C434 Pill Dispute

The pill that nourishes the mind and spirit is indeed a treasure.

The Soul Essence Pill, of the seventh earthly level, offers significant benefits to those in the Subtlety Stage who have developed their spiritual sense and are transforming their earthly soul into a Lunar Spirit.

Liu Ying, however, had not yet reached the Subtlety Realm.

Her mind and spirit had not condensed into a spiritual sense, which meant that using the Fallen Star Eyes required even more energy from her.

To the elders of the Starmoon Sect, venturing into the Embers Sea was seen as risk-free, to the point where the Fallen Star Eyes might not even be necessary.

As a result, Liu Ying's master did not provide any extra pills to warm and nurture her spirit.

They believed that Liu Ying, with her Fallen Star Eyes, was merely going through the motions in the Embers Sea, trying to calm her nerves after the shock of the Forgotten Ruins.

Little did they expect to find the Tears of the Azurefiend, guarded in secret by the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep, deep within the islands of the Embers Sea—powerful enough to break the seals of two major forces and set themselves free.

Nor could they have foreseen that Liu Ying, while using the Fallen Star Eyes to search for Yu Yuan underwater, would end up rescuing a multitude of survivors.

The need to remain vigilant against extraterrestrial threats in the surrounding waters led to a severe drain on Liu Ying's mental and physical energy.

Her frequent listlessness and the dullness in her eyes were clear signs of her strain.

Taking the Earthly Seventh Level Soul Essence Pill would allow her to instantly replenish the energy she had lost, maintain a long-term connection with the Fallen Star Eyes, and stay attuned to the subtlest movements in the sea around her, thus avoiding any accidental encounters with the Azurefiend's Blood Altar.

Luo Yiyi of the Cloudwater Sect had a Soul Essence Pill tucked close to her chest, though she had no immediate use for it.

Why not offer it to Liu Ying, to help her swiftly recover and benefit the whole group?

After all, why should Liu Ying be responsible for escorting all of the Cloudwater Sect to safety, ensuring their survival out of the Embers Sea?

This was Yu Yuan's line of thinking when he detected the faint scent of the Soul Essence Pill emanating from Luo Yiyi's chest. Without announcing his intentions, he drew near, seemingly with flirtatious intent, only to discern more closely upon approach.

He was absolutely certain it was a Soul Essence Pill!

"Soul Essence Pill!"

"Luo Yiyi! You've been carrying a Soul Essence Pill all this time. Why didn't you mention it?"

"If it truly is a Soul Essence Pill, then I don't see Yu Yuan in the wrong here. It seems to me, Luo Yiyi, that you're the one raising suspicions!"

"The Soul Essence Pill could swiftly restore Liu Ying's mental and spiritual energy, benefiting us all! You're well aware of the immense energy required to sustain a prolonged connection with an artifact like the Fallen Star Eyes!"

"…"

Upon hearing Yu Yuan's revelation, members of the Forgeroses, Devil Palace, Colddeath, and Taintborn had an epiphany.

Their glances towards Luo Yiyi were now laced with mockery and intrigue.

"I…"

Luo Yiyi hung her head in a pitiable manner, glanced at her ample chest, and shot Yu Yuan a fierce glare, muttering under her breath, "Do you have a dog's nose or something? The scent of the Soul Essence Pill's pill should have been masked by the perfume of my rouge. How could you possibly detect it?"

"Is it truly the Soul Essence Pill?" Liu Ying echoed, taken aback.

Yu Yuan extended his left hand, his finger poised like a sword, pointing directly at Luo Yiyi's chest. He smirked with ill intent, "If she refuses to confess, I wouldn't hesitate to tear through that flimsy garment and extract the Soul Essence Pill myself."

His earlier brash behavior had been excused because of the Soul Essence Pill.

But now, with the Soul Essence Pill exposed, his demeanor was once again under scrutiny.

"You're quite the scoundrel."

Liu Ying chided him with a huff, reaching out with her slender finger to deflect his 'sword finger' away from Luo Yiyi's chest.

Her expression then turned icy. "My Fallen Star Eyes do not welcome you, Luo Yiyi, nor the Cloudwater Sect."

She stepped forward, positioning herself between Yu Yuan and Luo Yiyi, and declared, "I would ask that you leave of your own accord!"

At her words, the cultivators from the Cloudwater Sect behind Luo Yiyi wore expressions of deep despair, their eyes pleading with her.

Luo Yiyi, initially ready to argue and feeling humiliated by Yu Yuan's accusatory pointing, was thrown into disarray by Liu Ying's unwavering stance.

Aware of her own guilt and the vulnerability of concealing the Soul Essence Pill, Luo Yiyi quickly adopted a pitiable demeanor and pleaded with Liu Ying, "Sister Liu, it's not that I'm unwilling to part with the Soul Essence Pill. I just feel that the right moment hasn't arrived yet. I'd like to wait a bit longer. When the Fallen Star Eyes reach the edge of the Embers Sea and we need to break through the light barrier, I'll present the Soul Essence Pill to you."

"I'm not being miserly, I truly hope you can trust and forgive me."

With a forlorn plea, Luo Yiyi reached into her garment and produced a pill bottle the size of a thumb, pressing it into Liu Ying's hand without further ado, "Please don't look down on it, Sister Liu. I've already refined some of the pill's potency. I didn't store it in the Bracelet of Holding, but kept it close to my heart because I've reached the Subtlety Realm. The dissipating potency of the pill aids in the tempering of my spiritual sense."

