C164 A Huge Change Suddenly Occurred!!

The Ruby Hand is renowned for two formidable dark arts: the Crimson Soul Spell and the Crimson Soul Spell. The Crimson Soul Spell emphasizes the fortification of the body and flesh, the construction of the Golden Sanctum, the accumulation of vitality in the middle elixir field and the Profound Gate, and the mastery of blazing flame energy. The Crimson Soul Spell, on the other hand, focuses on purifying the soul and consolidating the spiritual sense and remnant soul. These two dark arts are mutually reinforcing.

Yuan Qiufang of Asvetaesi practiced both spells simultaneously, but encountered severe complications with the Crimson Soul Spell, leading to Qi deviation and the invasion of his mud pellet by fire toxin. Duan Guanlan, who stands before us, likely did not practice the Crimson Soul Spell, but instead covertly pursued the Crimson Soul Spell during his Veil Breaking phase to hasten his progress.

This particular dark art offers the possibility of glimpsing the wonders of spiritual sense before reaching the Subtlety stage. Excelling in the Crimson Soul Spell can lead to an earlier consolidation of spiritual sense and a swifter transition into Subtlety. Upon attaining Subtlety, one might adopt certain spells from the Sunlit Order to purify the spiritual sense and erase any remnants of the Crimson Soul Spell, thus carving out a unique path of cultivation.

However, the Sunlit Order and the Ruby Hand, both embodying the extreme yang and righteous paths, have historically been at odds, like fire and water. As one of the upper sects of Euwrea, the Sunlit Order has always been a notch above the Ruby Hand. In times of conflict between the two continents, the Sunlit Order would invariably target the Ruby Hand first. Legend has it that these two sects share an ancient connection.

Ultimately, the Sunlit Order emerged as one of the three great upper sects of Euwrea, while the Ruby Hand, though not as colossal as the Devil Palace or Shadow's Keep in the Land of Quiescence, still boasts a formidable foundation. In essence, the Sunlit Order and the Ruby Hand are famously incompatible.

As a disciple of the Sunlit Order, Duan Guanlan might just avoid catastrophe by clandestinely incorporating spells from other sects into his practice.

If the Sunlit Order discovered that Duan Guanlan was practicing the Ruby Hand's dark arts, his fate would be sealed.

"Phew!"

The elder from the Duan family, also at the Lunar Spirit Realm, reformed from the dispersed remnants of his spirit, transforming into innumerable flaming glyphs that coalesced once more.

With just a fleeting glimpse, Yu Yuan recognized that the dark arts Duan Guanlan practiced were indeed those of the Ruby Hand.

He was nearly certain that the one who had taught Duan Guanlan the Crimson Soul Spell was none other than this man!

Like Qin Yun, he was at the pinnacle of the Lunar Spirit Stage. Having decisively shaken off the sword scar, his injuries were far less severe than those of Qin Yun.

This individual appeared to be the most formidable and esteemed among the reinforcements from the Crimson Sun Empire.

"Duan Tianhong!"

Qin Yun leapt to his feet, transforming into a bolt of lightning.

Dawn Arrows, one by one, emerged silently from his chest's elixir field, all targeting the towering elder in the crimson robe.

"Boom!"

The elder, addressed by Qin Yun as Duan Tianhong, struck out with his palm.

Above Wu Zimo's head, numerous fire runes converged to form an intense magma pool.

Crafted from spiritual energy and vitality, the magma pool's fire runes glittered fiercely.

Wu Zimo of the Sunlit Order, taken aback, exclaimed, "Uncle Duan, what are you doing?"

Ribbons of radiant red light burst forth from her waistband, confronting the descending magma pool.

She then turned to Duan Guanlan with a look of desperation, pleading, "Senior Brother Duan?"

Her eyes conveyed a mix of terror and entreaty.

Duan Guanlan, as if blind to her distress, turned away, averting his gaze.

Duan Tianhong remained silent.

The magma pool crashed down, the bright red lights engulfed in an instant.

Along with them, Wu Zimo of the Sunlit Order was consumed.

"Bang!"

A fiery explosion erupted within the magma pool, a concoction of vitality, spiritual energy, and remnant soul. The sulfurous, blood-tinged pool was momentarily rich with the scent of blood, which was quickly incinerated.

