In the distant reaches of the domain universe, on the far side of the Eastern Profound Galaxy.
A colossal black shell enveloped the Eastern Profound Continent, rendering everything within it pitch black and invisible.
Outside the black shell, a shattered planet drifted aimlessly through space.
At the edge of this broken planet, the young girl who had previously ambushed Ye Ling was meticulously inscribing a peculiar formation, seemingly intending to enter the black shell's interior with its aid.
Ye Ling, with the World-Destroying Spirit Fire, instantly teleported to this shattered planet, coincidentally spotting the girl at its edge.
Upon seeing the Eastern Profound Continent shrouded by the black shell, the World-Destroying Spirit Fire almost blurted out, "Whose domain is this?"
Ye Ling frowned and asked the World-Destroying Spirit Fire, "Is that black shell covering the Eastern Profound Continent a domain?"
The World-Destroying Spirit Fire replied, "There's no doubt about it. My mastery of domains is far superior to yours, young man. I can tell it's a domain at a glance. However, this type of domain is an independent one that can detach from its user. Once deployed, it functions as a barrier. Even if the domain owner is not nearby, this domain can still operate."
Listening to the World-Destroying Spirit Fire, Ye Ling carefully re-examined the black shell enshrouding the Eastern Profound Continent and continued to ask, "Can you discern the specific effects of this domain?"
The World-Destroying Spirit Fire responded, "From a rough assessment, this domain appears to have the effect of freezing time. To be precise, I would need to get closer and truly feel the domain's power before I can make a judgment. However, before that, young man, you should go and check on that girl. She seems to be inscribing some sort of formation. Why don't you go and see?"
Ye Ling looked at the girl at the edge of the shattered planet and nodded, "Very well. She likely possesses more information than I do. It wouldn't be too late to gather some information from her before entering the Eastern Profound Continent."
With that, Ye Ling landed behind the girl and walked towards her.
The girl, who had been diligently inscribing the formation, suddenly heard footsteps behind her. Like a startled kitten, she immediately turned and shouted, "Who?"
When she saw that it was Ye Ling, her expression changed drastically. "It's you?"
Seeing the girl's reaction as if she had seen a ghost, Ye Ling couldn't help but smile wryly. "Don't be scared, little girl. I mean no harm."
The girl, however, took two steps back, her expression turning cold. "I have nothing to say to you! Stay away from me!"
Ye Ling understood the girl's hostility towards him and was not surprised by her current attitude. He continued, "Perhaps there's a misunderstanding between us, but if you're willing to cooperate with me, I can help you return to the Eastern Profound Continent."
"You can return to the Eastern Profound Continent?" The girl looked at Ye Ling with suspicion, her eyes full of doubt.
Ye Ling said, "It's not boasting, but I can come and go freely anywhere in this domain universe. Breaking through the black shell surrounding the Eastern Profound Continent and entering its interior is as simple as lifting a hand. You are from the Eastern Profound, girl. Surely you've heard of my reputation?"
Hearing Ye Ling's words, the girl fell silent.
Indeed, before Ye Ling had left the Eastern Profound Continent, he was already the unparalleled number one person in its history, so powerful that the second to tenth strongest combined could not defeat him!
Ye Ling was akin to a supreme being on the Eastern Profound Continent, which also granted the Eastern Profound Demonic Palace an extraordinary status, unshakeable by any other force.
Although the girl had gained considerable strength during her time away from the Eastern Profound Continent, in her heart, Emperor Ye Ling remained the foremost figure.
Her previous assassination attempt on Ye Ling had required immense courage.
Now that Ye Ling claimed he could bring her back to the Eastern Profound Continent, she believed him by eighty percent.
In an instant, the girl was tempted and had to ask her "enemy," "What do you want?"
Ye Ling smiled slightly and said, "It's very simple. Tell me how you were sealed into that black hole, and how you knew I would be there?"
"That's all?" The girl was taken aback. She had expected Ye Ling to make some outrageous demand, but she never anticipated such an insignificant question.
The girl didn't consider it a secret. She immediately replied, "When your Demonic Palace massacred my village, my mother hid me in the cellar, and then I was sucked into a wormhole and imprisoned in that black hole."
"Inside that black hole, there was a mysterious cultivator. He told me all the evil deeds the Demonic Palace had committed on the Eastern Profound Continent. Afterward, he left me a large collection of cultivation techniques to practice, with instructions to assassinate you once you arrived."
