C1440 The Ghost Witch Evil Technique

After a lengthy conversation, Yu Yuan discovered that Yin Xueqi was indeed an unexpected delight. She was unaware of the strife between the Bloodbrawlers and Boulderdawn, ignorant of the Battle of the Divine, the Devilish, and the Supernatural, and oblivious to the former might of the Bloodbrawlers, who had produced two primordial spirits. Yet, Yin Xueqi was intimately familiar with the ancient patterns and runes of the Bloodbrawlers and their profound meanings.

Yu Yuan found her ability to decipher the Bloodbrawlers' symbols immensely valuable. He planned to have her examine the carvings on the walls within the forbidden area of the Order of Healing, hoping her knowledge might confirm if they were indeed the work of the Bloodbrawlers. Yin Xueqi explained that while the current Ghoul Glyphs of the Binders of Shadows originated from the Bloodbrawlers, they had been significantly simplified, losing much of their mysterious and strange power. This insight made her an asset in Yu Yuan's eyes.

It was only later that Yu Yuan learned that Yin Xueqi and her cohort, adept at crafting Cursed Artifacts and evil weapons, had left the Artifact Sect with its tacit approval. The Artifact Sect had deliberately allowed them to take refuge within the Chamber of Commerce, recognizing the potential for a brighter and more expansive future. The Sect believed that if Yin Xueqi could successfully craft vessels suitable for the Otherkin, it would enhance the Artifact Sect's influence.

However, creating artifacts for the Otherkin contravened the policies of the Five Great Forces. If the Artifact Sect were to do so openly, it would surely provoke the ire of these powers. Traditionally neutral, the Artifact Sect preferred not to wade into the murky waters of conflict involving the Five Forces, Boulderdawn, and the Merchant Guild.

In this context, turning a blind eye and allowing Yin Xueqi and her group to leave was an excellent strategy. Officially, they had severed ties with the Artifact Sect and were no longer under its protection. But now on Celestial Isle and embraced by the Chamber of Commerce, as long as they had sufficient soulstones and stayed put, the Five Forces could do little to interfere.

Yin Xueqi was still able to experiment with the creation of genuine Otherkin artifacts on Celestial Isle. Her audacious concept caught Yu Yuan's attention, and he was so impressed that he made her an offer: if she agreed to work with him and help unravel some mysteries surrounding the Bloodbrawlers, he would break the ancient, unyielding laws of the Everlands and lead their group to the Darkpinion Astral Domain.

Once they ventured into the extraterrestrial realms, they would be free to roam the skies and explore the vast oceans at will.

Yin Xueqi was taken aback by Yu Yuan's promise. She could hardly believe that this dazzling figure, whose rise was meteoric, was actually planning to assemble a group of herbalists and venture with them into the Star River of the extraterrestrial realms.

Deep inside, she held a profound respect for Yu Yuan, and they quickly found themselves on the same wavelength.

Later, under Feng Zhong's guidance, she and Yu Yuan visited Celestial Isle, where they encountered an array of magic diagrams, compasses, beast bones, turtle shells, and various other items. Feng Zhong suspected that many of these items might be connected to the Bloodbrawlers and had deliberately laid them out for inspection.

"This armor isn't the work of the Bloodbrawlers. The patterns of evil spirits on it are not their style," Yin Xueqi remarked as she ran her fingertips over the ghostly image etched into a piece of damaged light armor, tuning into the essence of the remnant soul. "This is an artifact from the long-destroyed Wraithcult. It wasn't crafted by our Artifact Sect, but by a practitioner from the Wraithcult."

When the Wraithcult was mentioned, Yu Yuan thought of Yan Ziyang and nodded for her to continue.

"This painting isn't a creation of the Bloodbrawlers either. It's the work of a Binders of Shadows talisman master who, after failing to ascend to the Unbound Realm, fell into madness and produced this piece," she explained, her bright eyes shining as she indicated the peculiar painting depicting five fierce ghosts worshiping a bizarre tree.

To Yu Yuan, the five supposed ghosts bore a striking resemblance to the souls of the Shadowkin.

The odd tree resembled the corrupted Uxthar Tree...

