C125 The Sword Spirit's Advice!

The alien soul that abducted Yue Fei was unmistakably more formidable than the golden skeleton according to Yu Yuan's perception. It posed a greater challenge than even the soul of a seventh-level flood dragon—more thorny and more difficult to contend with.

This extraordinary entity had managed to awaken and free itself from the constraints of the ancient array, and it had already sent a clear message of challenge to him. As the sword-wielding guardian and enforcer of this forbidden area, it was Yu Yuan's duty to address the threat.

His sword spirit was his most significant support.

He needed the sword spirit to comprehend this world, to uncover its deeper mysteries, and to truly connect with the enigmatic, large ancient circle. This connection was essential so that the defiant and mighty alien soul would face the consequences of its actions.

The moment Yu Yuan focused on this, the sword light on his arm bone blazed with intense heat. His arms turned a fiery red, reminiscent of cooked shrimp.

Communicating through his heaven soul, Yu Yuan quickly detected a sense of irritation and dissatisfaction emanating from the sword spirit within the sword light. This aura was unmistakably aimed at the alien soul that had provoked him and taken Yue Fei.

Clearly, the sword spirit had also become aware when the alien soul, clad in a silver robe, entered this space. It must have understood what had transpired.

However, after a surge of heat, the sword light began to cool and ceased its release.

Whispers of thought, perceptible only to Yu Yuan's heaven soul, drifted silently from the sword spirit within his arm bone. The messages were indistinct and imprecise, seemingly advising Yu Yuan to remain calm and collected.

The sword spirit, intimately acquainted with his physical condition, undoubtedly had a profound grasp of the powerful alien soul that had partially escaped its bonds upon awakening.

It cautioned him against haste, against falling for provocation, and against immediately venturing into the territory dictated by the will of the formidable alien soul.

The sword spirit urged him to wait, to further fortify himself.

"So, you're saying that I'm currently not powerful enough to defeat that formidable alien soul?" Yu Yuan slowly realized. "I'm still too weak, while he is at his peak of strength? I need more time to enhance my own power, to further refine my heaven soul? Only then can I harness the greater forces of this world and the forbidden area. And only then can your power be better channeled?"

The sword spirit responded with another vague acknowledgment, affirming that his conjecture was correct.

"Uh..."

Yu Yuan, unable to immediately retaliate, stood frozen, reaching out to the sword spirit once more.

He was eager to learn more about the forbidden area, particularly the fourth upper sect.

But the sword spirit's response was vague, insisting he was too weak to handle much at the moment, and urged him not to rush but to focus on strengthening himself.

With no other choice, Yu Yuan dedicated himself to his training, just as the sword spirit had advised.

The fate of the captured Moonfiend, whether dead or alive, would not disturb his Sacred Heart.

He stilled his breath and concentrated deeply.

The Evil Body Refining Technique silently drew upon the turbulent spiritual energy of the place, tearing at his flesh and causing droplets of blood to seep from every pore.

He had begun the rigorous process of refining his muscles and blood, now in the middle period of the Soul Awakening Realm.

Amidst his roars, he immersed himself in cultivation, using the Seed of Life and soulstones to heal whenever he was on the brink of death, his flesh nearly torn apart.

The Demon Core given to him by Lee Yu, brimming with vitality, had already been assimilated.

He contemplated inquiring if others knew of a pill similar to the Demon Core that could expedite and benefit his Soul Awakening cultivation.

His practice of Soul Forging through Enlightenment was also unrelenting, pursued during his spare moments.

Then, one day.

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

What had transpired among them was a mystery, but Zhao Yafu was incessantly babbling around Lee Yuchan.

Despite Lee Yuchan's cold demeanor, there was no trace of aversion in her expression, only a touch of resignation.

Before departing to meet Yue Fei, Lee Yuchan seemed intent on eliminating Zhao Yafu, and had it not been for his intervention, Zhao Yafu might have perished.

Yet, in such a short time, Zhao Yafu had become bold enough to chatter endlessly around that stern and icy woman.

"This girl..."

Yu Yuan chuckled to himself, all the while noticing the subtle glow in Lee Yuchan's eyes and the almost imperceptible spiritual sense drifting around her like strands of seaweed.

Spiritual sense dissipating is a telltale sign of just entering the Lunar Spirit Stage, indicating that one's cultivation level is not yet stable.

Otherwise, even the most subtle spiritual sense would be drawn back into the upper elixir field within the mud pellet.

"Lee, congratulations on advancing to the Lunar Spirit Stage," Yu Yuan said, his smile as radiant as if nothing untoward had occurred, his face beaming with warmth. "With your advancement, our future journey is bound to be much smoother. Honestly, from the moment I met you, I could tell you were cool on the outside but warm at heart—a truly caring big sister. I..."

"Shut up!" Lee Yuchan cut him off icily before he could finish.

Yu Yuan's recent display of cruelty and disregard for life still sent shivers down her spine.

He was nothing but a despicable, bloodthirsty butcher, yet here he was, acting like an innocent lamb in front of her. Shameless! Just thinking about it made her sick to her stomach.

Lee Yuchan inwardly raged, then asked, "Why didn't you turn back for us? Weren't you worried that I might kill Zhao Yafu after you left?"

Zhao Yafu giggled sweetly, "Sister, you 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 that you would honor your word; if you refrained from attacking at the start, you wouldn't do so later," Yu Yuan said serenely, then turned to Lee Yu, "How's the Soul Orb?"

Lee Yu replied evenly, "It has advanced."

"Congratulations," Yu Yuan nodded.

Throughout the conversation, Lee Yu had never disclosed the rank of the Soul Orb. Yet, Yu Yuan's keen perception suggested that this unique soul artifact was somewhere between the fifth and sixth earthly levels. Given its recent absorption of souls, the Soul Orb's rank might well reach the seventh or eighth level.

If the Soul Orb could advance to the ninth earthly level by the end of this expedition to the forbidden area, Lee Yu stood to gain immensely.

And should the Soul Orb make the leap from the earthly to the heavenly level, Lee Yu's profits would be substantial.

Heavenly Grade items were renowned not just on the Aetherius Continent but also across the Euwrea Continent and the Land of Quiescence. They were exceedingly rare and highly coveted.

The Soul Orb, in particular, being a soul-type item, was considered exceptionally precious.

"The others should be on their way after receiving my message," Lee Yu said.

"Understood," Yu Yuan acknowledged with a nod, his curiosity piqued as he observed Lee Yuchan and Zhao Yafu. "What exactly happened between you two?"

It was apparent that Lee Yuchan's animosity towards Zhao Yafu had dissipated; the intent to harm was no longer there.

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

Zhao Yafu, with a shrug and a look of resignation, signaled that she preferred to remain silent on the matter.

Yu Yuan did not press further.

Half a day later, Yan Lu, Zhan Tianxiang, and Su Yan, among others, began to trickle in. Yet, the group seemed smaller than before, and those who arrived were silent, their faces etched with grief.

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