C1537 Break Another Seat!

At the heart of the Red Devil Sect, a massive copper bell hovered within the maw of a volcano, buoyed by the force of the fiery magma and billowing smoke. Engraved with Demonic Marks of flame, the bell crackled with impressive electrical arcs, then abruptly plunged into the depths of the molten rock.

From above, a radiant figure, akin to a precious red divine crystal, could be distinctly seen seated at the base of the bell. Through the intricate Flame Demonic Marks, she drew the fiery essence from the earth's core, meticulously infusing it into her Yang God.

Faang Yao and Zhou Cangmin stood vigil on a nearby peak, their concern palpable.

"Her attunement to the Magma Devil Spell has deepened with this latest refinement," Faang Yao mused, recalling how Yuan Lianyao had acquired the solar nucleus in the Outland Star River and traded it for a rare fiery treasure from Zhou Cangmin. That exchange had allowed her to reconstruct her Yang God, perfecting what was once flawed.

"She's fortunate indeed, much like myself in having an eye for excellence," Zhou Cangmin, the favored Demonic Seed of the Red Devil Sect, remarked with an easy smile. "Reflect on her ascent. Wasn't it her unique perspective on Yu Yuan in Darkmoon City that set her on this path? Wasn't it her choice of Yu Yuan at critical junctures that made the difference?"

Faang Yao paused, deep in thought, before nodding in agreement. "Indeed, that's the case."

Zhou Cangmin's laughter filled the air. "Smart and correct choices often trump sheer effort. Her innate talent for cultivation may not be extraordinary, yet who in our Red Devil Sect can match the Yang God she has now honed?"

Faang Yao concurred, "You have a point."

"She's had more luck than most. The Magma Devil Spell she's chosen, though unique, might just be the right path for her," Zhou Cangmin observed, his gaze drifting to the fiery heart of the volcano and the even more intense flames below.

"The Magma Devil Spell leads to the Unrestrained Stage. What's so fortunate about that?" Faang Yao wondered, taken aback.

"Isn't that a good thing?" Zhou Cangmin retorted, shifting his gaze from the volcano's crater to Faang Yao, who looked perplexed. "Do you honestly believe that the path to divinity is always fortunate? Didn't Lee Tianxin die? What end did our Red Devil Sect's ancestors meet in their quest for divine ascension?"

"How many years has it been? We've only had one supreme expert emerge!"

The White-robed Imperial Advisor's eyes betrayed a deep-seated pain. "Our Zhou ancestors, along with several of your Fang elders, tirelessly sought the divine path. But who among them has actually succeeded?"

Faang Yao remained silent upon hearing this.

"The Magma Devil Spell she's practicing is just the creation of someone who never touched the deeper powers of the earth's fire. The culmination of the Magma Devil Spell might not necessarily lead to the Unrestrained Stage. Still, with her abilities, reaching the Unrestrained Stage would be quite an achievement. There's no need to delve into its origins."

Zhou Cangmin's voice lightened. "I have her best interests at heart. To forge a new path successfully, countless sacrifices may be required. If she's not cut out for that, it's actually to her advantage."

"And what about you?" Faang Yao inquired, looking at him thoughtfully.

"Me?" Zhou Cangmin pointed to himself, shaking his head with a wry smile. "I'm not that foolish. I won't be a pioneer, nor will I tread a path that has led others to failure. The path I choose will be the most established, the most secure."

"For instance..."

Zhou Cangmin's gaze drifted toward the Primordial Yang Sect. "Old Monster Yuwen's way is the most tried and true. In these turbulent times, even his divine status isn't unassailable. I eagerly anticipate the day it crumbles. Then, I will step in to take control of the divine path he once ruled."

With that, the White-robed Imperial Advisor burst into a hearty, confident laugh.

"How long has it been? The Primordial Yang Sect has tightly gripped two divine paths! Only their members could ascend to supremacy through these paths! At last, the day we've waited for has come! Our Sect Master has already seized one divine path. I look forward to the day I take Old Monster Yuwen's place."

Zhou Cangmin had already mastered the Great Path of Fire, sharing the same lofty ambitions as Yuwen Hao. He still had ample time ahead of him, and he was confident that by the time he reached the Peak of the Unrestrained Stage, Yuwen Hao's era of dominance over the Red Devil Sect would likely come to an end.

Deep within the underground caverns of the Sword Sect at Dwarf Mountain, Han Miaoyuan's voice echoed from within the Profound Dao Flag, his soul form barely more than a whisper. "Little Ji, what exactly did you witness on the Dragon Slash Platform? Do share with me," he implored incessantly. He was determined to find a breakthrough via Ji Ningshuang, eager to uncover the secrets of the Dragon Slash Platform.

Lin Daoke, sitting nearby with his head slumped as if asleep, showed no interest in the conversation. Ji Ningshuang, who had already returned from dispatching the repaired Cold Abyss Entrance and the crystal bottle into the heavens, stood silently with the Starfrost Sword slung across her back, her gaze fixed on Gu Xingkui.