The talisman master from the Binders of Shadows must have been at the Solar Spirit Stage when he encountered the Shadowkin's might or ventured into one of their forbidden areas somewhere in the Star River of the extraterrestrial realms.

It seemed highly likely that someone from the Brugeth Astral Domain had visited the site of Diggs's nefarious sacrifice.

"Have you seen it?"

Yin Xueqi was astute. Noticing Yu Yuan's contemplative look, she quickly inquired.

Feng Zhong also looked on with curiosity.

"It's probable that he's one of the Shadowkin, who unwittingly witnessed the worship at the Blightwood." Yu Yuan offered an offhand explanation.

Yin Xueqi picked up a fragment of a turtle shell, turned it over, and examined the unusual symbols on the reverse side. "These markings were likely made by the Bloodbrawlers," she deduced.

Feng Zhong's face showed a flicker of concern.

"You're aware of the shell's origin?" Yu Yuan asked, surprised.

Feng Zhong nodded slightly. "It's from the Black Tortoise. Ten thousand years ago, it perished in the Star River beyond our world. It was of ninth level lineage, with the potential to ascend to a Dark Deity. The Black Tortoise was besieged by the Voidweaver Clan. Even after revealing its true form, it was dismembered, and its supposedly unbreakable shell shattered into fragments."

"This is just a small shard. The merchants acquired it from beyond and intended to offer it to an archdemon of Shadow's Keep."

Feng Zhong's brow furrowed. "This relic hasn't been on the market in the Everlands for long."

"The Black Tortoise existed ten thousand years ago, while the Bloodbrawlers were scattered many tens of thousands of years ago," Yin Xueqi added, equally astonished. "Since the shell originated from outside, it suggests that members of the Bloodbrawlers might still be active in the Star River beyond, not just within the Everlands."

Yu Yuan was visibly shaken.

At that moment, the incomplete Spirit Magic text that Lian Hu had been practicing began to fade rapidly.

By the time Yu Yuan and Feng Zhong took notice, only the characters Yu Yuan recognized remained on the parchment.

The enigmatic symbols associated with the Bloodbrawlers had vanished without a trace.

A faint lament drifted from Healing Island in the distance, sounding eerily like Lian Hu.

With a mere thought, the Dragon Slaying Stage, bathed in a soft white glow, settled into his palm.

He immediately perceived that deep beneath Healing Island, wisps of smoke were escaping from Lian Hu's seven orifices. His Lunar Spirit and dominant soul had been utterly dissolved, leaving not a single memory or mark in his consciousness, as if someone had effortlessly erased his entire being.

Lian Hu was dead, just like that.

"What happened?" Feng Zhong demanded.

"Lian Hu dropped dead the moment the Bloodbrawlers' symbols vanished from the paper!" Yu Yuan inhaled sharply, his voice laced with fury. "And it happened right before my eyes!"

"Such audacity!" Feng Zhong's expression grew icy.

"Both of you..."

Yin Xueqi interjected softly, signaling for Yu Yuan and Feng Zhong to stay calm before continuing, "This fragmented Spirit Magic belongs to the Bloodbrawlers. By practicing it, Lian Hu essentially became one of them. Yu Yuan, your interrogation might have tipped off someone from the Bloodbrawlers."

"I conducted it in the secret chamber beneath the commerce guild," Yu Yuan replied.

"The Bloodbrawlers' arcane arts must be extraordinary. The guild's defenses probably couldn't prevent their prying eyes. Lian Hu's swift death and the disappearance of the symbols are clear indications that the Bloodbrawlers are on high alert," Yin Xueqi deduced.

"Is it possible that members of the Bloodbrawlers are currently on the Sundering Isles?" Feng Zhong raised his voice.

"It's likely."

As Yu Yuan spoke, he maintained a deep connection with his soul and the Dragon Slaying Stage.

With the stage's divine sight, he could see the Sundering Isles in detail, with each island's secrets revealing themselves to him.

Suddenly, he noticed a Poison Cult disciple on Shadowisle dying in the same manner as Lian Hu.

"Shadowisle!"

With a contemptuous huff, Yu Yuan exited the stone temple and materialized in the skies of Celestial Isle.

In a flash, he transformed into a shadowy streak, racing toward the Poison Cult's island.

"Wait for me!" Feng Zhong called out, following behind.

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