling Luoyi was the first to withdraw her spiritual energy. Despite infusing her energy for such a long time, Ling Luoyi had only consumed forty percent of her spiritual energy, so she was relatively fine.
After reinforcing it one more round, Xing Yu also withdrew his spiritual energy. Similar to Ling Luoyi, Xing Yu had not consumed much of his spiritual energy, only fifty percent. However, under the influence of Ling Luoyi's spiritual energy, he felt unwell, and his complexion was frighteningly pale.
Seeing him like this, Ling Luoyi felt a pang of guilt and said, "Xing Yu, your body has been severely damaged by my spiritual energy. You must return to the Demon Realm immediately! Let Yue Rong treat you!"
Xing Yu was aware of his physical condition and did not insist otherwise. He replied, "Yes, Your Highness. Your Highness, this space can now withstand the spiritual energy of an Immortal King and should be fine."
"Thank you."
"It is my duty to share Your Highness's burdens and I dare not accept Your Highness's thanks." With that, something resembling a black hole appeared beneath Xing Yu's feet, and he vanished.
Ling Luoyi watched him go, feeling a deep sense of guilt. Xing Yu had been affected by her spiritual energy. Xing Yu was of the demon race, while her spiritual energy contained a highly concentrated divine power, devoid of any impurities. Therefore, her spiritual energy could suppress a portion of evil races or rogue cultivators. This was the unique characteristic of Ling Luoyi's spiritual energy, and also the reason she had not used her own spiritual energy upon returning to the Ancient Spirit Continent.
However, she had no other choice at the moment. Xing Yu's spiritual root attribute was space, and he could only control spatial spiritual energy; he was incapable of handling other forms of spiritual energy. Ling Luoyi, on the other hand, was all-elemental, allowing her to control all attributes of spiritual energy within the small world.
If she hadn't controlled the surging spiritual energy, the areas Xing Yu had just repaired would have been damaged again, wasting even more spiritual energy. Thus, Ling Luoyi had to use her spiritual energy to control the surging spiritual energy, even knowing it would harm Xing Yu.
Not only that, but Ling Luoyi had been to the Demon Realm and knew that Physician Yue Rong, a demon physician there, could treat such injuries, which was why she dared to act.
Knowing that Xing Yu would be fine after returning, Ling Luoyi breathed a sigh of relief.
Ling Luoyi composed herself and re-entered the small world. The ascension light pillar was still present, but the disturbance it caused was not as severe as before. The worried clansmen had returned to their residences.
Sensing several auras near the ascension light pillar that were significantly stronger than a few days prior, and due to Ling Luoyi's previous decision to ensure her clansmen had a stable foundation, she was not worried about their foundations being damaged even with this significant advancement.
With everything settled, Ling Luoyi left. Because Ling Luoyi's position was in a blind spot, and many clansmen had their attention focused on the ascension light pillar, she was not discovered during her two trips.
Just as Ling Luoyi reappeared in the room, Gu Yuncheng also suddenly appeared. Seeing his solemn expression, Ling Luoyi couldn't help but ask, "A'Su, has something happened in the Demon Realm? Why are you so serious?"
"Luoluo." Gu Yuncheng hesitated for a moment before deciding not to deceive her. He said, "Luoluo, nothing has happened in the Demon Realm. There's a minor issue in the outer territories managed by the Demon Realm, and I need to go and see."
"Outer territories? Then you must go!" Matters concerning the outer territories were not trivial, and Gu Yuncheng, as the Demon Emperor, naturally had to attend to them.
Seeing Ling Luoyi's serious expression, devoid of any reluctance, Gu Yuncheng felt a tinge of bitterness. His tone became somewhat mournful as he said, "Luoluo, won't you miss me? I might not be able to return for some time."
Upon hearing this, Ling Luoyi frowned in confusion. Demon Emperor Venerable, what was with this aggrieved tone?
Taking a deep breath and adjusting her emotions, Ling Luoyi said, "A'Su, you know how important the outer territories are. Even if I miss you, you must go. This is your responsibility as the Demon Emperor."
Hearing Ling Luoyi's words, Gu Yuncheng felt a mix of satisfaction and disappointment. Having known her for so many years, he had witnessed Ling Luoyi transform from someone unapproachable to her current self. He knew that she now clearly demarcated responsibility and obligation, with her emotions taking a backseat. However, was transitioning from one extreme to another truly a good thing?
In the past, she prioritized her own likes and dislikes above all else. Responsibility and obligation—what were those? Now, responsibility and obligation were always paramount, with her own feelings relegated to the back.
Gu Yuncheng did not want Ling Luoyi to become like this. He hoped she could integrate the two, allowing her to live more easily and not be as weary as she was now.
Seeing that he remained silent, Ling Luoyi waved her hand in front of his eyes.
Gu Yuncheng accurately caught her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it lightly. He then said, "Luoluo, do you remember what you promised me?"
Ling Luoyi was taken aback, then smiled and replied, "I remember, and I won't forget."
She knew he was referring to her promise to marry him after they returned. He also wanted to see if she would be shy like other young women about to get married. But was Ling Luoyi an ordinary woman? Therefore, Gu Yuncheng would not get his wish.
As expected, seeing Ling Luoyi's unchanged expression, Gu Yuncheng felt a bit disappointed. He gave Ling Luoyi a light hug and then left.
As he departed, Ling Luoyi's tense nerves finally relaxed.