C325 Not Human Nor Demon!

Liu Ying found it difficult to fathom that individuals of such high caliber in the magic arts, like Xu Zixi and Yan Qiling, would have any dealings with Yu Yuan.

Even more surprising to her was the fact that the commander of the Sunblessed Empire's army had ties with Yu Yuan.

As a rising prodigy of the Starmoon Sect and the future leader of the Star Sect, Liu Ying's insights into Shen Feiqing extended beyond what was known within the Sunblessed Empire.

Her elders and master at the Starmoon Sect spoke of Shen Feiqing with unreserved admiration.

It was rare for her master to bestow such praise.

With her exceptional talent, Shen Feiqing had reached the middle period of Spirit Walk and practiced the forbidden Ancient Echoes of the Void mantra. Why would such a formidable warrior engage in conversation with Yu Yuan?

Liu Ying was brimming with questions.

Beneath her grotesque mask, Shen Feiqing inhaled sharply.

She observed the myriad of space rifts that trailed behind her, weaving together and coming to a halt seventy feet above her head.

Her robust vitality evident, she glanced at the enormous platinum skull with a dark sword sheath embedded in it and spoke in her distinct raspy voice, "Quite the coincidence."

"Indeed, quite the coincidence," the High Oracle's Lunar Spirit murmured as it descended toward the pit below like a tuft of cloud.

The sword's will, emanating from the sheath, was suddenly activated.

"Chi! Chi!"

The space rifts, caused by Shen Feiqing, spiraled out of control.

The luminous fissures were instantly infiltrated by the piercing sword's will concealed within the sheath, transforming into a multitude of rapiers aimed at the High Oracle's Lunar Spirit.

In that moment, Shen Feiqing's vitality and remnant soul abruptly severed their connection with her.

Beneath the mask, a flicker of panic crossed Shen Feiqing's eyes as she bellowed, "Don't be reckless!"

She was cautioning Zhou Cangmin.

The High Oracle, who had always maintained a nonchalant demeanor, skillfully synchronized with the space rifts and, sensing something amiss, abruptly halted.

At Shen Feiqing's cry, his Lunar Spirit phantom swiftly recoiled.

"Those space rifts?"

Zhou Cangmin inwardly recoiled, sensing the tangible sword's will turn into dazzling beams that slipped into the ruptured rifts. "Feiqing! Are the rifts, torn open by your bizarre strength, no longer under your control?"

Shen Feiqing's gaze was dark as she confirmed, "Yes."

No sooner had she spoken than she fixed her gaze on Yu Yuan and demanded, "What is happening?"

Her master had confided in her about the Ancient Echoes of the Void and the secret synergistic role of the Phaseblossom. Yet, her master had vanished into the cosmos long ago and had not returned.

She was unable to reach him.

Why had a patch of Phaseblossom, named "Forgotten Ruins" by her master, suddenly appeared here? And Yu Yuan, a man of mysterious origins, seemed to understand the peculiar connection between the Ancient Echoes of the Void and the Phaseblossom. Moreover, he claimed ownership of the Phaseblossom.

Now, the sword's will concealed within Yu Yuan's arm bone emitted an aura identical to that of the sword's will within the black and green scabbard.

What secrets was this enigmatic young man concealing?

The High Oracle, Xu Zixi, and even Yan Qiling looked on in astonishment.

The multitude of coincidences and peculiarities made it impossible for the onlookers not to be suspicious.

Of them all, Liu Ying was the most astounded and shaken.

Through the Fallen Star Eyes, she had detected that the space rifts, previously under Shen Feiqing's command and used to devastating effect, had taken on an odd quality after being infused with the refined sword's will from the scabbard.

Yu Yuan was at a loss for words.

He lifted his hand, and with a mere thought, a sword's will—vast, ancient, and powerful—erupted forth.

Hovering seven feet above Shen Feiqing's head, numerous delicate space rifts appeared, sharp as swords and ready to serve at his command.

Unbeknownst to all, the formidable space rifts, once Shen Feiqing's unbeatable arsenal, had switched allegiance, becoming his lethal instruments under his control.

"Yu Yuan, you little schemer... have you played us all?" Zhou Cangmin murmured darkly.

His tone and demeanor were laden with grievances, and he was clearly displeased.

He attempted to draw near the platinum skull, but the sword's will instantly responded, deterring him with a jolt. Could it be... that this was Yu Yuan's doing?

