C164 Sudden Change!

The Red Devil Sect is renowned for two signature Devil Spells: the Devil Refining Spell and the Crimson Soul Devil Spell.

The Devil Refining Spell emphasizes the fortification of the body and blood, the development of the Yellow Court's dantian, and the storage of vital energy within the central dantian, mastering the intense control of fiery energy.

On the other hand, the Crimson Soul Devil Spell focuses on purifying the soul, solidifying spiritual awareness, and soul intent.

These two Devil Spells are designed to be mutually reinforcing.

Yuan Qiufang from Darkmoon City attempted to practice both spells simultaneously. Unfortunately, his training in the Devil Refining Spell went awry, leading to a catastrophic deviation and the infiltration of fire toxin into his Niwan Palace.

Duan Guanlan, who stands before us, likely never practiced the Devil Refining Spell. Instead, he quietly took up the Crimson Soul Devil Spell during his Profound Break Stage to hasten his progress.

This particular spell offers the possibility of glimpsing the marvels of spiritual consciousness before even reaching the Penetrating Stage.

Adept cultivation of the Crimson Soul Devil Spell can solidify spiritual awareness early on, propelling one more swiftly into the Penetrating Stage.

Upon entering the Penetrating Stage, a practitioner might then adopt certain Spiritual Spells from the Primordial Yang Sect to purify their spiritual awareness and erase any remnants of the Crimson Soul Devil Spell, presenting an alternative cultivation path.

However, the Primordial Yang Sect and the Red Devil Sect are inherently at odds, each following a path of strong yang energy—one righteous, the other demonic—making them natural adversaries.

As a preeminent upper sect of the Heavenly Source Continent, the Primordial Yang Sect holds a significant advantage over the Red Devil Sect. In times of conflict between the continents, the Primordial Yang Sect invariably targets the Red Devil Sect first.

Legend has it that there was once a deep connection between the Primordial Yang Sect and the Red Devil Sect in ancient times.

Ultimately, the Primordial Yang Sect ascended to become one of the three great upper sects of the Heavenly Source Continent. While the Red Devil Sect may not have risen to the level of the Demon Palace or Devil Palace on the Quietus Continent, their strength and foundational depth are formidable.

In essence, the Primordial Yang Sect and the Red Devil Sect are famously at odds.

As a disciple of the Primordial Yang Sect, Duan Guanlan might have avoided disaster by secretly practicing a Spiritual Spell from another sect. However, if it were ever discovered that he practiced the Devil Spell from the Red Devil Sect, his fate would be sealed—certain death.

With a heavy sigh, the Yin God of the elder from the Duan family shattered, transforming into innumerable fiery demonic runes that once again coalesced. Yu Yuan needed only a fleeting glimpse to recognize that the Devil Spell the elder wielded was that of the Red Devil Sect. He felt certain that this man was the one who had imparted the Scarlet Soul Devil Spell to Duan Guanlan.

Like Qin Yun, this elder was at the pinnacle of the Yin God Stage. Having deftly evaded the sword scar, his injuries were significantly less severe than those of Qin Yun. Among the Rainier Empire's elite reinforcements, he appeared to be the most formidable, his status unparalleled.

"Duan Tianhong!" Qin Yun burst into action, transforming into a streak of lightning that surged forward in an instant. Azure Yang Arrows, emerging silently from the core of his being, took aim at the towering figure in the crimson robe.

With a thunderous "Boom!" the elder known as Duan Tianhong struck out with his palm. Above Wu Zimo's head, a myriad of fiery runes coalesced into an incandescent pool of lava. The crimson pool, a concoction of spiritual energy and life force, glowed with the brilliance of its fiery inscriptions.

Wu Zimo, of the Primordial Yang Sect, blanched, "Uncle Duan, what are you doing?" Ribbons of radiant red light burst from her waistband, soaring towards the descending pool of lava. She turned to Duan Guanlan, desperation in her eyes, "Senior Brother Duan?"

Her gaze was a silent scream for help, but Duan Guanlan might as well have been blind to it, turning his back, averting his gaze. Duan Tianhong remained silent.

