C170 The Battle Between the Two Sects

Duan Tianxi declared the origins of the Balrog with resonant authority.

—Ancestor of the Duan family!

Upon Yu Yuan's mention of the Balrog, Duan Tianhong and Duan Guanlan's faces were etched with complexity.

"I see."

Yu Yuan nodded thoughtfully. "I've only heard of the Balrog's formidable renown, yet its history eluded me. To think that the Balrog, who once reigned supreme over the Quietus Continent, was a forebear of the Duan family. It explains why there are two among you who practice the Red Devil Sect's Spiritual Spell and identify as its disciples."

By now, he was utterly convinced of the profound ties between the Duan family and the Red Devil Sect.

Perhaps the entire Duan family had long ago pledged their allegiance in secret to the Red Devil Sect, integrating themselves into its ranks.

What remained uncertain was whether the Scorching Sun Emperor and the National Advisor Zhou Cangmin of the Rainier Empire were privy to this.

Given the deep entanglement between the Rainier Empire and the Primordial Yang Sect, and considering the bitter enmity between the Primordial Yang Sect and the Red Devil Sect—especially since the Duan family's ancestor, the Balrog, was vanquished by the Primordial Yang Sect...

Yu Yuan couldn't shake the feeling that there were untold secrets weaving through the Duan family, Zhou Cangmin, the Primordial Yang Sect, and the Red Devil Sect within the Rainier Empire.

"Awoo! Awoo! Awoo!"

Earth-shattering roars, accompanied by a blizzard of white frost and slicing ice shards, surged forth.

Qin Yun ascended abruptly into the sky.

With a discerning gaze, he observed the snow-white ghost ape, seemingly engulfing the world's frigid Spiritual Qi, channeling it into its flesh and bones to create a ferocious ice storm.

Demonic Beasts like the ghost ape thrived in the bitter cold of desolate realms, their veins coursing with blood as chill as the marrow of ice.

Yet, ghost apes possessed an additional mastery over the techniques of soul condensation.

This granted them an appearance of brute simplicity, but beneath lay not only formidable physical strength but also immunity to most soul-based secret arts. Moreover, they wielded a considerable array of innate soul powers.

"Hu! Hu! Hu!"

All at once, thick plumes of crimson and pale green vital essence burst forth from the fissures in the earth surrounding the Soul Transformation Pool.

Thick streams of lifeblood cascaded like a waterfall, pouring into the icy tornado conjured by the ghost ape.

They swiftly vanished within the ghost ape's form.

The creature inflated suddenly, like a balloon being pumped full of air, its size growing by the moment.

A violent, chilling, and brutally cruel demonic presence burst forth from the depths of the icy tornado.

Yu Yuan felt an oppressive sensation, as if a sky-obscuring malevolent entity was bearing down upon him.

His Heavenly Soul also detected the horrifying demonic aura emanating from the ghost ape, spreading across the heavens like a vast canopy.

The Duan brothers, Qin Yun, and Lee Yuchan all wore expressions of utmost gravity.

"The ghost ape is rapidly accumulating demonic energy, growing increasingly powerful," Lee Yuchan couldn't help but remark. "Already at the Seventh Level, it must have come to the Soul Transformation Pool knowing about the abundant lifeblood hidden in the earth's fissures nearby—resources it had stashed away long ago for itself!"

Yu Yuan could feel the crimson and pale green streams of dense lifeblood shooting skyward, significantly bolstering the ghost ape's strength and enhancing its terrifying demonic prowess.

Could the Duan brothers stand a chance against the ghost ape, once it reclaimed its Seventh Level status after having fallen to the Sixth?

The jade plate hanging at Duan Tianhong's back once again conveyed the Imperial Advisor's spiritual guidance.

"This ghost ape, seemingly a pawn sacrificed by the Alien Soul Demon, is far from foolish," Duan Tianhong inhaled deeply, his hesitation vanishing. He exchanged a knowing glance with Duan Tianxi and charged at the ghost ape.

The fiery magma pool erupted, expanding rapidly and whirling in the void, scattering a billion shimmering flames.

A long spear materialized from the depths of the pool.

"Crack!"

The spear, ablaze with flames, appeared to be not a solid object but the very essence of the magma.

