"Once you understand, go find it. I’ll be waiting here for you. Once you find the items, come and see me."

Naturally, Elder Heiye Wuliang couldn’t just keep wandering around aimlessly with Ling Xiao.

"Thank you, Grand Elder!"

After bidding farewell to Elder Heiye Wuliang, Ling Xiao proceeded to the medicinal materials trading area.

This time, aside from purchasing essential medicinal materials for alchemy, he planned to exchange the remaining contribution points entirely for soul treasures.

The Yuan Venerate required a large amount of soul treasures to help him unlock the secrets of the "Dark Sword Immortal Picture."

He believed it was worth it.

This would not only enhance the Yuan Venerate’s soul, enabling his own cultivation to become more powerful, but also help Ling Xiao complete his necessary tasks, making it a win-win situation.

"Master, there’s a Sword Soul Stone! Can you help me acquire it?"

Suddenly, Shen Dian’s voice emanated from the storage ring.

"Sword Soul Stone?"

Ling Xiao noticed that the medicinal materials trading area had a gemstone shaped like a broken sword.

He had heard of the Sword Soul Stone before but never seen it. It’s said that possessing a Sword Soul Stone can enhance the abilities of the Sword Martial Spirit.

It can even make the Sword Spirit more powerful.

Originally, this item was of little use to Ling Xiao, so he curiously asked Shen Dian why she wanted it.

"Master, if I have a Sword Soul Stone, I can not only replenish my soul power but also possibly manifest physically. Although it can’t exist for long, I could potentially help you directly from the Secret Technique Sword in the future."

Shen Dian said excitedly.

Ling Xiao had seen Shen Dian’s appearance before, but it was only through soul power perception in the Secret Technique Sword.

He wondered how breathtaking Shen Dian would be if she truly regained human form.

Seeing Ling Xiao in a daze, Shen Dian thought he was hesitating and added, "Master, if you save Shen Dian, I will remember your kindness for a lifetime."

"It’s a small matter, no need to be so serious. In fact, when you taught me the Explosive Thunder Formula and Magma Storm, you essentially saved my life. If I can’t even get you a Sword Soul Stone, wouldn’t I, Ling Xiao, become an ungrateful person?"

Even though Shen Dian doesn’t often appear, the two secret techniques she taught Ling Xiao allowed him to survive previous trials and defeat adversaries.

This kindness, Ling Xiao would never forget.

"Alright then, let’s ask Elder Heiye Wuliang for it."

Ling Xiao thought for a moment and then left the medicinal materials trading area.

"Are you sure you want this Sword Soul Stone? This thing is extremely expensive."

Elder Heiye Wuliang frowned and said.

"What, can’t the Grand Elder give it to me for free? It’s alright, if contribution points are needed, I can earn them; if Spirit Stones are needed, I can earn those too!"

Ling Xiao replied.

"Do you know that a single Sword Soul Stone requires four billion Low-grade Spirit Stones? Even I can’t gather that much Low-grade Spirit Stones in a short time."

Elder Heiye Wuliang sighed and said, "Moreover, besides paying, you also need to unconditionally help the clan complete three tasks, which are troublesome matters with difficulties beyond your imagination. Can you manage this?"

"I can manage!"

Ling Xiao nodded and said.

Compared to helping Shen Dian, these troubles scarcely mattered to him.

Shen Dian isn’t just a good teacher and friend.

She’s also considered his lifesaver. If he couldn’t even handle this, his previous grand statements would have been mere lip service.

"Think carefully. This Sword Soul Stone is extremely precious for Martial Artists with Sword Martial Spirits, yet it hardly justifies the cost for you."

Elder Heiye Wuliang reminded.

"I’ve already considered it carefully."

Ling Xiao nodded in response.

"Alright, since I promised you, here’s the plan: I’ll cover half of the four billion Low-grade Spirit Stones, and you cover the other half.

As for those three tasks, I’ll help you complete two of them, and you only need to complete one.

I’m confident the sect people will be happy with this; after all, I can tackle more tasks than you can. Are you satisfied with this arrangement?"

Elder Heiye Wuliang asked with a smile.

"Grand Elder, I am truly grateful!"

"Hold on before you thank me. This Sword Soul Stone is, after all, a Supreme Treasure, and there are only three pieces in the entire Inner Hall.

To obtain it, not only do you need the required conditions, but you also need to apply for a spot from the Hall Master.

But rest assured, with me around, the Hall Master will surely give face; just wait for good news from me."

Elder Heiye Wuliang added.

"No problem, I’ll leave it to you, Elder."

Because Elder Heiye Wuliang was the elder brother of Heiye Wuxing, Ling Xiao naturally felt close to him, and now, with this matter resolved, his appreciation for Elder Heiye Wuliang had grown even more.

"Alright, I’ll go find the Hall Master now. If you’re free, head back first; you injured An Feitian, so there are plenty of people likely wanting to bother you. Nowadays, bootlickers certainly aren’t scarce."

With a sigh, Elder Heiye Wuliang turned and left.

Ling Xiao also left with the materials he exchanged.

"Master, the kindness you’ve shown to Shen Dian will always be remembered by me."

Just after stepping out of the Inner Hall’s door, Shen Dian said excitedly.

"Save your thanks until we actually obtain the item."

Ling Xiao chuckled and said, "Besides, you keep calling me Master, and if I can’t even help you with this little matter, wouldn’t I be an incompetent Master?"

Shen Dian felt touched, but some words, when uttered, seemed trivial.

She kept them in her heart, and no matter what happens in the future, she would remember Ling Xiao’s kindness towards her.

Naturally, Ling Xiao didn’t know what was on Shen Dian’s mind as he headed towards the mountain where the Dark Clan resided.

As he reached a deserted forest path at the bottom of the slope, he suddenly stopped.

"There’s quite a bit of trouble today. Did I beat An Feitian or stir up a hornet’s nest? Come on out."

Ling Xiao’s soul power was extremely powerful.

With the presence of the Yuan Venerate and Shen Dian, almost no one could evade his sense.

"Well, well, this kid’s impressive, he actually noticed us!"

As they spoke, eight people emerged from the nearby forest.

These eight people, Ling Xiao recognized, were the ones who had stopped him outside the Inner Hall earlier and then left.

Their arrogant and disrespectful demeanor, Ling Xiao would never forget.

They looked at Ling Xiao with mockery and sarcasm, and anyone could tell they were here to cause trouble.

Among the eight, there was naturally a leader.

Judging by the attire, it seemed he was from the main family of the Dark Clan.

However, Ling Xiao didn’t recognize him.

That person walked out with a grin, looking down at Ling Xiao, and said, "Do you know who I am?"

To speak of this guy, his cultivation level wasn’t bad, just a rank below An Feitian.

With Late Stage cultivation in the First Cycle of Yin-Yang Realm, Third Layer Hell, he was clearly much stronger than the others in terms of aura.

His arrogant demeanor was also a notch higher.

"I don’t know."

Ling Xiao replied indifferently.

"You don’t even know Young Master Fei Ren? Truly a frog in a well! He’s Young Master Feitian’s brother!"

Someone beside him pointed at Ling Xiao’s face and shouted.