C1365 The Evil Hidden in the Darkness

The snow bear hovered midair, its gaze sweeping the surroundings in search of Mo Baichuan, but to no avail. Puzzlement filled its eyes; it couldn't grasp how this exceptional cultivator from the Sunlit Order had managed to evade its senses and the seal to effortlessly enter this realm. It was at a loss as to how Mo Baichuan had departed.

With a whoosh, the snow bear crossed the barrier and entered the frigid expanse of the starry sea, its massive eyes peering deeply into the void. Invisible to the naked eye, myriad specks of light danced within the depths of its pupils, resonating with its lineage. It could pinpoint Jun Chen and the Death Crane's hiding spot, the Dragon Slaying Stage, and the whereabouts of Yue Mu, Du Yuan, and the gleam of Ji Ningshuang's Stardust Blade, including Alonso's current actions. The snow bear had a secret connection to most of the celestial bodies within the Glimmerdrift Nebula; its keen awareness extended throughout the Star River.

Yet, Mo Baichuan remained an enigma, leaving the snow bear utterly baffled.

"Ugh!" At the summit of the snowy mountain, the moment Yu Yuan's hand clasped the Sunfire Gem, a multitude of fiery sparks burst forth in his mind. They swarmed into his Mindscape, twinkling like a swarm of fireflies. Bearing a distinctive mark, the sparks swiftly merged with his dominant soul, embedding themselves as profound memories. Instantly, he comprehended the alterations to the Nine Glories Wheel, grasped its new operational methods, and learned the accompanying battle techniques tailored for the fire magic.

Furthermore, within the Sunfire Gem, he observed three drops of pale green blood ablaze with astonishing flames. These drops, originating from a high-tier Scarlet Flame Beast, foretold the fate of the stars it roamed—soon to be reduced to cinders in its wake.

"A ninth-level Scarlet Flame Beast, slain by Mo Baichuan, its blood essence harvested," Yu Yuan mused, his expression betraying a hint of awe. He then noticed within the Sunfire Gem a refined river of flame, where even finer strands of lightning seemed to etch the mysteries of fire magic.

A dark red beast bone was ablaze, emitting a psionic power that stirred restlessness in the soul. The blood, the river of flames, and the beast bone were all contained within the Sunfire Gem—rare treasures once hoarded by Mo Baichuan, now bestowed upon him. Each treasure had been tempered with the Nine Glories Wheel, imbued with his essence.

Shortly after grasping the Sunfire Gem, Yu Yuan, without taking any action, discovered that the gem, following a unique aura, made a direct connection to his Mindscape within the Golden Sanctum.

Boom!

Within this little world, three drops of pale green blood transformed into three Scarlet Flame Beasts. The once slender river of flames broadened, its fiery essence bubbling fiercely. The unidentified beast bone became a dark red Mountain of Flames, violently erupting with fiery streams.

Yu Yuan had just learned a new way to operate the Nine Glories Wheel, and upon activation, his Golden Sanctum acupoint became a world ablaze, akin to a fiery furnace. The process of purifying his own residues and impurities became exponentially more efficient, increasing more than tenfold.

The Golden Sanctum's acupoints, voraciously seeking power, attempted to strip away any available essence of fire and solar energy. Alas, the world where his real body resided was harsh and ice-cold, devoid of any flame or solar energy to absorb. Several fire-attributed Soul Crystals quickly disintegrated into ash and stone dust.

"Soon!" he thought. The assistance from Mo Baichuan was accelerating the formation of his Solar Spirit.

...

In the outside world, they reached the perimeter of the Frozen World, where the three Grand Sword Immortals of the Sword Sect, along with Demian, Ciara, and two Platinum Shura, were positioned. Alonso, however, was conspicuously absent.

From his vantage point on the Dragon Slaying Stage, Yu Yuan witnessed Alonso's abrupt change of course just before landing. The haunting call of the Death Crane had alerted him to Jun Chen's arrival, prompting the sudden detour.

Thus, in the world below, four Platinum Shura engaged in fierce combat with the three Grand Sword Immortals. "Sword of Destruction" Du Yuan was gravely wounded, struggling to manifest his Divine Visage, and was in the direst state among them.

Ji Ningshuang was swiftly recuperating, though her combat strength had yet to reach its zenith. Yue Mu, having mastered the "Rillrender Sword," was brimming with vigor. He crafted a relentless sword net, at times aiding Du Yuan, at other times bolstering Ji Ningshuang.

