"You lost." Lin Tianhao said calmly. He did not kill the Demon Emperor but chose to seal him instead.

With the Demon Emperor sealed, Ayush Lake returned to its former tranquility. Holding the Ayush Pearl in his hand, Lin Tianhao stood by the lakeside and took a deep breath of fresh air. "It's finally over," he murmured to himself, his heart filled with joy and a sense of accomplishment.

Meanwhile, Gu Sheng and Yan Ruyu, who had been watching the battle from afar, also let out a sigh of relief. Gu Sheng smiled and said, "Looks like we don't have to worry anymore. Lin Tianhao truly is a remarkable individual."

"Indeed," Yan Ruyu nodded. "Not only is he extraordinarily powerful, but he also has a rare compassionate heart. Choosing to seal rather than kill—that is the way of a true strongman."

Having said that, Yan Ruyu put away the Illusion Spirit Mirror and prepared to leave. However, it was at this moment that a sudden and violent surge of energy emanated from the direction of the Western Regions.

"That's… Ayush Lake's direction?" Gu Sheng furrowed his brows, gazing into the distance.

Yan Ruyu also felt the abnormal aura. She swiftly took out the Illusion Spirit Mirror once again, and within it appeared the scenery of the Western Regions: the once calm lake was now surging with waves, the sky thick with dark clouds, streaked by lightning and shrouded by thunder.

"This is bad! The Demon Emperor has broken free!" Yan Ruyu exclaimed.

In the mirror, the sealed Demon Emperor suddenly broke the constraints, transforming into a humanoid shadow floating mid-air. His gaze, cold and sinister, swept over Ayush Lake below before finally locking onto Lin Tianhao standing at the lakeside.

"Boy, do you really think you can seal me?" The Demon Emperor sneered. "Now, I'll show you what true power looks like!"

With that, he transformed into a black streak of light, charging directly at Lin Tianhao. Sensing the crisis, Lin Tianhao raised his head, a flash of determination crossing his eyes.

"If I can seal you once, I can seal you a second time!" Lin Tianhao shouted, his figure flickering as he rushed forward to confront him.

The two collided mid-air, erupting into a fierce fight. Although the Demon Emperor was but a shadow, his strength was no less than it had been in his prime. Lin Tianhao, on the other hand, relied on the power of the Ayush Pearl to meet the challenge.

As time passed, the battle grew increasingly intense. Though Lin Tianhao's bravery was unparalleled, against an ancient monster like the Demon Emperor, his inexperience gradually showed. Slowly, he began losing ground, his body accumulating more and more wounds.

And then, a sudden change occurred! The Demon Emperor's shadow flickered for a moment before diving straight into Lin Tianhao's body!

"Ah—!" Lin Tianhao screamed in agony, his figure plummeting from mid-air, crashing heavily onto the ground.

"Hahaha! It worked! I can finally be reborn!" The Demon Emperor's voice emerged from Lin Tianhao's body, filled with uncontrollable joy and arrogance.

But just at that moment, another unforeseen event took place! Lin Tianhao's body suddenly erupted with a brilliant light, as though a mysterious power was awakening within him. His body began trembling violently, appearing to undergo some kind of metamorphosis.

"What is this?!" The Demon Emperor cried out. He felt his own soul being devoured by an overwhelming force!

"No! I refuse to accept this!" The Demon Emperor roared in rage, attempting to break free, but it was futile. His soul was ultimately consumed completely, merging into Lin Tianhao's body.

As the Demon Emperor's essence assimilated, Lin Tianhao's aura underwent a drastic transformation. Slowly, he opened his eyes, an imposing energy radiating from him, capable of shaking the heavens and the earth!

"Is this the power of fusion?" Lin Tianhao whispered to himself, feeling as though he had been reborn. Not only had his wounds healed completely, but his strength had increased exponentially!

The skies above Ayush Lake had returned to serenity, but traces of battle lingered in the atmosphere. Lin Tianhao stood quietly in the air above the lake, as though he was now the center of this world.

His transformation did not only alarm the powerful figures of the Western Regions but drew the attention of all of Xiwu. Countless gazes converged on the skies above Ayush Lake, shocked by the sudden and unimaginable developments.

Gu Sheng and Yan Ruyu also witnessed everything through the Illusion Spirit Mirror. "What… what just happened?" Gu Sheng asked, stupefied.

"Lin Tianhao and the Demon Emperor's souls merged," Yan Ruyu replied after taking a deep breath. "The Lin Tianhao you knew is no longer the same."

True to Yan Ruyu's words, Lin Tianhao now seemed like an entirely different person. His presence was even more commanding, his gaze carrying a profoundness and authority he hadn't possessed before. Slowly, he raised his head, looking toward the heavens as if conversing with the cosmos.

Suddenly, he extended his hand, summoning the power of the stars. The stars in the sky began twinkling, resonating as though responding to him. A mighty energy surged out from his palm, piercing straight into the clouds!

"Boom—" With this surge of power, the entire sky transformed! Thunder erupted, winds roared, and the heavens seemed to collapse like the onset of an apocalypse. People watched in fear and awe, uncertain of what would come next.

Yet Lin Tianhao remained calm, as if everything was under his control. Slowly, he withdrew his hand, and the celestial anomalies dissipated, leaving Ayush Lake in its usual tranquil state once more.

But everyone knew the calm harbor beneath the lake now concealed an unimaginable power. They stared at Lin Tianhao with reverence and awe. This young man had surpassed their wildest imaginations, transforming into a true legend!

From afar, Gu Sheng and Yan Ruyu also witnessed the climactic scene. Sharing a knowing smile, they realized the battle had concluded. Lin Tianhao had resolved the ordeal in his own way and emerged with newfound strength. They rejoiced at Lin Tianhao's victory, while also looking forward to the future with hope and anticipation.

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