In the Tianren Tower, everyone suddenly felt a bone-chilling aura invade their bodies. Subsequently, they felt their entire beings filled with power, their strength doubling, even increasing tenfold!
In an instant, the cultivators within the Tianren Tower erupted in excitement. Although they hadn't figured out what had happened, the sudden surge of power was enough to overwhelm their reason!
However, before they could share their joy with each other, their consciousnesses fell into slumber. Immediately after, a second personality, loyal to Ye Ling, rapidly grew within each of their minds.
At this moment, Ye Ling, as the Eighth Star Pillar, had developed his first batch of subordinates.
"Senior, something's wrong! Dark power has invaded the Tianren Tower!" At this moment, Bai Xuanxuan, her face filled with panic, rushed to the top of the Tianren Tower and shouted at Ye Ling.
However, when she saw that Ye Ling was the source of this dark power, she completely froze, her face showing a look of terror.
"This, this..."
Bai Xuanxuan looked at Ye Ling in horror, instinctively retreating, wanting to escape. But as soon as she turned, Ye Ling raised his hand and flung a ball of dark energy, which invaded her body and amplified her combat power.
Bai Xuanxuan felt the dark energy colliding within her and looked at Ye Ling with confusion: "Senior, why are you doing this? Didn't you say you were going to deal with the Seven Star Pillars? How could you..."
She simply couldn't understand why Ye Ling would suddenly use dark energy to corrupt the cultivators in the Tianren Tower, and even attack her!
What was the difference between this and the Seven Star Pillars?
Ye Ling said to Bai Xuanxuan, "I apologize, this is a necessary step. Until things are over, you should sleep for a while."
Upon hearing Ye Ling's words, Bai Xuanxuan wanted to continue questioning, but she suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of sleepiness. She could no longer keep her heavy eyelids open and completely lost consciousness.
The next moment, Bai Xuanxuan's eyes opened again. However, judging by the look in her eyes, she was clearly controlled by the newly developed second personality.
The World-Destroying Spirit Fire saw that Bai Xuanxuan was controlled and sighed, "Tsk tsk tsk, you're truly ruthless, kid. This little girl finally escaped from the clutches of the Third Star Pillar and didn't even have a few days of freedom before you took control of her again."
Ye Ling said, "To gain the trust of the Seven Star Pillars, this is a necessary measure. But don't worry, after things are over, those second personalities will dissipate on their own. For those people, it will only feel like they've had a nap."
"Moreover, the strength enhancement I've given them is permanent. Just by sleeping, their combat power can double. Many people can't even ask for such good fortune."
The World-Destroying Spirit Fire pouted, "Tch... You say it so nicely, why don't I see you corrupting A'yu and Ding Dang as well?"
Ye Ling coughed twice and said, "A'yu is different. She is my direct disciple and highly malleable. If I forcibly elevate her cultivation, it will destabilize her foundation, and she will suffer greatly in her future cultivation."
The World-Destroying Spirit Fire retorted, "After all that talk, aren't you just playing favorites?"
Ye Ling had no way to refute this remark from the World-Destroying Spirit Fire.
After all, things like an unstable foundation were minor issues for him. He simply didn't want A'yu to be controlled.
Bai Xuanxuan and the others in the Tianren Tower were different from A'yu.
The World-Destroying Spirit Fire didn't continue to criticize Ye Ling. After all, he also liked A'yu quite a bit and couldn't bear to see her controlled by a second personality.
After Ye Ling took control of the cultivators in the Tianren Tower, he assigned them to the auction venue, gradually infecting the disciples of the Qingyue Sect.
In this way, those working for Ye Ling in Tiancheng City were mostly infected by the dark power, and their strength soared!
However, to avoid alerting the enemy, Ye Ling did not let those people release their dark aura. Instead, he had them conceal their changes to the best of their ability, allowing Patriarch Yuelun to investigate on his own.
Only by letting Patriarch Yuelun discover it himself would Ye Ling's identity as the Eighth Star Pillar be solidified.
Ye Ling stood at the top of the Tianren Tower, observing the changes in the city. After confirming that the Qingyue Sect and the Tianren City army had been infected by his dark power, he transmitted a message to Bai Ling, "Bai Ling, the auction can begin."
"Yes!"
Bai Ling respectfully replied to Ye Ling and then blew the horn in the center of Tiancheng City!
"Woo—!"
The deafening sound of the horn echoed from the city center, causing the entire Tiancheng City to tremble.
The next moment, a barrier rose around Tiancheng City, blocking all cultivators still outside the city!
"Hey, hey! What's going on? Let us in!"
"I traveled thousands of miles to be here for the auction, why am I being blocked outside the city?"
"Ye Ling, come out! I am the Sect Master of the Tianhu Sect from Qingzhou. Coming here for the auction is giving you face, why are you blocking me outside the city?"
As the barrier around Tiancheng City rose, an uproar erupted both inside and outside the city.
Those outside the city frantically pounded on the barrier, trying to enter Tiancheng City, while those inside the city worried about something happening and wanted to escape.
However, this barrier enveloping Tiancheng City was Ye Ling's rune barrier. No matter how many powerful individuals struck it, the barrier remained undamaged!
Tiancheng City became even more chaotic.
Patriarch Yuelun, inside the city, looked at the barrier surrounding Tiancheng City and frowned slightly, "A rune barrier... It seems my lord's guess was correct... Ye Ling hasn't become the Eighth Star Pillar. The dark power sensed by Balgo should be a simulation using runes..."
Patriarch Yuelun's mind became active, and he began to conceal his aura, preparing to act when the opportunity arose.
Ye Ling saw Patriarch Yuelun concealing his aura, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes. He signaled Bai Ling, who was behind him, to act.
Bai Ling respectfully bowed to Ye Ling and then instantly appeared above Tiancheng City. She addressed the cultivators inside and outside the city, "During the Tiancheng City auction, no entry or exit. Those who dare to cause trouble will be killed without mercy!"
Boom!
Bai Ling's aura erupted, instantly sweeping across the entire city, making countless cultivators gasp for breath.
The bustling city fell into a deathly silence at this moment. All the cultivators looked at Bai Ling in the sky with terror, not even daring to breathe heavily.
Such powerful pressure!
Everyone marveled, deeply realizing the might of the Qingyue Sect Master!
However, amidst their shock, they also remembered Ye Ling in the Tianren Tower, whom even Bai Ling was loyal to...
At this moment, Ye Ling had not yet appeared, but in the minds of the crowd, his image had been infinitely elevated!
Patriarch Yuelun, hidden in the crowd, stared intently at Bai Ling and frowned, "Wasn't Bai Ling only at the Half-step Supreme realm before? How did she suddenly become Supreme? What happened during this time?"
Patriarch Yuelun's curiosity piqued. He carefully observed Bai Ling in the sky and suddenly detected something unusual!
"Not right!"
Patriarch Yuelun, as if he had discovered a secret, was ecstatic, "Although Bai Ling is trying her best to hide it, she cannot escape my discerning eyes!"
"She is controlled by the second personality!"