C428 Yes I Haven't Given up Yet!!

Fallen Star Eyes.

Liu Ying, leading another group of trial-takers deep beneath the sea, was now in a state of utter disarray. As she navigated the depths with the Fallen Star Eyes, the presence of living creatures became scarcer.

It wasn't just the trial-takers from the various sects who were missing; even the fish were nearly impossible to find. The underwater world of the Embers Sea was eerily quiet.

The trial-takers from the Cloudwater Sect, Forgeroses, Colddeath, and Taintborn wore grim expressions, having long since lost their initial enthusiasm. Liu Ying had attempted to use the power of the Fallen Star Eyes to break through the barrier and escape the sea's clutches, but to no avail.

As time dragged on, those trapped beneath the waves slowly came to a stark realization: the guardians of the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep above could not rescue them. They were on their own.

Initially, Yan Lu had pinned his hopes on Yu Yuan, repeatedly urging Liu Ying to search for him. This had caused considerable discontent among the others. With each passing moment that the Fallen Star Eyes revealed only the bodies of the deceased, even Yan Lu, who had always believed in Yu Yuan, began to lose heart. He feared that Yu Yuan, who was only at the level of the Golden Sanctum, might have met with disaster without the Fallen Star Eyes.

"Liu Ying!" Fei Yi of the Devil Palace approached the weary Starmoon Sect girl. "I know you've done so much for everyone. However, I believe it's time we stop searching for survivors."

He then glanced at the members of the Cloudwater Sect, Forgeroses, Colddeath, and Taintborn, who all nodded in agreement.

"What would you have me do?" Liu Ying asked, her spirit significantly drained from controlling the Fallen Star Eyes and soaring through the ocean depths, her energy constantly depleting. With a detached look in her eyes, she continued, "Honestly, I'm out of confidence too. If you have any viable suggestions, I'm open to them."

"Take command of the Fallen Star Eyes and depart from the Embers Sea," Fei Yi suggested.

Upon hearing his words, many were invigorated.

Clearly, hope for others had faded; everyone was solely focused on their own survival.

Concerns for survivors or fellow sect members had dissipated.

"Should we flee?"

Liu Ying gently shook her head, her snow-white neck gleaming like jade. "The dark blue barrier enveloping this sea isn't just on the surface, but also surrounds us. I've sensed it for a while..."

"I'm aware of the barrier at the sea's edge," Fei Yi agreed. "But I feel the dark blue energy there might be slightly weaker. Maybe?"

"Had I not wandered in search of survivors initially, I could have unleashed up to ninety percent of the Fallen Star Eyes' power," Liu Ying lamented before continuing, "Now, even at full strength, I can only harness fifty percent."

"Fifty percent?" Fei Yi was taken aback.

"Yes," Liu Ying confirmed, "With half the Fallen Star Eyes' power, I'm not confident I can break through the dark blue energy barrier. Moreover, regardless of success, such an attempt would injure me. And the Fallen Star Eyes likely won't be able to ensure everyone's safe departure."

She paused, then added, "That's the harsh reality."

Her words cast a silence over the group.

Unbeknownst to them, she had already sacrificed much on their behalf.

Wielding the Fallen Star Eyes, she had dodged formidable life forces and tirelessly searched for survivors, depleting her vitality significantly.

The Fallen Star Eyes, capable of absorbing stellar power from the cosmos, were now at the sea's bottom.

Unable to draw cosmic energy from beneath the sea, the Fallen Star Eyes would be depleted without a chance for replenishment.

This was why she hadn't resorted to using the Fallen Star Eyes initially, when the danger was still an unknown.

"If we could find Yu Yuan, we might stand a chance at breaking through the dark blue barrier at the edge of the Embers Sea!"

These words came not from Yan Lu, but from Liu Ying herself.

Amidst the group's astonished and puzzled looks, she spoke again, "I haven't attempted to use the Fallen Star Eyes at the sea's edge because I currently lack any certainty. The reason I continue to wander is that I haven't lost hope! I know Yu Yuan possesses the power we need."

