C445 The Cry for Help!

In a remote region of the Ember Waters, the azure veil of light, once invisible, now manifested tangibly before them. The "Deep Blue Veil" became visible, delicate as a cicada's wing, shimmering with a blue radiance that seemed it might be pierced with a mere touch.

"Swish!" Tiny sparks of dark blue burst forth from the veil, accompanied by muffled groans. These were the spiritual senses of the Penetrating Stage survivors, attempting to breach the curtain of light.

Alas, when their spiritual senses grazed the gossamer barrier, it was as though they had struck an iron wall, scattering sparks in their wake.

"Clang!" A flaming golden hammer, wielded by a trialist of the Red Devil Sect, was hurled with force at the "Deep Blue Veil." The flimsy curtain remained unaltered, while the golden flames that even water could not quench were snuffed out in an instant.

The young man from the Red Devil Sect's face paled, and he quickly retracted the golden hammer, his heart aching. Specks of gold dust settled on the hammer, an urgent attempt to repair the damage inflicted.

Numerous individuals emerged from the glass bottle, employing weapons, spiritual senses, and arcane devil spells in desperate attempts to shatter the azure barrier before them, yearning to break free.

Freedom from this domain meant soaring the skies without fear. Yet despite their varied efforts, the "Deep Blue Veil" remained impervious.

Within the crystalline glass bottle, Hou Tianzhao, Chi Nandou, Fei Yi, Lin Yue, and others did not venture out, opting to wait within.

A Devil Palace youth sprawled casually on the ground, eschewing cultivation for observation. He watched the futile attempts and the ensuing dejection with a smirk, his laughter echoing at intervals, clearly amused by the spectacle.

Yan Lu and Fei Yi stood shoulder to shoulder, eyeing the youth curiously. So far, Yan Lu had only learned from Fei Yi that the youth's name was Mo Yan, a local from the Devil Palace on the Quietus Continent.

Yet the details of Mo Yan's origins and the time of his initiation into the Devil Palace's practices remained a mystery.

"It's pointless," Sheh Si muttered, her lips pursed in frustration. She watched as the others repeatedly hurled themselves against the steadfast blue barrier after emerging from the glass bottle, their efforts leaving it unchanged, much to their disappointment.

Chi Yin of the Filthy Spirit Sect scrutinized the glass bottle intently, as if deep in thought.

Lin Yue and Hou Tianzhao cast occasional glances toward Chi Nandou.

Time passed quietly.

Eventually, Chi Nandou's frame gave a slight shudder. He rubbed his hands together awkwardly and ventured, "Um, Mo Yan..." His gaze shifted to the Devil Palace youth, faltering before he could finish.

The Devil Palace youth, brimming with enthusiasm, was visibly irked by the interruption. "Just spit it out!" he snapped.

Clearing his throat, Chi Nandou ventured, "Do you have any way to shatter this deep blue veil so we can get out of this cursed place sooner? You're aware the Blood Sacrificial Altar is still out there, possibly closing in on our scent at any moment."

"Nobody here wants to meet their end. We all seek an escape, which is why we've heeded your call and converged at the glass bottle," Chi Nandou added, his tone cautious to avoid displeasing the young man.

Mo Yan responded with a hint of irritation, "I'm no expert; I don't have any solutions."

Chi Nandou offered a wry smile. "Perhaps I could attempt something. Yu Yuan once mentioned that a full-force strike from a Heaven Level Seventh Grade artifact could break through."

"The glass bottle is merely Heaven Level Second Grade," interjected Chi Yin.

It was then that Mo Yan perked up, his attention shifting away from the futile struggles outside against the Dark Blue Curtain. He fixed his gaze on Chi Nandou, prompting, "Go on."

"The Bone Devouring Shuttle... it's also in my possession," Chi Nandou revealed.

"The Bone Devouring Shuttle!" Mo Yan echoed, his interest piqued.

"Heaven Level Third Grade Bone Devouring Shuttle! How did the Fiend Sect entrust you with both the glass bottle and the Bone Devouring Shuttle? I've heard that when combined, these two Heaven Level artifacts can unleash the might of an Eighth Grade," Chi Yin remarked, astonishment lacing her voice. Then, with a sudden gasp, she turned sharply, alerting the others, "Someone's approaching!"

In the distance, a soft luminescence shimmered.

"We're almost through the Deep Blue Veil with the glass bottle and the Bone Devouring Shuttle," Chi Nandou informed the group, then added, "Assuming Yu Yuan's estimates are on point."

"Alright, go ahead then," Mo Yan prompted.

Chi Nandou let out a forced cough and pouted slightly, "The Bone Devouring Shuttle needs a bit of flesh and soul to work its magic, or else it won't reach its full potential. Ever heard of that?"

His words caused a momentary pause among the nefarious sect's cultivators.

Many were familiar with the Fiend Sect's Bone Devouring Shuttle and had heard that it could be used in tandem with the glass bottle. Yet, few had actually witnessed the two artifacts in action.

