"What is going on?"
Gui Que's expression changed drastically as Ye Ling suddenly unleashed power far beyond his own. A trace of fear flickered in his eyes.
Before Gui Que could react, he saw the black flames surrounding Ye Ling leave his body and form a shadowy figure in the void!
"That, that is..."
Gui Que's fear intensified as he gazed at the figure condensed from black flames, as if he had seen something terrifying. His body trembled violently!
"How is this possible..."
Gui Que's voice trembled, and he was completely consumed by fear!
The shadowy figure glanced indifferently at Gui Que, then instantly appeared before him, grabbing Gui Que by the neck with one hand and lifting him up.
Gui Que stared intently at the figure and stammered, "Impossible... How could it be you?"
The figure formed from black flames looked at Gui Que impassively, uttering no words, as its fingers tightened slightly.
"Ahhhhhh!"
Gui Que cried out in pain again, and all his soul power was absorbed by the figure condensed from black flames!
The next moment, Gui Que's aura completely vanished. Only Ye Ling and the figure formed from black flames remained in the Time Ruins.
After absorbing Gui Que, the figure glanced back at Ye Ling, extended its five fingers towards Ye Ling, and began to absorb the power within Ye Ling's body.
In less than half a second, all the power the World-Ending Spirit Flame had given Ye Ling was absorbed by the figure, and Ye Ling returned to the Emperor Ancestor realm.
After absorbing Ye Ling's power, the figure began to grow muscle and skin again, eventually transforming into someone identical to Ye Ling.
Even their soul aura was the same as Ye Ling's!
The only difference was that the fake Ye Ling's strength was far greater than the real Ye Ling's!
Ye Ling regained his senses and saw a person who looked exactly like him not far away. A hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes as he asked, "Are you... the World-Ending Spirit Flame?"
The World-Ending Spirit Flame looked at Ye Ling indifferently, slowly condensing a golden long sword in its hand.
Sensing the genuine killing intent in the World-Ending Spirit Flame's eyes, Ye Ling's scalp tingled, and his hair stood on end!
Such potent killing intent!
The pressure Ye Ling felt facing the World-Ending Spirit Flame was even greater than facing Gui Que's residual soul!
"Wait, wait!"
Ye Ling tried to stop the World-Ending Spirit Flame, but it seemed to hear nothing. It instantly appeared before Ye Ling and swung its sword down!
The sword light flashed past. Ye Ling didn't even have time to react before his left arm, along with his soul, was severed!
Black flames burned at the wound on Ye Ling's left arm, preventing him from healing and causing him pain a thousand times greater than a normal severed limb!
"You, you bastard..." Ye Ling stared intently at the World-Ending Spirit Flame, not even considering counter-attacking, and began to retreat frantically.
When the World-Ending Spirit Flame made its first move, Ye Ling realized he was no match for it at all!
If the World-Ending Spirit Flame had aimed for a vital spot, Ye Ling would have been instantly killed!
As Ye Ling retreated, clutching his wound, the World-Ending Spirit Flame reappeared behind him, and another sword light flashed!
Ye Ling was cut in half at the waist!
"Ahhhhhh!"
The intense pain made Ye Ling cry out involuntarily.
His shrill screams echoed in the Time Ruins!
However, Ye Ling wasn't just wailing. While using his cries to alleviate the pain, he once again fled into the distance.
Too strong...
The oppressive power displayed by the World-Ending Spirit Flame was something Ye Ling had never experienced before!
In the past, no matter how strong his enemies were, Ye Ling could always see a glimmer of hope. But this time was different...
Ye Ling could clearly feel the vast gap between himself and the World-Ending Spirit Flame!
Even if he used all his trump cards, he wouldn't be able to harm the World-Ending Spirit Flame in the slightest!
He could only escape!
Ye Ling dragged his severed body and fled through the Time Ruins. However, before he could escape a hundred meters, the World-Ending Spirit Flame appeared before him again, pressing the tip of its sword against his forehead!
Ye Ling stopped. He looked at the indifferent World-Ending Spirit Flame and forced a strained smile, saying, "I didn't expect... my own cold demeanor to look quite handsome..."
World-Ending Spirit Flame: "..."
There was no response. Black flames erupted from the World-Ending Spirit Flame's palm, coiling around the golden long sword.
"Die."
The World-Ending Spirit Flame uttered a single word, its eyes filled with killing intent!
Ye Ling knew he had nowhere to run, so he completely gave up resisting and closed his eyes, saying, "Speaking of which, I am content to die by your hand. Thank you for accompanying me during this brief time..."
Ye Ling spoke his true feelings, awaiting the arrival of death.
Everyone's life eventually ends, and Ye Ling had always lived a life on the edge. He was willing to protect the Inner Universe and had long prepared himself for sacrifice.
He was somewhat satisfied to die by the hand of the World-Ending Spirit Flame now.
At least the World-Ending Spirit Flame had promised not to harm the Inner Universe.
As for the future of the beings in the Inner Universe, it was time to hand it over to the next guardian...
However, as Ye Ling awaited death, the expected pain did not come.
"Hmm?"
Not feeling death, Ye Ling was puzzled. He slowly opened his eyes and saw the World-Ending Spirit Flame holding its sword in one hand and grabbing its own sword-wielding hand with the other, seemingly struggling.
A trace of clarity returned to the World-Ending Spirit Flame's eyes.
"Quick, quick, escape..."
The World-Ending Spirit Flame spoke with difficulty, trying to suppress its innate instinct for slaughter. "I can't suppress my nature for too long. If you don't want to die, you bastard, get out of the Time Ruins immediately!"
"World-Ending Spirit Flame, you still have consciousness?"
Seeing that the World-Ending Spirit Flame could regain consciousness, Ye Ling's eyes flashed with joy, and he asked in surprise.
The World-Ending Spirit Flame gritted its teeth. "Stop the nonsense! Leave quickly! Otherwise, I'll really kill you!"
Ye Ling, however, said, "Since you can regain consciousness, it means there's still a possibility for you to completely suppress your instincts. How can I help you?"
"Help with what! If you don't want to die, get out!" the World-Ending Spirit Flame roared. "From now on, we go our separate ways. You guard your Inner Universe, and I'll go to the ends of the earth!"
"If you don't leave, then I will!"
Saying this, the World-Ending Spirit Flame retracted all the black flames that had been burning Ye Ling. At the same time, it used its remaining consciousness to help Ye Ling heal his injuries.
After doing all this, the World-Ending Spirit Flame, still holding its sword-wielding hand, tore open the Time Ruins and fled towards the Outer Universe!
"World-Ending Spirit Flame!"
Seeing the World-Ending Spirit Flame leave, Ye Ling exclaimed, his eyes turning red!
"Damn it!!!"
Watching the slowly healing spatial rift, Ye Ling's body trembled, and he gritted his teeth.
He knew that the World-Ending Spirit Flame's momentary consciousness was all it had. It was likely that the moment it escaped into the Outer Universe, it would have completely lost its reason!
Ye Ling wanted to save the World-Ending Spirit Flame... but he also knew that with his current strength, he was powerless!
"I can only... give up..." Ye Ling's hands trembled slightly, filled with unwillingness.
A crystal tear rolled down Ye Ling's cheek.
He recalled his past experiences with the World-Ending Spirit Flame and truly felt the loss of a dear friend.
He couldn't breathe!
In the dark void, only Ye Ling's solitary figure remained.
"No... I refuse!"
Suddenly, Ye Ling's eyes became resolute...
His fists clenched!