The lava pool crashed down, engulfing the bright red light—and with it, Wu Zimo. A muffled "Bang!" echoed as a fireball erupted within the lava pool, a fusion of Qi, spiritual energy, and soul consciousness. The sulfurous, blood-tinged pool was briefly saturated with the stench of blood before it was incinerated, leaving nothing behind.

Duan Tianhong, clad in a vibrant red robe, stepped forward to stand beneath the lava pool. He glanced at Qin Yun, hesitated briefly, and said, "Brother Qin, Guanlan was planted by the Red Devil Sect within the Primordial Yang Sect as a seed."

Qin Yun gave a wry smile. "And why are you telling me this?"

Another Yin God from the Duan family, having freed himself from the entanglement of the sword scars, coughed up blood.

At the middle stage of the Yin God Stage, he joined Duan Tianhong and asked Duan Guanlan, "You holding up 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 Penetrating Stage, hoping to catch the eye of an elder from the Primordial Yang Sect and become a core disciple."

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

At those words, the faces of everyone around twisted with discomfort.

Yu Yuan let out a sigh. "So, can we pretend none of this ever happened?"

The lava pool erupted with fiery columns, a chaotic blend of innumerable crimson crystals, violently targeting the Rainier Empire's visitors still engaged with the sword scars.

Another Duan elder materialized, his presence like that of a fiery Demon God.

He levitated an ancient Crimson Bell into the air, which then descended, enveloping the other Rainier Empire powerhouses.

"Duan Tianhong!"

"Duan Tianxi!"

Sensing trouble, several cultivators abruptly broke free from the sword scars, spitting blood as their souls snapped back into place.

A dazzling column of flame targeted an early-stage Yin God practitioner, instantly reducing him to a bloody mist.

His Yin God essence transformed into an orange spear, attempting to flee, only to be enveloped by the fiery rain of crimson crystal shards, refining the spear with sizzling intensity.

"Duan Tianhong, let's pretend I saw nothing, okay?" Qin Yun of the Seven Divine Sect, finding himself in a tight spot, said, "I never imagined you and your brother would join the Red Devil Sect so soon, nor did I suspect Duan Guanlan was your sect's secret agent within the Primordial Yang Sect."

"Can you immortals fight without dragging me into it?"

"I'm heading back to the empire immediately. The Seven Divine Sect will declare seclusion and ignore the Red Devil Sect's schemes. How does that sound?"

Qin Yun gave in.

In the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, he had sustained injuries, and the detonation of the Azure Yang Arrow had weakened his combat abilities to an all-time low.

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

Yet, Duan Tianhong opted to strike at the others first instead of delivering a fatal blow to him.

As the Sect Master of the Seven Divine Sect and at the peak of the Yin God Stage, Duan Tianhong was well aware of how formidable a fully-powered Qin Yun could be.

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

"Yu Yuan, lead them out of here first."

Lee Yuchan inhaled deeply and communicated telepathically, urging Yu Yuan to make a swift exit while the Duan brothers were preoccupied with the others.

Otherwise, once the Duan brothers dealt with those who had deciphered the sword marks, it would spell disaster for them.

If they didn't spare their own countrymen who stood by their side, what chance did they have of survival?

"Lee Yu, take them and go."

Yu Yuan remained in place, not even glancing at the trialists his age behind him, his gaze fixed on the Duan brothers and Duan Guanlan. "Sect Master Qin, I'd appreciate it if you could keep an eye on me."

Qin Yun paused, then in a flash, he materialized behind him.

"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 chuckled sheepishly, bowing profusely. "I assure you, he'll be just like me in the Seven Divine Sect, dedicated to secluded cultivation year-round."

"Brother Qin, it was Yu Yuan who unmasked Guan Lan," Duan Tianhong said with a wry smile. "Everyone else might be free to leave, but he certainly isn't."

"I'm not going anywhere," Yu Yuan declared with unexpected composure. "Please, deal with your own first, then turn your attention to me."

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

​