C125 The Sword Soul's Advice

Yu Yuan sensed that the soul which had whisked Yuefei away was decidedly more formidable than the golden skeleton.

It posed a greater challenge than the Seventh Level dragon spirit, proving more thorny and troublesome to contend with.

This peculiar entity had managed to stir from its slumber and break free from the ancient array's suppression, sending a clear, defiant challenge his way.

As the sword-wielding enforcer guarding this sacred ground, it was Yu Yuan's duty to address the threat.

His sword soul was his utmost support!

He needed the sword soul to grasp the essence of this realm, to uncover its deeper mysteries, and to truly engage with the enigmatic, grand ancient array. This would ensure that the audacious soul that dared to provoke him would face its deserved consequences.

With this resolve, the sword light in his arm bones blazed with an intense heat.

His arms glowed red as if they were boiled shrimp.

Communicating through his Heavenly Soul, Yu Yuan quickly detected a restless and discontented presence within the sword soul.

This presence was unmistakably aimed at the soul that had abducted Yuefei.

Clearly, the sword soul had become aware of the silver-white robe's appearance in this space and understood the unfolding events.

Yet...

The sword light, after flaring with heat, began to cool and ceased its emanation.

Faint strands of thought, perceptible only to Yu Yuan's Heavenly Soul, silently emerged from the sword soul within his arm.

These thoughts from the sword soul were hazy and imprecise, as if cautioning Yu Yuan, advising him to stay his hand.

The sword soul knew his physical state well and had a profound insight into the formidable soul that had partially escaped its bonds upon awakening.

It counseled patience, warning against rash action and advising against immediately venturing into the territory of the powerful soul.

The sword soul urged him to bide his time and further fortify his own strength.

"So, am I currently not powerful enough to vanquish that formidable soul?"

Yu Yuan's understanding deepened. "Am I too feeble at the moment, while he is at the peak of his power? I need more time to enhance my strength, to further refine my Heavenly Soul. Only then can I harness this world's power and its array of restrictions more effectively. And only then can your power be better channeled."

The sword soul responded again, albeit vaguely, affirming his speculation.

"Uh..."

Yu Yuan, momentarily unable to pursue his vengeance, stood rooted to the spot, engaging once more in silent communion with the sword soul.

He was eager to learn more about the forbidden area, particularly the Fourth Sect.

Yet the sword soul offered no clear response, merely reiterating that he was too weak and ill-equipped to handle much at present. It counseled patience and encouraged him to focus on strengthening himself.

With no other choice, Yu Yuan resigned himself to concentrate on his cultivation as the sword soul had suggested.

The fate of the captured Moon Demon, whether dead or alive, would not disturb his Dao heart.

He stilled his breath and centered his mind.

The Evil Body Refining Skill operated silently, harnessing the area's wild spiritual energy to rend his flesh, causing beads of blood to seep from every pore.

He had begun the process of honing his muscles and blood, marking his advancement into the middle phase of the Spirit Accumulating Stage.

Amidst his roars, he immersed himself in cultivation, using the Elemental Pill and Spirit Stones to recover whenever he was on the brink of death, his body torn asunder.

The Demon Core gifted by Lee Yu, rich with vital energy, had already been assimilated.

He contemplated whether to inquire with others about a pellet similar to the Demon Core, one that could accelerate and benefit his cultivation at the Spirit Accumulating Stage.

He also maintained his rigorous practice of the Soul Forging Technique, turning to it during moments of respite.

Then one day.

Lee Yuchan, leading Lee Yu and Zhao Yafu, arrived in search of him.

The details of their past interactions remained a mystery, as Zhao Yafu incessantly babbled around Lee Yuchan.

Despite his stoic demeanor, Lee Yuchan's expression betrayed not a trace of aversion, only a touch of resignation.

Before departing to see Yuefei, Lee Yuchan had seemed intent on eliminating Zhao Yafu, and had Yu Yuan not intervened, she might well have perished.

Yet now, in such a brief span, Zhao Yafu had grown bold enough to engage the once ruthless and icy woman in endless conversation.

"This girl..."

Yu Yuan couldn't help but chuckle, all the while observing the subtle light in Lee Yuchan's eyes and the almost imperceptible Spiritual Sense that wafted around her like drifting seaweed.

The dispersal of Spiritual Sense is a telltale sign of someone newly initiated into the Yin God Stage, indicating that their mastery over this realm is not yet stable. Otherwise, even the most subtle Spiritual Sense would be drawn into the lower dantian's Niwan Palace.

"Sister Lee, congratulations on your ascension to the Yin God Stage," Yu Yuan said, his smile as radiant as if the recent events had never occurred, his voice warm and sunny. "With your advancement, our forthcoming journey is sure to be much smoother. Honestly, from the moment I met you, I could tell you had a cool exterior but a warm heart—a truly caring elder sister. I..."

"Shut up!" Lee Yuchan cut him off with an icy interjection.

Yu Yuan's recent display of cold-blooded ruthlessness, his callous disregard for life, still sent shivers down her spine.

He was nothing but a bloodthirsty butcher, yet now he had the audacity to play the innocent lamb before her. Yu Yuan's shamelessness was enough to make her skin crawl!

Internally fuming, Lee Yuchan then demanded, "Why didn't you come back for us? Weren't you worried that I might have killed Zhao Yutong after you left?"

Zhao Yafu's light laughter broke through, her voice sweet, "Sister wouldn't do that."

"I wasn't talking to you!" Lee Yuchan shot her a stern look.

Zhao Yafu playfully stuck out her tongue and fell silent.

"I trust you to honor your word—if you didn't strike at the start, you wouldn't later on," Yu Yuan said, his demeanor unflappable as he turned to Lee Yuchan. "How is the soul sacrifice ball?"

"It has progressed," Lee Yuchan replied, her tone even.

"Congratulations," Yu Yuan nodded in acknowledgment.

Lee Yuchan had never disclosed the exact grade of the soul sacrifice ball, but Yu Yuan's keen eye could tell that this distinctive Soul Artifact was likely between the Fifth and Sixth Grades of Earth Level. Given its recent consumption of soul spirits, it might well have ascended to the Seventh or Eighth Grade.

Should the soul sacrifice ball reach the Ninth Grade of Earth Level by the end of their venture into the forbidden lands, Lee Yuchan stood to gain immensely.

And if it managed to leap from Earth Level to Heaven Level, Lee Yuchan's profits would be immeasurable.

Heavenly Level artifacts were not just renowned on the Profound Sky Continent; they were also celebrated and exceedingly rare on both the Heavenly Source Continent and the Quietus Continent.

The soul sacrifice ball was particularly noteworthy, being a Soul Artifact of such rarity and value.

"I've sent out the message; the others should be arriving soon," Lee Yu stated.

"Understood." Yu Yuan nodded in acknowledgment, his curiosity piqued as he scrutinized Lee Yuchan and Zhao Yafu. "What exactly happened between you two?"

It was apparent that Lee Yuchan's animosity towards Zhao Yafu had dissipated, and the urge to harm her was gone.

"It's none of your business," Lee Yuchan replied icily.

Zhao Yafu spread her hands in a gesture of resignation, signaling that she preferred to remain silent on the matter.

Yu Yuan did not press further.

Half a day later, the rest of the group, led by Yan Lu, Zhan Tianxiang, and Su Yan, trickled in.

Yet, the team seemed to have shrunk; a few members were missing. Those who did arrive were engulfed in silence, their expressions etched with grief.

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