"This, this..."
Ye Ling stared blankly as the power of the exploding runes consumed countless Origin Lower Realms.
He had never expected things to escalate to this point.
Each Origin Lower Realm was a complete universe, containing countless planets, and within those planets existed innumerable civilizations, each with its own complete history and story.
This time, Ye Ling couldn't even count how many lives were lost due to this explosion.
However, before Ye Ling could mourn for the departed souls, countless black thorns materialized again within the interlayer space, surrounding him.
"Damn it, these things are truly endless!"
Seeing the black thorns continue to form, Ye Ling's expression turned grim. He had no choice but to condense a rune barrier around himself to fend off their attacks.
But just as Ye Ling condensed the rune barrier, the black thorns scattered throughout the interlayer space rapidly transformed, all becoming dark runes!
"This!"
Ye Ling's pupils contracted sharply as the black thorns turned into runes. Before he could even consider how to deal with them, the surrounding interlayer space began to distort slightly.
The next moment, hundreds and thousands of clones, identical to Ye Ling, emerged from the distorted space!
These clones, some wielding demonic swords, others giant scythes, and some enveloped in swirling runes... all the techniques they possessed were ones Ye Ling had previously displayed!
What drove Ye Ling even more insane was that each of these clones had the exact same aura as the fake Nuo Ying he had encountered before!
"These things can just be created like this?"
Seeing more and more clones emerging from the distorted space, Ye Ling felt his scalp tingle.
He had racked his brains to finally deal with one fake Nuo Ying, and now a whole horde had appeared. He truly didn't know how to break free from this predicament!
With no other recourse, Ye Ling could only once again circulate his runes, preparing to use the Great Qiankun Teleportation taught by E Jiao to escape.
In this situation, if he continued to stay in this interlayer space, let alone save anyone, he himself would be lost.
The best strategy now was to retreat!
"Ye Ling! Over here!"
At this moment, the space behind Ye Ling distorted slightly, and Tian Xing's voice emanated from within, followed by a fair and flawless hand reaching out for Ye Ling.
"Still coming?"
Hearing Tian Xing's voice, Ye Ling assumed it was another imposter created by the interlayer space. He immediately condensed a demonic sword with his runes and fiercely slashed towards Tian Xing behind him!
The sword light flashed and passed, but when Ye Ling saw Tian Xing's face and sensed his own imprinted aura from Tian Xing's body, he abruptly stopped, the blade halting beside Tian Xing's cheek.
"Is it really you?" Ye Ling, seeing Tian Xing who had instinctively closed her eyes in fear, was stunned and asked in surprise.
"We'll talk about it when we get back!"
Tian Xing opened her eyes, grabbed Ye Ling's hand, and directly pulled him into the distorted space.
The space returned to calm, and the clones in the interlayer space immediately lost their target.
Pulled by Tian Xing into a white, vast space, Ye Ling glanced around the surroundings and asked Tian Xing, "Where is this?"
"This is a rift within that strange space, discovered by chance by the World-Ending Spirit Fire. Those clones cannot come here," Tian Xing replied.
Ye Ling asked, "Are you all together?"
Tian Xing nodded, "A Yun, Nuo Ying, and the World-Ending Spirit Fire are all here. They are all recuperating in the depths of this space."
"It's good that you're all alright," Ye Ling smiled. "Let's go in and talk. Tell me what you've been through."
"Mm."
Tian Xing nodded slightly and walked towards the depths of this space, saying to Ye Ling, "When the Watchers invaded the Heart of the Heavens, Nuo Ying and A Yun took us away from the Origin Upper Realm. But we were unlucky and fled to that desolate world."
"In that desolate world, we were attacked by many black thorns, and then we encountered clones just like us, who could continuously learn our techniques..."
Hearing Tian Xing's words, Ye Ling nodded slightly, "Mm... your experiences are the same as mine. Those clones in the interlayer space are too troublesome; they've learned half of my techniques."
Tian Xing continued, "Yes, those clones have strong learning abilities. Even though Nuo Ying resisted with all her might, she was no match for those clones. Fortunately, the World-Ending Spirit Fire found this peculiar spatial rift at a critical moment, otherwise, we might have all been annihilated."
"If that's the case, then the World-Ending Spirit Fire deserves great credit?" Ye Ling teased with a smile.
Tian Xing chuckled, "Yes, that's why the World-Ending Spirit Fire has been boasting about his achievements to us all this time. My ears are almost worn out from listening."
"That guy, the World-Ending Spirit Fire, is like that. He keeps quiet when he's in trouble, but when he achieves something, he wants to announce it to the world," Ye Ling said with a light laugh.
The two chatted and laughed as they walked, soon arriving at the depths of this spatial rift.
Tian Xing opened the outer concealment barrier, and Ye Ling saw A Yun and the World-Ending Spirit Fire channeling spiritual energy to Nuo Ying.
Upon seeing Ye Ling, the World-Ending Spirit Fire's eyes lit up with joy. He quickly said, "Kid, you're finally here! Come and help, channel some vital energy to Nuo Ying!"
"Mm!"
Ye Ling did not hesitate. He injected his power of creation into Nuo Ying's body, creating new blood for her and easing the pressure on the World-Ending Spirit Fire and A Yun.
After stabilizing Nuo Ying's condition, Ye Ling asked the others, "What happened to Nuo Ying? Why is she so weak?"
"It's all because of you, kid?" The World-Ending Spirit Fire glared at Ye Ling. "You found that desolate world, but you were about to slip away without finding the interlayer space. Nuo Ying was so anxious that she had to expend a large amount of vital energy to break open the space and give you a hint."
Ye Ling was taken aback, "So the illusion I saw at first was really Nuo Ying's?"
"Otherwise?" The World-Ending Spirit Fire said, "Although this spatial rift is safe, it's extremely difficult to open from the inside. Tian Xing pulling you in already consumed nearly all of Nuo Ying's strength."
"Kid, since you're here now, the responsibility of getting us out of here falls on you."
Although the World-Ending Spirit Fire spoke sharply to Ye Ling, he was inwardly delighted.
After all, Ye Ling was their backbone. During Ye Ling's absence, although no one said anything on the surface, everyone felt a lack of confidence deep down.
Now that Ye Ling had returned, even though their current situation hadn't improved much, everyone felt a sense of security.
Whether it was Tian Xing, the World-Ending Spirit Fire, A Yun, or Nuo Ying... in their hearts, as long as Ye Ling was present, no matter how difficult the situation, it could definitely be resolved!
Hearing the World-Ending Spirit Fire's request, Ye Ling knew the expectations everyone had of him. He smiled and said, "Of course..."
"From now on, leave it all to me!"