Hearing the girl's words, Ye Ling was astonished. "So, from beginning to end, you never personally witnessed the evil deeds of my Demonic Palace, and it was all fabricated by that mysterious cultivator?"
The girl retorted, "Nonsense! I clearly remember my village being massacred by your Demonic Palace!"
Ye Ling was quite speechless. "Girl, even when I was still on the Eastern Profound Continent, many people in the thirteen prefectures of the Eastern Profound were already using my Demonic Palace's name to swindle others. You can't simply conclude that our Demonic Palace is utterly wicked based on the actions of a few individuals wearing our uniforms."
"Furthermore, my Demonic Palace has done a great deal for the development of the Eastern Profound Continent. The thirteen prefectures were plagued by constant warfare. If my Demonic Palace hadn't emerged and suppressed the thirteen prefectures, the Eastern Profound Continent would likely still be in chaos today. And you, based on a cultivator of unknown origin, truly believe our Demonic Palace is the culprit?"
"I..." After Ye Ling's speech, the girl suddenly found herself at a loss for words, unsure how to refute him.
Indeed, she had been blinded by anger and consumed by hatred, easily believing someone of unknown origin and regarding the Demonic Palace as an enemy... Now that she thought about it carefully, the Demonic Palace had always enjoyed a good reputation on the Eastern Profound Continent.
The sudden widespread conquests and massacres by the Demonic Palace were indeed questionable.
However, although the girl's resolve wavered, she remained wary of Ye Ling. She continued, "Even if you say those things weren't done by the Demonic Palace, you have no proof, right? Hearsay is not enough; I don't believe you!"
Ye Ling replied, "That's why I've returned this time to investigate this matter. If we cooperate temporarily, we can uncover the truth more quickly."
"Rest assured, if those actions were indeed committed by my Demonic Palace, I will show no leniency!"
Seeing that Ye Ling had gone this far, the girl became even more conflicted.
To be honest, she was merely a village girl on the Eastern Profound Continent, while Ye Ling was the exalted number one figure. To Ye Ling, she was like an ant that could be crushed at any moment. Now that Ye Ling was deigning to speak with her, she felt somewhat intimidated.
If Ye Ling were truly a villain, there would be no need for him to go to such lengths to deceive her; he could have simply crushed her.
Seeing the girl's wavering resolve, Ye Ling immediately intensified his efforts, extending his hand to her. "If you agree to cooperate with me, shake my hand. We will be allies from now on, working together to uncover the truth of the Eastern Profound Continent."
"I have mastered the Great Dao of Reincarnation. If we can truly resolve the calamities that have befallen the Eastern Profound Continent, reviving your loved ones will be within my grasp."
Seeing the esteemed Eastern Profound Emperor extending his hand for a handshake, the girl became even more flustered, backing away repeatedly. "I, I..."
The World-Destroying Spirit Fire grumbled, "Are you not ashamed, you brat? This girl's mind is only sixteen or seventeen years old, and you've lived for so long? You can still trick her like this? The Heavenly Dao of the Eastern Profound is gone, what are you going to use to revive that girl's family?"
Ye Ling replied, "There's no other way. The Eastern Profound Continent is shrouded in mysteries, and this girl is the only piece of information we currently have. We must hold onto her tightly. As for revival, we can find another way later."
The World-Destroying Spirit Fire said, "Just make excuses. I think your methods of deceiving young girls are becoming increasingly sophisticated. You'll have a lot to answer for in the future!"
Ye Ling merely smiled at the World-Destroying Spirit Fire's words, looked directly into the girl's eyes, and smiled, "Cooperate?"
Facing Ye Ling's clear and profound gaze, the girl's mind was still somewhat dazed. Although she didn't fully trust Ye Ling, the thought of her family being revived made her involuntarily excited.
Finally, the girl chose to shake Ye Ling's hand. "I, I'll cooperate..."
Ye Ling's smile widened, and he asked, "Can you tell me your name?"
"My name is Dong Gua."
"Dong Gua?"
Upon hearing the girl's name, Ye Ling's smile froze instantly, and he looked at the girl in disbelief.
This Dong Gua...
Was the nickname he had given to the Heavenly Dao of the Eastern Profound Continent!
Could it be such a coincidence?