C170 The Battle Between the Two Sects!

Duan Tianxi proclaimed the origins of the Flame Demon with a resonant voice.

—Ancestor of the Duan family!

Upon hearing Yu Yuan mention the Flame Demon, both Duan Tianhong and Duan Guanlan wore expressions of complexity.

"I see."

Yu Yuan nodded slightly. "I've only heard of the Flame Demon's formidable renown, yet I was unaware of its origins. To think that the Flame Demon, who once dominated the Land of Quiescence, is actually an ancestor of the Duan family. It makes sense now why there are two members of your family who practice the spells of the Ruby Hand and identify as members of the sect."

By now, he was completely convinced that there was a significant connection between the Duan family and the Ruby Hand.

It was likely that the entire Duan family had long since pledged their allegiance to the Ruby Hand in secret, becoming an integral part of it.

What remained unknown was whether the Sunfire Emperor of the Crimson Sun Empire and the state preceptor, Zhou Cangmin, were aware of this.

Given the deep ties between the Crimson Sun Empire and the Sunlit Order, and the enmity between the Sunlit Order and the Ruby Hand, it was the Sunlit Order that had vanquished the Duan family's ancestor, the Flame Demon.

Yu Yuan suddenly realized that the Duan family, state preceptor Zhou Cangmin, the Sunlit Order, and the Ruby Hand likely harbored numerous secrets within the Crimson Sun Empire.

"Awoo! Awoo! Awoo!"

Ear-splitting howls, accompanied by a blizzard of snow-white frost and ice lances, surged forth.

Qin Yun ascended abruptly into the sky.

He concentrated and saw the white Wraith Ape, seemingly enveloping the spiritual energy of the world, transforming it into a ferocious ice tornado.

Fellbeasts like the Wraith Ape thrived in bitterly cold environments, their veins and bones coursing with blood as cold as ice.

Moreover, the Wraith Ape had mastered the art of soul refinement.

This meant that despite appearing brutish and simple-minded, the Wraith Ape was not only physically formidable but also resistant to most Mind Magic, and it could wield its inherent Soul Power to great effect.

"Hu! Hu! Hu!"

Suddenly, torrents of scarlet and pale green vitality burst forth from the fissures in the earth surrounding the Soulforge Pool.

Streams of thick vitality cascaded like a waterfall, pouring into the icy hurricane created by the Wraith Ape.

It swiftly vanished within the Wraith Ape's form.

The creature ballooned suddenly, as if an inflatable ball had been pumped full of air.

Its size climbed higher and higher!

A brutal, chilling, and savagely cruel demonic aura erupted from the depths of the icy hurricane.

Yu Yuan felt a crushing sense of oppression, as though a malevolent entity capable of shrouding the heavens was bearing down on him.

His heaven soul also subtly detected the horrifying demonic aura emanating from the Wraith Ape, spreading across the sky like a vast canopy.

The expressions on the faces of the Duan brothers, Qin Yun, and Lee Yuchan were gravely serious.

"The Wraith Ape is rapidly gathering demon power, growing ever more formidable," Lee Yuchan couldn't help but remark. "Already at the seventh level, it must have come to the Soulforge Pool knowing about the abundant vitality hidden long ago in the fissures around it."

"Perhaps that rich vitality was even a contingency plan it laid out for itself long before!"

Yu Yuan could sense the scarlet and pale green streams of vitality skyrocketing, significantly boosting the Wraith Ape's strength and enhancing its fearsome demon energy.

Could the Duan brothers withstand the Wraith Ape if it reclaimed its seventh-level status after having fallen to the sixth?

From the emblem on the back of Duan Tianhong's garment, he received fresh guidance from the state preceptor.

"This Wraith Ape, seemingly a pawn for the alien soul, is far from foolish," Duan Tianhong inhaled deeply, casting aside any hesitation. He exchanged a knowing glance with Duan Tianxi and charged at the Wraith Ape.

