"Ah!"
Just as Yang Xiao was pondering the identity of his parents, the restrained Nangong Tianling began to struggle even more fiercely.
But the more she struggled, the tighter the Time Lock Chains squeezed.
These Time Lock Chains were a tool left behind by an Eraless Divine King. How could she possibly break free from them?
Forget a newly-ascended True God like her.
Even ordinary Divine Kings would be at his mercy here.
However, this woman had been sent by his mother, and she was the only person who could tell Yang Xiao about his own origins.
If he allowed her to keep struggling, she might very well be strangled to death.
After all, having fallen into a demonic state, Nangong Tianling had lost all normal reasoning, driven only by her Demon Thought. Unlike a normal person who would stop when feeling pain, her Demon Thought would only cause her to resist even more fiercely.
In that case, unless Yang Xiao actively let her go, her death was certain.
Did Yang Xiao want her to die?
Before he knew her origins, he might have.
Especially after the vision shown by the Thousand Mechanism Eye; even if it hadn't come to pass, Yang Xiao would never let such a dangerous person live.
But now... he knew she was connected to his mother. It seemed she had come here searching for him, and she had even fallen into this demonic state because of him.
For a moment, Yang Xiao really couldn't bring himself to be ruthless.
In that case, he had no choice but to help her.
"Hey, what is it with you? One minute you're excitedly telling me I'm your lady's child, the next you're screaming to kill me. What is it you really want?"
And so, Yang Xiao's voice rang out directly in the void.
"I..."
Nangong Tianling was suddenly stunned.
Although she had fallen into a demonic state, after being subduedâespecially after being embraced and then bound by Yang Xiaoâthe Demon Barrier in her heart had already begun to waver.
This was a critical momentâher old obsession had not yet faded, and a new one had not yet formed. Yang Xiao's question immediately made her begin to think subconsciously.
Slowly, she came to a realization.
"You are my lady's child, but your strength and aptitude are too weak! Rather than let you live a mediocre life in this world, it would be better for me to kill you and then atone with my own life. That way, my lady won't have a stain like you in this world!"
Nangong Tianling's obsession had returned.
Her eyes turned blood-red.
Seeing this, the corners of Yang Xiao's mouth lifted into a smile.
'Heh, you think I can't handle you?'
Of course he knew why this woman had fallen into a demonic state and tried to kill him.
It was simply because her expectations for him were too high; upon discovering he was 'useless,' her disappointment was so great that, combined with her unstable True God Realm and an unsettled Heart Lake, it allowed the Demon Barrier to invade her body.
However, as long as he could undo this obsession and guide her back to the right path, the effects of her demonic state would be greatly weakened, or even disappear entirely.
'It's a good thing you ran into me. Otherwise, you would've been trapped here for the rest of your life.'
Yang Xiao felt a little smug.
Pulling someone out of a demonic state was no ordinary feat, but right now, he was doing just that.
So, he gave a theatrical cough.
It drew Nangong Tianling's attention.
Yang Xiao continued along her line of thought, "You say my aptitude is poor? My strength is weak? Then why have you, a mighty True God, been captured by me?"
"Hmm? Yes, why is that?"
Nangong Tianling froze.
A hint of contemplation appeared in her crimson eyes.
Yang Xiao struck while the iron was hot. "It's because of my fortune. Do you know what this place is?"
"Fortune? What is this place?"
Seeing that the woman's train of thought was now completely following his lead, Yang Xiao became even more pleased with himself.
"This is the Northern Wilderness Sword Mansion, the Land of Inheritance of the Northern Wilderness Divine King, an Eraless Divine King from the Middle Ages. And I am his Inheritor, do you understand? Forget a newly-ascended True God like you; even ordinary Divine King Level experts have to obey me here. Tell me, if this isn't fortune, what is?"
"And with fortune, even the most mediocre person can soar to the heavens. Take Ancient Emperor Xuanyuan. If he hadn't received the Sword Dao teachings from the Flame Emperor's son, could he have become the Sword Emperor, one of the Five Human Emperors? And what about Candle Wasteland from the Ancient Era? He was just a little snake with a diluted bloodline, but because fortune was on his side, he ultimately became the master of the Ancient Demon Race, the King of Ten Thousand Demons. It's said one of his eyes was the sun and the other the moon; his breath created the four seasons, and he mastered the Dao of seasonal change."
"Isn't all of this due to fortune?"
"So, having no aptitude isn't a problem. Having fortune is what truly matters."
"Speaking of aptitude, would you consider the Holy Spirit Body to be a peerless talent?"
Under this barrage of questions from Yang Xiao, Nangong Tianling was already wavering.
But deep down, she was still unconvinced.
After all, whether it was Xuanyuan or Candle Wastelandâthe master of the Ancient Demon Race whom the world called the terrifying Great Emperor Zhulongâthey had both risen from humble beginnings, but they were still far superior to her lady's child.
Besides, the concept of fortune was, in the end, too vague and ethereal.
However, Yang Xiao's last mention of the Holy Spirit Body struck the most crucial chord within her.
Her eyes instantly cleared. "The Holy Spirit Body is, of course, one of the most supreme physiques in the world. Could it be that you have a Holy Spirit Body?"
"No."
Yang Xiao shook his head.
Disappointment immediately filled Nangong Tianling's heart once again.
But Yang Xiao's next words were what snapped her completely out of her demonic state.
Because Yang Xiao said,
"While I don't have a Holy Spirit Body, a person with a Holy Spirit Body is my maidânow my sworn sister. I also have someone with an Innate Sword Body who follows me. In addition to that, I have a young Pure Blood Divine Beast, a Golden-winged Roc, as my mount. And by using its Essence Blood, I have refined the Golden Roc True Body, one of the Supreme True Bodies!"
"Also, I have obtained the Taoyan God King's Fire God's Heart and refined it into a clone. Now, tell me, why can't I achieve great things?"
Word by word, every person, treasure, and ability he mentioned sent a shock through Nangong Tianling's heart.
Until finally, clarity completely returned to her expression.
When she looked at Yang Xiao again, her gaze was filled with endless gentleness.
"You're right. Even without aptitude, one can achieve great things with immense fortune on their side. You are truly my lady's child. With just a few words, you managed to free me from my demonic state. With skills like these, who would dare call you incompetent?"
After Nangong Tianling finished speaking, she suddenly began to struggle again.
But seeing the clarity in her eyes, Yang Xiao willed it, and the Time Lock Chains loosened and spread apart.
They did not disappear completely, however.
Nangong Tianling was free.
She glanced at Yang Xiao.
The glance seemed to pierce right through him, making Yang Xiao's heart clench. 'This woman isn't going to go crazy again, is she?'
But the thought had barely formed when he saw Nangong Tianling suddenly drop to one knee before him, declaring respectfully, "This humble servant, Nangong Tianling, greets the Young Master!"