Grasping the flaming spear, Duan Tianhong soared towards the ghost ape.

Duan Tianxi let out a soft cry, his Yin God essence taking the form of a fiery figure seated atop the Crimson Bell, vigilantly scanning the surroundings to ward off sneak attacks from other Alien Soul Demons.

In the blink of an eye, only Yu Yuan, Lee Yuchan, and Duan Guanlan remained within the Soul Transformation Pool.

Duan Guanlan, with the Devil Soul Talisman affixed to his forehead, was utterly fearless. He strolled leisurely around the pond, its walls etched with sword marks.

Yu Yuan sensed that when the Devil Soul Talisman appeared at Duan Guanlan's Niwan, it was as if he had unlocked a third eye. Through the talisman, he seemed to perceive the wonders hidden within the sword scars without being covertly drained of Spirit Stone energy or soul power, avoiding any harm.

"What should we do?" Lee Yuchan inquired in a hushed tone.

"We observe and wait," Yu Yuan replied with a gentle smile. "If the Duan brothers are acting under Imperial Advisor Zhou Cangmin's orders, then surely, there must be a myriad of intrigues within the Rainier Empire. There's no need for haste. Let's bide our time. If those brothers can withstand several assaults, our nation's esteemed cultivators should arrive in due course."

Lee Yuchan's piercing gaze fixed on him. "What's your connection to the Red Devil Sect?"

"Why do you ask?" Yu Yuan responded, still smiling.

"The Primordial Yang Sect and the Red Devil Sect are sworn enemies, and the Primordial Yang Sect is the power behind the Rainier Empire," Lee Yuchan explained, glancing between Duan Tianxi and Duan Guanlan. "The Rainier Empire and our Silvermoon Empire have been locked in covert conflict for years. My sister has even secretly met with Red Devil Sect cultivators on several occasions, to no avail; they've made no commitments."

Yu Yuan paused, processing her words. "Are you saying...?"

"Our nation has always sought to forge an alliance with the Red Devil Sect," Lee Yuchan admitted with a hint of frustration. "But they've shown little interest in us, never seeking deeper engagement."

Everything clicked for Yu Yuan.

On the Quietus Continent, the Red Devil Sect, though ranking below the Demon Palace and Devil Palace, was sought after by the Silvermoon Empire's empress due to their feud with the Primordial Yang Sect and the latter's ties to the Rainier Empire. Yet, the Red Devil Sect appeared indifferent to the overtures from the relatively minor Silvermoon Empire.

Moreover, the haughty cultivators of the Red Devil Sect had no intention of making the Profound Sky Continent their battleground. Their steadfast dedication to cultivation was for the day they could boldly venture to the Heavenly Source Continent, directly challenge the Primordial Yang Sect, and exact their revenge.

Lee Yuchan recognized the man's familiarity with the Red Devil Sect. His convincing and well-articulated arguments left the Duan brothers in awe.

The female general harbored intentions of leveraging him to establish a connection with the Red Devil Sect.

"We'll discuss this matter later."

Yu Yuan cast a glance at Duan Guanlan and inquired, "Surely, Lee Yu and the rest aren't foolish enough to leave this place and head towards our nation, are they?"

"They're not that foolish," Lee Yuchan assured.

"Good to hear," Yu Yuan responded with a nod. "As long as they avoid the Alien Soul Demons flooding into our country, they should be safe for now."

"Yu Yuan, you seem to carry the essence of these sword marks on you." Duan Guanlan, after circling the pool's engraved sword marks, paused abruptly. "Have you deciphered some of their secrets?"

"I haven't," Yu Yuan replied.

"The peculiar pattern that appeared on your face matches one of the sword marks on the pool wall," Duan Guanlan observed, pointing to a specific mark. "The marvels within that sword mark are what you witnessed, and they are the same designs that surfaced on your face not long ago."

At these words, Yu Yuan's expression turned to one of astonishment, and he instinctively looked towards the pattern.

Duan Guanlan stepped forward, positioning himself in front of the sword mark on the wall, his Devil Soul Talisman on his forehead shining brightly.

Yu Yuan's gaze followed, his eyes suddenly turbulent.

​