C234 Alliance

"The Mark of the Celestials!"

"In Gloomhollow, a Mark of the Celestials has appeared. Which Guru from Ebon Star is the Sigil Keeper?"

"Indeed, it's the Mark of the Celestials!"

Outside the valley, cultivators from all corners of the Serpent Spine Mountains gazed into the mist-enshrouded valley. They were in awe of the palace, its grandeur and sanctity shining through the miasma and clouds, prompting cries of astonishment.

"Ebon Star actually has a Sigil Keeper who has infiltrated Gloomhollow!"

Shi Yuxuan, the current Sect Master of Sacred Hands, gasped in surprise, his expression a mix of elation and anxiety.

Clearly, even as the Sect Master, he was unaware that a cultivator from Ebon Star had secretly entered the Serpent Spine Mountains.

What were Ebon Star, Binders of Shadows, and the other formidable cultivators planning?

"The Sigil Keeper is Mei Qiurong of Ebon Star."

Chen Qingyan, clutching her Snakeskin Scabbard, stood by his side and offered this information in a soft voice.

At this moment, the onlookers outside the valley remained blind to its true nature, unable to discern the details within Gloomhollow or the fates of those inside.

The brilliance emanating from the Mark of the Celestials, now transformed into a majestic and solemn palace, was so intense it was almost overwhelming, making it the only distinguishable feature.

The rest remained unseen to those outside the valley.

"Mei Qiurong of Ebon Star?" Shi Yuxuan furrowed his brow and turned to her, asking, "That name is quite unfamiliar to me. How is she in possession of a Mark of the Celestials? And what is her cultivation level and status within Ebon Star?"

"She was once at the Spirit Walk stage, but after sustaining serious injuries, she has fallen to the Lunar Spirit," Chen Qingyan replied, pausing briefly. "Uncle Shi, my knowledge of her is limited. All I know is from my master, who mentioned that she's been undertaking clandestine tasks for Ebon Star in certain places for years, which led to her decline."

"Though she may have fallen to the Lunar Spirit, it seems she has accomplished the tasks Ebon Star set out for her."

She appeared out of nowhere within the Ebon Star sect. To reward her, they entrusted her with the Mark of the Celestials, granting her the power to defend herself and the hope that she would swiftly ascend to the Spirit Walk realm once more.

"Why would she suddenly show up in the Serpent Spine Mountains, specifically in Gloomhollow, when she was supposed to be deep in cultivation with the Ebon Star?" Chen Qingyan pondered aloud.

In response, Shi Yuxuan, with a mix of bitterness and resignation, said, "It's a long tale, one for another time."

...

Deep within the valley.

Yu Yuan, separated by a thousand miles and situated in Gloomhollow of the Serpent Spine Mountains, attempted to practice the Soul Forging through Enlightenment technique. To his surprise, his heaven soul faintly detected the presence of four ancient black characters suppressed at the bottom of the Soulforge Pool.

An enigmatic connection between souls was forged in a mere moment. A wave of desolation swept over Yu Yuan, reminiscent of a once-mighty hero facing his inevitable end, clinging to the last threads of his connection to the world.

Remarkably, Yu Yuan's three souls—of heaven, earth, and man—were now deeply anchored within his Mindscape, shielded from any harm.

The bewilderment and panic that once clouded his eyes were now replaced by a serene clarity.

His gaze settled on Mei Qiurong.

"Eh!" she exclaimed, her expression shifting subtly as she struggled to grasp the situation.

Her real body was still engaged with Loong Tianxiao, wielding the palace-shaped Mark of the Celestials.

Beneath the radiance of the palace, Loong Tianxiao's spirit form was being torn asunder, his body emitting wisps of smoke.

This was the volatilization of Soul Power and remnant soul!

Without external intervention, Loong Tianxiao, a formidable being of both human and dragon lineage, would be completely dissolved under the might of the Mark of the Celestials, leaving no trace of his existence behind.

Bound by the Shadowflame Blight Array, he was unable to escape the confines of Gloomhollow, now ensnared by the palace's unyielding grasp.

His form diminished, as if his soul were aflame, and he let out agonized howls.

The cultivators from Thunder Temple, Guan Xianyun of Binders of Shadows, and Zanas stood in stunned silence, not daring to utter another word. Mei Qiurong's actions served as a stark warning to all.

Even the formidable Loong Tianxiao, crushed under the weight of a palace conjured by the Mark of the Celestials, was rendered helpless. What chance did they stand?

"Enough, enough. She is of the Ebon Star, after all, and still possesses a Mark of the Celestials. To be her servant... is not a shame," Loong Tianxiao conceded under the looming threat of death. Resigned, he resolved to heed Mei Qiurong's words, to cast aside his pride and serve her as a slave, if only to cling to life.

But as he braced himself to plead for mercy, his expression shifted abruptly. He saw Mei Qiurong's Lunar Spirit, which had been casting spells, now shaking violently.

Loong Tianxiao was equally astonished to see Yu Yuan, who had been writhing in pain, now steadying his legs. Yu Yuan's gaze was icy, brimming with a bone-chilling intent to kill.

The thick, multicolored miasma that had been still for a moment began to churn once more, as if commanding the dense clouds to plummet down upon the solemn, mountainous palace.

The brilliant radiance that had burst forth from the palace was swiftly engulfed and obscured by the noxious fog.

The dissolution of Loong Tianxiao's remnant soul and Soul Power came to an abrupt halt. The searing pain of his soul being consumed, which had tormented and eroded him ceaselessly, was gone. He was suddenly free.

A resounding "clang" echoed, the grating sound of metal striking metal emanating from the smoke-enshrouded palace.

Mei Qiurong's real body visibly tensed, and she urgently called out, "Lunar Spirit, return!" With the Mark of the Celestials under attack, she knew she needed to reunite the three souls with her body to channel her vitality and spiritual energy, harmonizing them with her remnant soul to cast her spells effectively.

After unleashing its full power, Mei Qiurong could no longer control Yu Yuan. Her Lunar Spirit needed to enter her body without delay.

Yet...

She was suddenly gripped by fear when she discovered that her Lunar Spirit, upon attempting to merge with her corporeal body, was actually constrained by Yu Yuan.

An eerie aura, laden with desolation, had imperceptibly enveloped her Lunar Spirit, preventing it from entering her body promptly.

This peculiar presence hindered the seamless fusion of her Lunar Spirit with her physical form.

Mei Qiurong's alarm was significant.

But what caused her even greater distress was yet to come!

Yu Yuan, positioned at the mouth of the cave, stepped aside and flashed a wide grin at her Lunar Spirit, chuckling, "Ms. Mei, savor the flavor of the Nightstorm!"

Mei Qiurong's face paled.

The very next moment, she sensed the Nightstorm—the force she had always dreaded yet could never trace—blowing forth from the cave where Yu Yuan had been lying in wait.

Invisible and intangible, yet undeniably real, the Nightstorm howled towards her Lunar Spirit.

"Who exactly are you?!" Mei Qiurong cried out.

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