C1749 The Remnant of Evil

"I'm sorry."

Yu Yuan bowed deeply to Tan Junshan, his head hung low, genuinely feeling remorseful for letting him down.

The Divine Soul Sect and Yu Yuan hadn't been able to do much about Lee Sha's demise. There simply hadn't been enough time to act.

The overly arrogant Moon Sect Master hadn't notified the Divine Soul Sect beforehand. She had stealthily arrived in the Vast Ocean, attempting to secure a divine position for the Silver Moon Sect. Lee Sha had certainly faced significant troubles, but her death was unbearably tragic.

Yet, in that situation, who could have stood against Lin Daoke?

With Taishi absent from the Vast Ocean, Taixu without a physical form, and Tianqi in the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, Lin Daoke's sword was unmatched in this world!

The anguish and loss on Tan Junshan's face when speaking of Lee Sha's passing seemed to reflect more than just respect for the Moon Sect Master—it wasn't as simple as mourning a senior sister.

The love in Tan Junshan's eyes was as intense as the wine he clutched!

Lee Sha was the woman he cherished and the one he had vowed to protect, yet she was slain by a single sword strike from Lin Daoke. The divine position she had hoped to secure for him and Jun Chen ultimately went to Jee Ningshuang.

How could he possibly come to terms with that?

The man responsible for Lee Sha's death was none other than Lin Daoke, the most formidable Great Sword Immortal in human history.

Even if Tan Junshan had not yet ascended to godhood, and even if he were to become one of the supreme beings of the Vast Ocean, challenging Lin Daoke would likely result in the same fate as Lee Sha's.

Since Lee Sha's death, his life had become colorless. His interest in cultivation, the Great Dao, and even vengeance had faded.

Thus, he wallowed in his sorrow, drowning his sorrows night after night within the Mondnacht Clan's domain. He hadn't expected to encounter Jee Ningshuang and himself, which is why he had drunkenly sought them out.

"Ah."

Yu Yuan let out a heavy sigh, knowing that nothing he said would make a difference to Tan Junshan.

"You two talk."

Jee Ningshuang floated away after leaving those words, aware that her presence would only deepen Tan Junshan's sorrow and resentment towards the Divine Soul Sect and Yu Yuan.

Lee Sha's fate was of no concern to her; she harbored neither fondness nor disdain for the Silver Moon Sect or Tan Junshan. They were simply not on her radar.

"Mr. Tan, rest assured that Senior Duan Yisheng will remain unharmed. I will ensure the release of all those held captive by the Silver Moon Sect. Furthermore, I will fulfill my promise to locate Lau Ying for you," Yu Yuan stated as he noticed Tan Junshan pouring another drink. He went on, "Regarding Lin Daoke, we were indeed powerless against him in the past. We simply lacked the means to confront him."

"Now?" Tan Junshan slurred, his eyes bleary. "Do you have the means now? I've witnessed his swordsmanship. I refuse to believe anyone from the Divine Soul Sect can surpass Lin Daoke! Not Taishi, not Tianqi or Taixu, and as for Shehun, who hasn't returned, I see little hope."

"Perhaps there is hope," Yu Yuan interjected abruptly.

Tan Junshan was taken aback.

"You've been isolated in this galaxy for far too long, and your access to the latest news has slowed. Shehun is likely to venture to the Plover Realm soon to challenge Lin Daoke," Yu Yuan updated him on the latest developments.

Tan Junshan dabbed at his mouth with his sleeve and let out a cold laugh. "I'll be there to witness it! I'm curious to see if your Divine Soul Sect's Divine King will meet the same fate as my Senior Sister Lee Sha at the hands of Lin Daoke!"

His gaze then shifted to the direction Jee Ningshuang had departed, "Yu Yuan, you're being selfish! She has claimed two Divine Roads, the stars and the ice, severing the paths of Jun Chen and Lau Ying!"

"I'm aware, and it's possible that these circumstances could change in the future. The existing doctrines are not immutable," Yu Yuan replied earnestly after a deep breath. "Mr. Tan, on behalf of the Divine Soul Sect, I assure you that a new pinnacle will rise within your Silver Moon Sect."

"The journey you're on holds the potential for divinity; you're merely lacking the essence."

Tan Junshan, who had mastered the power of the moon and stood at the Peak of the Unrestrained Stage, was undoubtedly eligible to ascend to godhood.

"Taishi once made promises to us, yet my Senior Sister is gone, and you've been unable to contend with Lin Daoke. I find it hard to trust your words now. Besides, even if I were to achieve godhood and eternal life, I would still be no match for Lin Daoke, and I would never see my Senior Sister again."