Even fewer knew that the Bone Devouring Shuttle required blood and souls as a sacrificial catalyst.

"You think I've been sitting here idly, waiting for something?" Mo Yan huffed. "What, should we wait for the Blood Sacrificial Altar to come and slaughter us all?"

"Waiting for what?" Chi Nandou was momentarily lost.

It was then that the Rosy Jenny began to emerge.

Carrying the remnants of the Primordial Yang Sect, the Cloud Water Sect, and the Profound Sky Sect, the Rosy Jenny was slowly drawing near.

The Devil Palace's young adept rose to his feet, eyes on the Rosy Jenny, and declared, "We need to move quickly. We can't afford to linger. The noise of battle here is too great; the blood and Qi disturbances could be detected by the Blood Sacrificial Altar."

Many still didn't grasp his implication, finding his behavior odd.

Yet, individuals like Chi Nandou, Lin Yue, and Hou Tianzhao had a hunch about his intentions the moment he stood up, even before he spoke.

Lin Yue's pupils flared crimson, and from his sleeves, tendrils of blood-red light snaked out.

Hou Tianzhao's mouth twisted into a strange smile as his body began to radiate an intense heat, like a piece of iron glowing red-hot.

With a glint in his eye, Chi Nandou said flirtatiously, "Now I understand!"

In the palm of his hand, the silvery Bone Devouring Shuttle materialized. At first glance, it was as lustrous as jade, but upon closer inspection, it was clear that this device was exquisitely crafted from the bone of some exotic beast.

As soon as the Bone Devouring Shuttle was unleashed, many within the glass bottle were struck by an unspeakable malaise, their breathing growing labored.

Yan Lu's eyes widened in alarm, "Brother Fei?!"

"Show no mercy. Eliminate them all if possible," the Devil Palace youth said with a dismissive glance and a snort. "After all, we can pin it on the Blood Offering Altar later. It's not our concern."

With that, he soared out of the glass bottle, charging straight for the Rosy Jenny.

...

The Fallen Star Eyes darted about uncontrollably.

Seething with anger, Lau Ying sat on the stone platform, her gaze icy as she watched the Chaos Roc. "With all your might, once we reach the brink, you can take control and shatter the deep blue veil."

The Chaos Roc, having assimilated the essence of both the sun and the moon, paid her no heed.

Crafted from lunar meteorite, the Fallen Star Eyes continued its underwater flight, trailing slightly behind the pace Lau Ying could command.

The Fallen Star Eyes was not truly its own; wresting control from Lau Ying meant its movements were less swift, less sure.

Lau Ying's taunt was born of this realization.

She sensed the Chaos Roc couldn't harness the full might of the Fallen Star Eyes, that it lacked the power to rend the Dark Blue Curtain, and she mocked it for its inadequacy.

What difference would reaching the brink make?

It would still need me, still depend on my hand to guide the Fallen Star Eyes and deliver its mightiest blow.

That was Lau Ying's conviction.

"I wonder if Yu Yuan has emerged from the Evil Cauldron," mused Su Yan with a wistful sigh. "Everyone's gone, and now the Tears of Blue Devil loom over there. I fear he'll be greeted by them upon his return."

Lau Ying shot the Chaos Roc a sharp look, her voice tinged with reproach, "You! Where's your loyalty? I thought after all this time you were devoted to him, but at the first sign of danger, you fled? And not just that—you dragged me along with you?"

The Chaos Roc, long oppressed by the ancient demons, was on the verge of tears, yet none would come.

It wasn't a servant of Yu Yuan; their relationship was purely collaborative. All it desired was for Yu Yuan to use the sheath to shatter the "Dark Blue Curtain" and free it from its seal.

How had he been mistaken for Yu Yuan's slave or pet in this woman's eyes?

Suddenly, the Chaos Roc's eyes gleamed with realization.

When Yu Yuan employed the Sun Essence Fire to detect its presence, the Chaos Roc felt an immediate connection.

Without delay, it turned to Lau Ying and transmitted a soul message to reassure her, informing her that Yu Yuan had emerged from the Evil Cauldron and was now closing in on their position.

"Really?" Lau Ying's spirits lifted at the news.

...

In the depths of the Ember Waters, Yu Yuan sped along the course he had discerned earlier.

The Evil Cauldron, nestled within the Qi and Blood Mystic Technique, occasionally quivered, leaking traces of Qi and Blood.

Within the microcosm of his dantian, the tumultuous Qi and Blood began to find order and undergo transformation, thanks to the Evil Cauldron's influence.

Wisps of refined Qi and Blood seeped from his dantian, coursing through the eight extraordinary meridians and nourishing his internal organs.

After some time, the Evil Cauldron within his dantian jolted violently.

The shockwave sent a sudden pang of pain through Yu Yuan's Qi and Blood Dantian.

Simultaneously, a faint soul thought began to emerge, painstakingly weaving itself from the intricate and enigmatic Demonic Mark on the face of the Evil Cauldron.

"I am Heixun of the Devil Palace, trapped within. Who are you? And why is the Evil Cauldron inside you?"

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