"Even I was on the verge of losing hope, and yet you..." Yan Lu exclaimed in astonishment.

Su Yan, also hailing from the Silvermoon Empire, trembled at his words.

Liu Ying nodded emphatically, "Yes, I haven't lost hope yet!"

She had witnessed Yu Yuan's every action in the Forgotten Ruins through the Fallen Star Eyes, including how he pocketed the sword sheath that had been lodged in a platinum skull.

The Fallen Star Eyes could partially sense the terrifying sword light contained within that sheath.

She had also seen Yu Yuan point his finger at the eye of a Shura from the Dark Realm, unleashing a sword's will capable of rending the heavens and the earth.

It was these experiences that solidified her belief in Yu Yuan's capabilities.

"I'm eager to meet this individual."

A stocky young man from the Forgeroses, his hair braided into small plaits, commented with a deep, resonant voice.

Prompted by Yan Lu and Liu Ying, the survivors from the Colddeath and Taintborn, along with those from the Water Moon Sect, found themselves intensely curious about the enigmatic Yu Yuan.

What was it about this person that was so captivating, or should I say, bewitching?

Why were those who knew him, like Yan Lu, Liu Ying, and Su Yan, so convinced that if he were still alive, if he were with them, he could lead them out of their dire straits and lend them aid?

What was the reason?

Those who were both curious and skeptical harbored complex emotions.

"Eh?"

Liu Ying's spirit surged as she focused intently on the pristine stone platform before her, suddenly declaring, "Ebon Star's Lu Baichan's Nebula Gem! They're very close to us!"

"Nebula Gem?" Fei Yi raised his eyebrows in mild surprise. "Regardless of our affiliations, all of us trial-takers who have ventured into the sea should set aside our past grievances for the time being."

"I'm well aware," Liu Ying retorted with a pout.

The Fallen Star Eyes swiftly closed the distance toward the Nebula Gem.

Moments later, the Fallen Star Eyes and the Nebula Gem encountered each other in the Embers Sea.

"Fallen Star Eyes, Liu Ying!"

"Fantastic! The might of the Fallen Star Eyes should be able to penetrate the Azure Veil at the border!"

The members of the Ebon Star and the Sunlit Order, having long sought the Fallen Star Eyes, were thrilled at the sight. They gestured excitedly from within the Nebula Gem, their faces alight with joy.

According to Yu Yuan, the Fallen Star Eyes were in Liu Ying's possession. There was a high likelihood that they could penetrate the seal at the border and lead them to freedom.

This news filled them with elation.

Conversely, Liu Ying and Yan Lu, perched atop the Fallen Star Eyes, were crestfallen upon realizing that Yu Yuan was not in control of the Nebula Gem.

"Oh, if only Yu Yuan were here," Yan Lu lamented, shaking his head in disappointment.

Liu Ying echoed the sentiment, "It would be wonderful if Yu Yuan were with us."

"Baichan, what are they saying? As the wielder of the Nebula Gem, you can hear their voices, can't you?" asked the senior cultivator from the Ebon Star, puzzled by the disheartened conversation between Liu Ying and Yan Lu.

Noticing Lu Baichan's peculiar expression, he called out, "Baichan?"

"Oh!"

Lu Baichan snapped out of her reverie. After hearing his question again, she replied with a tone tinged with various emotions, "They're expressing regret and disappointment."

"Regret and disappointment about what? Shouldn't they be pleased to see us?" Tang Cen interjected with a huff.

Lu Baichan let out a sigh, "They're disappointed because Yu Yuan isn't among us."

"Ah!" The entire Ebon Star group gasped in astonishment.

"How can Yu Yuan have such a magnetic pull?" the elder disciple of the Ebon Star wondered aloud, shaking his head in disbelief as he watched Liu Ying and the others draw near.

Tang Cen's face turned steely, "Yu Yuan, yet again!"

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