"What's the point?" Tan Junshan asked, listlessly shaking his empty wine pot, showing little interest in further conversation with Yu Yuan. He perched atop the crescent-shaped object, drifting toward the distant stars.

As Tan Junshan disappeared into the night, Yu Yuan was at a loss for words, his sense of guilt toward Tan Junshan deepening.

Eventually, Jee Ningshuang arrived from afar, only to find Tan Junshan gone. She broached the subject of Lee Sha's death...

"It was Sect Master Lin's sword that took her life, not yours," Yu Yuan said, turning away and pausing before adding, "You shouldn't feel burdened by it. Even before Gu Xingkui of your Sword Sect passed, Han Miaoyuan and Lin Daoke had already been laying the groundwork for you. If Lee Sha had just been a little more patient, she might have witnessed Tan Junshan's ascension."

"They're not my concern," Jee Ningshuang replied with a slight shake of her head, indicating she felt no remorse. The Sword Sect was formidable, and since they possessed the strength to claim a divine seat for her, there was no reason to concede it to the Silver Moon Sect.

Besides, Sect Master Lin Daoke wasn't one for discussing the grand principles of the Dao.

"We should head back to the Gray Domain now," Yu Yuan suggested.

"Aren't you going to continue observing? I don't mind wandering around and exploring with you," Jee Ningshuang said, a hint of wistfulness in her voice.

"There will be other chances," Yu Yuan assured her.

"Oh," she acknowledged, her response noncommittal. She didn't seem ready to depart just yet and, with a furrowed brow, she suggested, "Why not give the ground beetle from the Gray Domain to that girl, Lau Ying?"

Yu Yuan looked at her, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"She's of the Star Sect lineage. Maybe with a ground beetle that matches her attributes, she could have the potential to reach the peak, like President Lyi did, by choosing a different path," Jee Ningshuang explained, seemingly aware of his remorse. "With Lee Sha gone, and the divine paths of Jun Chen and Lau Ying cut short, the Silver Moon Sect will hold you responsible."

"If you can locate Lau Ying and bring her into the Gray Domain, letting her interact with the ground beetle might just work wonders. As for me, having achieved godhood, all I need is to observe the ground beetle and delve into the mysteries of the stars."

"I haven't tamed it to become my mount, to join me in soaring through the cosmos."

Jee Ningshuang appeared quite nonchalant.

"Stars, extreme cold—if I had to focus on one ultimate path, I might choose the path of extreme cold."

"This?"

Yu Yuan held her hand, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Then I'll try to find Lau Ying and bring her to the Gray Domain, so we can visit the ground beetle together."

"Okay."

...

Deep within the enigmatic galaxy, a prismatic land shone like a crystal.

The Void Spirit Succubi circled a resplendent lake, casting unusual glances at a man who exuded the aura of the Boundless Human Race.

Pei Yuling!

This human cultivator, adept in spatial powers and highly esteemed by the Origin Realm God, immersed himself in the Void Spirit Succubi's holy lake, declaring with reverence, "The god we worship is still among us!"

The Hannya Divine Tree was slain by Lin Daoke, and the corrupted Hannya Divine Tree was felled by Taishi and Han Miaoyuan.

Yet Pei Yuling survived.

He was not only alive but had seemingly taken the place of the Hannya Divine Tree and Rovi, earning the trust of the entire Void Spirit Succubus tribe and continuing to herald the presence and might of the Origin Realm God.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Pei Yuling's blood transformed into a multitude of dazzling butterflies, fluttering around him.

With a prayerful demeanor, he addressed those before him, "Do not worry, for I will be your guide henceforth. The Giant Beast Soul Amber coursing through me is the Soul Amber of your ancestors. I will surpass her, and I will surpass Rovi!"

Pei Yuling had acquired all the customs, culture, and doctrines of the tribe through the blood of the Void Spirit Succubus.

Moreover, he could traverse the Origin Realm and communicate with the Evil God therein.

A fragment of the Origin Realm God's soul lay concealed within President Lyi, continuing to influence the mysteries of this world, which he could discern through the Origin Realm.

"Pei Yuling, haha."

In the Origin Realm, where only the soul can perceive and act, a colossal soul shadow emerged, radiating an aura of wisdom.

Surrounding the shadowy soul were numerous ancient and powerful spirits, seemingly upholding and venerating it as their faithful devotees.

"Lord Supreme Wisdom!"

In the sacred land of the Void Spirit Succubus, within the hallowed lake, Pei Yuling was in communion with the Soul of the Origin Realm.

His demeanor was remarkably reverent.

…