Upon her arrival, she candidly informed Han Miaoyuan that Yu Yuan had taken her Yin God into the Dragon Slash Platform. Since then, she had been immersed in the study of the Frost Dragon, gaining fresh insights with each passing moment.

Han Miaoyuan's interest was piqued upon hearing this, and he bombarded her with questions. He encouraged Ji Ningshuang to explore the Dragon Slash Platform further, emphasizing the importance of seizing this rare chance to investigate the areas where the Space-time Dragon and Golden Giant Dragon lay entombed. His curiosity about the Dragon Slash Platform seemed boundless; he was desperate to unravel its mysteries.

Regrettably, even with his affinity for the profound Spiritual Qi and his status as one of the exalted, he was unable to penetrate the enigmatic seal of the Dragon Slash Platform to glimpse the secrets it concealed. Yet, he sensed that something extraordinary resided within.

Unable to enter or see for himself, he had no choice but to seek Ji Ningshuang's assistance. But Ji Ningshuang remained stoic, unaffected by his pleas. She reiterated time and again that she was preoccupied with delving into the arcane secrets of ice and had no leisure to roam aimlessly.

Han Miaoyuan, manifested as a restless soul shadow within the Profound Dao Flag, was visibly agitated, yet found himself at a loss on how to sway her. And so, time slipped by unnoticed.

Then, one day, Ji Ningshuang's Yang God looked upon Gu Xingkui, now with hair and beard turned completely white, her eyes betraying a sense of reluctance, tinged with hesitation and an unspoken yearning.

She clearly wanted to say something, yet she restrained herself, unable to find the words.

"Are you ready?"

Han Miaoyuan of the Profound Dao Flag had been discreetly observing her. From the subtle changes in her expression, he could discern what had transpired.

The Sect Master of the Profound Sky Sect was no longer jovial. His voice grew somber, "Everyone is waiting, and much time has passed. If you're truly ready, then..." He gazed intently at Ji Ningshuang, then turned to Gu Xingkui, whose face was etched with despair.

Ji Ningshuang remained silent, giving only a slight nod in response.

Lin Daoke finally opened his eyes, rose silently, and approached Gu Xingkui. With a grave tone, he inquired, "Is there anything else you wish to say?"

"I have wronged Nie Qingtian," Gu Xingkui murmured, his head bowed.

These were his final words.

No sooner had he spoken than his barely intact God Throne shattered with a resounding crash.

Clearly, even from the distant Plover Realm, Taishi could listen in on the conversation through him.

Knowing that Ji Ningshuang was ready, Taishi decided not to delay any further.

With the destruction of Gu Xingkui's God Throne, his bones and Yang God fragmented like a wooden tower struck by a steel juggernaut, disintegrating in an instant. His essence, spirit, and residual soul could no longer be collected or condensed in any special vessel. The explosion of the God Throne caused his memories and thoughts to rapidly fade away.

"It's not your fault."

Lin Daoke, his face expressionless, gently patted Gu Xingkui's shoulder, offering a quiet explanation.

Regrettably, with Gu Xingkui's soul extinguished, he could no longer hear.

Whoosh!

A figure emerged from within the Profound Dao Flag, appearing in the cave with a stern demeanor.

This was Han Miaoyuan's true form.

Clutching the Profound Dao Flag, the tall and slender Han Miaoyuan, dressed in a plain green robe, had snow-white eyebrows that fell naturally from his temples like delicate white serpents.

As he observed Gu Xingkui's shattered God Throne transitioning from a solid crystal to a liquid state, he let out a soft sigh.

"Return swiftly from the Iridescent Cloud Miasma Sea. I can only guard this divine seat for so long. If too much time passes, no force will be able to prevent it from dissolving back into the vast origin," Han Miaoyuan prompted.

"Alright," Ji Ningshuang nodded.

...

In the Iridescent Cloud Miasma Sea, while Ji Ningshuang's Yin God was immersed in understanding the Dao of Ice at the Dragon Slash Platform, Yu Yuan and her corporeal self were keeping each other company in the outside world. They had never before had such ample time to share their innermost thoughts, wrapped in each other's embrace.

They relished the present, savoring this precious time together.

Gradually, they even lost track of time, barely aware of how long it had been.

Every significant being in the Boundless Great World was aware that the two were in the Iridescent Cloud Miasma Sea, within the Ghost Poisoning Array, so no one dared to intrude.

Until...

Ji Ningshuang's Yin God gracefully emerged from the Dragon Slash Platform and merged back with her physical form. With a hint of reluctance, she said, "I need to leave now."

Yu Yuan nodded with a smile, "Sooner than I anticipated."

"I am, after all, a once-in-ten-thousand-years sword prodigy."

Ji Ningshuang responded with a playful smile.

It was at that moment.

A serene moonbeam effortlessly breached the defenses of the Ghost Poisoning Array and landed directly on the muddy earth before them. Within the moonlight, countless sparkling points of light began to coalesce, swiftly taking shape.

"How long has it been since we last met? I've traveled thousands of miles to return. Won't you spend a little time chatting with me?"

From within the still-forming silhouette, a clear female voice emerged.

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