Duan Tianhong, in his long red robe, stepped forward, standing beneath the magma pool. He glanced at Qin Yun, hesitated briefly, and then said, "Brother Qin, Guanlan was planted in the Sunlit Order by the Ruby Hand as a seed from the Duan family."

Qin Yun gave a wry smile and asked, "Why are you even telling me this?"

"Pfft!"

Another member of the Duan family, a Lunar Spirit, broke free from the binding of the sword scar and coughed up blood.

He was in the middle period of the Lunar Spirit stage and stood next to Duan Tianhong. Turning to Duan Guanlan, he inquired, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Duan Guanlan replied, shaking his head and swallowing a dark red pill. "It's my fault. I was too eager to advance to the Subtlety stage, hoping to catch the eye of an elder from the Sunlit Order and become a core disciple."

"Don't worry about it," the elder from the Duan family reassured him, patting his shoulder. "No one will find out."

At these words, everyone's expression turned sour.

Yu Yuan let out a sigh and asked, "So, can we pretend nothing happened?"

"Hu! Hu! Hu! Hu!"

Inside the magma pool, pillars of fire interspersed with innumerable red crystals erupted violently, targeting the visitors from the Crimson Sun Empire who were still studying the sword scar.

Another elder from the Duan family, his Lunar Spirit fully manifested, stood like a fiery Demon God.

He manipulated an ancient crimson big bell, sending it soaring into the sky.

The crimson big bell loomed over the other cultivators from the Crimson Sun Empire.

"Duan Tianhong!"

"Duan Tianxi!"

Sensing trouble, some cultivators abruptly freed themselves from the sword scar's grip, spitting blood as their remnant souls resettled.

A dazzling pillar of flame struck one of the early-stage Lunar Spirit cultivators, instantly disintegrating his flesh and blood.

His Lunar Spirit, transformed into an orange spear, attempted to flee.

Within the pillar, a deluge of red crystals showered over the orange spear, refining it amidst the fiery rain.

"Duan Tianhong, let's pretend I saw nothing, okay?" Qin Yun from the Midnightshields, finding himself in a tight spot, ventured, "I had no idea you two brothers joined the Ruby Hand so early. Nor did I suspect that Duan Guanlan was a pawn your sect had secretly placed within the Sunlit Order."

"Can we keep this skirmish among immortals from entangling me?"

"I'll head back to the Empire immediately. The Midnightshields will declare seclusion, turning a blind eye to any schemes from the Ruby Hand. Does that work for you?"

Qin Yun conceded.

After sustaining injuries in the Moonfall Sanctuary and the detonation of a Dawn Arrow, his combat strength had plummeted to an all-time low.

In such a weakened state, he stood no chance against the Duan brothers.

Yet, Duan Tianhong opted to target the others first instead of delivering a swift death blow to Qin Yun.

As the leader of the Midnightshields and also at the pinnacle of the Lunar Spirit Stage, Duan Tianhong was well aware of the formidable challenge a fully empowered Qin Yun could pose.

Even Duan Tianhong himself was uncertain about how to handle his relationship with Qin Yun.

"Yu Yuan, you lead the rest out of here," Lee Yuchan instructed, taking a deep breath and telepathically urging Yu Yuan to seize the opportunity while the Duan brothers were preoccupied with the other trial-takers.

Otherwise, once the Duan brothers had dispatched those who had deciphered the sword scars, it would spell disaster for them.

If they didn't spare those from their own country, who stood shoulder to shoulder with them, what chance did they have of survival?

"Lee Yu, get them out," Yu Yuan commanded, remaining in place without so much as a glance at the trial-takers of his age behind him. His gaze was fixed on the Duan brothers and Duan Guanlan. "And Mr. Qin, I'd appreciate it if you could keep an eye on me."

Qin Yun paused briefly, then in a flash, he appeared behind Yu Yuan.

"Duan brothers, Yu Yuan and I share a deep bond. If it's all the same to you, I'll take him with me," Qin Yun said with an awkward chuckle, bowing repeatedly. "I assure you, he will be as reclusive as I am within the Midnightshields, spending years in seclusion."

"Qin, it was Yu Yuan who unmasked Guanlan," Duan Tianhong said with a wry smile. "Everyone else might go, but he simply cannot."

"I'm not leaving," Yu Yuan declared with unexpected composure. "Please, deal with your own first, and then you can turn your attention to me."

"That was the plan," Duan Tianhong said with a smile.

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