"Even if you're concerned for her, you should hold the line from the sidelines and avoid descending into the fray," Zhou You advised Yu Yuan, who was within the Dragon Slaying Stage, with a noticeably more relaxed demeanor. "Rest assured, we won't strike at the Sword Sect until we've exacted a toll from these Shura."

A veiled murderous intent flickered in his eyes. "Xi Quan's death demands a platinum Shura burial in her wake. Our people's lives will not be lost in vain!" Yu Yuan gave a subtle nod in agreement.

He observed that without Alonso's presence, the trio of Grand Sword Immortals from the Sword Sect were managing to withstand the onslaught of four platinum Shura. The situation was dire, but they were holding their ground.

Moreover, Ji Ningshuang's aura was becoming increasingly vibrant, her sword light ever more intense. The dazzling sword light, like towering pillars of luminescence, pierced through the wall and into the cosmos—emanations of the Stardust Blade.

As the sword light ascended, it clearly began to draw in copious amounts of ice energy and sparse starlight. The sword light harnessed the power of the Glimmerdrift Nebula, aiding in her recovery and quietly mending her wounds and internal organs. It appeared that the prolonged battle was aiding her healing process.

This realization alone eased Yu Yuan's urgency, making him content to wait it out.

After some time, a mysterious chill emanated from his Lunar Spirit. Concealed within the Dragon Slaying Stage, he felt as though a formidable presence had stealthily glanced his way.

He pondered over the sensation... "This is not good!"

From within the Dragon Slaying Stage, he called out to the overly composed Zhou You, "The Abyssal Leviathan is somewhere in the Glimmerdrift Nebula. I don't know its precise location, but that creature couldn't help but sneak a peek at me."

"Abyssal Leviathan!"

Zhou You jolted, his composure suddenly shattered.

"On the extraterrestrial battlefield, I utilized the Dragon Slaying Stage to draw forth demon energy from a rare stone he had refined as part of the Starborne Ritual of Primeval Demons. His attempt to descend was thwarted by the seal of the Voidweaver."

Yu Yuan clarified, then added, "He should have arrived by now."

"The Glimmerdrift Nebula is truly in turmoil!" Zhou You exclaimed in frustration.

After a brief pause, Zhou You's face turned pale as a grave realization dawned on him. He urgently warned, "You must be vigilant. Your real body is undergoing a breakthrough! I've heard the president mention that the Abyssal Leviathan is unaligned and could collaborate with any party."

"Moreover, he has long coveted your body! He intends to obliterate your soul once your Solar Spirit is forged, usurping your physical form to roam the heavens and earth!"

...

"Mr. Mo, have you reached a decision?"

In the unique little world fashioned after the Embers Sea, the Abyssal Leviathan, who had assumed the guise of a gaunt old man and adopted the human name Ming Kun, crouched on the sandy shore, holding an enormous fruit of unknown origin. He tore open the flesh and crudely stuffed it into his mouth.

As he munched away, he grinned at Mo Baichuan.

The world he had refined was merely a palm-sized rare stone.

This rare stone was situated on an inconspicuous star that Yu Yuan and the snow bear had recently crossed.

It blended seamlessly among the myriad fragments on that star, emitting no discernible aura.

Lin Zhuyun and the Ghoul King sat on a nearby island, their faces etched with gloom, looking utterly dejected as if they had been severely chastised.

"If you assist me in slaying that Dire Bear, I can ensure the passage through the clogged Wintermaw is reopened. That seems fair," the Abyssal Leviathan proposed cheerfully.

Mo Baichuan's ability to appear in Yu Yuan's world in the blink of an eye and vanish just as quickly from under the Dire Bear's watch was thanks to the Leviathan's aid.

His power, having recuperated over the years, was nearly fully restored.

"How do you intend to treat Yu Yuan?" Mo Baichuan inquired, his face devoid of emotion.

"Yu Yuan?"

The Abyssal Leviathan was taken aback, scratching its head with a hand smeared in fruit juice. "What's your connection to him, Mo Baichuan? You, along with your peers, represent the three great upper sects of Euwrea. Isn't Yu Yuan with Boulderdawn? Whether he's alive or dead, why does it concern you?"

"We need him alive," Mo Baichuan stated.

"Is that a collective wish, or just yours?" the Abyssal Leviathan sought clarification.

Mo Baichuan remained silent.

"I see," the Abyssal Leviathan acknowledged, nodding. With a dismissive wave of his hand, he added, "If we can't come to an agreement, then there's no point in discussing it further. Mr. Mo, take good care of yourself. The Glimmerdrift Nebula is far more perilous than you imagine."

"Oh."

With that, Mo Baichuan vanished from the spot.

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