Given her recent advancement to the early period of the Subtlety Realm and the nascent formation of her spiritual sense, the Soul Essence Pill indeed provided a significant boost to her cultivation efforts.

Her reluctance to part with the pill was understandable, considering she knew how depleted Liu Ying's mental strength was.

With the Soul Essence Pill on her person, Luo Yiyi could constantly cultivate, using the pill's escaping medicinal strength to hasten the consolidation of her spiritual sense while absorbing spiritual energy.

"Hehe!"

Yu Yuan gave a hollow chuckle.

Luo Yiyi, hearing this, remained silent.

"Yu Yuan!"

Liu Ying, clutching the Soul Essence Pill, saw him walking away and called out softly, "What's your opinion?"

"Let it be," Yu Yuan replied without looking back, offering a pragmatic suggestion, "The Cloudwater Sect doesn't share our commitment to unity. If we face any peril during our journey, and we must sacrifice someone or send someone to scout ahead, then the Cloudwater Sect should take the lead."

His statement made it clear that he considered the Cloudwater Sect expendable in the treacherous expanse of the Fallen Star Eyes.

The Fallen Star Eyes had to pick up the pace in the face of danger, which meant traveling light. It was best to leave the members of the Cloudwater Sect behind.

Should there be unknown territories that required scouting, the Cloudwater Sect would be sent to explore.

"This is wonderful!"

Chi Yin of the Taintborn Sect's eyes sparkled as she beamed and said, "Brother Yu, you truly have a heart of gold! I adore people who are as straightforward as you!"

Lin Yue of the Colddeath Sect paused, then a mischievous grin spread across his face.

Yu Yuan's behavior and approach didn't resemble the so-called noble sects of Euwrea. Rather, his disregard for trivial formalities fit well with the unorthodox practices of the Land of Quiescence's demonic sects.

"Very well!"

Liu Ying, with a spring in her step, took the Soul Essence Pill and breezed past Luo Yiyi without so much as asking for her consent.

The logic was simple: comply with the Fallen Star Eyes' demands or leave.

Luo Yiyi, with a face marred by sorrow, seethed inwardly. She despised Yu Yuan down to her very core, yet she dared not voice her discontent.

Having received the Soul Essence Pill, Liu Ying returned to her previous spot on the stone platform. Once seated, she wasted no time in taking the pill, absorbing its potent medicine, and integrating it into her being.

Yu Yuan, Yan Lu, and Su Yan mingled together, engaging in light-hearted conversation with an air of ease.

"Does it smell nice?"

Su Yan, dressed in a flowing green gown, her expression gentle, asked with a soft voice, her brow slightly furrowed.

Yu Yuan, taken aback, replied, "What?"

Su Yan's eyes shimmered as she brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, her gaze fixed on the visibly upset Luo Yiyi. "I'm asking about the scent on the Cloudwater Sect sister's chest. Is it fragrant?"

"The scent of the Soul Essence Pill isn't particularly fragrant, just unique," Yu Yuan responded, missing her point.

"Just the pill's scent?" Su Yan pressed.

Yu Yuan nodded, suddenly sensing that Su Yan's curiosity was unusual.

She seemed unconcerned with the Soul Essence Pill or the conflict between him and Luo Yiyi. Her interest lay solely in the scent on Luo Yiyi's chest. What could she be thinking?

Su Yan pursed her lips and let out a silent snort of disdain.

With a clink, Chi Yin from the Taintborn Sect emerged from Lin Yue's side. The various bottles and jars hanging from her attire jingled crisply as she moved. Her garb was a patchwork of tattered, brightly colored fabrics, making her stand out as quite the eccentric dresser among cultivators.

Tall and imposing, Chi Yin towered over the slender and elegant Lin Yue, her stature exuding strength and robustness.

Her features were not particularly remarkable, with thick, sword-like eyebrows that gave her a more formidable appearance than many men. Her arrival before Yu Yuan was not only surprising to him but also to the onlookers.

From within the Ethereal Vial, Hou Tianzhao of the Ruby Hand Sect suddenly burst into laughter, "Qi Nandou, I think Chi Yin from the Taintborn Sect would be quite the match for you. Have you considered it?"

Qi Nandou of the Skyblight Cult, a man with a delicate physique, contrasted sharply with Chi Yin of the Taintborn Sect, a woman of a strong and vigorous build.

Qi Nandou, trapped inside the Ethereal Vial, glanced at Chi Yin from a distance, shrinking his neck as he pleaded, "Please, don't spout such nonsense. I have no interest in a mannish woman like her."

It seemed Qi Nandou harbored a certain fear of Chi Yin, deliberately averting his gaze from the Fallen Star Eyes whenever she was near.

"Cough, cough, I've heard rumors," Hou Tianzhao continued, laughing heartily as if he had discovered a new amusement. "I heard that your Skyblight Cult even considered pairing you up with Chi Yin! But it seems you two can't stand each other, always going out of your way to avoid one another, right?"

The trial-takers from the Skyblight Cult behind Qi Nandou quietly bowed their heads upon hearing this, their faces betraying awkward expressions.

"Shut it! No one would mistake you for a mute if you kept quiet!"

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