The fiery magma pool expanded dramatically, whirling in the void, scattering countless sparkling flames.

A long spear materialized from the depths of the magma pool.

"Crack!"

The spear, a manifestation of the pool's fiery essence, was not a tangible object.

Grasping the flaming spear, Duan Tianhong soared towards the Wraith Ape.

Meanwhile, Duan Tianxi uttered a soft cry, his Lunar Spirit-formed figure seated atop the crimson big bell, vigilantly scanning the surroundings to ward off sneak attacks from other alien souls.

Suddenly, in the Soulforge Pool, only Yu Yuan, Lee Yuchan, and Duan Guanlan remained.

Duan Guanlan, with the Cursemark affixed to his forehead, showed no fear as he strolled leisurely along the pool's edge, marked with sword scars.

Yu Yuan keenly sensed that when the Cursemark materialized at the mud pellet location, Duan Guanlan seemed to have activated a third eye.

It appeared that with the Cursemark, he could perceive the wonders contained within the sword scars without being covertly drained of soulstone and Soul Power.

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

"We observe and wait," Yu Yuan replied with a gentle smile. "If the Duan brothers are following orders from state preceptor Zhou Cangmin, then there must be many undercurrents within the Crimson Sun Empire. There's no need to rush; let's wait a bit longer. As long as those brothers can fend off a few attacks, our nation's cultivators should be able to make it here."

Lee Yuchan's gaze was piercing as she scrutinized him. "What's your connection with the Ruby Hand?"

"Why do you ask?" Yu Yuan responded with a smile.

"The Sunlit Order and the Ruby Hand are archenemies, and the Sunlit Order supports the Crimson Sun Empire," Lee Yuchan explained, glancing at Duan Tianxi and then back to Duan Guanlan. "The Crimson Sun Empire and our Silvermoon Empire have been at odds for years. My sister has even secretly met with Ruby Hand cultivators on several occasions, but unfortunately, they've made no commitments."

Yu Yuan paused, processing her words. "You're saying?"

"Our nation has always sought to forge a good relationship with the Ruby Hand," Lee Yuchan said with a hint of resignation. "But the Ruby Hand has shown little interest in us, never seeking deeper engagement."

Yu Yuan had an epiphany.

In the Land of Quiescence, the Ruby Hand might rank below the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep, but due to their feud with the Sunlit Order and the latter's ties to the Crimson Sun Empire, the Empress of the Silvermoon Empire had been attempting to win them over.

Yet, it seemed the Ruby Hand didn't think much of the modest Silvermoon Empire.

Additionally, the haughty cultivators of the Ruby Hand never entertained the idea of making the continent of Aetherius their battlefield. Their rigorous training was aimed at one day openly challenging the Sunlit Order, seeking retribution.

Lee Yuchan was well-acquainted with the Ruby Hand, and his persuasive explanations left the Duan brothers astonished. The female general was contemplating using him to establish a connection with the Ruby Hand.

"We'll discuss this matter later."

Yu Yuan glanced at Duan Guanlan and inquired, "Lee Yu and the others wouldn't foolishly leave this place and head towards our country, would they?"

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

"That's a relief," Yu Yuan nodded. "As long as they don't run into the alien soul that has infiltrated our country, they should be safe for the time being."

"Yu Yuan, your body carries the essence of these sword scars," Duan Guanlan, having circled the sword scar, suddenly halted. "Have you deciphered some of their secrets?"

"No," Yu Yuan replied.

"The peculiar pattern that surfaced on your face earlier matches one of the sword scars on the wall," Duan Guanlan pointed to a specific sword scar. "When the remnant soul penetrated the sword scar, it witnessed marvels similar to the pattern that recently appeared on your face."

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

Duan Guanlan stepped forward, positioning himself before the sword scar, as the "Cursemark" on his forehead glowed intensely.

Yu Yuan watched, his gaze becoming turbulent.

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