C436 The Third Wonderland!

"Crucible of Evil!"

The remnant soul of the Abyssal Leviathan jolted Yu Yuan, abruptly halting his cultivation.

"You're aware of it?"

His psyche underwent a tremendous shift, which the Abyssal Leviathan instantly perceived.

Yu Yuan opened his eyes and gave a subtle nod.

"Why have you woken up again?" Su Yan inquired with a hint of wonder.

Yu Yuan glanced at her and let out a light chuckle, "Just feeling a bit restless."

"Indeed, who knows where the Blood Altar could be? And there's no telling what's become of it." Su Yan, assuming he was anxious, let out a gentle sigh and gazed out to sea.

Yu Yuan offered no explanation and once more closed his eyes, intent on connecting with the Abyssal Leviathan.

"The Crucible of Evil is the Terror Claws' most prized possession! Legend has it that it vanished with the fall of the Terror Claws."

He was still reeling from the revelation, "The Crucible of Evil, said to be of Divine Level before any damage, lies at the bottom of the Embers Sea, one of the three great mysteries?"

His excitement was palpable.

His practice of Evil Body Refining, derived from the Terror Claws, was renowned for tempering the flesh and bones.

This dark art could harness evil spirits, infusing them into the body's acupoints to unleash devastating force.

"The Crucible of Evil" was legendary as a weapon of doom, capable of transforming evil spirits into formidable entities and amplifying the power of Evil Body Refining!

Should he acquire the Crucible of Evil, his mastery of Evil Body Refining would surge forward! Upon reaching the Veil Breaking realm, it would further accelerate the refinement of his corporeal body!

Wielding the Crucible of Evil, he would consume evil spirits, which, once refined by the Crucible, would spawn a mighty Evil Demon!

In his possession, the cauldron would significantly enhance his combat prowess!

Even a Divine Artifact, unleashing but a fraction of its potential, could exponentially boost his strength!

In this realm, there are innumerable wielders of weapons of doom who transcend boundaries and vanquish foes!

A fearsome weapon of doom like the Crucible of Evil, especially suited to his dark arts and located on an island in the Embers Sea, was conveniently on his path.

The Tears of the Azurefiend, having broken free from its seal, split into the Soul Altar and the Blood Altar, unleashing chaos both above and below the sea. This region, long dominated by the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep, had in truth already succumbed to their control.

If the Crucible of Evil, lying at the sea's bottom, wasn't claimed by him, it risked being destroyed by the Tears of the Azurefiend or seized by another. The Tears of the Azurefiend was no mere inanimate object; it contained the soul of a great Demon God from the Azurefiend clan.

The entity governing the Tears of the Azurefiend was none other than the soul crystal of this formidable Demon God. Instead of letting the Tears of the Azurefiend fall into the wrong hands, it would be wiser for him, as the heir to the Terror Claws legacy, to claim this Divine Artifact of infamous renown through the practice of Evil Body Refining.

Should the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep learn of his actions later, the extraordinary circumstances would justify his decision.

"Where is it?"

Dispensing with subterfuge, he demanded the location of the Crucible of Evil and further details from the Abyssal Leviathan. The creature obliged, revealing all it knew about the Crucible of Evil.

As it turned out, the long-lost Crucible of Evil had been secured by the Devil Palace and secreted away within the Embers Sea. Their initial intent was to infuse the remnant evil within the Crucible into the Tears of the Azurefiend at the Soul Altar, in hopes of unlocking the mysteries of the Sky Fiend's Blood Altar and determining whether the altar could assimilate the evil to produce Soul Power.

The Crucible of Evil's role was to aid the Devil Palace in understanding the Blood Altar. Unfortunately, the Devil Palace's experts failed to unlock the secrets held by the Tears of the Azurefiend through the Crucible. Once the Bane within the cauldron was depleted, with no more to replenish it, they ceased their attempts.

Subsequently, his power surged, propelling him once more towards the heavens.

The Crucible of Evil lay at the bottom of the Embers Sea, autonomously gathering Bane to become one of the three great wonders of the region.

Over the years, the Crucible of Evil had turned into a place where the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep conspired against the prodigies of Euwrea.

Once the Abyssal Leviathan revealed its secrets, Yu Yuan understood and quietly devised a plan.

"So this artifact was originally intended to aid in comprehending the Tears of the Azurefiend. The Bane within it can assist in refining the soul with the Tears of the Azurefiend! With that in mind, the Crucible of Evil must not remain in the Embers Sea!"

He had convinced himself, further solidifying his resolve to claim the Crucible of Evil.

However, he was aware that while the Crucible of Evil could be located, it must be done discreetly, without drawing attention.