The sword's will followed his thoughts?

"Ladies and gentlemen, how could I possibly know about a sword sheath inside this skull?" Yu Yuan, massaging his temples and wearing a look of distress, protested, "To this moment, I remain clueless about the nature and whereabouts of the Mysterious Realm."

"That brown eye," Yan Qiling pointed out.

He was exceptionally sensitive to space magic and had recognized that if there truly was a Mysterious Realm, the Mystic Gate would be the eye within the eye socket of the platinum skull.

Yu Zhu had also sensed something.

The rest, including Zhou Cangmin, only came to the realization that the eye was the crucial element after Yan Qiling's remark.

"The sword sheath has slain the skull's owner."

Yan Qiling squinted and organized his thoughts before speaking, "Make no mistake, this massive skull with curved horns is neither human nor an archdemon of the Everlands. This skull, this form, I believe it matches a certain description."

"What?!" Xu Zixi gasped.

Yu Yuan's face drained of color. "Neither human nor demon?"

Yan Qiling nodded affirmatively, "This entity originates from beyond our realm."

"An entity from the Star-Spawned Terror?" Shen Feiqing inquired with a raspy, deep voice.

"No," Yan Qiling shook his head, pausing briefly before adding, "All I can say is that these Otherkin are exceedingly rare, their numbers a mere fraction of those of the Sky Fiend. You don't need to know the details, and I'm not at liberty to disclose them. But know this: the creature is incredibly difficult to kill. Even a blow through the skull might not be fatal."

"The sword sheath was likely left by the slayer, who feared its resurrection and used the sword's will within to continuously cleanse and temper it."

"Countless years may have passed. It might be dead, or perhaps... it still possesses spiritual wisdom."

"The pupil of that eye exhibits highly abnormal spatial vibrations. It's probably the Mystic Gate, leading to another dimension."

"Alternatively, it could lead to a perilous place where one might perish without any hope of return."

As the artifact soul of the Soul Splitting Staff, Yan Qiling could be considered a member of the fourth upper sect. He was reticent about the Otherkin's origins and identity because that matter was under the jurisdiction of the fourth upper sect, responsible for their suppression and eradication.

Should he disclose their name, his own identity and past might be dangerously revealed.

By then, not only the three great upper sects but also the Ruby Hand, Devil Palace, and Shadow's Keep would be hot on our trail, following any lead they could find.

After all, the fall of the fourth upper sect was a significant event, with the most powerful sects in the Everlands lending their covert support.

"So, what do we do now?"

Shen Feiqing's eyes were shadowed, her presence emanating a palpable sense of danger. "I've gone to great lengths to find this place, seeking the Mysterious Realm. I need to enter it and find a solution before my strength begins to wane."

"What did your master tell you?" Yu Yuan demanded.

"Before departing the Everlands, he instructed me to seek out this Mysterious Realm when all other options had failed," Shen Feiqing revealed without reservation. "He also mentioned that if I felt confident enough to condense the Solar Spirit, I should attempt to locate the Mysterious Realm."

"Why not try entering that eyeball?" Yu Yuan offered helpfully.

Fury flared in Shen Feiqing's eyes.

"Relax, I won't interfere!" Yu Yuan assured her hastily.

"How can I feel safe stepping into those space rifts that you've claimed, the ones that burst open because of me?" Shen Feiqing retorted.

"Without my Phaseblossom, you would have been gravely wounded by the Thunder Sect, Winter's Bite, and Bai Shuang, only to face a backlash afterward," Yu Yuan said, feigning innocence. "You benefited from my actions. It was because of me that you managed to defeat Bai Shuang and Jiang Moyan and severely wound Zou Jin, which led the state preceptor to catch up and execute him."

"Had I not had those Phaseblossom, I wouldn't have taken such a gamble! I would have avoided the lake entirely, opting to roam the Forgotten Ruins before seeking refuge in the Godsblight Marsh!" Shen Feiqing argued vehemently. "I would never have given Jiang Moyan, Zou Jin, or that Silverfrost Dragon the opportunity to inflict such harm on me! I would never have put myself in such peril!"

Their argument escalated quickly into a heated exchange.

"Um, someone's coming," Liu Ying interjected timidly.

"Who's there?"

Yu Yuan, Shen Feiqing, and Xu Zixi called out together.

"His name is Bai Shang."

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