Ye Ling said, "The state of that Moon Wheel Saintess just now was actually similar to mine. Her original consciousness was asleep, and her actions were manipulated by dark power."
"She wanted your reincarnation information, probably to erode your consciousness from the source and eventually control you."
After hearing Ye Ling's explanation, Bai Ling's panic intensified. She couldn't help but ask, "What should we do now? What will happen to me after being eroded by dark power?"
Ye Ling shook his head, "I'm not sure what will happen, but fortunately, your cultivation is not strong. Even if the Seven Star Pillars want to erode you, they probably won't expend too much power on you. Stay by my side, and I can help you suppress the dark power. You won't lose control."
Bai Ling asked again, "Since the power isn't strong, can you help me eradicate this hidden danger?"
Ye Ling shook his head, "No. Your reincarnation information is in someone else's hands. Even if I help you eradicate the dark power within you, new power will continuously erode your body. It's meaningless."
Hearing Ye Ling's answer, despair surfaced in Bai Ling's eyes. She said in a low voice, "That's true... Even someone as strong as you suffers from dark power. How can I hope to eradicate that ominous force?"
"It's all over now..."
Seeing Bai Ling's despair, Ye Ling sighed with some guilt.
After all, Bai Ling's current predicament was not unrelated to his sudden loss of control.
There was nothing more to say. Ye Ling could only comfort her, "Don't be too desperate. Even if you are eroded by dark power, as long as you maintain your original heart, you won't be replaced by the dark power. The situation is already like this, and complaining is useless. Look forward."
"Okay..." Bai Ling took a deep breath and then nodded, "You're right. It's happened, and I can't change anything. I should look forward."
"But Ye Ling, you said you would help me suppress the dark power. Don't go back on your word!"
Ye Ling nodded and smiled, "Don't worry. With me here, even if you lose control, you won't cause much trouble."
Bai Ling asked again, "Then what if you are also controlled by dark power when I lose control? You are much more dangerous than me!"
Ye Ling spread his hands, "Then it's game over. After all, I can't completely suppress the power within me right now."
Bai Ling: "..."
Hearing Ye Ling's answer, Bai Ling was quite speechless.
After experiencing these events, she finally understood why Ye Ling had to stay away from A Yu.
Being eroded by dark power was too dangerous, forcing him to leave.
This way, even if he couldn't suppress the dark power and lost control, he wouldn't harm those around him.
Thinking of this, Bai Ling sighed slightly and said to Ye Ling, "It seems I can't stay in the Qing Yue Sect anymore. I probably can't fulfill my promise to protect A Yu."
Ye Ling said, "It's alright, I'll think of another way. And don't worry too much. This time, the dark power within me went berserk because something at the bottom of the Heavenly Nether Prison agitated my power. I was careless, and that power escaped."
"Normally, the dark power within me doesn't cause any trouble."
Although Ye Ling said this, Bai Ling rolled her eyes, not believing him at all. "Why don't I believe you? I've seen you lose control twice today."
"Those were accidents." Ye Ling coughed awkwardly and quickly changed the subject, "Go investigate the bottom of the Heavenly Nether Prison first. See if you can find any clues and locate your Qing Yue Sect elder."
Seeing Ye Ling changing the subject, Bai Ling chuckled and said, "That's right, we still have important matters. Shall I search? Do you need help?"
Ye Ling said, "I have some things to confirm."
Bai Ling replied, "Alright, then we'll each go about our business."
With that, Bai Ling ran to the other end of the Heavenly Nether Prison and began to search carefully, trying to find any clues to continue her investigation.
As for Ye Ling, after seeing Bai Ling go to investigate the disappearance of her elder, he turned around and looked behind him, tore open space, and walked into the completely collapsed subspace, letting the spatial storm rage upon him.
"This place, even if it goes berserk, shouldn't cause too much trouble..."
Ye Ling glanced at the surrounding shattered space, constructed several layers of rune barriers around him, and then sat down on the spot, entering the consciousness space deep within his soul.
This time, Ye Ling was controlled by dark power and his consciousness fell into a deep sleep, but it wasn't without gain.
During his slumber, he vaguely sensed that besides himself, there were two other consciousnesses in his soul.
Logically, if he were eroded by dark power, there should only be one additional dark consciousness in his soul. But now, there was another one.
And this extra consciousness... made Ye Ling have to guess if it was the World Annihilating Spirit Fire!
Although the World Annihilating Spirit Fire had self-destructed at the time, it didn't mean it had completely vanished!
Ye Ling didn't believe that old fox who cherished his life would sacrifice himself to save others.
...
Ye Ling's consciousness space.
Everything was chaotic, and nothing could be seen.
Ye Ling roamed his consciousness space, while the dark power began to erode Ye Ling's body again as his consciousness entered the consciousness space.
A large amount of dark power emanated from Ye Ling's body, eroding the shattered subspace and spreading towards the Heavenly Nether Prison.
However, perhaps it was because Ye Ling had voluntarily entered a dormant state, the dark power did not control Ye Ling's body, but naturally spread outwards.
Ye Ling was unaware of the changes happening to his body and the outside world. He roamed his consciousness space, searching for a long time, but found nothing.
"Could this just be my illusion? Did the World Annihilating Spirit Fire really vanish?"
Finding nothing, Ye Ling's mood became heavy.
Although he didn't want to accept this reality, based on the current situation, the World Annihilating Spirit Fire had likely not survived.
However, just as Ye Ling was about to give up, he suddenly noticed a ray of golden light shining ahead.
He looked up and saw a golden long staircase, stretching as far as the eye could see, appearing before him!
"Soul Suppressing Stairway!"
Seeing the Soul Suppressing Stairway suddenly appear in his consciousness space, Ye Ling's heart was filled with immense shock. He immediately flew towards it.
Ever since he broke through to the逍遥仙 (Xiaoyao Xian) realm by relying on the Soul Suppressing Stairway, he had been unable to summon it again.
Now that the Soul Suppressing Stairway had appeared, it was a great opportunity for Ye Ling!
With the Soul Suppressing Stairway, Ye Ling even had the confidence to completely eradicate the dark power that was eroding his body!
However, as Ye Ling approached the Soul Suppressing Stairway and saw its close-up appearance, he was completely stunned.
The Soul Suppressing Stairway was already stained with black spots, emitting an incredibly evil aura.
Ye Ling stared blankly at the golden long staircase before him and said in disbelief, "The Soul Suppressing Stairway... has also been eroded by dark power?"