Should Luo Yiyi or anyone else discover the remains of vanished geniuses within or around the Crucible of Evil, it could incite a dispute between the continents.

With a plan in mind, as the Fallen Star Eyes soared by, Yu Yuan asked Liu Ying to make a slight detour.

Liu Ying had complete trust in him and would do her utmost to fulfill his requests.

An hour later.

The Fallen Star Eyes glided past an island anchored to the ocean floor, adorned with vivid corals and vibrant plants, the seaweed dancing in the currents.

Nearby, a naturally formed underwater cavern yawned open like a gaping, shadowy maw, its interior dark and chilling.

The Fallen Star Eyes came to a halt nearby. After Liu Ying took a Soul Essence Pill, her spirit and vigor were restored to their peak. Her eyes, sparkling with curiosity, shone like stars as she inquired, "Why have we stopped here?"

The others also cast puzzled looks at Yu Yuan.

Yu Yuan had given the order to stop, and Liu Ying had simply followed his command.

The Ethereal Vial trailing behind them also ceased its motion, prompting Qi Nandou and Hou Tianzhao to speculate about Yu Yuan's intentions.

Confronted with their questioning stares, Yu Yuan felt a headache brewing.

After observing the Abyssal Leviathan, Yu Yuan was struck with an idea and said, "Ahem, this peculiar fish came from within. It encountered me and has been following ever since, seeking to escape the Embers Sea. However, before departing, it wishes to return and retrieve something it had hidden away."

Yu Yuan had no other reason to bring up the Abyssal Leviathan.

"It possesses intelligence? So, it's a member of the evilkind from the ocean depths?" Su Yan murmured.

"Just a small demon, a little sea demon with smarts," Yu Yuan clarified.

The Abyssal Leviathan's eyes brimmed with sorrow and a sense of being wronged.

Those who had been watching him turned their gaze back to the creature, noting the almost human expression in its tiny eyes, and were quietly astonished.

"Fine, have it your way."

Liu Ying didn't dwell on it; her attention was primarily on attuning to the Blood Altar and discerning the correct path. She had little time to ponder the origins of the Abyssal Leviathan.

Besides, she trusted Yu Yuan.

"Just give me a moment," Yu Yuan said with a smile, then proceeded to lead the Abyssal Leviathan through the cosmic energy light screen of the Fallen Star Eyes towards the seabed cavern.

"I'm not fond of just waiting around. I'll go stretch my legs and have a look around," Chi Yin of the Taintborn said, stretching languidly and passing through the barrier before Liu Ying could seal it.

Lin Yue of the Colddeath Sect's eyes sparkled briefly. "Same here."

In an instant, he transformed into a streak of blood-red light and darted away.

Their actions were so swift that Liu Ying couldn't intervene in time. By the time she realized what was happening, they had already followed Yu Yuan towards the shadowy sea cave.

"Anyone else who dares to leave, don't bother coming back!" Liu Ying warned, noticing Du Huang, Yan Lu, Su Yan, and others growing restless. With a light hum, she issued her ultimatum.

The group immediately settled down.

"Yu Yuan has taken that strange fish and left the Fallen Star Eyes for the seabed cave!" Qi Nandou, from within the Ethereal Vial, kept a close watch on the unfolding events. Upon noticing Yu Yuan's departure, he exclaimed in shock and then called out, "Chi Yin and Lin Yue have gone after them as well!"

Hou Tianzhao inhaled deeply before speaking again, "You mentioned that fish earlier?"

"It's quite peculiar!" Qi Nandou exclaimed.

"In that case..."

Drawing out his words, Hou Tianzhao gazed intently at the slightly eerie sea cave. He suddenly declared, "Stay inside the Ethereal Vial and keep watch over the Fallen Star Eyes. I'll go have a look."

"I... I'd like to go too," Qi Nandou said timidly.

"The Ethereal Vial needs you here; you can't go," Hou Tianzhao replied, glancing at the rest of the Ruby Hand members. He commanded, "None of you are to leave. Stay here and wait."

"Oh."

The group nodded reluctantly and complied.

Following Yu Yuan, Chi Yin, and Lin Yue, Hou Tianzhao of the Ruby Hand, wrapped in a brilliant ring of light, shot out of the Ethereal Vial and raced towards Yu Yuan.

"Brother Yu! Dear brother, wait for me!"

Hou Tianzhao's booming voice nearly set off a tsunami at the bottom of the sea, making many people's ears buzz.

"Who is this guy?"

Some of the girls from the Cloudwater Sect and a few members of the Forgeroses, who had arrived at the islands of the Devil Palace and the Shadow's Keep after the Ruby Hand had already descended into the sea, had not yet met Hou Tianzhao.

"Ruby Hand, Hou Tianzhao!"

"He's a real handful!"

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